Chapman’s asking price too steep for Cubs
Fresh off a World Series championship, free-agent-to-be Aroldis Chapman is seeking a new deal worth $100 million.
The Chicago Cubs would like to re-sign the closer, whom they acquired midseason for their World Series run, but not at the price Chapman is asking.
According to CSN Chicago, the Cubs will take a “targeted” approach to free agents this winter.
“I don’t think it will be an extravaganza, as it was last year,” general manager Jed Hoyer said from the GM meetings in Arizona. “We don’t need to do that. But we are going to be looking at a lot of ways to acquire pitching.”
Los Angeles could be a landing spot for Chapman. The Dodgers almost acquired the flame-throwing lefty from Cincinnati last offseason before he was traded to the New York Yankees, who subsequently dealt him to the Cubs.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers will make a run at Chapman with closer Kenley Jansen ready to test free agency.
Chapman, 28, compiled a 1.55 ERA and struck out 90 batters in 58 innings last season.
Jansen’s numbers almost mirrored Chapman’s. The 29-year-old Dodgers closer registered a 1.83 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.
RB Martin might return for Bucs on Sunday
Tampa Bay’s offense could get a big boost on Sunday against the Chicago Bears with the return of running back Doug Martin. Martin has been watching the Buccaneers (3-5)
from the sidelines since Week 2 because of an injured hamstring.
But Martin practiced with the team on Wednesday and appeared comfortable running through position drills, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Martin, the NFL’s No. 2 rusher last season with 1,402 yards, was injured in a Sept. 18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Tampa Bay is thin at the position. Martin’s replacement, Charles Sims, has been placed on injured reserve and Jacquizz Rogers is dealing with a sprained foot sustained against the Oakland Raiders in Week 8.
If neither Rogers nor Martin can play, Tampa Bay will rely on Mike James and rookie Peyton Barber to carry the rushing load.
Braves RHP Collmenter agrees to one-year deal
The Atlanta Braves and right-hander Josh Collmenter agreed on a one-year, $1.2 million contract Wednesday, avoiding salary arbitration.
The deal includes the potential for an additional $1.2 million through incentives.
Collmenter, 30, was 2-0 with a 3.70 ERA over 19 innings in three starts with Atlanta, his third team in 2016. The Braves acquired Collmenter from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations on Sept. 14.
Collmenter went 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA in a combined 18 major league appearances between the Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016. He also made 10 appearances (nine starts) in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system.
After opening the season on Arizona’s disabled list, Collmenter made his season debut with the Diamondbacks on May 27 and pitched in 15 games out of the bullpen before being designated for assignment on July 30. He signed a minor league contract with the Cubs on Aug. 10 before being acquired by Atlanta.
Collmenter owns a career record of 38-33 with a 3.50 ERA in 203 appearances. In 78 career starts, he has gone 28-27 with a 3.96 ERA.
Angels re-sign RHP Bailey to one-year contract
The Los Angeles Angels re-signed right-handed reliever Andrew Bailey to a one-year deal Wednesday.
Bailey, 32, posted a 2.38 ERA with six saves in 12 appearances for the Angels in 2016 after struggling with the Philadelphia Phillies and being released in August. He became the Angels’ closer after Huston Street’s season-ending injury.
Bailey is a two-time All-Star who won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2009 with the Oakland Athletics.
The seven-year veteran, who struggled with shoulder injuries during the previous three seasons, has a 3.16 career ERA and 95 saves in 261 appearances with the A’s, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Phillies and Angels.
Bailey was the first of this year’s 157 free agents to agree to a deal.
The Angels also designated outfielder Shane Robinson for assignment.
Robinson, 32, hit .173 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 65 games for the Angels this season.
Giants place S Thompson on injured reserve
The New York Giants placed safety Darian Thompson on injured reserve Wednesday after the rookie missed the past six games with a sprained foot.
The team announced that Thompson, who was taken in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Boise State, will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Thompson hurt his shoulder this summer and had his foot stepped on by a teammate in a Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He made seven tackles this season.
Thompson suffered a setback at practice last week and went to North Carolina on Tuesday to meet with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who recommended surgery.
Thompson’s roster spot was filled by offensive lineman Adam Gettis, who was signed off the Giants’ practice squad.
Gettis, a five-year veteran, has spent the entire season on the Giants’ practice squad. Last year, he had practice squad stints with the Giants twice and the Oakland Raiders once. The Giants signed Gettis off the Raiders’ practice squad on Dec. 1 and he played in the season finale.
The Giants also signed wide receivers Kevin Norwood and Da’Ron Brown to their practice squad.