In Boston, Ben Volin writes most NFL free-agency deals signed so far are "terrible value, by nature." One agent described the current landscape as "a bunch of C-plus and B-minus players getting 'A' money." Volin notes it is not surprising that "most of the money being thrown around is by teams desperate to improve." Meanwhile, almost every deal made so far is really, "two years, then we'll see." That "can't be a coincidence," since there are only two more seasons until the CBA expires in spring '21 (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/14).
STAR APPEAL: In Philadelphia, Marcus Hayes notes Baseball HOFer Reggie Jackson believes Phillies RF Bryce Harper is "the answer" to boosting baseball's popularity. Jackson said, "We need stars to draw attention. To play well. To lead the pack." Jackson acknowledged that the game "might have more-accomplished players than Harper." But Hayes notes those Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt jerseys "aren't flying off the shelves" and nobody is "marketing" an Angels CF Mike Trout-branded candy bar like Jackson had in the late '70s (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/14).
MIAMI NICE: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis yesterday ahead of The Players did "a little lobbying" with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan to "have a Tour event returned to the Miami area." DeSantis said, "I just look at our state, our biggest market ... could there potentially be a Tour event in the future, maybe a Presidents Cup." Miami hosted an annual tourney at Doral from '62-'16 before it moved to Mexico (Florida TIMES-UNION, 3/14).
