AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pitcher Jake Peavy and the Chicago White Sox agreed on Tuesday to a US$29 million, two-year contract.
The right-hander will receive US$14.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Peavy could receive a US$15 million option for 2015 if he has 400 innings in the next two years, including a minimum of 190 in 2014, and if he does not finish 2014 on the disabled list.
Peavy’s previous deal included a US$22 million option for next season with a US$4 million buyout. The buyout will be paid in equal installments from 2016 to 2019.
The 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner went 11-12 with a 3.37 ERA in 32 starts this year after three injury-riddled seasons.
Chicago also exercised a US$9.5 million option on right-hander Gavin Floyd on Tuesday, declined a US$10 million option on right-hander Brett Myers and turned down a US$13 million option on third baseman Kevin Youkilis, acquired from Boston in June. Myers gets a US$3 million buyout and Youkilis US$1 million.
The Los Angeles Dodgers brought back Brandon League, agreeing to a US$22.5 million, three-year deal.
League, acquired from Seattle at the July trade deadline, went 2-1 with six saves and a 2.30 ERA in 28 appearances with Los Angeles. He was especially effective over the final months of the season, posting a 0.55 ERA in 15 appearances in September and October, sixth-lowest in the National League during that stretch.
“He’s somebody we really thought we needed to have here and to build a bullpen,” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said.
League, who was 2-6 with 15 saves and a 3.13 ERA in 74 games with the Dodgers and Seattle this season, will be the designated closer, Colletti said. League has saved 52 games, finished 99, and posted a 2.97 ERA in 139 appearances over the last two seasons.
Detroit exercised a US$6 million option on shortstop Jhonny Peralta and a US$3.5 million on reliever Octavio Dotel, and also extended manager Jim Leyland’s contract through next season.
Atlanta exercised options on catcher Brian McCann (US$12 million), right-hander Tim Hudson (US$9 million) and left-hander Paul Maholm (US$6.5 million).
Texas declined options on right-handers Scott Feldman (US$9.25 million) and Yoshinori Tateyama (US$1.2 million).
Oakland allowed left-hander Dallas Braden and right-hander Joey Devine to become free agents. The pair refused minor league assignments.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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