NFL

Commanders sign EDGE Von Miller to one-year, $6.1 million contract

This agreement was announced several days ago, but contract details arrived just yesterday.

It’s kind of a steal for Washington, assuming it gets the 2024 version of Miller instead of the 2023 one. Last season was a solid one for the grizzled veteran, as he posted six sacks in 13 games. Long gone are the days of Miller being one of the best defenders in football, but he should boost a shaky Commanders edge defender group.

On paper, Washington boasts a stacked roster. However, only the games played on the field will dictate the team’s success. In year two of the franchise’s current regime, the rest of the league will be out to get — and try to solve — the Commanders. Experienced players can help combat that, and Miller is one of several long-time pros, along with Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, added by the club this offseason.

Grade: A-

NBA

Lakers to sign SG Marcus Smart to two-year, $11 million contract

This contract will include a player option for the second season.

It’s been a busy summer of buyouts for accomplished guards. First there was Damian Lillard’s stunning departure from the Bucks. Then followed Bradley Beal’s less shocking divorce with the Suns. Now, Smart is moving on, this time from the Wizards.

As expected, Smart’s tenure with Washington didn’t last long. Appearing in 15 games with the franchise last year, the guard averaged 9.3 points and 2.5 assists per game. Smart remains a valuable defender, but the 31-year-old’s offensive repertoire is waning quickly. Smart’s deficiencies on that end will be less magnified with the Lakers, though, playing with Luka Doncic and presumably LeBron James.

It’s hard to identify a ton of on-court risks with this signing. Smart may not have many years in the NBA left, but he should give Los Angeles a solid 2025-26 campaign, averaging around 20 minutes per game.

Grade: A-

Bulls sign PG Yuki Kawamura to two-way contract

The Bulls are hilarious. Next to nothing Chicago does makes sense, and that includes this signing. Kawamura is a fine table setter, but at 5-foot-8, his impact is minimized. The 24-year-old isn’t a great shooter, either, as he shot just 30.4 percent from deep last season. This is a wasted spot at the bottom of the organization.

Grade: D-

MLB

Blue Jays 6, Giants 3

Don’t ask me — I have no clue — how the Blue Jays are pulling away in the AL East. At 57-41, Toronto has a 3.5-game (as of this writing) cushion in the division, despite the fourth-best run differential among the five clubs. The Jays may lack staying power, but they’ve won seven of 10 and aren’t going anywhere yet.

A pivotal reason behind Toronto’s success is Addison Barger’s breakout campaign. The third baseman was a mostly-anonymous rookie last season, but he’s turned into an important bat this year. After going 4-for-4 yesterday, Barger is slashing .273/.326/.514.

Logan Webb wasn’t even close to being on his game in this loss. He and the Giants somehow remained unscathed through five frames, but the bottom fell out in a four-run sixth inning for Toronto. The right-hander also allowed 11 hits and raised his ERA to 3.08. The Giants surely aren’t worrying about this result, however, as Webb is a proven ace.