How the Phillies closed the seven-year, $172 million megadeal with Aaron Nola  —  When the free-agent market opened for business two weeks ago, it became clear almost right away that a familiar rival would pose the primary threat to the Phillies' quest to retain Aaron Nola.The Braves …

Cardinals sign P Kyle Gibson to 1-year, $12M deal, sources say  —  One day after signing pitcher Lance Lynn, the St. Louis Cardinals have added righty Kyle Gibson on a one-year deal with an option for 2025, the team announced on Tuesday.  —  Gbison's deal is worth $12 million next season, sources told ESPN.

Zack Britton, former Yankee, Oriole All-Star reliever, retires  —  Zack Britton is officially retiring from baseball after a 12-year big-league career, the 35-year-old pitcher told The Athletic in an exclusive interview earlier this month.  Britton was a two-time All-Star with three 30-save seasons under …

Brother of former LA Lakers star Michael Cooper fatally shot in Pasadena, suspect arrested  —  A man was shot and killed at a Pasadena park on Saturday, Nov. 18, and was identified by family Sunday as the brother of former Los Angeles Lakers player Michael Cooper.

MLB trade scenarios: Bowden answers 25 questions on top starters, big bats and more  —  On Sunday, we had the first big signing of the offseason, as the Phillies brought back right-hander Aaron Nola on a seven-year, $172 million deal.  As we wait to see which top free-agent starter will come off …

Meeting demand: Shippers prepared for holiday rush  —  Carriers like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and United Parcel Service have capacity to meet projected demand this holiday season, which is cheery news for shippers and shoppers alike.  —  Like last year, there's expected …

What is Shohei Ohtani's free-agent value?  Teams calculating worth without answers on pitching future  —  Occasionally after one of his rare poor pitching performances, Shohei Ohtani would enter the Los Angeles Angels' dugout and joke, “Maybe just hit.”  As in, maybe just give up pitching altogether …

Yankees hire Brad Ausmus as bench coach for manager Aaron Boone  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees hired Brad Ausmus to replace Carlos Mendoza as bench coach for manager Aaron Boone, the team announced Tuesday.  —  Ausmus managed Detroit from 2014-17 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 …

UCLA comes up short against No. 4 Marquette in Maui Invitational opener  —  The Bruins flash all of their potential and inexperience in the second half, watching a 12-point advantage become a seven-point deficit only to regain the lead in the final minute before falling, 71-69.

Disneyland lamppost falls and injures 3 visitors during high winds  —  Emergency personnel transported an elderly woman by stretcher who was struck on the head by the lamp post while another visitor sat on a park bench with a bandaged head, according to eyewitnesses.

Nightengale's Notebook: What made late Padres owner Peter Seidler beloved by his MLB peers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Major League Baseball owners arrived at their meetings this week, holding back tears, still trying to grasp that beloved San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler is gone.