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DALLAS -- The Hilton Anatole has become Major League Baseball's top destination this week as teams converge for the winter meetings with writers, agents and even some fans circling the vast lobby floors. The biggest offseason news came down Sunday night, when the New York Mets and star free agent slugger Juan Soto reportedly agreed on a 15-year, $765 million deal, which would be the largest contract ever given to a professional athlete. That was a key talking point when managers started meeting with the media on Monday. Nationals manager Dave Martinez reflected on when he was Soto's first manager in the big leagues back in 2018. "This kid, he was different," Martinez said. "The ball comes off his bat differently. The way he approaches the hitting was way different than a lot of kids I've seen. But the one thing that I always remember about him, the first conversation I had, the first thing that came out of his mouth when I asked him what motivates him, what drives him, and he just came out and said, 'I love baseball.' Truly you can see it in him. He loves playing the game." The Red Sox were among the clubs in the mix for Soto. Boston manager Alex Cora didn't get into specific details, but he enjoyed the organization's pursuit of the four-time All Star. "It was fun in a way, you know, to get to know people and players of that status," Cora said. "It's amazing. The kid, he gets it. He gets it. Let me put it that way." Royals manager Matt Quatraro, meanwhile, spoke about the impact such a monumental contract may have on smaller market teams in order to compete in today's market. "We have to be creative. We have to put the best 26 guys on a roster or the best 40 guys on a roster, not the best one or two," Quatraro said. "At the end of the day, you have a chance to compete against those guys. Soto is going to hit four to five times a night. Those are impactful at-bats, but there's other ways to combat that with a full 26-man roster." Sasaki Posted Outside of the Soto reaction, Monday's other main storyline - at least going into the afternoon hours - centered on Japanese ace right-hander Roki Sasaki officially being posted. The 23-year-old phenom is available to sign as a free agent from Tuesday through 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23. The rumor mill was churning with plenty of speculation and talk about where Sasaki might sign. He was just one of many big-name players being discussed on Monday. The list of top free agents behind Soto includes pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried and infielders Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso and Christian Walker. On the trade front, much attention is being placed on White Sox left-handed starter Garrett Crochet. It was a relatively quiet Day 1 through the standard working hours, although things are always subject to change at meetings of this nature. Tito is Back Terry Francona joked that his desire to manage again resurfaced when his daughters went on a 10-day trip to Europe. "I watched the grandkids. That was the one day I thought maybe I'll go back to baseball," Francona said, laughing. All joking aside, Francona said it simply happened that when the Reds reached out, the timing felt right. He's healthy and refreshed as he's set to enter his 24th season as a manager. "I had a really good year and maybe I just needed that," Francona, 65, said. "Then, when these guys called, it just felt right." Honoring Mays The winter meetings kicked off with MLB announcing that its annual charity auction during the event would help revitalize Willie Mays Park in the late Hall of Famer's hometown of Fairfield, Ala. At a news conference, April Brown, MLB's senior vice president of social responsibility and diversity, said the vision for the project includes access for all levels of players, from youth leagues to advanced levels. "This effort will not just be MLB alone," Brown said. "We have the blessing of so many connected to his legacy and that have the mission to instill the love of our game that Willie had to all of the youth in the area growing up in the neighborhood where he grew up." The auction, which features items from every major league club, runs through Thursday. --Drew Davison, Field Level MediaNo. 9 Kentucky, focused on getting better, welcomes Jackson St.
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AllenComm and Pure Storage win 2024 Davey Award for Education WebsiteKaidon Salter is looking for a new home again. Salter, a former Tennessee quarterback, announced on Monday that he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal after spending the past 4 seasons at Liberty. His career numbers have him completing 59% of his passes for 5,887 yards and 56 touchdowns with 17 interceptions. Salter was most productive in 2023, going 177-of-290 passing (61% complete) for 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. In 2024, Salter was 147-of-261 for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Salter also has 19 rushing scores over the past 2 seasons. Salter, from Cedar Hill, Texas, began his college career at Tennessee. He signed as part of the 2021 recruiting class, but was suspended during spring practice and dismissed for a second citation before taking a snap for the Volunteers. Upon leaving Tennessee, Salter elected to play for Hugh Freeze at Liberty. He redshirted in 2021, which makes him a redshirt senior for 2025. In 2022, under Freeze, Salter was 87-of-149 passing for 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, rushing 69 times for 284 yards and 2 scores. Jamey Chadwell succeeded Freeze after the coach returned to the SEC taking the Auburn job.
Qatar tribune QNA Doha The visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the United Kingdom captured the attention of the British media and newspapers, which discussed the results of the visit and the outcome of meetings His Highness held with senior British officials. British newspaper The Independent highlighted the praise Prime Minister of the United Kingdom HE Keir Starmer gave to Qatar for its commitment to investments worth GBP 1 billion in the clean energy partnership between the two countries. The deal includes investment in technology programmes run by Rolls-Royce, as well as start-ups in the UK and Qatar, focused on energy efficiency, carbon management and green energy. The partnership was originally announced in 2021 on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow, and is expected to establish “climate technology hubs” across the UK and Qatar, the newspaper added. Prior to the visit, the newspaper pointed out that the Prime Minister hailed the partnership between the two countries and was pleased that the project is being launched with the initial commitment of GBP 1 billion. British website Middle East Eye reported that HH the Amir’s visit came at a time when the UK aimed to attracted new investments. Meanwhile, The Times newspaper reported on Queen Camilla’s participation in the official banquet held in honour of HH the Amir, as well as the King’s speech in which he praised Qatar’s tireless mediation efforts in the Middle East. The Telegraph indicated that dignitaries joined HM King Charles III to provide the highest level of welcome that the country can offer during the state visit of HH the Amir. For its part, the official website of the British Royal Family said in a statement entitled, “State Visit by The Amir of the State of Qatar”, in which they said, “The United Kingdom is proud to be Qatar’s oldest friend in the Western world. We have a special bond founded on mutual respect which has stood the test of time.” “In the afternoon, following a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, The Amir and Sheikha Jowaher viewed a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to Qatar. In the evening, The King, accompanied by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, hosted a State Banquet in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace,” the statement added. The Daily Mail reported that building stronger trade ties with the Gulf states was a key plank of Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s approach even before he entered government in July. Trade between the UK and the GCC is worth GBP 57 billion, and Britain is looking to secure more investment in energy and infrastructure projects. The UK’s trade ministry said a new deal between the UK and the GCC could boost the UK economy by GBP 1.6 billion. Copy 06/12/2024 10