Pitchers and catchers should’ve reported for Spring Training today, but it looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer. No meetings are scheduled between the MLB and MLBPA after MLB’s latest proposal suggested cutting the number of minor leaguers available for each team.
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Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
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Despite playing without three starters, the Chicago Bulls are a half-game back from the 1-seed — thanks to DeMar DeRozan.
On Monday, DeRozan dropped 40 points against the Spurs in a fourth straight win, continuing his historic tear while making a legitimate case for MVP.
Though the MVP looks like a long shot (+4000*), DeRozan has been the best free-agent signing from the past offseason — and the most economical.
- He signed a three-year, $82 million contract with Chicago — the 44th-highest annual salary ($26M) and 20th among guards.
- He leads the NBA in total fourth-quarter points this season (431). The second-closest is Giannis Antetokounmpo (365).
- He’s scored 35+ points on at least 50% shooting over the past six games, the longest streak in Bulls history of 35-PT, 50% FG games — even more than Michael Jordan.
- The feat also ties an NBA record — Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1960-61 and in 1962-63.
By adding DeRozan, Chicago gave two-time All-Star Zach LaVine the supporting cast he never had. In addition to DeMar, the Bulls added Lonzo Ball ($18.6M) and Alex Caruso ($8.6M) this offseason — the three account for 47.3% of Chicago’s payroll.
After this season, LaVine will also be eligible for a supermax contract beginning at 35% of the cap (five years, $235 million) if he makes an All-NBA team this season.
Excluding LaVine’s expected payday, the Bulls only have seven players ($96.9 million) on the books next year. Fortunately, DeRozan is one of them.
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Rob Schumacher-The Republic/Design: John Regula
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On Monday, Kyler Murray set the record straight on last week’s Instagram controversy and a recent report that he’s become a problem in Arizona, posting a photo in a Cardinals’ uniform and adding, “All of this nonsense is not what I’m about.”
Still, it’s fair to question Murray’s future with the Cardinals given his clear frustration after an embarrassing 34-11 opening-round postseason loss to the Rams.
The 2019 No. 1 overall pick is entering the final season of his four-year, $35.7 million rookie contract and is eligible for a massive extension.
But if it seems obvious for the Cardinals to pay him as soon as possible, his regular-season brilliance and postseason failures complicate matters.
- Murray’s 69.2% completion was second among qualified quarterbacks in 2021.
- In only 14 games, he notched career highs in passing yards per game (270.5) and passer rating (100.6), and threw a career-low 10 interceptions.
- However, his playoff debut was disastrous, as he completed just 55.9% of his passes for 137 yards and two interceptions in the loss to L.A.
- His next contract could be in the neighborhood of Josh Allen’s six-year, $258 million deal with Buffalo.
Murray and Arizona could both be motivated by a change of scenery: The last two Super-Bowl-winning QBs — Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford — won in their first seasons with new teams.
It could be a hot market for quarterbacks this offseason: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and even the retired Brady are rumored to be looking for new teams.
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Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
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Novak Djokovic was deported prior to the Australian Open in January, derailing his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title. Without him, Rafael Nadal made men’s tennis history by winning No. 21.
The world No. 1 told the BBC that missing the French Open and Wimbledon “is the price that I’m willing to pay” for remaining unvaccinated.
The price would be steep: Djokovic earned $1.7 million for winning at Roland Garros in 2021 and $2.4 million for his Wimbledon title.
French and English current COVID restrictions prevent him from defending his 2021 French and Wimbledon championships — and adding to his $155 million in career earnings, the most all-time.
- The 34-year-old has won the French Open twice and Wimbledon six times, including the last three.
- After winning five tournaments and earning $9.1 million in 2021, Djokovic hasn’t played this year. He last played for Serbia in the Davis Cup in early December.
- He’s scheduled to play in March at the BNP Paribas Open in California.
Wins in the French Open (May 22-June 5) and Wimbledon (June 27-July 10) would break Djokovic’s second-place tie with Roger Federer (20 GS titles) and surpass Nadal for the top spot.
Even with his status up in the air, Djokovic has the second-best odds (+225*) to win the French and is the favorite at Wimbledon (+110*).
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NCAAF: Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell agreed to an extension that will pay him $5 million per year and keep him with the program through 2028. The Bearcats have gone undefeated in two straight regular seasons and reached the 2022 College Football Playoff.
NBA: In his introductory press conference with the 76ers, James Harden said he “had to go to Brooklyn,” but Philadelphia “was my first choice”; on the other side of the deal, Ben Simmons claimed his absence “wasn’t about basketball or money.”
Olympics: Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva was allowed to compete in the women’s individual competition, but there will not be a medal ceremony if she finishes in the top three, per a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The 15-year-old — who tested positive for a banned substance prior to the Olympics — is in first place after the short program.
NHL: Forward Matt Boldy became the first rookie in Wild franchise history to record four points in a game in Minnesota’s 7-4 win over Detroit.
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