Dodgers will obtain Betts
The Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have agreed on a trade that will send outfielder Mookie Betts and starter David Price to Los Angeles, an official with direct knowledge of the discussions told USA Today.
Boston’s return package is expected to include outfielder Alex Verdugo as the top prospect involved.
The Dodgers, who were heavy favorites to win the NL West anyways, now are the favorites to reach the World Series for the third time in four years by acquiring Betts, who may not be Mike Trout, but he’s awfully close.
The Red Sox attempted several times to sign Betts to a long-term extension during his career, but failed. Now, the Dodgers are left to see whether they can keep Betts, who will earn $27 million in 2019, when he becomes a free agent after this season.
He hit .295 with 29 home runs, 80 RBI and led the majors with 135 runs scored in 2019.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio announced his retirement Tuesday, ending a 13-year run in which he guided the Spartans to heights they hadn’t reached in decades.
Dantonio, 63, went 114-57 as Michigan State’s coach and won Big Ten titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015. The last of those three seasons included a trip to the College Football Playoff, but the Spartans declined after that. They went 7-6 this past season.
Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel will be the acting head coach while Michigan State seeks a replacement for Dantonio.
NBA
The New York Knicks fired President Steve Mills, shaking up the front office just two days before the NBA’s trade deadline.
General manager Scott Perry will take over control of the basketball operations, with the team announcing that it would begin an immediate search for a new president.
Mills has held a number of titles at Madison Square Garden since 1999, where he came after spending 16 years at the NBA. But this was the first time his role included full control of basketball decisions, and now MSG executive chairman James Dolan will look for someone else to do it.
NFL
The NFL suspended Jacksonville defensive tackle Carl Davis without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Davis’ contract is set to expire when the new league calendar begins in March, and it’s unlikely the Jaguars will re-sign him.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound defender played in three games in 2019, including two for Jacksonville and one for Indianapolis.
The Jaguars also announced that they will play consecutive home games in London next season. Dates and opponents were not announced.
BASEBALL
The lone baseball writer who did not vote for Derek Jeter for the Hall of Fame chose to keep his or her ballot private.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America released the ballots of 315 Hall voters, and all public ballots included the longtime New York Yankees captain.
Jeter was on 396 of 397 ballots in voting announced Jan. 21.
AUTO RACING
AJ Foyt Racing has completed its IndyCar lineup and will use Sebastien Bourdais and rookie Dalton Kellett in its flagship No. 14 car.
Four-time series champion Bourdais will drive the Chevrolet-powered entry in the season-opener at St. Petersburg, Barber, Long Beach and Portland.
Kellett, a Canadian rookie, will drive a third Foyt entry in the Indianapolis 500. He will drive the No. 14 at the remaining eight street and road courses on the circuit.