‘I needed a new challenge’: Craig Counsell explains why he went to Chicago Cubs  —  Roughly 24 hours after the shocking news broke that Craig Counsell was named manager of the Chicago Cubs, the former Milwaukee Brewers skipper made himself available Tuesday for a short question-and-answer session …

Shohei Ohtani's free agency takes center stage at MLB's GM meetings  —  PHOENIX − The confetti shot into the air at Chase Field has been swept up.  The hundreds of champagne bottles sprayed throughout the visiting clubhouse has finally dried.  The powerful cigar aroma has cleared the air.

JuJu Watkins scores 32 in debut to lead No. 21 USC women past No. 7 Ohio State  —  LAS VEGAS — The JuJu Watkins Era got off to a roaring start.  —  The former Sierra Canyon High star scored 32 points in her college debut, lifting the No. 21 USC women's basketball team to an 83-74 victory …

Javier Báez declines to exercise opt-out clause with four years, $98 million on contract  —  Javier Báez will return to the Detroit Tigers in 2024 after he did not exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.  —  Báez, who turns 31 in early December …

Earl of Sandwich moving again to make room for Porto's Bakery at Downtown Disney  —  Earl of Sandwich will open a temporary pop-up shop this winter in Downtown Disney's west end near the Star Wars Trading Post.  —  Earl of Sandwich will soon be moving again to another new temporary location …

11-7 Bruce Bochy joins Murph and Mac to compare his World Series win with the Rangers to his 2010 World Series victory with the Giants, and says why Bob Melvin was a great hire  —  Bruce Bochy joins Murph and Mac to compare his World Series win with the Rangers to his 2010 World Series victory …

Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto headed to MLB as transfer OK'd  —  TOKYO — Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be allowed to move to a Major League Baseball team under the player posting system, the Orix Buffaloes said Sunday after the team lost Game 7 of the Japan Series to the Hanshin Tigers.

Astros making slow progress but 'feel like we're getting closer' in manager search  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball's managerial makeover on Monday afternoon did not disturb the Astros' deliberate search for Dusty Baker's successor.  Houston had interest in Craig Counsell …

Guardians name ex-All-Star catcher Stephen Vogt new manager  —  The Cleveland Guardians hired Stephen Vogt as their new manager Monday, tabbing the former All-Star catcher with no managerial experience but who has widespread respect through the game for his knowledge and leadership skills.

Among Registered Voters, Trump Tops Biden in Nevada by 11 Points; Georgia by 7; Arizona by 5; Pennsylvania by 4; Michigan by 3; Biden Up in Wisconsin by 3 Points  — If Democrat Other than Biden Runs Against Trump, the Dem Leads in All 6 States: WI by 12 Points; PA by 10; AZ by 8; GA & MI by 7; NV by 3