WHITE SOX NEAR $43M, 6-YEAR DEAL WITH JIMENEZ
CHICAGO» The Chicago White Sox are nearing a $43 million, six-year contract with highly regarded outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The contract would include team options for 2025 and 2026 that if exercised would make the agreement worth $77.5 million over eight years.
Jimenez’s deal would nearly double the previous high for a player with no major-league service: Scott Kingery’s $24 million, six-year contract with Philadelphia before 2018 season.
Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on March 13. If the 22-yearold is kept in the minor leagues for the first 20 days of the season, it would push back his free agent eligibility by one year until after the 2025 season.
Jimenez was a key part of the trade that sent pitcher Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs during the 2017 season. Jimenez hit .337 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs at Double-A and Triple-A last season.
Jets sign QB Siemian as Darnold’s backup.
YORK» Trevor Siemian NEW has joined the Jets to be Sam Darnold’s backup.
The veteran quarterback signed a one-year deal with New York, which was in the market for an experienced QB while Josh McCown mulls his playing future.
A person with direct knowledge of the contract said it is worth $2 million, with a maximum value of $3 million with incentives.
The 27-year-old Siemian spent last season with Minnesota but was with Denver the previous three years. He has 30 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions in 26 games, including 25 starts.
Syracuse suspends Howard on eve of NCAA Tournament.
» Syracuse senior
SALT LAKE CITY guard Frank Howard is out “for an indefinite period of time” for violating school policy.
The school announced Howard’s suspension on Wednesday, the eve of the Orange’s NCAA Tournament game against Baylor.
The 6-foot-5 Howard lit up social media during the ACC tournament against Duke last week when he appeared to stick his foot out as Blue Devils star Zion Williamson ran by. Howard denied trying to trip Williamson and the school did not say if the suspension was related to the alleged attempt.
Howard had an up-and-down season, but scored 28 points against Duke and played well in the ACC tournament with Tyus Battle out due to an injury. He averages 8.9 points and 2.0 assists.
USD identifies Smith in admissions bribery scandal.
DIEGO» The
SAN
University of San Diego said former basketball coach Lamont Smith was the previously unnamed “varsity coach” alleged to have taken a kickback in what federal authorities called the largest college admissions cheating scam ever prosecuted in the United States.
Smith resigned a year ago after a domestic violence investigation.
NHL’s southernmost outdoor game will be in Cotton Bowl.
DALLAS» The NHL is going south for its next Winter Classic. The Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas will be covered by a sheet of ice and converted into a hockey rink for the game next New Year’s Day between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators. It will be the southernmost outdoor game for the NHL.
DPatrick to join NBC’s Indy 500 team.
N.C.» Danica Patrick CHARLOTTE, will return to the Indianapolis 500 as part of NBC Sports’ inaugural coverage of showcase event. Patrick will be an analyst alongside Mike Tirico. The only woman to lead laps in the Indy 500 will also be part of the broadcast team for qualifying on May 19. Patrick retired last year after running in the Indy 500.