Aaron Judge named AP male athlete of year after setting HR mark
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge has always stood out. With the imposing size and muscular frame of an NFL tight end or NBA power forward, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound New York Yankees slugger towers over teammates and opponents on the diamond. Never more so than in 2022. After hitting 62 home...
Royals announce $17M deal with former Pirates pitcher Jordan LylesVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals were specific in their shopping list for a starting pitcher: They wanted someone capable of throwing a lot of innings, which would take some of the strain off the rest of their young and promising staff. They decided that right-hander Jordan Lyles,...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are right to be mad at Marcus Allen, and they’re letting him hear it — Mike Tomlin, Pirates too
So “U mad, bro?” is a day late. And you are mad about that. The Steelers are 6-8, and you are mad about that. Marcus Allen is drawing penalties for wandering into the other team’s huddle and you are all really mad about that. I mean, you should see all...
Explainer: Why are baseball teams spending so much money?Video
Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa and Trea Turner combined for almost $1 billion in contracts. Xander Bogaerts, Jacob deGrom, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodón, Brandon Nimmo and Willson Contreras added up to another billion. And that’s just nine players. Just one lucrative slice of baseball’s December spending spree. What a difference a...
Mets swoop in, snatch Carlos Correa for $315M, 12-year dealVideo
In a wild twist overnight, Carlos Correa agreed to a $315 million, 12-year contract with the free-spending New York Mets after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants came apart over an issue with his physical. The agreement with the Mets was confirmed to the Associated Press by a...
Tom Browning, who pitched perfect game for Reds, dies at 62
CINCINNATI — Tom Browning, an All-Star pitcher who threw the only perfect game in Cincinnati Reds history and helped them win a World Series title, died on Monday. He was 62. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky announced Browning’s death on Twitter, saying he died at his home in...
Cubs, right-hander Taillon finalize 4-year contract
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and right-hander Jameson Taillon have finalized a four-year contract worth roughly $68 million. The announcement on Monday comes nearly two weeks after the sides agreed to the deal. The Cubs also have added All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger this offseason....
Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball sells for $1.5 million at auction
RUNNEMEDE, N.J. — The ball New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit for his American League-record 62nd home run has sold for $1.5 million at auction. The price is the second highest paid for a baseball auction, according to Goldin Executive Chairman and Founder Ken Goldin. He identified the buyer...
After successful run in Japan, Plum native Scott McGough making return to MLB
Scott McGough is coming home. The 33-year-old Plum native who got his start in professional baseball in 2015 after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers will return to Major League Baseball for the 2023 season. McGough, a reliever who helped the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League...
Report: Yankees, Carlos Rodón agree to $162 million, 6-year dealVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees added Carlos Rodón to their rotation on Thursday, agreeing to a $162 million, six-year contract with the left-hander, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person confirmed the contract to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a...
Red Sox sign Japanese batting champ Masataka YoshidaVideo
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have signed outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and twice led Japan’s Pacific League in batting, to a five-year deal that will pay him $90 million. Yoshida, 29, helped Orix to a victory in the Japan Series in...
AP source: Carlos Correa, Giants reach $350M, 13-year deal
Star shortstop Carlos Correa and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $350 million, 13-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Correa also was a free...
Former Phillies ace, Whiz Kid Curt Simmons dead at 93
PHILADELPHIA — Curt Simmons, the last surviving member of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies Whiz Kids team, has died. He was 93. His death Tuesday at his Ambler, Pa., home was confirmed by the Phillies, who did not specify a cause. One of the greatest pitchers in franchise history, the lefty...
Sean Murphy to Braves, William Contreras to Brewers in 3-team tradeVideo
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves acquired catcher Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics as part of a three-team deal Monday that also sent All-Star catcher William Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers. Oakland acquired catcher Manny Piña and pitching prospects Kyle Muller, Freddy Tarnok and Royber Salinas from Atlanta and outfield...
Xander Bogaerts, Padres finalize $280M, 11-year dealVideo
SAN DIEGO — It didn’t take long for Xander Bogaerts to be asked whether he expected to be the San Diego Padres’ full-time shortstop even though the team already has two stalwarts at the position. “I play infield. I play shortstop,” a smiling Bogaerts said after pulling on a No....
AP source: Righty Trevor Williams, Nationals agree on 2-year deal
WASHINGTON — Trevor Williams and the Washington Nationals agreed to a two-year contract Friday, giving the rebuilding club a right-handed pitcher with experience as a starter and reliever. The agreement was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because nothing...
Report: Cubs, former Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon agree to 4-year, $68M dealVideo
SAN DIEGO — The Chicago Cubs added former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon to their rotation, agreeing to a four-year contract with the right-hander that is worth roughly $68 million. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal to the Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because...
Report: Kenley Jansen, Red Sox reach $32M, 2-year dealVideo
SAN DIEGO — Veteran closer Kenley Jansen and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a $32 million, two-year deal, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The 35-year-old...
AP source: Mets, Quintana agree to $26 million, 2-year deal
SAN DIEGO — The New York Mets and José Quintana agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract on Wednesday, adding another veteran arm to the team’s rotation. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a...
AP source: Aaron Judge, Yankees reach $360M, 9-year deal
SAN DIEGO — Aaron Judge has agreed to return to the New York Yankees on a $360 million, nine-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal had not been announced. Judge will...
Report: Guardians, 1B Josh Bell reach $33M, 2-year dealVideo
SAN DIEGO — The Cleveland Guardians and slugging first baseman Josh Bell agreed to a $33 million, two-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to the Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a review of medical records....
Report: Cody Bellinger, Cubs agree to $17.5M, 1-year dealVideo
Former National League MVP Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a $17.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP,...
Aaron Judge looms; Justin Verlander, Trea Turner deals heat up winter meetings
SAN DIEGO — Justin Verlander is going to the New York Mets. Trea Turner has agreed to a blockbuster deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. There are three more high-profile shortstops in free agency, along with ace pitcher Carlos Rodón. And one big slugger looms above the whole market. Baseball’s first...
Clayton Kershaw returning to Dodgers on $20M, 1-year deal
LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw will pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023 after re-signing in a $20 million, one-year deal. For the second straight year, the Dodgers didn’t extend a qualifying offer to the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Instead, they gave him additional time to mull his...
First Call: Hazy prognosis for Lamar Jackson’s knee before Steelers game; potential Bryan Reynolds trade targets
Monday’s “First Call” has John Harbaugh’s murky forecast for Lamar Jackson as “Steelers week” looms in Baltimore. A former Penn State standout stars in the NFC East. So does a former WPIAL great. Plus, we give you some Bryan Reynolds trade talk, and we consider Meg McConnell’s latest accomplishment at...
