MLB

Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler stay with CubsCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs have exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop, and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler has picked up his $5 million player option.The 33-year-old Strop, one of the baseball's most consistent relievers since he was acquired in a...

Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler stay with CubsCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs have exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop, and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler has picked up his $5 million player option.The 33-year-old Strop, one of the baseball's most consistent relievers since he was acquired in a...

Former Marlins pitcher gets 4 years for insurance fraudWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) A pitcher on the Florida Marlins team that won the 2003 World Series has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for taking part in an insurance scam.The Palm Beach Post reports Justin...

AP Sports WriterRed Sox look to offseason with goal of repeat championshipBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) The last time Dave Dombrowski built a World Series champion, he had to start dismantling it before the celebratory champagne had a chance to dry.He's hoping to defend the title for real next...

Former Marlins pitcher gets 4 years for insurance fraudWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) A pitcher on the Florida Marlins team that won the 2003 World Series has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for taking part in an insurance scam.The Palm Beach Post reports Justin...

Cubs' Jason Heyward, Giants' Mark Melancon keep contractsNEW YORK (AP) Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward and San Francisco reliever Mark Melancon let the deadline pass for exercising opt-out provisions in their contracts.Doing the same were two Cuban outfielders who have been major disappointments and spent all of this...

World Series trophy repaired after parade damageBOSTON (AP) The Red Sox say their brand new World Series trophy has been repaired after getting beaned by a beer can during the championship parade.The damage occurred during Wednesday's duck boat ride through Boston, when boisterous fans took to throwing drinks...

Associated PressRed Sox fans celebrate latest title; parade on WednesdayBy BOB SALSBERGBOSTON (AP) In what has become a championship tradition in the city, the Boston Red Sox will climb aboard duck boats for a parade to celebrate the team's fourth World Series title in 15 years, city officials...

AP Baseball WriterAthletics give contract extensions to Beane, Forst, MelvinBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Manager Bob Melvin has been rewarded for guiding another turnaround for the Oakland Athletics, receiving a long-term contract extension.The A's also reached new deals with executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane and...

Giants exercise contract options on Bumgarner, SandovalSAN FRANCISCO (AP) Madison Bumgarner's $12 million contract option for the 2019 season has been exercised by the San Francisco Giants, keeping the 2014 World Series MVP and ace left-hander with the club for at least one more season after his past...

D-backs pick up Goldschmidt's 1-year, $14.5 million optionPHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks have picked up the $14.5 million option on Paul Goldschmidt's contract for the 2019 season.The club option was attached to the five-year, $32 million deal Goldschmidt signed in 2014, a deal considered one of the most...

AP Baseball WriterTalk of rule changes, Harper, Machado dominate offseasonBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) The World Series was baseball 2018 in a microcosm.Half the 44 runs scored by the champion Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers came across the plate on home runs. That's the second-highest percentage...