NCAAF
- Cincinnati hires Scott Satterfield as head coach
- With this hire, the Bearcats clearly prioritized head coaching experience and risk aversion. Satterfield is a safe candidate, but I have doubts he can replicate what Luke Fickell did for the program, especially as Cincinnati moves to the Big 12. One benefit of hiring Satterfield, though, is that he has regional ties, as Louisville and Cincinnati are less than 100 miles apart. In the end, Cincinnati probably could’ve done better, but Satterfield won’t be a strikeout of a hire, either.
Grade: C
- With this hire, the Bearcats clearly prioritized head coaching experience and risk aversion. Satterfield is a safe candidate, but I have doubts he can replicate what Luke Fickell did for the program, especially as Cincinnati moves to the Big 12. One benefit of hiring Satterfield, though, is that he has regional ties, as Louisville and Cincinnati are less than 100 miles apart. In the end, Cincinnati probably could’ve done better, but Satterfield won’t be a strikeout of a hire, either.
- Tulsa hires Kevin Wilson as head coach
- Wilson is a bit on the older side at 61-years-old, but he had a long run with Oklahoma in the 2000s, which should help him get accustomed to coaching Tulsa. Wilson went just 26-47 as Indiana’s head coach, but it’s tough to win in Bloomington. This feels like an uninspiring hire.
Grade: C
- Wilson is a bit on the older side at 61-years-old, but he had a long run with Oklahoma in the 2000s, which should help him get accustomed to coaching Tulsa. Wilson went just 26-47 as Indiana’s head coach, but it’s tough to win in Bloomington. This feels like an uninspiring hire.
- Former Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec commits to Pittsburgh
- Out goes Kedon Slovis and in comes Jurkovec. Slovis was never able to produce at a high-level for the Panthers, so Jurkovec should be an upgrade, at least from a talent perspective. Additionally, Jurkovec, who was born in Pittsburgh, brings prototypical size to the Steel City, and it can be argued he just needs a solid supporting cast to thrive — something he didn’t necessarily have with Boston College.
MLB
- Phillies sign SS Trea Turner to 11-year, $300M contract
- I wasn’t expecting Turner to fetch 11 years on his newest deal, but the market has been hot this winter. With Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and others, the Phillies are absolutely loaded on offense, which should give the club a chance to get back to the Fall Classic in 2023. Of note for Turner, the shortstop’s two biggest home run outputs came in 2021 and 2022, a good sign for Philadelphia’s newest star.
Grade: B+
- I wasn’t expecting Turner to fetch 11 years on his newest deal, but the market has been hot this winter. With Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and others, the Phillies are absolutely loaded on offense, which should give the club a chance to get back to the Fall Classic in 2023. Of note for Turner, the shortstop’s two biggest home run outputs came in 2021 and 2022, a good sign for Philadelphia’s newest star.
- Mets sign SP Justin Verlander to two-year, $86.66M contract
- Verlander, at 39-years-old, produced at an unbelievably high level last season for Houston, which enabled him to command an average annual value over $43M. Interestingly enough, the Mets have a second aging ace signed to a similar deal in Max Scherzer. In the short term, Verlander is arguably an upgrade over Jacob deGrom, which should help New York remain in contention. This deal is appropriately priced, and unless Verlander’s performance falls off a cliff, has a chance to pay off for the Mets.
Grade: A
- Verlander, at 39-years-old, produced at an unbelievably high level last season for Houston, which enabled him to command an average annual value over $43M. Interestingly enough, the Mets have a second aging ace signed to a similar deal in Max Scherzer. In the short term, Verlander is arguably an upgrade over Jacob deGrom, which should help New York remain in contention. This deal is appropriately priced, and unless Verlander’s performance falls off a cliff, has a chance to pay off for the Mets.
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