Lester expected to choose a team soon
Although there are conflicting reports regarding which teams Jon Lester is still considering and when he will make his decision, it is evident that Lester’s choice is imminent.
Lester will make his decision no later than Tuesday, Buster Olney of ESPN reported.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reported via Twitter that Lester is down to two teams he is still considering — the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs. However, according to multiple reports, the Boston Red Sox are still in contention for Lester, and that his agent, Seth Levinson, is scheduled to meet with the Red Sox Monday night.
Lester reportedly is seeking a $150 million deal.
Lester, 30, went 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA for the Oakland Athletics after he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Three Heisman Trophy finalists named
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon were named as the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday.
Those three players will be invited to New York to be on hand for Saturday’s presentation of the award, which goes to college football’s best player.
Not among the finalists is Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who won the Heisman Trophy last year as a redshirt freshman and led the Seminoles to an undefeated regular season and berth in the four-team national playoff.
Chiefs’ Berry diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma
A doctor in Atlanta confirmed Monday that Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry has Hodgkin’s lymphoma and said it is “very treatable.”
After Berry experienced chest discomfort during the Chiefs’ game against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 20, a mass was found in the 25-year-old’s chest, and a preliminary diagnosis of lymphoma was made.
Berry then went to Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta for further testing.
“This is a diagnosis that is very treatable and potentially curable with standard chemotherapy approaches,” Dr. Christopher R. Flowers said in a statement Monday. “The goal of Mr. Berry’s treatment is to cure his lymphoma, and we are beginning that treatment now.”
Senators fire MacLean, name Cameron coach
The Ottawa Senators, who are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference after missing the playoffs last season, fired coach Paul MacLean on Monday and replaced him with assistant Dave Cameron.
MacLean was in his fourth season with the Senators, who are 11-11-5 this season.
“I think there’s an obligation for a lot of people to perform better, the players included,” general manager Bryan Murray said in announcing the change.
MacLean won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2013 after the Senators went 25-17-6 in the shortened 2012-13 season. The Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round.
MacLean had a 114-90-35 record in the regular season and 8-9 in the playoffs.
Winnipeg’s Kane suspended two games
The NHL suspended Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane for two games, without pay, for boarding Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner during Sunday’s game, the league announced Monday.
Kane was assessed a five-minute major penalty for checking from behind and a game misconduct.
Kane has four goals and six assists in 20 games this season.
Kane will forfeit $56,451.