BASEBALL
Cubs sign Darvish
It took nearly the entire offseason, but the Chicago Cubs landed the biggest free agent of them all on Saturday. They agreed to terms on a six-year contract with pitcher Yu Darvish that will guarantee the prized right-hander $126 million, a source confirmed. The deal cannot be announced until Darvish, 31, passes a physical examination. But it apparently completes the team's mission of fortifying their rotation with free agents Jake Arrieta and John Lackey departing. Darvish posted a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts with the Rangers and Dodgers last season, but his 209 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings possesses the swing-and-miss stuff the Cubs were looking for. Darvish has struck out 1,021 in 832 1/3 innings over five major-league seasons. The Cubs' rotation now is comprised of Darvish, John Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood -- with left-hander Mike Montgomery destined for a swing role.
BASKETBALL
Johnson to Rockets
Joe Johnson (Little Rock Central, Arkansas Razorbacks), who was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Sacramento Kings prior to the trade deadline, has reportedly reached a buyout agreement with the Kings, according to multiple reports, and will sign with the Houston Rockets for the remainder of the season. Johnson is expected to clear waivers on Monday and can sign with the Rockets after that. Johnson, 36, played off the bench this season for the Jazz and averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. According to ESPN, he has earned $214 million in his career, the fourth most among active players behind Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
GOLF
Calcavecchia leads
Mark Calcavecchia birdied the last three holes Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over Bernhard Langer into the final round of the PGA Tour Champions' Boca Raton Championship. Calcavecchia shot a 6-under 66 at The Old Course at Broken Sound. Langer, the 2010 winner in his home event, had his second consecutive 66. The 57-year-old Calcavecchia had a 14-under 130 total. He opened with a 64 for a one-stroke lead in the senior tour's first full-field event of the season. Bart Bryant had a 64 to match Jerry Smith (67) at 10 under. Paul Broadhurst (66), Steve Flesch (68) and Michael Allen (68) were 9 under. John Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) followed an opening 67 with a 73 to drop to 4 under. Defending champion Scott McCarron was 2 under after a 69. Glen Day (Little Rock) was 4 under after a 71.
Meesawat ahead by 2
Thailand's Prom Meesawat took a two-stroke lead after three rounds with a 5-under 67 while England's Lee Westwood went from a tie for first place to being out of the World Super 6 tournament at Perth, Australia. The Thai golfer had a three-round total of 12-under 204 at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, with three golfers tied for second: American Sean Crocker (67), Australian Lucas Herbert (69) and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (69). Westwood shot a third-round 78 to finish out of the top 24 that would have qualified him for match play today. The event is sanctioned by three tours: European, Asian and PGA of Australia. Pep Angles (Central Arkansas) finished out of the top 24.
Taylor out front
Ben Taylor shot a 68 on Saturday at the Web.com Tour's Club Colombia Championship in Bogota and took a three-shot lead into today's final round. D.H. Lee and Jason Gore each shot a 68 and were tied for second at 9 under. Sebastian Cappelen (Arkansas Razorbacks) had a 66 and is tied for fourth at 7 under with seven others. Patrick Sullivan (Maumelle, UALR) had a 72 and is 1 under. Tag Ridings (Razorbacks) also had a 72 and is even going into the final round.
Sports on 02/11/2018