MLB lockout ends, free agency begins
After 99 days, the MLB lockout has ended and clubs have reported to spring training. With the end of the work stoppage, free agents have continued contract negotiations and signing with new teams for the upcoming season.
Shortstop Trevor Story signed a 6-year deal with the Boston Red Sox while shortstop Carlos Correa signed a 3-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. Third baseman Kris Bryant signed a deal with the Colorado Rockies, and 2021’s World Series champion Freddie Freeman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Oakland Athletics traded away their young core in Matt Olson, who went to the Atlanta Braves, and Matt Chapman, who went to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Other free agent signings include Nick Castellanos signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kenley Jansen signing with the Atlanta Braves and Zack Grienkie returning to his former club, the Kansas City Royals.
The full 2021-2022 free agent list can be found here.
Opening day for the 2022 regular season is set for April 7.
NFL off-season moves
The NFL off-season brought moves around the league as Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill moved from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins. Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, and just days after re-signing Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers lost top wide receiver Devante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady tweeted on March 13 a decision to return out of retirement for the 2022-2023 NFL season. Brady previously announced his retirement on Feb. 1.
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field, not in the stands,” Brady said. “I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa.”
Deshaun Watson
After sitting out last season with 22 civil complaints for sexual misconduct, Deshaun Watson went to court for a hearing. On Friday, March 11, a grand jury in Houston, Texas, declined to indict Watson on criminal charges for sexual misconduct.
Following the court’s decision, Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns to become their new quarterback, signing a 5-year $230 million contract with the team.
The NFL’s punishment for Watson is yet to be announced.
March Madness
The 2022 NCAA college basketball tournament is underway as the Sweet 16 round begins on Thursday, March 24.
The first two rounds featured upsets like No. 15 seed St. Peters over No. 2 seed Kentucky in the first round. No. 5 seed Iowa also lost their first round matchup against No. 12 seed Richmond.
In the second round, Baylor became the first No. 1 seed to lose, beat by No. 9 seed North Carolina
The full slate of Sweet 16 games can be found here.
NBA surging towards the playoffs
Drawing closer to the start of the NBA playoffs, the week 23 power ranking saw a change in the top 5. The Milwaukee Bucks jumped from No. 9 to No. 5, finding themselves back in the top 5 for the first time in two months. The Dallas Mavericks continue to rise as they jump to No. 6. Former top team the Golden State Warriors find themselves at the No. 8 spot after dropping two spots from last week. Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers sit at No. 22; they dropped a single spot from last week.
The full week 23 power ranking can be found here.
The current playoff picture has the Phoenix Suns as the top seed in the Western Conference and the Miami Heat top in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers are currently in the hunt, but 4.5 games out of the eight seed in the west and are in danger of missing the playoffs. The full playoff picture can be found here.
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