Tracy McGrady signs with Sugar Land Skeeters

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Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish has the story:

The Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League have decided to sign former NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady and guarantee him a spot on the Opening Day roster, according to industry sources. 

McGrady landed a non-roster invite to Skeeters camp in February after officially ending his 15-year professional basketball career last August. The 34-year-old stands 6-foot-8 and has been working with Roger Clemens to develop a suitable pitching arsenal.

McGrady, who played high school baseball, was reportedly hitting 85-86 mph with his fastball this spring.

This is probably more of a promotional stunt than anything, but it’s a pretty cool story nonetheless.

Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to 3-year, $55.75M deal

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Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports
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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.