Sports briefs
Wild Things add player, drop another
The Wild Things, who begin spring training this weekend, annoucned the signing of infielder Trevor Abrams for the 2019 Frontier League season.
Abrams joins Washington after two seasons with the San Francisco Giants organization. His 2017 campaign was cut short because of an injury sustained during his senior year at Sonoma State. Abrams recovered and made an impact playing at short-season Salem-Keizer and Class A Augusta last year. With the Giants, Abrams hit .277 over 46 games with 13 doubles while splitting time defensively at first base and third base.
“Trevor is coming in with a whole lot to prove and a demeanor to match. He was recommended our way by former Wild Things all-star David Popkins,” said general manager Tony Buccilli. “The kid takes pride in his defensive game and has been working hard to reach his potential offensively. We look to see how he will perform as a run producer.”
To create a roster spot for Abrams the Wild Things announced that Nathaniel Maggio, who was expected to be Washington’s first baseman, will begin the season on the inactive list. “Maggio had a job opportunity come available neither of us expected. We are unsure about his availability this season but we will keep tabs on the situation,” Buccilli said.
The Frontier League’s annual two-day open tryout and players draft concludes today in Joliet, Ill. The Wild Things must draft at least two players from the tryout.
Chiefs get Clarke in trade with Seahawks
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired pass rusher Frank Clark from the Seattle Seahawks for a package of picks Tuesday, then quickly agreed with him on a $105 million, five-year contract, as they continue to overhaul their much-maligned defense.
The Chiefs sent the No. 29 overall pick in this year’s draft and a second-round pick in 2020 to Seattle, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke about the trade terms and contract details on condition of anonymity because they were pending a physical.
Clark planned to head to Kansas City to complete that in the next 48 hours.
The trade, first reported by the NFL Network, also includes a swap of third-round picks in this year’s draft. That means the Chiefs will move up eight spots on Friday night.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said last week that he was aggressively trying to upgrade the defense, and he acknowledge the window for winning a Super Bowl title began last season. That’s when Patrick Mahomes took over at quarterback and had an MVP season as a first-time starter, leading Kansas City to a third straight AFC West title and the conference championship game.
Raptors wins series
Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Pascal Siakam added 24 and the Toronto Raptors used another stifling defensive effort to beat the Orlando Magic 115-96 on Tuesday night, winning their first-round playoff series in five games.
Kyle Lowry scored 14 points as the Raptors finished off the Magic with ease, bouncing back from a Game 1 defeat to win by double-digits in three of the next four. Toronto led by as many as 37 in the clincher, their biggest-ever margin in a playoff game.
It’s the fourth straight year the Raptors have reached the second round.
Leonard made 8 of 11 shots, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range, as the Raptors jumped on Orlando early and never trailed. Leonard also made all six of his free throws. He checked out to cheers of “MVP, MVP” with 8:05 to play and Toronto up 105-75.