San Jose State at Aztecs
Today:
Line: 8 p.m., Viejas Arena
Aztecs by 28
On the air: 101.5-FM
CBSSN; 1360-AM,
Yadier Molina enjoyed going through the process of free agency for the first time in more than two decades as a pro.
He was even happier that he wound up returning to the Cardinals.
The 38-year-old catcher signed a $9 million contract for the upcoming season Tuesday, ensuring the nine-time Gold Glove winner would remain with the only organization for which he’s played for an 18th season.
“I have a bunch of stuff going on here in Puerto Rico with my basketball team. I’m playing winter ball. But it was fun — fun to be part of the free agent process,“Molina said, “but in my mind, it was always St. Louis. We did everything we could to get the deal done and I’m happy to be back here again.”
Molina hit .262 with four home runs in 42 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, his last under a $60 million, three-year deal. Molina ended up making a prorated $7,407,407 of his $20 million salary last year, sending him into his first offseason on the open market since the Cardinals drafted him in 2000.
He received interest from several other clubs, but none of them had the sentimental pull of St. Louis.
“The city, the franchise, the teammates, the coaching staff — all those players, they wanted me back,” Molina said, “and I wanted to be back here. Obviously free agency is a process. It’s a slow process. You understand that. But in my mind, St. Louis was my first choice.”
Said Cardinals President John Mozeliak: “His experience, leadership, work ethic and ability to help bring out the best in those around him are special qualities.”
Molina is a career .281 hitter with 160 home runs, and he’s played in at least 110 games every season but his first and this past season, which was shortened by the pandemic. But he’s best known for his defense behind the dish, trailing only Ivan Rodriguez (13) and Johnny Bench (10) for most Gold Gloves won by a catcher.
Notable
Infielder Jonathan Villar has agreed to a $3.55 million, one-year contract with the Mets.
Villar, who turns 30 on May 2, adds infield depth behind new shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman Jeff McNeil.
Villar split last season between Miami and Toronto, which acquired him in a trade at the Aug. 31 trade deadline. He batted .232 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 185 atbats, and he earned about $3 million prorated from an $8.2 million salary.
• Outfielder Adam Duvall agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Marlins.
At 32, Duvall will provide power and a veteran bat to a team that is expected to rely heavily on developing youngsters. Duvall hit 16 home runs, which would have led the Marlins, last year for Atlanta.
• Jordan Zimmermann believes he’s finally healthy again as the former All-Star pitcher attempts to revive his career with the Brewers.
• Right-hander Steve Cishek agreed to a minor league contract with the Astros and has been invited to big-league spring training.
• Ryan Yarbrough and the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays went to a salary arbitration hearing Tuesday, with the pitcher asking for a raise from $578,500 to $3.1 million and the team arguing for $2.3 million. Also, free agent right-hander Chris Archer finalized his oneyear, $6.5 million contract that reunites him with the Rays.
• The Angels signed outfielder Juan Lagares and utilityman Phil Gosselin to minor league deals with invitations to spring training.
The Nets are dealing with a bit of a challenge while Kevin Durant is sidelined.
It's not going well at the moment.
Jerami Grant equaled his career high with 32 points and the Detroit Pistons took advantage of Durant's absence Tuesday night, beating visiting Brooklyn 122-111.
It was the third straight loss for the Nets, who are without Durant because of coronavirus protocols. He can't return until later this week.
Coach Steve Nash wasn't pleased with his team's response Tuesday, especially at
Pistons 122, Nets 111
the start. Brooklyn fell behind the last-place Pistons by 20 points in the second quarter.
“This is professional sports. The other team is talented and capable, and we're short-handed,” Nash said. “We've got a lot to clean up. Number one thing is just that attitude and that competition level and that connectivity.”
Detroit snapped a fourgame losing streak and showed the same type of spirit that was on display in its previous game, a doubleovertime loss in Los Angeles against the defending champion Lakers.
“I like our foundation. I like the pieces we have,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “We're not a finished product. We've just got to grow and get the pieces together.”
The Nets were without both Durant and Kyrie Irving (right finger sprain) in a loss to Philadelphia on Saturday night. Irving returned against Detroit and scored 27 points.
James Harden added 24 for Brooklyn, but it wasn't enough for the Nets to overcome a poor start. The Pistons shot 66.7 percent from the field in the first quarter and led by 12 at the end of the period. The lead reached 20 in the second.
“We look very average, and we have the talent that the eye test presents, that we should be dominating,” Irving said. “We're dealing with a lot of the reality that we're putting this together on the fly.”
Brooklyn rallied to within two in the third, but a 3-pointer by Grant gave the Pistons a 94-86 advantage at the end of that quarter, and Detroit was able to hold on.
Trail Blazers 106, Magic 97: Damian Lillard scored 36 points and host Portland extended its winning streak over Orlando to eight games.
Carmelo Anthony added a season-high 23 points, including five 3-pointers.
Jazz 122, Celtics 108: Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points and Joe Ingles added 24 as host Utah held off Boston. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33 points.
76ers 119, Kings 111: Joel Embiid had 25 points and 17 rebounds, and visiting Philadelphia rallied in the fourth quarter to upend Sacramento. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 34 points and 10 assists.
Heat 98, Knicks 96: Jimmy Butler scored a gamehigh 26 points and Bam Adebayo had 19 as host Miami beat New York to finish off a sweep of a home-and-home series. Derrick Rose — in his first game back with New York — had 14 off the bench.
Warriors 114, Spurs 91: Stephen Curry scored 32 points and Golden State snapped San Antonio's three-game winning streak. It was the Spurs' final home game before embarking on their annual nearly monthlong road trip while the city's Stock Show & Rodeo is held at the AT&T Center.
Pelicans 130, Rockets 101: Reserve Josh Hart had 20 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to help host New Orleans beat Houston to extend its winning streak to four games.