New findings in NCAA sanctions against Alabama and former head baseball coach Brad Bohannon revealed that Bohannon knowingly provided insider information to a gambler who bet against the Crimson Tide last spring, according to ESPN.
The Baltimore Orioles are being sold to a pair of private equity billionaires. Orioles owner John Angelos has agreed to a sale with a group led by David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group Inc., according to multiple reports. The sale, if approved by at least 75% of major league ownership, would value the team at $1.725 billion.
Theo Epstein is back with the Boston Red Sox. The three-time World Series champion executive is joining the team’s ownership group and will work as a senior advisor, Fenway Sports Group announced Friday.
Free agent reliever Keynan Middleton and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to contract terms pending a physical, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.
The Baltimore Orioles acquired former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday for infielder Joey Ortiz, left-hander DL Hall and the 34th pick in this year’s MLB Draft.
The New York Mets are nearing a deal with free agent reliever Jake Diekman, per multiple reports on Thursday. The 37-year-old left-hander has pitched for eight major league teams during his 12-year career. Diekman split 2023 with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, posting a 3.34 ERA in 63 appearances. He is 25-31 with 15 saves and a 3.82 ERA in 662 career games (zero starts), striking out 724 in 570 1/3 innings. He also has played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox.
The San Diego Padres are in agreement with free agent reliever Wandy Peralta on a four-year, $16.5 million contract, The Athletic reported Wednesday. The deal with the 32-year-old left-hander includes three opt-outs and is pending the results of a physical, per the report. Peralta went 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA and four saves in 63 appearances out of the New York Yankees’ bullpen in 2023. He struck out 51 batters, walked 30 and allowed seven home runs in 54 innings.
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager will miss most of spring training after having surgery to repair a sports hernia on Tuesday. Seager underwent the procedure in Arizona, and Texas anticipates the four-time All-Star to be good to go for Opening Day. Rangers general manager Chris Young said his level of concern is “very low.” The Rangers will report to spring training on Feb. 15 and 20 and will open the regular season against the Chicago Cubs on March 28 in Arlington, Texas.
The New York Mets will bring back reliever Adam Ottavino, re-signing the right-hander to a one-year deal Tuesday reportedly worth $4.5 million. Ottavino, 38, went 1-7 with a 3.21 ERA and a career-best 12 saves in 66 outings for the Mets last season, his second with the club. He had a 2.06 ERA and a 6-3 mark in 66 games for the Mets in 2022.
