Cobb closes in on contract with SF
Righthander Alex Cobb is close to finalizing an agreement with the San Francisco Giants, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said Monday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Cobb still must pass a physical to complete the deal. A 34-year-old free agent, Cobb would give the reigning NL West champions a key veteran near the front of the rotation after the departure of All-Star righty Kevin Gausman to the Toronto Blue Jays on a $110 million, five-year contract.
Cobb went 8-3 with a 3.76 ERA over 18 starts and 93 1/3 innings for the Los Angeles Angels this year. He struck out 98 batters and walked 33.
SCHERZER AND METS AGREE TO $130M, 3-YEAR CONTRACT >>
Max Scherzer has shattered baseball’s record for highest average salary, agreeing to a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is subject to a successful physical. RANGERS LAND SS SEAGER ON $325M, 10-YEAR DEAL >> The Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $325 million, 10-year deal with shortstop Corey Seager, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The deal for Seager is the biggest in Rangers history, and matches Giancarlo Stanton for the fifth largest in overall value in baseball. The $325 million trails only the deals of Mike Trout ($426.5 million), Mookie Betts ($365 million), Fernando Tatis Jr. ($340 million) and Bryce Harper ($330 million).
MARINERS FINALIZING DEAL WITH CY YOUNG WINNER RAY >>
The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a contract with American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray,
according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Ray still must undergo a physical and the deal has not been signed. ESPN. com first reported the sides were finalizing an agreement, expected to be for $115 million over five years. PINDER, KEMP REACH ONEYEAR DEALS WITH A’S >> Utilityman Chad Pinder has reached agreement on a $2,725,000, one-year contract and infielder Tony Kemp is receiving a $2.25 million, one-year deal as both players avoided salary arbitration with the Oakland A’s, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said.
The 29-year-old Pinder batted .243 with six home runs and 27 RBIs over 75 games for the A’s last season, missing time early in
the year with a sprained left knee. He earned $2,275,000 in 2021.
College football
LSU HIRES KELLY AWAY FROM NOTRE DAME >> LSU is hiring Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, a stunning move by one of the most accomplished coaches in college football jumping from the sport’s most storied program to an Southeastern Conference powerhouse.
The 60-year Kelly became the winningest coach in Notre Dame history earlier this season, surpassing Knute Rockne. In 12 seasons with the Fighting Irish, Kelly is 113-40, including the current run of five straight double-digit victory seasons.
COACH >> Washington has hired Fresno State’s Kalen DeBoer to lead the Huskies, handing a program that has struggled offensively to a coach with a track record of productive and creative offenses.
The 47-year-old DeBoer met with Washington officials in Fresno on Monday and the deal was announced a few hours later.
NFL PANTHERS RB MCCAFFREY OUT FOR THE SEASON >>
The injury bug has gotten Christian McCaffrey yet again.
The Carolina Panthers often-injured running back will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, the team announced.
McCaffrey had an MRI that revealed the injury was severe enough to put him on injured reserve. Because of his anticipated recovery time and given that it would be his second time on IR, the news means McCaffrey will miss out on Carolina’s final five regular-season games following its bye week.
Men’s college basketball
DUKE JUMPS TO NO. 1 IN RESHUFFLED AP TOP 25 >> Mike Krzyzewski’s final team at Duke has reached a familiar milestone: No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll.
The Blue Devils jumped four spots to the top of Monday’s poll following a win against Gonzaga that knocked the Bulldogs from the top spot. That adds to a record haul of top rankings both for the Duke program and for Krzyzewski, who is set to retire after the season.
No. 2 Purdue earned nine first-place votes and moved up a spot behind Duke in a reshuffled poll that saw no team hold its spot from the previous week and three new teams join the rankings. It is the Boilermakers’ highest ranking since last reaching No. 2 late in the 1987-88 season.