BASEBALL: Rays’ Longoria gets added $100M
All-Star Rays third baseman Evan Longoria agreed to a new contract through 2022 that adds six guaranteed seasons and $100 million. The agreement incorporates the remainder of the 27-year-old’s existing contract, which called for him to earn $36.6 million over the next four seasons. The new deal includes a team option for 2023.
Longoria played in just 74 games in 2012 because of a partially torn left hamstring.
Greg Maddux, Willie Randolph, Larry Bowa and Dale Murphy will be part of the United States baseball team’s coaching staff under manager Joe Torre for the World Baseball Classic, which begins in March.
A full postseason share for the World Series champion Giants was worth a record $377,003, and suspended outfielder Melky Cabrera automatically received a full share.
NBA: Thunder up 40 at half in rout of Bobcats
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder opened a 64-24 halftime lead in one of the most lopsided first halves in NBA history on their way to a 114-69 blowout of the Bobcats.
Kevin Durant scored 18 points and Russell Westbrook had 12 points and 11 assists before the starters were pulled less than 5 minutes into the second half with the Thunder leading 79-25.
The 40-point halftime lead was the fifth-biggest in the NBA’s shot clock era and the largest since Golden State’s record 88-41 edge over Sacramento on Nov. 2, 1991.
In Chicago, Ersan Ilyasova scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half as the Bucks overcame a 27-point deficit in a stunning 93-92 win over the Bulls.
COLLEGE: ‘Johnny Football’ finally speaks
Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel, the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, spoke to the media for the first time all season and finally weighed in on his catchy nickname “Johnny Football.”
“I think a lot of people here in Aggieland enjoy it,” he said. “But I find it extremely funny.”
Manziel said he respected coach Kevin Sumlin’s decision for him not to speak to the media this season because he’s a freshman. But says he’s happy to have a chance to talk about this season.
“It’s kind of nice now to be able to kind of let you guys know how I am a little bit more,” he said. “There’s so many question marks out there.”
No. 23 Texas is turning from banged-up starter David Ash to Case McCoy at quarterback for its season finale at No. 7 Kansas State.
Louisville junior center Gorgui Dieng is out four to six weeks with a broken left wrist.
SOCCER: MLS eyes Queens team in 2016
MLS commissioner Don Garber says the league is at “the finish line” in negotiations with New York City to acquire land to build a stadium in Queens that would become home for the league’s 20th team. The new team could start play for the 2016 season.
The parkland used for the stadium on a 10-acre site in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park would have to be replaced, and a deal would have to be reached with the Mets to use their Citi Field parking lots.
The Red Bulls signed defenders/midfielders Brandon Barklage and Connor Lade to new contracts.