CHICAGO >> The Chicago Cubs and Dansby Swanson agreed to a $177 million, seven-year contract on Saturday, adding the All-Star shortstop to their rebuilding project.
The deal includes a full no-trade clause, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was pending a physical.
Chicago went 74-88 this year and finished third in the NL Central. It was its second straight losing season, but it went 40-31 in its last 71 games.
The addition of Swanson is the biggest of three major moves by the Cubs since the end of the season. The team finalized a $17.5 million, one-year contract with 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger on Wednesday, and right-hander Jameson Taillon agreed to a four-year contract that is worth roughly $68 million.
With Swanson in the fold, Nico Hoerner likely moves from shortstop to second base. Coupled with Bellinger in center, Chicago should be one of the majors’ best teams when it comes to up-the-middle defense.
The Cubs also bolstered their bullpen when they agreed to a $2.8 million, one-year contract with Brad Boxberger this week.
HOCKEY
Hockey Canada elects new board of directors
Hockey Canada has a new board of directors. Now the real work begins.
The national sport organization’s members elected a slate of candidates to fill nine vacant board seats with a vote Saturday at its annual winter meeting.
Hockey Canada’s previous board quit in October — the same day embattled president and CEO Scott Smith stepped aside — amid blistering criticism of the federation’s handling of sexual assault allegations and hushed payouts to victims.
Retired judge Hugh L. Fraser is Hockey Canada’s new chair, while former women’s national team captain Cassie Campbell-Pascall has joined the board.
The federation’s 13 provincial and territorial bodies had the choice to accept or reject the nine names, which included five women and four men, who were put forward earlier this week by an independent nominating committee.
Grant Borbridge, Julie Duranceau, Dave Evans, Marni Fullerton, Jonathan F. Goldbloom, Marian Jacko and Andrea Poole were also voted in as board members Saturday.
“We are determined to enact the changes Canadians expect,” Fraser said in a statement. “Hockey means so much to our country and we will be committed to making sure that Hockey Canada is an organization that is transparent and accountable to all Canadians, and is worthy of their trust.”
BASKETBALL
Pitinos face off today
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. >> Fielding questions about his father is nothing new for New Mexico coach Richard Pitino.
“It’s been 40 years of answering dumb questions about my dad, so you guys get a free pass,” Pitino recently told a group of journalists ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Iona, coached by Rick Pitino.
The elder Pitino, of course, is no ordinary papa — or head coach for that matter.
Rick Pitino led both Kentucky and Louisville to national championships and has amassed more than 800 college victories. Along the way, he also coached the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. He was let go from Louisville in 2017 after the men’s basketball program was part of a federal investigation into alleged bribery of recruits.
Now the Pitinos will be on opposing benches for just the third time. Richard Pitino is 0-2 against his father. Both losses came when the elder Pitino was coaching Louisville.
“I think it’s going to be a big treat for the players,” Rick Pitino said in his postgame news conference following a win over Princeton. “They’re going to have 13,000-14,000 fans. And I told them this, ‘Rich is going to want to beat us by 30, 30.’ He’s not going to say, ‘I’m going to take it easy on dad.’ And the reason he’s going to try and beat us by 30 is I taught him that way.”
Richard Pitino, in his second season with the Lobos after being fired following a 54-96 regular-season record over eight years at Minnesota, said the game really has nothing to do with the father-son matchup.
“Yes, it’s an interesting story line, me versus my dad,” he said. “But if you were at our practices, if you were at our film sessions, you wouldn’t know who the coach of the opposing team was. It’s business as usual for us.”
GOLF
Woods and son hobble to 59, are 2 back of lead
ORLANDO, Fla. >> Tiger Woods and 13-year-old son Charlie weren’t about to let a bad foot and a bum ankle keep them from playing together in the PNC Championship. The way they played Saturday, they might even be able to win it.
The partnership Woods referred to as “Team Ice Bath” because of their injuries finished with a 13-under 59 in the scramble format, two shots behind Justin Thomas and his father, club professional Mike Thomas.
Team Thomas won the championship belt two years ago, when Woods first introduced Charlie to a national television audience at the PNC Championship.
“They rubbed it in our face over Christmas dinner. They are in a great position to possibly do it again on Christmas dinner,” Woods said. “But we are going to have a little something to say about that.”
Briefly
BASEBALL >> The Los Angeles Dodgers and designated hitter J.D. Martinez agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
BASEBALL >> The Pittsburgh Pirates and veteran catcher Austin Hedges agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
LUGE >> Germany won three of five World Cup races held Saturday at the 2022 Salt Lake Olympics sliding track, while Emily Sweeney and Brittney Arndt won medals for the U.S.
HOCKEY >> London Knights center Abakar Kazbekov has died, the team and the Ontario Hockey League announced Saturday. He was 18.
NFL >> Houston cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and running back Dameon Pierce were placed on the injured list Saturday, ending their rookie seasons.
HORSE RACING >> Jockey great Frankie Dettori plans to retire from the saddle at the end of 2023.
— From news services