In Dallas, Eddie Sefko rhetorically asked, “Who said Dallas will never be a destination for the NBA’s marquee free agents?” With free-agent C DeAndre Jordan leaving the Clippers for the Mavericks, cries that the Mavs "never get big-time players to join them can stop.” In the last three summers, they have “reeled in” G Monta Ellis, F Chandler Parsons and now Jordan and G Wesley Matthews. The idea that Dallas “is not a free-agent destination is officially dead” (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/3).
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted while it is “‘not official,’ it appears the Red Sox may be headed to Montreal for a pair of exhibition games at the end of spring training next year.” Meanwhile, Montreal is “getting its financial plan together for plans for a downtown ballpark.” With Rays attendance “getting worse by the year” and the A’s ballpark situation “also in limbo, Montreal may have a good shot at a relocated team” (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/5).
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: In Atlanta, Steve Hummer wrote the Braves “entered this season ranked 23rd in the Majors in team payroll,” but are “getting solid, if unspectacular, returns for their salary dollars.” If only they “determined the standings on a bottom-line business basis -- say, payroll dollars per victory -- the Braves would be even more in the mix” in the NL East. The Mets are at $2.41M “per victory, followed by the Braves” at $2.44M per win. The Astros are “getting the biggest bang for their payroll bucks” at $1.48M per victory (AJC.com, 7/6).
BIRTHDAY GIFT: In Ottawa, Sam Cooley notes the Senators yesterday announced they will be donating C$500,000 "to the celebrations commemorating Canada's 150th birthday.” Senators President Cyril Leeder said that the team is “set to host a number of special events” throughout ‘17, which is “the same year” that the franchise celebrates its own 25th anniversary (OTTAWA SUN, 7/7).
