By Brian MacPhersonBOSTON -- It made sense for the New York Yankees to be willing to pay Jacoby Ellsbury more than $150 million to play center field for them for the next seven seasons. It made sense for the Red Sox to decline to go much beyond $100 million and to be willing to let him walk away. Such are the economics of baseball. Every case is its own. In a world with limitless players and limitless roster spots, the market would work more efficiently than it does. Bill Gates doesn't pay any more for a Lexus than anyone else. He just buys a second and third Lexus to go with the first...

There is no disputing Jacoby Ellsbury's skills on the field, or the contributions he made toward pushing the Red Sox toward the World Series championship. Nevertheless, Ellsbury's defection to the Yankees this week was greeted with mixed reviews by industry insiders, who balked at the size of his seven-year, $153-million contract.

After last night’s fairly late development with Jacoby Ellsbury, I spent part of today reaching out to a few different executives from other teams to get their sense of the signing. “This surprised a lot of us,” one wrote in an email. “He is a solid player but not worth the length or (money)....

A few quick contract details on the Yankees most recent signings. • Jon Heyman was, I think, the first to report that Jacoby Ellsbury will have a no-trade clause. Fairly predictable at this point. Every big deal seems to include one of those. • Tim Brown explained the $153 million guaranteed for...

Jacoby Ellsbury becomes the first major free agent to sign with the Yankees immediately after playing with the Red Sox since Johnny Damon following the 2005 season. Below is a list of notable Red Sox players to become Yankees, either via free agency or trade ... or purchase. Babe Ruth: Purchased by...

Kobe Bryant is close to a return from his Achilles' tear, but Friday in Sacramento against the Kings may have to wait.

Kobe Bryant practiced for a second consecutive day, the latest step in his comeback from a torn Achilles' tendon.

Kobe Bryant's return to the court is fast approaching, but maybe not as quickly as many hoped. Speaking to a handful of national reporters at a Nike promotional event Wednesday, Bryant reportedly said he will not make his season debut Friday in...

Kobe Bryant was right in front of Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni Wednesday morning. Literally 10 feet away, shooting jumpers on a nearby basket. So close, and yet so hard to tell just how close Bryant is to returning to the court for the first time since rupturing his Achilles last April. “I don’t...

The King’s throne will remain on Broadway for seven more years. Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers have reached agreement on a seven-year contract extension for $8.5 million per season ($59.5...

Henrik Lundqvist has agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth a reported $59.5 million for a salary cap hit of $8.5 million per season, giving the franchise goalie a very good chance of remaining a Ranger for the duration of his career. In other words, there is no goalie controversy. The Rangers...

Just two days after surprisingly watching from the bench for a second straight game, No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist agreed to a long-term extension with the New York Rangers on Wednesday.

The Mets are zeroing in on free-agent OF Curtis Granderson, there is interest on both sides as they continue to discuss a three- or four-year deal… 1:35 pm: The Red Sox haven’t ruled out signing Granderson (Edes). 1:25 pm: Granderson is looking to find another four-year offer, otherwise he may soon sign with the Mets (Cerrone). […]

Curtis Granderson's market has been quiet. Could the Red Sox be surprise players? The Red Sox could still make a play for former Yankee outfielder Curtis Granderson, according to Gordon Edes: Sox haven't "ruled out" Granderson — Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) December 4, 2013 Ignoring, for a moment,...

The Mets are zeroing in on free-agent OF Curtis Granderson, there is interest on both sides and the Mets are optimistic as they continue to discuss a three- or four-year deal… 10:44 pm: Mets are optimistic they will be able to sign Granderson (Carig, Lennon). 8:20 pm: The Cubs and White Sox have not shown interest […]

 Photo/ Aaron Rodgers apparently will spend another game on the sideline. GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers have ruled out quarterback Aaron Rodgers, without officially ruling him out.At least, that’s what logic would tell you based on what was said Wednesday, as the team returned to practice in advance of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field.Rodgers, who broke his collarbone Nov. 4 against Chicago, underwent an x-ray and CT scan on Tuesday. Both he and coach Mike McCarthy then said after those tests that Rodgers had not been medically cleared to play Sunday,...

 Photo/  Charles Woodson broke his collarbone twice while with the Packers, including in Super Bowl XLV. GREEN BAY – Charles Woodson knows a thing or two about breaking your collarbone. He did it twice, including in Super Bowl XLV.The Oakland Raiders safety also knows a little bit about his friend...

Former AL Central rivals Justin Morneau and Paul Konerko both figure to be platooned in 2014. (Hannah Foslien/Cal Sport Media) Overlooked amid the flurry of Hot Stove activity Tuesday night, the Rockies signed first baseman Justin Morneau to a two-year contract worth $13 million. And on Wednesday morning, while most of the baseball world was […]

Signs one-year deal worth $2.5 millionThe easiest road would be to retire, Paul Konerko mused.    

ATLANTA -- Kyle Korver tied an NBA record while ensuring the Los Angeles Clippers' seven-game road trip got off to a bad start.    

The Atlanta Hawks could get a much needed weapon back in Kyle Korver who is expected to return from a rib injury. The Atlanta Hawks did get a bit of good news on Wednesday as Kyle Korver is expected to return to make his return from a rib injury after sitting out the last four games. Per the AJC's...

Running back Darren McFadden touched the ball only five times against the Dallas Cowboys in his return from a hamstring injury, but he played just long enough to add an ankle injury to his growing list of reasons why he can’t play. As a result, the Raiders turned to former running back Taiwan Jones and […]

It sure doesn’t look or sound as if Jason Pierre-Paul is going to make the trip to San Diego this weekend, as his shoulder injury kept him off the field...

The Mavericks are just about ready to take the court and Jose Calderon is in uniform and is expected to play. He was limping noticeably after playing 33 minutes Tuesday against Charlotte. But he worked out before tonight’s game at …

Bulls point guard will address media concerning surgery on torn right meniscusAfter Thursday's morning shootaround, Derrick Rose will address reporters for the first time since knee surgery ended a second straight season for him.    

The Detroit Tigers got the fix they have so sorely needed — for more than a year.Joe Nathan was announced as the team's new closer at a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Comerica Park, signed to a two-year deal.Nathan, 39, is currently tied for 10th on Major League Baseball's all-time saves list (341), and the active leader now that Mariano Rivera has retired.The Tigers went through several options at closer last season, before settling on Joaquin Benoit near midseason. He is a free agent, and currently unsigned.More to come later in the afternoon.

Ten years later, Eli Manning still won’t tell you why things happened the way they did at the NFL draft. But he can promise that he wouldn’t change a thing.    This Sunday in San Diego, the Giants’ two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback will return to the city that could have been his ...    

Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner, who is already sidelined with a groin injury, may no longer be facing a one-year suspension by the NFL for allegedly violating the league’s policy on substance abuse. ESPN’s John Clayton said Tuesday that reported one-year ban is “off the table” as Browner and his representatives deal with the NFL over Read More

Maybe it was the after-effect of the 2013 World Series championship team, but Brian Wilson is apparently close to returning to Dodger blue: The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to bringing back free-agent reliever Brian Wilson, sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday. Wilson, the former San Francisco Giants closer, went 2-1 with a 0.66 ERA in 18 games as a setup man to Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen this past season after coming back from his second Tommy John surgery. Sources said Wilson has made it clear to the Dodgers that he's willing to return to the team as a setup man in 2014, with an...

The Washington Redskins have been eliminated from playoff contention and both Coach Mike Shanahan and wide receiver Pierre Garcon have acknowledged in recent weeks that players and coaches alike are playing for their jobs in what remains of a lost season. No one at Redskins Park has done more lately to enhance his future employment opportunities than outside linebacker Brian Orakpo. Read full article >>    

 Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning leads with three weeks of voting left.

The fractured left hand Charlotte Bobcats suffered Tuesday night in Dallas will keep him out four to six weeks, the team announced Wednesday. The fracture is on Kidd-Gilchrist’s left ring finger. An X-ray in Charlotte Wednesday confirmed the original diagnosis,...

Matt Cassel led the team in a 23-20 overtime win over the Bears after Christian Ponder left the game before halftime with the concussion.