Marlins salary dump to Toronto finalized: MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins have finalized their big salary dumping trade that sends All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes to the Toronto Blue Jays with pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio for seven relatively low-priced players.
Miami receives infielders Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, pitchers Henderson Alvarez, Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Nicolino, catcher Jeff Mathis and outfielder Jake Marisnick under the deal, which was agreed to last week and completed Monday. The Marlins also are sending Toronto cash.
The trade was finalized Monday after baseball Commissioner Bud Selig decided not to block it.
The players traded by the Marlins have combined guaranteed salaries of $163.75 million through 2018, including $96 million due Reyes.
Beckham says MLS Cup is his final game with Galaxy: LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Beckham says the MLS Cup next month will be his final game with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham and the Galaxy announced the superstar English midfielder’s decision Monday, a day after the defending MLS champions advanced to the league final.
Beckham has played six years in Los Angeles since his groundbreaking move from Europe, winning the MLS title last year during his best season stateside.
Beckham agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Galaxy in January after playing out his initial five-year deal, turning down deals with Paris St. Germain and other clubs.
Beckham didn’t announce his retirement in the statement issued by the Galaxy, which could heat up worldwide speculation over his next destination. Last week, Beckham pointedly denied rumors linking him to a short-term stint in Australia.
Ravens S Ed Reed suspended by NFL for 1 game: NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore Ravens star safety Ed Reed has been suspended for one game by the NFL for repeated violations of rules prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players.
The 11-year veteran will miss Sunday’s game against San Diego.
Reed is suspended for three violations of the player safety rules in the past three seasons. The latest came in Sunday night’s 13-10 victory over Pittsburgh when he was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the third quarter for a hit to the head of receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
Maryland leaving ACC to join Big Ten in 2014: NEW YORK (AP) — Maryland is joining the Big Ten, leaving the Atlantic Coast Conference in a shocker of a move in the world of conference realignment that was driven by the school’s budget woes.
The announcement came Monday at a news conference with school President Wallace D. Loh, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and athletic director Kevin Anderson.
“The membership of the Big Ten enables us to guarantee the financial sustainability of Maryland athletics for a long, long, long time,” Loh said.
Loh added that Maryland athletics has been living “paycheck to paycheck.” The school had eliminated seven sports programs earlier this year.
Maryland will become the southernmost member of the Big Ten member starting in 2014.
NHL labor talks to resume for 1st time in 8 days: NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time in eight days, the NHL and the players’ association are heading back to the bargaining table to try again to reach a deal that will end the two-month old lockout.
Talks will resume on Monday, the 65th day of the lockout that has already wiped out 327 games and threatens the entire season if a settlement isn’t reached soon.
After turning down a suggestion from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to take a two-week break from negotiations, the union requested another meeting with the league that was scheduled Saturday. It will be the first bargaining session between the sides since Nov. 11, when a busy week of negotiating wrapped up with a session that lasted just over an over and didn’t produce any results.
All games through Nov. 30 and the New Year’s Day Winter Classic have been called off. Another round of cancellations is expected this week if a new deal isn’t reached.
Phelps, Franklin big winners at Golden Goggles: NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin have won male and female athlete of the year honors at USA’s Swimming’s annual Golden Goggles awards banquet.
Franklin also took home the top relay performance Monday with Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer and Allison Schmitt for their 4x100 medley gold medal in world-record time.
Phelps won the male athlete award for the fourth time after winning six medals, four gold, in London in his final meet.
The 17-year-old Franklin won five Olympic medals, four gold.
Katie Ledecky, the 800 freestyle champion at age 15, won female race of the year for breaking Janet Evans’ 23-year-old American and breakout performer.
Nathan Adrian was honored for the male race of the year for his gold medal in the 100 free.
