Category Archives: Deportes

Sebastian Baez Makes History with Title Defense at Rio Open

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Make that two in a row for Sebastian Baez. 

The 24-year-old Argentine tennis player became the first player to successfully defend the Rio Open title on Sunday after overcoming Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-2, 6-3 at the ATP 500 event in Brazil.

Sebastian BaezIn front of the capacity crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Baez produced a relentless display of aggressive, consistent ball-striking against Muller. He pulled the Frenchman from side to side with his accuracy, and he glided around the baseline to track down anything Muller threw at him, raising his arms in delight after sealing victory on his second match point.

With his one-hour, 26-minute win, Baez captured his fourth trophy on South American soil. The fifth seed, who has won his past 10 matches in Rio, is now a seven-time tour-level titlist.

“I am so proud of the whole week,” Baez said in his on-court interview. “I am so happy for every match. I did my best and I am so happy. I try to give my best every point.

“Of course the finals are different because you want to win the tournament. I try to focus on the match and that is most difficult part in the finals, but the support from my coach and the team is so important.”

Baez has clinched six of his seven crowns on clay, with the exception coming on hard courts in Winston-Salem. Since the start of 2022, Baez has earned 73 wins on clay, the most of anyone on Tour according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

The World No. 31 showed why he’s such a consistent performer on the surface this week with a series of impressive wins. Baez defeated Roman Andres Burruchaga and Chun-Hsin Tseng in straight sets and battled to three-set victories against Mariano Navone and Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

In a dominant display in the final against Muller, Baez struck 26 winners and broke the Frenchman’s serve five times, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Muller was aiming to capture his second tour-level title, having triumphed in Hong Kong earlier this season. The 28-year-old is up 19 spots to No. 41 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and will rise to a career high on Monday.

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Alex de Minaur in Rotterdam Open to Secure First Career Indoor Title

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It’s another career first for Carlos Alcaraz.

The 21-year-old Spanish tennis star beat Alex de Minaur in the final of the Rotterdam Open on Sunday to claim his first indoor title.

Carlos AlcarazThe top-seeded Alcaraz won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to become the first Spanish champion in the tournament’s 52-year history.

It was a 17th title for the Alcaraz.

“This week has been a really good week,” Alcaraz said. “Putting in really good work. Coming here (not) feeling 100% well with the cold but after every day I’m feeling better and better.

“It was the first time that I (was) playing here and you (fans) made it like I’ve been playing this tournament for a long time.”

De Minaur lost to Jannik Sinner in last year’s Rotterdam final.

“We’re pushing for bigger and better things,” the Australian said. “It’s been two years now with this runner-up trophy. I’m hoping I’ll get my hand on the winners’ one day.”

Pete Alonso Agrees to Two-Year, $54 Million Contract with New York Mets

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Pete Alonso won’t be leaving the New York Mets anytime soon.

The 30-year-old half-Spanish American professional baseball player, nicknamed “Polar Bear,” and the New York Mets are in agreement on a two-year, $54 million contract, per ESPN, ending a lengthy free agency with a return engagement to the only team for which he has played.

Pete AlonsoThe deal, which is pending a physical, includes an opt-out after the first season, sources said. Alonso will make $30 million this year.

Alonso, whose 226 home runs since his 2019 debut are second in Major League Baseball (MLB) behind Aaron Judge‘s 232, heads back to Queens to join a lineup that added outfielder Juan Soto on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract this winter.

Though New York considered pivoting away from Alonso after discussions on a deal with him reached an impasse, talks resumed amid a market that did not value him similarly to the long-term deal he sought at the outset of free agency. First basemen in their 30s who hit and field right-handed are seen by teams as risky — even ones who have consistently produced like Alonso.

After hitting a rookie-record 53 home runs in 2019, Alonso’s consistent run production helped buoy the Mets through lean years and made him a fan favorite and franchise cornerstone. Alonso rejected a seven-year, $158 million contract extension from the Mets in the summer of 2023, hoping to strike riches on the open market, even when saddled by draft-pick compensation after turning down a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Mets.

A long-term deal never materialized, leaving Alonso with limited choices. Though the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams that expressed interested in Alonso, coming back to the Mets was always the likeliest possibility, even as owner Steve Cohen publicly expressed frustration with the trajectory of negotiations.

Alonso’s production declined over the past three seasons, with his OPS decreasing from .869 to .821 to .788. His FanGraphs wins above replacement dropped from 3.8 to 2.8 to 2.1, and his 34 home runs in 2024 were a career low for a full season.

Still, Alonso remained capable of special moments. With the Mets facing elimination, trailing 2-0 in the ninth inning of a wild-card series game against Milwaukee in early October last year, Alonso tattooed a changeup from Brewers closer Devin Williams to the opposite field for a three-run home run that held up to send New York to a series against Philadelphia. Alonso homered twice against the Phillies and once more in a six-game NLCS loss to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Alonso’s postseason bona fides — a .278/.429/.574 line in 70 plate appearances — added to his allure for the Mets, who now can lead off star shortstop Francisco Lindor and bat Soto, Alonso and emerging star third baseman Mark Vientos in the 2-3-4 holes. The Mets’ deep roster includes outfielders Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte and Tyrone Taylor, catcher Francisco Alvarez, second baseman Jeff McNeil, young infielders Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuna and Brett Baty, as well as Jesse Winker (who re-signed as a free agent) and Jose Siri (acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay).

Real Madrid Legend Sergio Ramos Signs with Club de Futbol Monterrey

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Sergio Ramos is heading to North America…

The 38-year-old Spanish professional footballer, a Spain and Real Madrid legend, has signed with Monterrey, the Liga MX club has announced.

Sergio Ramos“The number 93 is ready to defend the blue and white jersey,” Monterrey said alongside a video on their social media account.

“A historic defender in world football, multiple champion with Real Madrid and PSG and World Cup champion with Spain. Welcome to Club de Futbol Monterrey. Your leadership, quality, and winning mentality will take the Blue and White to great heights,” the team said in a statement.

Ramos, a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain and two-time European Champion with Real Madrid, had been without a team since his contract with Sevilla expired last summer.

He had rejoined his boyhood club from Paris Saint-Germain a year earlier.

Monterrey is looking to strengthen its defensive line after losing Carlos Salcedo to an ACL injury earlier this month.

Ramos spent 16 years at Real Madrid — after coming through Sevilla’s academy — captaining the club and winning four Champions Leagues and five LaLiga trophies.

Los Angeles Angels Agree to One-Year, $5 Million Contract with Yoan Moncada

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Yoan Moncada has landed an angelic deal…

The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the 29-year-old Cuban professional baseball third baseman and free agent, per ESPN.

Yoan MoncadaThe move, first reported by The New York Post, probably rounds out the Angels’ lineup for the 2025 season.

Moncada notably plays the position previously occupied by Anthony Rendon, who has been a disappointment since signing a seven-year, $245 million contract in December 2019.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian indicated throughout the offseason that, moving forward, the organization can’t necessarily count on Rendon, who played in less than a third of the Angels’ games and produced only a .666 OPS over the past four seasons.

By adding Moncada, who has played strictly third base over the past seven seasons, Rendon no longer has a clear pathway for playing time. He can spell Moncada at third base on occasion and perhaps replace the left-handed-hitting Nolan Schanuel at first when the Angels face a tough lefty. If he is healthy and productive, the Angels will undoubtedly find a consistent place for him in the lineup, with the designated-hitter slot also an option. But with two years left on his contract, Rendon’s future is cloudier than ever.

Moncada, a switch-hitter, also has something to prove.

Once the jewel of the Boston Red Sox farm system, Moncada broke out in 2019 and turned in a solid season with the Chicago White Sox in 2021. But he has slashed just .236/.291/.387 while playing in only 208 games over the past three seasons.

Last year, for a White Sox team that lost a record 121 games, Moncada played in only 12, sitting out five months because of an adductor strain. He returned Sept. 18, taking one at-bat, then sat out the rest of the season.

The White Sox declined Moncada’s $25 million option, sending him into free agency.

Now, he represents the latest addition in an Angels offseason headlined by the trade for corner outfielder Jorge Soler and the signing of starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.

Notably, Moncada also represents some necessary insurance for Rendon, who’s heading into his age-35 season and has been beset by injuries to his oblique, lower back, hamstring, shin, wrist, groin, hip and knee since 2021.

William Contreras Agrees to One-Year, $6.1 Million Deal with Milwaukee Brewers, Avoiding Arbitration

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It’s a Brew-tiful day for William Contreras.

The 27-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball catcher and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one-year contract guaranteeing $6.1 million, avoiding an arbitration hearing.

William ContrerasContreras gets a $6 million salary this year, and the Brewers have a $12 million option for 2026 with a $100,000 buyout.

A two-time MLB All-Star, Contreras had asked for $6.5 million and had been offered $5.6 million when proposed figures were exchanged.

His deal with the reigning National League (NL) Central champions includes a team option for 2026.

Contreras batted .281 with a .365 on-base percentage, 23 homers and 92 RBIs in 155 games last year and was an All-Star for the second time in three seasons. He hit .289 in 2023 with a .367 on-base percentage, 17 homers and 78 RBIs in 141 games.

The Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America selected Contreras as the Brewers’ most valuable player in each of the past two seasons.

The Brewers acquired him from the Atlanta Braves after the 2022 season.

Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán Completes Transfer to Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr 

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Jhon Durán is headed to the Saudi Pro League. 

The 21-year-old Colombian professional footballer has completed his transfer from Aston Villa to Al Nassr as the Saudi Pro League side bolstered their forward line for the second half of the season.

Jhon DuránDurán’s form at Aston Villa had seen him garner considerable attention from clubs in Europe and beyond, and the signing is seen as a coup for Stefano Pioli‘s team, who already boast Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané among their ranks.

Durán has scored 12 goals in 29 games this season for Aston Villa, including memorable long-range strikes against Everton in the Premier League and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Durán joined the midlands club from Chicago Fire for £18m ($22.3m) in January 2023 but has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Villa Park as Ollie Watkins‘ presence in the forward line kept him out of the team on a regular basis.

Wakins has also been linked with a move away from Aston Villa in January but the Colombia international’s exit means that Watkins is likely to stay with Unai Emery’s team, with sources telling ESPN on Wednesday that the club had rejected a bid from Arsenal for his services.

Durán was an unused substitute in Aston Villa’s Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday, which secured their eighth-place finish and a spot in the round of 16.

“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career,” Villa said in a statement.

Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that Aston Villa are interested in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before the transfer deadline.

Al Nassr have struggled to compete at the highest level in the Saudi Pro League this season, sitting fourth in the table and eight points off top despite the exploits of Ronaldo, who has scored a division-high 14 goals in 17 games.

Miguel Almirón Returning to Atlanta United

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Miguel Almirón is making a triumphant return.

The 30-year-old Paraguayan professional footballer has rejoined his former side Atlanta United from Newcastle United on a permanent deal, the MLS side confirmed.

Miguel Almirón,It brings an end to the forward’s five-year spell at St. James’ Park, where he made over 200 appearances and scored 30 goals.

The Paraguay international was Newcastle’s club-record signing in 2019, when he arrived in a £20 million ($26m) deal from Atlanta.

His standout season for the club came in 2022-23, where he scored 11 goals and assisted a further four to help Newcastle secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.

Almirón was a beloved figure among the Newcastle fan base, and his goal against Paris Saint-Germain in a famous 4-1 Champions League win only further heightened his cult status.

In his first stint at Atlanta, Almirón lifted the MLS Cup in 2018.

“I’m very happy to return to Atlanta United, a club and a city that has always held a special place in my heart,” Almirón said.

“I’m grateful to Arthur M. Blank and the entire organization for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to reuniting with the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and creating more moments of joy together.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe paid tribute to Almiron in a club statement.

“He has been the ultimate professional, and he has been a big part of some of our most memorable moments in recent seasons,” he said.

“He is a great person and we’ll miss him greatly, but this is the right move at the right time for him and his family and we wish them well.”

Jorge Polanco Agrees to One-Year, $7.75 Million Deal with Seattle Mariners

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Jorge Polanco is a marinero again…

The 31-year-old Dominican professional baseball infielder will return to the Seattle Mariners after agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million contract, per ESPN.

Jorge PolancoIn the process, the Mariners filled a hole at third base.

The deal includes a vesting option for 2026 that is based on plate appearances, according to The Athletic, which first reported the agreement.

Polanco, a switch-hitter, had his best season in 2019, producing an .841 OPS with 22 home runs and finishing 13th in American League MVP voting. His offensive numbers remained solid from 2021 to 2023, during which he slashed .255/.333/.462 and posted a 120 adjusted OPS with the Minnesota Twins. 

But Polanco’s production dipped in Seattle, which has historically been difficult on hitters. He hit 16 home runs in 118 games and maintained his discipline within the strike zone in 2024, but his OPS finished at a career-low .651 and his adjusted OPS, which adjusts for park factors, was seven percentage points below the league average.

The Mariners boast a young, dynamic starting rotation that is arguably the best in the AL but have been held back for years by a lack of consistent offensive production. Their pitching staff held the second-lowest ERA in the majors last year, but their offense ranked 22nd in OPS, prompting them to miss the playoffs for a second straight time after a breakthrough 2022 season.

The Mariners are hoping a full season of Randy Arozarena, whom they acquired before the trade deadline last July, and a bounce-back campaign from young superstar Julio Rodriguez will go a long way toward improving their lineup. But they’d still like to add another bat, even with Polanco’s return. Second and first base remain positions the team can upgrade.

Carlos Estévez Reportedly Agrees to Two-Year, $22.2 Million Contract with Kansas City Royals

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Carlos Estévez has reportedly agreed to a royal(s) deal…

The 32-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a two-year, $22.2 million contract with a club option, per ESPN sources.

Carlos EstévezEstevez’s potential hiring adds a veteran reliever to a Royals team hoping to continue its run of success after a surprise postseason appearance last year.

The deal will pay Estévez $10.1 million in each of the first two years, with the club option worth $13 million and a $2 million buyout.

Estévez has spent the past two seasons as a closer — first for the Los Angeles Angels and then, following a July trade, the Philadelphia Phillies — with a high-octane fastball and a swing-and-miss slider and changeup.

While his strikeout rate dipped last year, his walks came down significantly as well and unleashed the best version of him.

With a weak bullpen in the first half of last season, Kansas City upgraded at the trade deadline by acquiring right-hander Lucas Erceg — who became a dominant closer down the stretch — and right-hander Hunter Harvey, who missed the postseason with injuries. Estévez’s presence alongside Erceg gives Kansas City a potent one-two punch in the late innings to complement one of the American League’s best rotations.

Coming off a 106-loss season, the Royals improved by 30 games and beat the Baltimore Orioles in the wild-card round before losing to the eventual American League champion New York Yankees.

Kansas City re-signed starter Michael Wacha and traded for second baseman Jonathan India early in the winter, then re-signed right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

Estévez enriches a bullpen that includes right-handers Erceg, Harvey and John Schreiber and a panoply of left-handers: Angel Zerpa, Sam Long, Daniel Lynch and potentially Kris Bubic, who is expected to compete with Lorenzen and right-hander Kyle Wright for Kansas City’s fifth starter job.

After spending six seasons in Colorado, Estévez signed a two-year, $13.5 million deal with the Angels and ascended into the closer role. Since signing with Los Angeles, he has saved 57 games and struck out 128 while walking 43 in 117⅓ innings with a 3.22 ERA.