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Twins land free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa in stunning $105.3 million, three-year deal

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FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Twins pulled off a shocking early morning move Saturday, agreeing to sign star shortstop Carlos Correa in a blockbuster deal.

One of baseball’s top free agents will get a three-year, $105.3 million deal with opt-outs after 2022 and 2023 to become a free agent again.

His average yearly salary of $35.1 million will make him MLB’s fourth highest paid player and top earning infielder. He also will be the highest-paid player in Twins history when the deal is announced, pending a physical exam.

Shortstop has been a glaring area of need for the Twins this offseason, their biggest priority along with pitching. The Twins seemed to have acquired a starting shortstop a week ago when they traded Mitch Garver to Texas for Isiah Kiner-Falefa. But a day later, the Twins flipped Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson to the Yankees for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela. That trade also unburdened the Twins from the remaining two years of Donaldson’s contract, about $50 million.

With some money in hand, the Twins front office had been working hard for other deals, but their phones were pretty quiet for the past week. The Correa deal with his agent, Scott Boras, seemed to come together quickly and a bit unexpectedly, as many figured the Twins were more in the market for free agent shortstop Trevor Story.

Second baseman Jorge Polanco wasn’t surprised.

“I knew they were looking for someone. And I’m glad they had a good one, a great one, in mind,” Polanco said. “He’s a good hitter, a good player.”

Correa was the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft ahead of new teammate Byron Buxton, and became a two-time All Star with the Houston Astros, helping them to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons. The 27-year-old won the 2017 World Series, played in two others, and was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2015.

The Puerto Rico native, who made his big league debut at age 20, had a .981 fielding percentage and .279 batting average last season, hitting 26 home runs. He also won his first Gold Glove and had the third-best WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in the major leagues at 72, trailing only Angels pitcher-DH Shohei Ohtani and Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler.

His addition means Polanco can focus on second base, where he played the majority of last season to great success, when he hit career highs with 33 home runs and 98 RBI.

Polanco can now be sure of his position on the team — though he will still be able to fill in at shortstop if needed — and said he “can’t wait” for Correa to arrive at spring training so they can begin working together.

An interesting aspect of Correa’s contract are the opt-outs, meaning he could only be with the Twins for a season. The Twins, though, might only need him for that long, with top prospect Royce Lewis in the pipeline.

Prior to the pandemic canceling minor league ball in 2020 and Lewis tearing his ACL ahead of last season, Lewis was the future at shortstop. He played his first game since spring 2020 on Friday, so getting him the bigs by this season was a big ask.

“We needed a shortstop. I’m not on the big-league team. So I’m just here working to better myself and continue to gain some knowledge and wisdom around these guys,” Lewis said. “So I think it’s a great idea.

“… If I was in the big leagues, it’s a different story. But I’m not. So they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do to win up there.”

The Twins probably aren’t done adding players in spring training, and could be focused on another deal to acquire a starting pitcher, although they would likely have to give up some top prospects. They have already sent their top pick in the 2021 draft, pitcher Chase Petty, to the Reds to get Sonny Gray, who projects as the No. 1 starter this season.

And with a shortstop in place, and the starting rotation improved, the season suddenly looks more promising.

“Yeah, we’re going to be good,” Polanco said. “We are going to be good, really good.”

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MLB free-agent frenzy: Catch up on flurry of moves as Javier Báez, Marcus Stroman, more find new homes

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The Major League Baseball hot stove heated up this week ahead of a lockout. MLB’s current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expired on Wednesday night at 11:59 p.m. ET, and  the owners announced a lockout a few minutes later. The work stoppage means all free-agent activity will be halted until the players’ union and the league can come to a new agreement — a process that could take months. 

But many players and teams rushed to get deals in place after Thanksgiving and before the lockout, leading to a hectic free-agent frenzy. As of Wednesday, seven of the top 10 free agents have signed:

  1. SS Carlos Correa: Unsigned
  2. SS Corey Seager: 10 years, $325 million with Rangers
  3. 3B/OF Kris Bryant: Unsigned
  4. IF Marcus Semien: 7 years, $175 million with Rangers
  5. 1B Freddie Freeman: Unsigned
  6. LHP Robbie Ray: 5 years, $115 million with Mariners
  7. RHP Max Scherzer: 3 years, $130 million with Mets
  8. RHP Kevin Gausman: 5 years, $110 million with Blue Jays
  9. RHP Marcus Stroman: 3 years, $71 million with Cubs
  10. OF Starling Marte: 4 years, $78 million with Mets

The Rangers and Mets have been the most active teams in free agency and it’s not particularly close either. In addition to Seager and Semien, Texas also signed righty John Gray and outfielder Kole Calhoun. The Mets signed infielder Eduardo Escobar and outfield Mark Canha in addition to Scherzer and Marte. The two clubs have committed over $800 million to free agents. 

Although free agency has been very active the last few days, the Marlins have been one of the few active teams on the trade market. The Marlins acquired catcher Jacob Stallings from the Pirates and infielder Joey Wendle from the Rays this week and sent catcher Jorge Alfaro to the Padres.

Miss any of the action? Here’s a look at the notable deals that were signed ahead of MLB’s lockout:

Notable hot stove deals

  • Corey Seager and the Rangers have agreed to a 10-year, $325 million pact (full story here). 
  • Max Scherzer and the Mets have finalized a three-year, $130 million deal (full story here).
  • Robbie Ray agreed to a five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners (full story here).
  • Marcus Stroman reached a deal with the Chicago Cubs, he announced on Twitter (full story here).
  • James Paxton and the Red Sox agreed to a unique one-year deal for the left-hander (full story here).
  • Marcus Semien agreed to a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers (full story here). 
  • Javier Báez agreed to a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers (full story here).
  • Chris Taylor reached an agreement to return to the Dodgers (full story here).
  • Corey Knebel signed a one-year deal with the Phillies (full story here).
  • The Marlins and Avisaíl García agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal (full story here). 
  • Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal (full story here). 
  • Jon Gray and the Rangers agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal (full story here).
  • Rich Hill signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Red Sox.
  • Leury Garcia signed a three-year deal with the White Sox, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
  • Corey Kluber signed a one-year deal with the Rays after spending 2021 with the Yankees (full story here).
  • Reliever Kirby Yates signed a two-year, $8.25 million deal with the Braves, the team announced.
  • Reliever Daniel Hudson is nearing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Dodgers, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
  • Catcher Yan Gomes agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal, reports Craig Mish.

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Free-agent pitcher Marcus Stroman reaches 3-year deal with Chicago Cubs; contract for $71 million, sources say

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CHICAGO — Marcus Stroman rushed to the airport and caught a flight from Los Angeles to Chicago as soon as he got the word from his agent.

The right-hander arrived just in time with a lockout looming, agreeing to a three-year contract that sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan is for $71 million. And the Cubs landed one of the top remaining starting pitchers on the free-agent market on Wednesday.

“It’s one of the best franchises in all of sports and fan bases as well, so it’s extremely appealing to me,” Stroman said. “It sells out every single night. To pitch in front of that electric crowd is something that kind of draws me.”

The deal includes an opt-out after the second season, sources told Passan. Stroman will make $25 million in 2022, $25 million in 2023 and $21 million in 2024, and the deal includes $2 million escalators for reaching 160 innings pitched in ’22 and ’23, sources said.

Stroman announced he was leaving the New York Mets for Chicago in a series of tweets hours before the labor contract between players and owners was set to expire. The Cubs later confirmed the deal.

Stroman said the deal came together “really fast” and his “senses were kind of heightened” once agent Broderick Scoffield told him the Cubs were interested. He’s also looking forward to pitching at Wrigley Field for the first time. He toured the famed ballpark on Wednesday after completing his physical and medical tests.

“The city has been incredibly welcoming on socials, and I’m excited. This fan base is incredible, so I can’t wait to pitch here,” Stroman said.

Improving the Cubs’ pitching was a priority for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer after the team ranked among the worst in baseball with a 4.87 ERA. The 30-year-old Stroman figures to give the rotation a huge boost. He went 10-13 with a 3.02 ERA and tied for the major league lead by making 33 starts for the Mets in 2021.

Stroman was an All-Star with Toronto in 2019 before getting traded to New York that season, then sat out the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is 61-60 with a 3.63 ERA over seven seasons with the Blue Jays and Mets.

Stroman figures to anchor the Cubs’ rotation along with Kyle Hendricks and newcomer Wade Miley. Alec Mills, Adbert Alzolay, Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson are also in the mix for starting spots.

The Cubs are retooling after going 71-91, their first losing record since 2014. They claimed Miley off waivers from Cincinnati on Nov. 7.

Chairman Tom Ricketts said in an October letter to fans that the Cubs would “be active in free agency and continue to make thoughtful decisions to bolster our team this offseason.” Stroman said his deal shows the team is serious about winning again soon.

“I think they’re definitely in not a full rebuild,” Stroman said. “I think they definitely want to win now. Obviously, this is a city that’s an incredible fan base and baseball’s a competitive sport. You never know what you’re going to get going into any year.”

Chicago also announced contracts with catcher Yan Gomes and outfielders Clint Frazier and Michael Hermosillo on Wednesday.

Gomes agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal that includes a club option for 2024. Frazier and Hermosillo got one-year contracts.

The Cubs also have Willson Contreras behind the plate, but he is eligible for free agency after next season and the team could decide to trade him if the sides can’t reach a long-term deal this winter. Chicago also could use Gomes to provide more rest for Contreras, who turns 30 in May.

The 34-year-old Gomes played for Washington and Oakland this year, batting .252 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs in 103 games.

Frazier agreed to a one-year contract after batting .186 with the Yankees last season. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft, he hit .239 in five seasons for New York.

Hermosillo spent most of last season at Triple-A Iowa and appeared in 16 games with the Cubs, going 7-for-36 with three homers. He missed the final 3 1/2 weeks because of a strained left forearm.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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MLB rumors: Live updates from free-agent frenzy as Javier Báez, Corey Seager, Max Scherzer find new homes

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The Major League Baseball hot stove is heating up ahead of an impending work stoppage. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires Wednesday night, and free-agent activity will be halted until the players’ union and the league can come to a new agreement — a process that could take months. 

Many players and teams are getting deals in place before the lockout, and it’s led to a free-agent frenzy in the last two days. As of Tuesday morning, six of our top 10 free agents have signed:

  1. SS Carlos Correa
  2. SS Corey Seager: 10 years, $325 million with Rangers
  3. 3B/OF Kris Bryant
  4. IF Marcus Semien: 7 years, $175 million with Rangers
  5. 1B Freddie Freeman
  6. LHP Robbie Ray: 5 years, $115 million with Mariners
  7. RHP Max Scherzer: 3 years, $130 million with Mets
  8. RHP Kevin Gausman: 5 years, $110 million with Blue Jays
  9. RHP Marcus Stroman
  10. OF Starling Marte: 4 years, $78 million with Mets

The Rangers and Mets have been the most active teams in free agency and it’s not particularly close either. In addition to Seager and Semien, Texas also signed righty John Gray and outfielder Kole Calhoun. The Mets signed infielder Eduardo Escobar and outfield Mark Canha in addition to Scherzer and Marte. The two clubs have committed over $800 million to free agents. 

Although free agency has been very active the last few days, the trade market has mostly gone cold, at least for the time being. The Pirates sent catcher Jacob Stallings to the Marlins for three players on Tuesday, and that’s about it as far as notable trades go. My guess is teams will focus on free agency before the CBA expires, and worry about trades later.

For what it’s worth, Tuesday will serve as a “soft” deadline for free agent signings because teams and players will need time to work out the contract details and review medical information prior to the CBA’s expiration. The two sides can’t agree to a deal at the last minute and put pen to paper. Here’s a look at the notable free agent deals to happen since Sunday night.

Notable hot stove deals

  • Corey Seager and the Rangers have agreed to a 10-year, $325 million pact (full story here). 
  • Max Scherzer and the Mets have finalized a three-year, $130 million deal (full story here).
  • Robbie Ray agreed to a five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners (full story here).
  • The Marlins acquired catcher Jacob Stallings in a four-player deal with the Pirates, the teams announced.
  • Marcus Semien agreed to a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers (full story here). 
  • Javier Báez agreed to a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers (full story here).
  • The Marlins and Avisaíl García agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal (full story here). 
  • Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal (full story here). 
  • Jon Gray and the Rangers agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal (full story here).
  • Corey Kluber signed a one-year deal with the Rays after spending 2021 with the Yankees (full story here).
  • Reliever Kirby Yates signed a two-year, $8.25 million deal with the Braves, the team announced.
  • Reliever Daniel Hudson is nearing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Dodgers, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
  • Catcher Yan Gomes agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal, reports Craig Mish.

We’ll be providing live updates throughout Tuesday as teams push to get more deals done. Follow along below.

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MLB rumors: Live updates from free-agent frenzy as Javier Báez, Corey Seager, Max Scherzer find new homes

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The Major League Baseball hot stove is heating up ahead of an impending work stoppage. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires Wednesday night, and free-agent activity will be halted until the players’ union and the league can come to a new agreement — a process that could take months. 

Many players and teams are getting deals in place before the lockout, and it’s led to a free-agent frenzy in the last two days. As of Tuesday morning, six of our top 10 free agents have signed:

  1. SS Carlos Correa
  2. SS Corey Seager: 10 years, $325 million with Rangers
  3. 3B/OF Kris Bryant
  4. IF Marcus Semien: 7 years, $175 million with Rangers
  5. 1B Freddie Freeman
  6. LHP Robbie Ray: 5 years, $115 million with Mariners
  7. RHP Max Scherzer: 3 years, $130 million with Mets
  8. RHP Kevin Gausman: 5 years, $110 million with Blue Jays
  9. RHP Marcus Stroman
  10. OF Starling Marte: 4 years, $78 million with Mets

The Rangers and Mets have been the most active teams in free agency and it’s not particularly close either. In addition to Seager and Semien, Texas also signed righty John Gray and outfielder Kole Calhoun. The Mets signed infielder Eduardo Escobar and outfield Mark Canha in addition to Scherzer and Marte. The two clubs have committed over $800 million to free agents. 

Although free agency has been very active the last few days, the trade market has mostly gone cold, at least for the time being. The Pirates sent catcher Jacob Stallings to the Marlins for three players on Tuesday, and that’s about it as far as notable trades go. My guess is teams will focus on free agency before the CBA expires, and worry about trades later.

For what it’s worth, Tuesday will serve as a “soft” deadline for free agent signings because teams and players will need time to work out the contract details and review medical information prior to the CBA’s expiration. The two sides can’t agree to a deal at the last minute and put pen to paper. Here’s a look at the notable free agent deals to happen since Sunday night.

Notable hot stove deals

  • Corey Seager and the Rangers have agreed to a 10-year, $325 million pact (full story here). 
  • Max Scherzer and the Mets have finalized a three-year, $130 million deal (full story here).
  • Robbie Ray agreed to a five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners (full story here).
  • The Marlins acquired catcher Jacob Stallings in a four-player deal with the Pirates, the teams announced.
  • Marcus Semien agreed to a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers (full story here). 
  • Javier Báez agreed to a six-year, $140 million contract with the Tigers (full story here).
  • The Marlins and Avisaíl García agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal (full story here). 
  • Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal (full story here). 
  • Jon Gray and the Rangers agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal (full story here).
  • Corey Kluber signed a one-year deal with the Rays after spending 2021 with the Yankees (full story here).
  • Reliever Kirby Yates signed a two-year, $8.25 million deal with the Braves, the team announced.
  • Reliever Daniel Hudson is nearing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Dodgers, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

We’ll be providing live updates throughout Tuesday as teams push to get more deals done. Follow along below.

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Sports

MLB rumors: Live updates from free-agent frenzy as Corey Seager, Max Scherzer, Robbie Ray find new homes

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The Major League Baseball hot stove is heating up ahead of an impending work stoppage. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires Wednesday night, and free-agent activity will be halted until the players’ union and the league can come to a new agreement — a process that could take months. Many players and teams are getting deals in place before the lockout, and it’s led to a free-agent frenzy in the last two days. Shortstop Corey Seager became the latest big name to sign, as he agreed to a massive 10-year, $325 million contract with the Rangers on Monday afternoon.

It’s already been a huge offseason for the Rangers. Over the weekend, they added second baseman Marcus Semien, right-hander Jon Gray, and outfielder Kole Calhoun. In all, that’s a salary commitment of more than $550 million for Texas. 

Also on Monday, Max Scherzer agreed to a record-breaking deal with the Mets. Scherzer’s contract with the Mets will pay him $130 million over three years, thereby setting a new record for average annual value ($43.3M per year). Scherzer will join a trio of free-agent signings the Mets made last week, in infielder Eduardo Escobar, utility player Mark Canha, and outfielder Starling Marte. Scherzer was not the only big-name pitcher to sign on Monday. Robbie Ray, who won the AL Cy Young Award earlier this month for his stellar 2021 season with the Blue Jays, agreed to a five-year deal with the Seattle Mariners worth $115 million.

Here’s a look at the notable free agent deals to happen since Sunday night.

Notable hot stove deals

  • Corey Seager and the Rangers have agreed to a 10-year, $325 million pact (full story here). 
  • Max Scherzer and the Mets have finalized a three-year, $130 million deal (full story here).
  • Robbie Ray agreed to a five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners (full story here).
  • The Marlins acquired catcher Jacob Stallings in a four-player deal with the Pirates, the teams announced.
  • Marcus Semien agreed to a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers (full story here). 
  • The Marlins and Avisaíl García agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal (full story here). 
  • Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal (full story here). 
  • Jon Gray and the Rangers agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal (full story here).
  • Corey Kluber signed a one-year deal with the Rays after spending 2021 with the Yankees (full story here).
  • Reliever Kirby Yates signed a two-year, $8.25 million deal with the Braves, the team announced.
  • Reliever Daniel Hudson is nearing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Dodgers, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

We’ll be providing live updates throughout Monday as teams push to get more deals done. Follow along below.

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Sports

Multiple teams calling on free-agent CB Richard Sherman, who expects to play in 2021

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Multiple NFL teams have reached out in recent days to five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman, who has been undergoing therapy since a July arrest.

Sherman is back to his old Seattle playing weight of 195 pounds and expects to be on the field at some point in 2021.

Sources say the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers touched base with Sherman, 33, last week after they lost starting cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting indefinitely with a dislocated elbow. The 49ers also have maintained contact with Sherman since his contract expired in March and, after losing Jason Verrett to a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, expressed interest in bringing Sherman back later in the season. The Seahawks have been open about their talks with Sherman about a potential reunion, as well.

Money is a factor. Sherman had interest from several teams — including the 49ers, Seahawks and Saints — early in free agency, but no team was willing to meet his asking price at the time. (Sherman serves as his own agent.)

There is also the matter of Sherman’s ongoing legal situation, stemming from a July incident that led to his arrest on five misdemeanor charges — including driving under the influence and second-degree criminal trespass — after he crashed his SUV in a construction zone and later tried to force his way into a family member’s home.

The arrest was originally reported as a domestic violence incident, but police said Sherman didn’t physically assault anyone; he pled not guilty to all charges and pledged to seek help.

A person close to Sherman said he has been doing magnetic therapy and speaking with a therapist since the incident, helping him work through many issues he didn’t have the tools to address before. He also has dropped 15 pounds — weight he put on after an Achilles tear in 2017 and kept on for most of his three seasons in San Francisco.

The league is reviewing Sherman’s legal situation. The 2020 substance-abuse policy calls for a baseline three-game suspension without pay for a first DUI offense, but the NFL generally doesn’t hand down discipline until the legal process is complete, meaning Sherman likely would be free to play immediately.

A member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team and three-time first-team All-Pro, Sherman has 36 career interceptions and 115 passes defended over 139 regular-season games (133 starts) with the Seahawks and 49ers.

He was a key piece of Seattle’s Super Bowl XLVIII championship team and a return to the title game the following year. Coming off the torn Achilles, Sherman left Seattle to sign the 49ers in 2018 and had one of his best seasons in 2019, helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl. A calf injury related to the Achilles limited Sherman to five games in 2020.

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Sports

Knicks’ free-agent point guard options dwindling

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The Knicks point guard hunt continued unresolved on the second day of free agency, though not for lack of trying.

Dennis Schroder and Reggie Jackson were the best point guards left on the board, but the Knicks let an intriguing young guard slip through their fingers when Kendrick Nunn signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Lakers.

The Heat’s first team all-rookie in 2019 had talks with the Knicks, but chose the chance to win a championship. One report stated the Knicks offered him more money.

The Knicks have $8 million in cap space as Derrick Rose’s complicated deal will likely not take up cap space, but the Early Bird Exception that allows teams to sign their own players and go over the salary cap.

Dennis Schroder and Reggie Jackson
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Rose signed a three-year, $43 million pact to return. The Knicks are reluctant to make him a full-blown starting point guard because of wear and tear on his surgically repaired knees. Some members of Knicks brass feel he’s at his best at 25-30 minutes a night.

The Knicks have interest in Schroder as a playmaker and defender, but he’s a poor 3-point shooter. One source told The Post Schroder started the process seeking a deal that would start at $25 million.

Besides Evan Fournier’s four-year $78 million pact, the Knicks have re-signed only their own guys in Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, Rose and Taj Gibson, who inked a $2.7 million veteran’s minimum deal.

The Knicks entered Monday night’s free agency armed with the league’s most cap space at $52.4 million, but for the third straight summer they found out cap space is not the end all and be all.

Rose, Burks and Noel signed three-year deals but the good news is their third years are not fully guaranteed.

That makes their contracts a lot friendlier and tradeable in a regular trade or a free-agent sign-and-trade in 2022 when they won’t have a lot of cap space. For instance, the Heat had no cap space but engineered a sign-and-trade Monday to pull in the Knicks’ second-most-important point guard target, Kyle Lowry.

On the trade market, Collin Sexton was made available by Cleveland, which wanted a veteran or two in return besides draft assets. Now they may be more suited for a Sexton trade with Noel and Burks in the fold.

The Knicks also believe Damian Lillard will go on the trade market perhaps by next season’s trade deadline.

According to a source, the Knicks have had sign-and-trade talks with Dallas for the Reggie Bullock signing and president Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau love Jalen Brunson, a 2022 free agent. It’s unclear if the Knicks asked for Brunson to be included in a larger deal.

Other point guards on the board are veteran George Hill, who was waived by the Sixers on Tuesday, oft-injured combo guard Victor Oladipo and Avery Bradley, a stout defender.

The Knicks’ free-agent point guards are still out there in Elfrid Payton, who started last season, and Frank Ntilikina.

The Post has learned the Knicks contacted Payton at the start of free agency but it’s unclear if they had real interest in him as a fallback. Based on social media, Knicks fans would be unhappy to see Payton back. There’d be more approval if 2017 lottery pick and longest-tenured Knick, Ntilikina made a return.

As it stands, Rose is the starting point guard with rookie draft pick Miles McBride and last May’s signee Luca Vildoza of Argentina on the depth chart. Vildoza has a non-guaranteed four-year pact and the Knicks could open more cap space if he were waived as he didn’t look sharp in the Olympics.

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Free-Agent Center Corey Linsley Not Expected to Return to Packers

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GREEN BAY, Wis. – At the end of the season, All-Pro center Corey Linsley said there had been no talks with the Green Bay Packers toward a new contract.

With the start of free agency less than three weeks away, that has not changed, a source said on Wednesday. The expectation is that Linsley will be playing elsewhere in 2021 and the Packers will be looking to replace their starting center from the past seven seasons.

While there is time to work out a deal with Linsley, it seems unlikely to happen. The Packers had all season to engage in talks with Linsley, and the season ended almost exactly one month ago.

“My agent hasn’t had any talks with the Packers,” Linsley said one day after a bitter loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game – Linsley’s fourth empty trip to the title game in his seven seasons. “That’s obviously not to say something couldn’t happen, but up to this point it’s kind of been complimentary but nothing of substance. We’ll move forward with that. It is what it is. I felt like I personally had a good year. We obviously didn’t get the goal that we wanted to, but I felt like I put out some good film. Hopefully a team values that and we’ll move into free agency with that in mind.”

RELATED: RANKING THE 14 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Linsley’s is a fascinating free agency.

He was voted first-team All-Pro and, for what it’s worth, was by far ProFootballFocus.com’s highest-rated center. According to Sports Info Solutions, Linsley didn’t allow a sack or a stuff (a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage vs. the run). Among centers with 500-plus snaps, he had the third-lowest blown-block rate at 0.6 percent, according to SIS. He wasn’t penalized, either.

On the other hand, Linsley missed three full games and most of two others due to injuries. After not missing a snap in 2017 and 2018, he played 88 percent in 2019 and 71 percent in 2020. And he’s going to turn 30 right about the time training camps are opening next summer.

The Packers being $11.45 million over the projected salary cap certainly doesn’t help facilitate a re-signing. While there are levers to pull to create ample space, there are 10 centers making at least $10 million per season, led by Ryan Kelly’s $12.4 million average.

The Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens should be among the suitors. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new coach, Urban Meyer, coached Linsley at Ohio State. The Jaguars have a standout center in Brandon Linder but Linder played guard in college and as a rookie.

Linsley hasn’t been just a superb center but he’s been a pillar of the community. He was the team’s nominee for prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

However, by season’s end, Linsley sounded prepared to leave his teammates and community connections behind.

“I had a talk with a buddy of mine in town,” Linsley said. “The relationships that we made, shoot, we didn’t see anybody this year, anyways, so it’s kind of like a gap year from that standpoint, but the relationships that we built, we’ll always keep in contact with people and see them. Again, it might be infrequent, not as much as it would’ve been here, but our home’s in Ohio, anyway, so it was going to happen sooner or later.

“But we love the people that we’ve met here, the relationships that we’ve built. We’ve been so many fortunate to be a part of so many people’s lives and them being a part of ours. If it doesn’t happen, it stinks. The guys in the locker room, I’m going to miss the guys in the locker room for sure. This locker room’s a great locker room. Again, if it doesn’t happen, the dudes in here are fantastic leaders, can’t say enough about them. So, that’s going to be tough but, other than that, this is a business. I mean it is what it is. Some guys, that’s just what happens.”



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