Giants' free-agent target Nimmo stays in New York
Center fielder Brandon Nimmo was thought to be a target of the San Francisco Giants this offseason.
Instead, the Wyoming native is returning to the New York Mets on an eight-year, $162 million deal that was finalized on Saturday.
Nimmo gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $18.25 million this year and $20.25 million annually from 2024-30.
A quality leadoff hitter with a .385 career on-base percentage, Nimmo became a free agent last month for the first time. He was a key performer as the Mets returned to the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016.
Nimmo hit .274 with 16 homers and a team-high 102 runs this year, a career best. Hampered by injuries in the past, the left-handed hitter also set career highs with 64 RBIs and 151 games played. His seven triples tied for most in the National League.
Bringing back the affable Nimmo means New York is poised to return its entire everyday lineup intact from a team that tied for fifth in the majors in runs and won 101 regular-season games — second-most in franchise history.
But the Mets remain busy replenishing a pitching staff gutted by free agency, including Jacob deGrom's departure for Texas and Taijuan Walker's deal with Philadelphia that is pending a physical.
During the offseason, the Mets have agreed to an $86.7 million, twoyear contract with former Houston ace Justin Verlander, retained AllStar closer Edwin Díaz with a $102 million, five-year deal, reached a $26 million, two-year agreement with pitcher José Quintana and agreed to a $10 million, one-year deal with reliever David Robertson.
Men's college basketball
NO. 8 ALABAMA COMES BACK FOR WIN OVER NO. 1 HOUSTON >> No. 8 Alabama could have called it a day when it was trailing by double-figures early in the second half.
The Crimson Tide didn't, and earned another marquee win this season.
Alabama rallied from a 15-point second half deficit to stun No. 1 Houston 71-65, becoming just the second men's team to beat two top-ranked teams in the same season.
Noah Clowney had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Jaden Bradley added 12 points and Mark Sears scored 11 points, including nine in the second half for the Crimson Tide (81). Alabama shot 50% from the field in the second half and 41% for the game. The Tide went 20 of 32 on free throws, including 15 of 21 in the second half.
The Crimson Tide beat North Carolina 103-101 in four overtimes on Nov. 27 and joins the 1990 Oklahoma team to take down two No. 1s in a season.
Jamal Shead had 19 points and six rebounds, and Tramon Mark scored 10 points before fouling out with 8:10 remaining for Houston (9-1).
Golf
HOFFMAN AND PALMER EXTEND QBE SHOOTOUT LEAD >> Charley Hoffman and Ryan Palmer had 10 birdies in modified alternate shot for a 10-under 62, setting the 36-hole record in the QBE Shootout and taking a twoshot lead into the final day.
Teammates for the first time, Hoffman and Palmer were at 26-under 118. That broke the record by one shot previously shared by Harris English and Matt Kuchar in 2020 and Jason Day and Cameron Tringale in 2014.
Hoffman and Palmer led by two shots over Tom Hoge and Sahith Theegala, who combined for a 60 at Tiburon Golf Club.
Today's final round will be fourballs.