MLB:
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that pitcher Jon Lester has agreed to a $155 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal contains an option for 2021 that, if it becomes guaranteed, would make the deal worth $170 million over seven seasons.
Chicago's baseball teams were busy during Tuesday's proceedings at the winter meetings in San Diego. The Cubs have acquired All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league right-handers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley. The White Sox picked up starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija and reliever Michael Ynoa from Oakland for four prospects after agreeing to a four-year deal with closer David Robertson.
NBA:
In the NBA, Cleveland beat Toronto 105-101, New Orleans bested New York 104-93, Memphis topped Dallas 114-105, Portland defeated Detroit 98-95, Miami won against Phoenix 103-97, Utah beat San Antonio 100-96, the Lakers squeaked by Sacramento 98-95, and it was Oklahoma City over Milwaukee 114-101.
NHL:
Over on the ice, Chicago edged New Jersey in a shootout 3-2, Columbus beat Philadelphia 3-2, Buffalo topped Los Angeles 1-0, Minnesota skated past the Islanders 5-4, Toronto bested Calgary 4-1, Montreal won against Vancouver 3-1, Washington defeated Tampa Bay 5-3, Winnipeg topped Dallas 5-2, Nashville blanked Colorado 3-0, and it was San Jose over Edmonton 5-2.
NFL:
The Patriots, Broncos and Colts can clinch their division titles this week. New England hosts Miami and will own the NFC East with a victory. The Patriots can earn an AFC first-round playoff bye if they win while Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati lose, or win and the Colts, Steelers and Broncos lose.
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