March 17, 2022
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Griff Aldrich went from an $800,000 CFO position to a $32,000 recruiting role with UMBC — the 16-seed that upset Virginia while he was there — and is now a $150,000-per-year head coach for Longwood men’s basketball, which just made its first tournament ever.
Dodgers Look Unbeatable After $162M Freeman Signing
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
The Dodgers just made one of the biggest splashes of MLB free agency — and are now undeniably the team to beat this season.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles signed 2020 National League MVP and 2021 World Series Champion 1B Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million deal.
At $27 million per season, it’s the second-highest average salary on the team behind SP Trevor Bauer ($35.3M). It’s also the second-highest AAV ever for a first baseman (Miguel Cabrera, $31M).
The Dodgers have the highest 2022 payroll in MLB — and are thus very likely to dominate on the field, as well.
With Freeman’s contract, L.A. will pay its players $258.5 million this season.At +500*, the Dodgers are the clear World Series favorites; the Yankees (+900*) are the next-closest.The prospective top of the lineup — Mookie Betts (+900*), Freeman (+1200*), and Trea Turner (1300*) — account for three of the top six NL MVP favorites.
And it’s not just the supersized contracts that make the Dodgers big favorites: They’re getting value up and down the roster.
Ace SP Walker Buehler will make $7.3 million in his second season of arbitration, while rising star 2B Gavin Lux is pre-arbitration and will play on a $700,000 estimated salary.
Bills Give Von Miller His 2nd Career $100M Contract
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
After trading for Russell Wilson [[link removed]], the Broncos seemed poised to bring OLB Von Miller back to Denver for another Super Bowl run.
Instead, Miller spurned his former team for a massive contract, becoming [[link removed]] the first defensive player in league history to sign two $100 million contracts — and joining a contender that could make it three rings with three teams.
On Wednesday, the Bills signed Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract — which includes $51.5 million guaranteed and $45 million fully guaranteed at signing.
The fully guaranteed money cracks the top 10 [[link removed]] for most ever for a non-QB.The Josh Allen-led Bills are now the odds-on favorites (+650*) to win SB LVII.With a title, Miller would be the first [[link removed]] player to play on three different championship-winning teams.
Miller joins an elite Bills defense, ranking first in yards per game (272.8), points per game (17.0), and DVOA [[link removed]] in 2021.
Buffalo hasn’t ignored the other side of the ball, though, signing TE O.J. Howard to a one-year, $3.5 million pact that will form a formidable tight end duo with Dawson Knox.
However, if the Bills are going to make the most of Miller, they’ll have to factor in diminishing returns: The SB 50 MVP hasn’t hit double-digit sacks in a regular season since 2018, racking up just one forced fumble over that time period.
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This Season’s Lakers Are Low Point for LeBron James
Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
Last season, LeBron James wanted whoever created the play-in concept to be fired — and now it could be his only chance to avoid missing the playoffs for the fourth time in his career.
The Lakers (29-40) are 2.5 games from falling out of a play-in spot with 13 left to play — and 5.5 games back from an 8-seed that would require a double-elimination gauntlet to qualify.
The Lakers formed a Big Three with a combined 35 All-Star appearances, but Wednesday’s 20-point loss against the Timberwolves might’ve been a tipping point for a team that’s 0-9 since the All-Star break when LeBron doesn’t score 50-plus points.
It’s the third consecutive time the Lakers trailed by 25 points — and the first time James has ever trailed by 25 in three straight.The last time LeBron finished 11+ games below .500 was his rookie season (2003-04).If the Lakers finish as a 9- or 10-seed, they’ll have to win two straight games — which they haven’t done since Jan. 7.
Between the disappointment and his desire for a fifth ring, LeBron could potentially [[link removed]] ask for a trade — his contract doesn’t include a no-trade clause, and he’s owed $44 million next year.
If the Lakers don’t move him, he can walk for nothing in the summer of 2023.
While LeBron is also eligible for a two-year, $97 million extension this offseason, the Pelicans own the Lakers’ draft picks, and they’re financially strapped next season ($129M for James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis).
Making Headlines
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
MLB: Four-time All-Star Kris Bryant agreed to a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Colorado Rockies; the 2016 NL MVP joins a Rockies team that finished fourth in the NL West (74-87). Also: The Giants signed OF Joc Pederson to a one-year, $6 million contract.
NBA: Steph Curry suffered a ligament strain in his left foot during Golden State’s 22-point loss to Boston on Wednesday; he’s expected [[link removed]] to return for the start of the playoffs.
NFL: After meeting with Deshaun Watson on Wednesday, the Browns were informed that they are out of the running for a potential trade; Watson is owed $35 million, and the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers are reportedly [[link removed]] frontrunners to land him.
NHL: The Canadiens traded defenseman Ben Chiarot to the Panthers for prospect Tyler Smilanic, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2022 fourth-round pick; Montreal will retain $3.5 million of Chiarot’s salary.
Today's Action
NHL
07:07 PM
Islanders (+120) at Rangers (-140)
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NBA
07:10 PM
Pistons (+120) at Magic (-140)
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NHL
07:07 PM
Capitals (-205) at Blue Jackets (+175)
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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.
*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.
Written by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]]
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