In brief: Mets offer contracts to Bay, Molina
Baseball: Looking to fill two big holes and add much-needed power to their lineup, the New York Mets have made contract offers to a pair of free agents: left fielder Jason Bay and catcher Bengie Molina.
The team’s bid for Bay, a former Gonzaga Bulldog and North Idaho Cardinal, was between $60 million and $65 million over four years. Molina would cost much less.
As club executives headed home Thursday on the final day of the winter meetings in Indianapolis, the Mets confirmed making offers to Bay and Molina – without revealing details.
Bay batted .267 with 36 homers and 119 RBIs last season for Boston. He is said to have turned down a $60 million, four-year offer from the Red Sox.
The 35-year-old Molina hit .265 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs this year for San Francisco.
•Nationals will sign Rodriguez: The Washington Nationals say there will be a news conference at their stadium today, when they’re expected to announce the signing of free agent Ivan Rodriguez.
The 38-year-old catcher agreed this week to a $6 million, two-year contract, pending a physical. A 14-time All-Star and the 1999 A.L. MVP, Rodriguez split last season between Houston and Texas.
•Red Sox may deal Lowell to Rangers: The Boston Red Sox are discussing a trade that would send 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers.
Also, Rich Harden and the Rangers completed a one-year contract that guarantees the pitcher $7.5 million.
•Astros make moves: The Houston Astros landed a new third baseman on the final day of the winter meetings, agreeing to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with Pedro Feliz. The 34-year-old hit .266 with 12 homers and 82 RBIs last season for the N.L. champion Philadelphia Phillies. Also, reliever Brandon Lyon reached a preliminary agreement with Houston Astros on a $15 million, three-year contract.
Patriot speaks out about Belichick
Football: Adalius Thomas wasted no time defending himself after coach Bill Belichick sent him home for being late to a team meeting.
The New England Patriots linebacker said that he was “dumbfounded” and “can’t figure out what Bill thinks or knows.”
Three other players were sent away for showing up late on Wednesday – wide receiver Randy Moss and linebackers Gary Guyton and Derrick Burgess. All four were at practice, but the other three declined interviews.
Thomas, a starter in nine games this year, called ahead on a snowy Wednesday morning, as players are instructed to do when they’re going to be late, he said. Traffic was tied up and he nearly got into an accident, he said. But when he showed up about 9 minutes late for an 8 a.m. team meeting, Belichick told him to leave.
•Former Central Washington QB to St. Louis: Former Central Washington great Mike Reilly is no longer on Green Bay’s practice squad, but he is on St. Louis’ roster.
The rookie quarterback was signed away from the Packers by the Rams on Wednesday, and will serve as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Kyle Boller and backup Keith Null.
•Tennessee’s Kiffin addresses allegations: Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin said he was not “aware” of any recruiting violations committed by himself, his assistants or support staff regarding the university’s student ambassador program.
Several Orange Pride’s “ambassadors” traveled nearly 200 miles to a high school football game where three players are being actively recruited by the Vols. The visit could be interpreted by the NCAA as an illegal recruiting trip off campus by non-sanctioned personnel.
Stuckey scores 25 as Pistons beat Nuggets
NBA: Charlie Villanueva scored 27 points, and Rodney Stuckey (EWU) had 25 to help the Detroit Pistons hold on for a 101-99 victory over former teammate Chauncey Billups and the Denver Nuggets at Auburn Hills, Mich.
Billups missed a layup in the final seconds, allowing the Pistons to run their winning streak to four games.
Carmelo Anthony scored 40 points for Denver.
•Celtics edge Wizards: Rajon Rondo’s driving dunk with a minute remaining broke a tie and led the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics to their ninth straight victory, 104-102 over the Wizards in Washington.
No. 7 Syracuse remains undefeated
•NCAA men’s basketball: Rick Jackson scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, helping No. 7 Syracuse remain unbeaten with an 85-73 victory over No. 10 Florida in the SEC/Big East Invitational at Tampa, Fla.
Andy Rautins had 18 points and Wes Johnson finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Orange (9-0). Kenny Boynton led Florida (8-1) with 20 points.
•No. 19 Bearcats hold on for victory: Lance Stephenson scored a season-high 17 points as No. 19 Cincinnati held off Miami (Ohio) for a 63-59 win at Cincinnati.
The Bearcats (6-1) won their second straight after their first loss of the season, 61-59 against Gonzaga on Nov. 25.
Bowler sets mark for 32-game span
Miscellany: Michael Machuga rolled a perfect game and broke the Professional Bowlers Association’s 32-game scoring record to take the fourth-round lead in the Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open at Wichita, Kan.
Machuga, from Erie, Pa., averaged 250.50 for 32 games.
•Wie in second place at Dubai Ladies Masters: In-Kyung Kim shot a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 to build a two-shot lead over Michelle Wie at the halfway point of the Dubai Ladies Masters golf tourney in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.