Newsmakers

Tagged The New England Patriots have reportedly placed the franchise tag on All-Pro offensive lineman Logan Mankins, who held out the first seven games of the 2010 season in a contract fight. Mankins is the first NFL player hit with the franchise tag for the 2011 season. Mankins would earn about $10 million under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement that expires on March 4. It is not clear whether the franchise tag will be part of the new deal. The NFL players union has called the franchise tag “worthless.”

Postponed Major league home run leader Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays have pushed back their salary arbitration in hopes of reaching an agreement. The sides had been set to argue their cases Monday, with Bautista asking for $10.5 million rather than the team’s offer of $7.6 million. Bautista hit .260 with 54 homers and 124 RBIs last season, when he made $2.4 million.

Agreed Closer Carlos Marmol agreed to a three-year, $20 million contract with the Chicago Cubs and avoided salary arbitration. Marmol will have a salary of $3.2 million this season, $7 million in 2012 and $9.8 million in 2013. Marmol had 38 saves in 43 chances with a 2-3 record and 2.55 ERA last season. He had asked for $5.65 million in arbitration while the Cubs countered with an offer of $4.1 million. An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for today.

Finalized The New York Yankees have finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with Andruw Jones. The five-time All-Star outfielder can earn an additional $1.2 million in performance bonuses as part of the agreement: $150,000 each for 250 and 275 plate appearances, $200,000 apiece for 300 and 325, and $250,000 each for 350 and 375.

Joining South Carolina assistant football coach Shane Beamer is leaving the program to join his father, Frank Beamer, at Virginia Tech. Beamer spent the past four seasons with the Gamecocks, coaching safeties and serving as special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator.

Acquired The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Kris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers for draft picks. In return, the Leafs get first-round and third-round picks in 2011. Versteeg was sixth on the team in scoring with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 53 games this season.

Fined Sacramento rookie DeMarcus Cousins was fined by the team for fighting with a teammate after a recent NBA game and will rejoin the Kings after missing one game. Cousins got into an altercation in the locker room with Donte Greene after a 99-97 home loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday.