Astros reportedly signing ex-White Sox star Abreu
Free agent José Abreu, the longtime Chicago White Sox star first baseman, is reportedly joining the world champion Houston Astros.
The 2020 American League MVP and three-time All-Star is expected to sign a three-year deal, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, who had the initial report Monday.
Abreu, 35, left quite a mark in nine seasons with the Sox, ranking third on the team's all-time list with 243 home runs. He has a .292/.354/.506 career slash line in 1,270 games. He slashed .304/.378/.446 with 15 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2022.
Abreu's departure puts Andrew Vaughn in line to play first base for the Sox.
The Sox open the 2023 season in Houston. In Abreu, the reigning World Series champion Astros are signing someone known for his durability and run production. His 528 games played since 2019 ranks second in the AL.
Abreu would replace Yuli Gurriel, who is expected to become a utility player, if he stays in Houston.
BUSH WILL BE A'S NEW BENCH COACH >> The A's promoted Darren Bush to bench coach and hired Brentwood's Mike McCarthy as bullpen coach in a series of mostly internal moves to shore up the coaching staff for the 2023 season.
Bush, who just completed his 10th season with the A's, replaces Brad Ausmus, who departed last month after one season with the organization to pursue front office position. Eric Martins shifts from first-base coach to third, Bush's most recent spot, with Mike Aldrete returning to the first-base coaching box after a season as a quality control coach.
McCarthy, a graduate of Liberty High, was the pitching coach for the Padres' Triple-A El Paso affiliate. His arrival shifts Marcus Jensen to quality control coach. Scott Emerson (pitching coach), Tommy Everidge (hitting coach) and Chris Cron (assistant hitting coach) are back in the
same roles as last season.
The A's also announced the addition of assistant athletic trainers Brad LaRosa and Elliot Diehl. LaRosa was the athletic trainer for the A's Triple-A affiliate from 200819. Diehl, a San Jose native and former Cupertino High head athletic trainer, was the head trainer at the Phillies' Triple-A Lehigh Valley affiliate in 2022.
OHTANI VOTED TOP DH AGAIN >> Shohei Ohtani has been voted the majors' best designated hitter for the second consecutive season.
The Angels' two-way slugger won the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, beating out Houston's Yordan Alvarez as the top player at the position in 2022.
Women's college basketball SOUTH CAROLINA, STANFORD STILL 1-2 >>
South Carolina remained the unanimous No. 1 choice in The Associated Press women's basketball poll.
Stanford remained No. 2 after cruising through a tournament in Hawaii. It's the 618th appearance for coach Tara VanDerveer, tying the late Pat Summitt for most all-time.
UConn, Ohio State and Indiana rounded out the top five.
SANTA CLARA'S HEAL WINS ANOTHER AWARD >> Santa Clara's Tess Heal has been named the West Coast Conference's freshman of the seek for the third consecutive week.
USF's Ioanna Krimil, meanwhile, is the WCC's Player of the Week after averaging 22.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Heal averaged 16.7 points, 4-3 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 61 percent in three Broncos wins.
Men's college basketball HOUSTON NO. 1 FOR FIRST TIME IN DECADES >>
Make some room, Phi Slama Jama. Another Houston team has reached the top of the men's poll.
Nearly four decades after Clyde Drexler and Akeem Olajuwon took the Cougars to No. 1, the latest bunch led by Marcus Sasser and star freshman Jarace Walker took over the top spot in the AP Top 25. They received 45 of 63 first-place votes, easily outdistancing second-place Texas and third-place Virginia.
College football ARROYO, EX-SJSU QB, FIRED AT UNLV >>
UNLV has fired football coach Marcus Arroyo, who went 7-23 over three seasons. He had two years left on his $7.7 million contract. Harper said Arroyo would be paid a $2.3 million over the remainder of that term.
Kenwick Thompson will serve as the interim coach if UNLV, which is 5-7, is invited to a bowl. The Rebels began this season 4-1 before going on a six-game losing streak.
Arroyo was a quarterback at San Jose State and later spent time as a Spartans assistant and as Cal's offensive coordinator.
AUBURN HIRES FREEZE AS NEW COACH >>
Auburn is hiring Liberty coach Hugh Freeze to take over its football program, more than five years after his resignation from SEC West rival Mississippi amid both personal and NCAA scandals.
Freeze replaces Bryan Harsin, who went 9-12 in less than two seasons.
Freeze is officially 76-47 in 13 seasons as a head coach at Lambuth, Arkansas State, Mississippi and Liberty, but he comes with baggage that required extensive vetting by Auburn. Auburn credits him with a 103-47 record on the field, but he had 27 wins at Ole Miss vacated.