Phillies sign Delmon Young to 1-year deal
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Veteran free-agent outfielder Delmon Young has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the team said Tuesday.
Young, 27, was inked to a deal worth $750,000 plus performance bonuses, MLB.com reported.
Young was named MVP of the 2012 American League Championship Series while playing with Detroit last season. He hit .267 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs in the regular season for the Tigers.
"Delmon is an experienced major-league bat who will add some depth to our relatively inexperienced outfield and another layer of competition for playing time there as well," Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Young was dogged by off-field controversy last season when he was arrested in New York and charged with second-degree aggravated harassment for allegedly hurling anti-Semitic slurs at four men while intoxicated.
The seven-year veteran has a career .284 batting average with 89 homers and 482 RBI while playing for Tampa Bay, Minnesota and the Tigers.
Grizzlies trade three players to Cavs
MEMPHIS, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday traded Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby and a future first-round pick to Cleveland for forward Jon Leuer.
The deal sending forward Speights and guards Ellington and Selby to the Cavaliers allows the Grizzlies to unload $6 million in salary and avoid paying a $4 million NBA luxury tax this season.
Under the transaction, Cleveland will obtain Memphis' first-round pick in the first available year.
"Marreese will strengthen our front court, while Wayne and Josh will add depth to our back court," Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant said. "At the same time, we are adding a valuable asset with another future first-round pick, while also maintaining our future flexibility."
The deal came after it was learned Cavs center Anderson Varejao will miss the rest of the season with a blood clot in his lung.
Sandy Koufax rejoins Dodgers as adviser
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax has rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers as a special adviser to Chairman Mark Walter, the team said Tuesday.
Koufax, considered the greatest Dodgers pitcher of all time, will be present during spring training to work with the team's pitching staff and will consult throughout the year, General Manager Ned Colletti said.
"For our young players and our veterans to be able to tap Sandy's expertise and counsel during spring training and throughout the season will provide yet another tremendous resource in our efforts to strengthen our club," Colletti said.
The 77-year-old, three-time unanimous National League Cy Young Award winner said he's eager to get back on the field.
"I'm looking forward to spending time with the team during spring training and to contributing in any way I can to help make the team a success for the fans of Los Angeles," he said.
Koufax tossed four no-hitters, including a perfect game, while racking up a 165-87 record for the Dodgers from 1955-66.
Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom retires
DETROIT, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom said Tuesday he is retiring from the game after 15 years and 1,026 regular-season games played in the NHL.
Holmstrom, whose 40th birthday is Wednesday, won four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in a career that started in the 1996-97 season.
"After 15 seasons, four Stanley Cups, and an Olympic championship, it is time for me to retire," he said. "It wasn't the easiest decision to make, but it was the right one. I had a great job."
The Sweden native compiled 243 goals and 530 points in regular-season play, as well as 46 goals and 97 points in 180 post-season appearances.
"Tomas Holmstrom was a fierce competitor who played hard every shift of every game," Detroit General Manager Ken Holland said. "He provided us with an abrasive style that complemented our skill players so well."
His 1,026 games played is sixth on the all-time list for the Red Wings.
Holmstrom notched 11 goals and 24 points in 74 games last season, below his career averages of 16 goals and 33 points a season.
