NFL

Patriots sign S Jabrill Peppers to three-year, $24 million contract extension

The Patriots are going all in on locking up their core, a group that won … four games in 2023. Win-loss record aside, New England was actually fairly stout on the defensive side of the ball last season, and Peppers was a large part of that. The do-it-all safety registered 78 tackles, one sack and two interceptions last year.

Keeping good players under 30 signed long-term is normally smart business. The Patriots have done that, and now, only time will tell if New England’s core can produce more victories with a new head coach and quarterback. The franchise has a great starting point at safety, with stalwarts Peppers and Kyle Dugger.

Grade: B+

NBA

Nuggets sign PG Russell Westbrook to two-year, $6.8 million contract

This deal has been in the works for about a week. The Nuggets’ roster has been weakened by financial constraints and injuries this offseason, losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson and DaRon Holmes. The addition of Westbrook won’t offset those losses, but he’ll play an important role off the bench and should be a decent fit next to Jamal Murray in the backcourt when they share the court.

At a price near the league minimum, Westbrook is a bargain, even with his questionable play style and severely dampened athleticism. The 35-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 2024. Those numbers will likely drop next season.

At best, the veteran guard will serve as the Nuggets’ sixth man. At worst, Westbrook will fall behind Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson and others in Denver’s bench rotation. After a season marred by fatigue and exhaustion, the Nuggets should be refreshed for 2024-25. Anything short of a Finals berth will be a failure.

Grade: B+

Mavericks sign SF Kessler Edwards to two-way contract

Edwards fits the prototype of a three-and-D wing, but he’s simply not a good enough player for it to matter. The 23-year-old offers next to nothing as a creator, and isn’t a good enough shooter to make up for it.

Edwards averaged 1.7 points per game last season with the Kings. The Mavericks are wasting a two-way spot here on the Pepperdine product.

Grade: C-

MLB

Orioles receive: RP Seranthony Dominguez and CF Christian Pache

Phillies receive: LF Austin Hays

Baltimore has a surplus of position players, so I get moving off of Hays for Dominguez, a volatile reliever with an outside shot of helping the bullpen. Pache is mostly inconsequential in this deal.

The Phillies have been targeting upgrades in the outfield, and adding Hays is a good start. An All-Star in 2023, the left fielder can help the Phillies’ lineup, even if his play has dipped. The 29-year-old has been just above league average this season as a batter, posting a .255 batting average, three home runs and 14 RBI.

Orioles Grade: C-

Phillies Grade: A-

Dodgers receive: 3B Moises Bolivar

Red Sox receive: SP James Paxton

Los Angeles surprisingly DFA’d Paxton several days ago, as the starter posted an 8-2 record with a 4.43 ERA this season. Those numbers are a bit deceiving though, as the 35-year-old is due for some regression. The Dodgers shouldn’t have moved on from the starter, but at least they grab a prospect in exchange for his services.

Paxton returns to Boston, where he was decent with the Red Sox in 2023 over 19 outings. The cost is low, so the franchise is doing the right thing in taking advantage of the left-hander’s availability.

Dodgers Grade: C-

Red Sox Grade: B+