This Week in US Sports: Harper signs, Murray ends debate
The hot stove has finally warmed up and Kyler Murray answered a big question on Thursday.
Meanwhile, baseball was stealing the headlines this week as Bryce Harper and Nolan Arenado signed big deals.
In the NFL, a receiver was arrested and in the NHL, the trade deadline had plenty of excitement.
That is what's happening this week in US Sports.
1. Harper agrees to sign with Phillies
Bryce Harper has finally found a home.
The six-time All-Star and 2015 National League MVP has reportedly agreed to a 13-year, $330million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Harper's agent Scott Boras told the New York Post after the news broke the outfielder wanted the "longest contract possible".
The 26-year-old's deal exceeded Manny Machado's 10-year, $300m contract with the San Diego Padres, as well as the 13-year, $325m deal Giancarlo Stanton signed with the Miami Marlins in 2015.
2. Arenado signs massive extension
While Harper may be making more money in a lump sum, Arenado exceeded his deal in every other way.
The four-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner signed a seven-year, $260m extension with the Colorado Rockies which makes him the highest-paid position player in MLB on average at $32.5m per year.
Arenado now only trails Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke's contract in average annual value at $34.3m.
"At the end of the day my heart was here," Arenado told reporters.
When Nolan got choked up, we all got choked up. Powerful. pic.twitter.com/zJPV3LFSu0
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) February 28, 2019
3. Murray is 5-foot-10
The biggest debate of the NFL offseason can now end. Murray is tall enough.
The former Oklahoma quarterback and 2018 Heisman Trophy winner measured at 5 feet 10 1/8 inches tall at the combine on Thursday, putting to bed many concerns of scouts who though he would measure at 5-foot-8.
Murray is just a half-inch shorter than Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
4. NHL trade deadline provides plenty of drama
The NHL trade deadline may not quite get the attention MLB or NBA does, but there was more than enough drama to go around on Monday and it started in Ottawa.
For a team that had already traded Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, some thought the Senators would try to hang on to and re-sign fan favourite Mark Stone, but it was not to be.
Ottawa traded Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights, which very few people saw coming. And to put a cherry on top, Stone signed an eight-year, $76m extension with Vegas.
Stone: I was a bit nervous at the start of the game last night, but this is a team that can take over a game. pic.twitter.com/LCA78FtXRc
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 27, 2019
He was not the only man to move as Wayne Simmonds went to the Nashville Predators, as did Mikael Granlund. Kevin Hayes got dealt to the Winnipeg Jets and Charlie Coyle was moved to the Boston Bruins. It was a fun week.