It used to be that it was the Yankees that would scoop up as many free agents as possible in an effort "buy" themselves another World Series under the late George Steinbrenner.
Now, however, it is the Los Angeles Dodgers and their current ownership group, which includes NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who are trying to corner the free agent market.
Earlier this week, there'd been reports that outfielder Kyle Tucker would return to the American League, this time with Toronto, or stay in the National League, albeit with the Mets. Nope. On both counts.
Instead, it was the Dodgers who gave Tucker a deal, with opt outs after years 2 and 3. Yeah, that smells like Scott Boras Badenov, the king of the opt-outs, did it again.
As a consolation prize, the Mets signed 2nd generation player Bo Bichette (Toronto) to a 3 year deal on Friday. A shortstop by trade, Bichette will instead play 3rd base, which would signal that Mark Vientos is the likely heir to Pete Alonso at 1st, with Alonso now in Baltimore, thanks for Boras. The deal also leaves Ronny Mauricio & Brett Baty without positions, other than DH, and likely, trade bait. Remember, the Mets' signing of Marcus Semien (Texas) made Jeff McNeil expendable, and while Baty has played some second base, he's still not polished enough to warrant a starting spot.
With the exception of Vientos, at least the Mets can boast an all-star infield (Bichette, Semien, Francisco Lindor) this season.
While it's winter here in the US, it's summer in Australia. As the Australian Open begins play this week, an unexpected hero emerged, but not for her play on the court.
Qualifier Zeynep Sonmoz of Turkey was in her first round match vs. 11th seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the latter about to serve, when Sonmoz noticed on of the ball kids had collapsed. She called time, and, aided by the ball judge and other officials, helped the lad to the side of the court, where they collapsed again, due likely to the heat.
If tennis doesn't pan out, she could be a nurse.
Sonmoz ended up winning the match, upsetting Alexandrova.
Saturday's AFC divisonal playoff between Buffalo & Denver went to overtime before the Broncos, the top seed, defeated the Bills, 33-30.
However, that wasn't the headline this morning.
On one side, the Broncos lost starting QB Bo Nix for the season due to a broken ankle. On the other, Bills fans were complaining about their team getting screwed late when Denver's Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted Josh Allen. Or did he?
At the very least, it could've been ruled a contested catch, which, by rule, would favor the offense. Not so in this case, as McMillian literally picked the receiver's pocket after a tackle. Yes, you can say the refs botched it, which is nothing unusual, but to read of CBS' Gene Steratore declaring that, yes, it was a pick, will have conspiracy theorists crying foul.
The winner of today's game between New England and Houston almost certainly will advance to the Big Game in three weeks, with ex-Patriot Jarret Stidham at QB for Denver.
Around here, the Tri-City Valleycats will employ a junior PA announcer for an inning during each game.
The NHL's Buffalo Sabres took it a step further on Saturday during a matinee vs. Minnesota.
A Kids' Day promotion enabled pre-teens to handle PA announcements, including goals & penalties, during the 2nd period of a game that the Wild ultimately won, 5-4, in overtime.
Would that other teams would follow the example, and, well, maybe they will.......
