LSU, Kelly agree to 10-year contract worth at least $95M

LSU flew newly hired coach Brian Kelly on a private jet to Baton Rouge, where he was greeted Tuesday by fans, dignitaries and the Golden Band from Tigerland after agreeing to a 10-year contract worth $95 million plus incentives.

The hiring of Kelly — who has Notre Dame for the past 12 seasons and eclipsed Knute Rockne for career victories with the storied Fighting Irish — came together on Monday night in yet another blockbuster coaching move in college football. LSU made it official on Tuesday. “Brian Kelly is the epitome of a winner,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said. “He has built and sustained success at every program he’s led, from multiple undefeated regular seasons and National Coach of the Year honors to (Division II) national titles and College Football Playoff berths. His credentials and consistency speak for themselves.”

DALLAS — Michigan moved up to No. 2 in the second-to-last College Football Playoff rankings,

joining Georgia, Alabama and Cincinnati in the top four heading into conference championship weekend.

Oklahoma State is fifth going into the Big 12 championship game Saturday against No. 9 Baylor, and Notre Dame is sixth with no games left and no head coach.

Brian Kelly left the Fighting Irish and was introduced as the new coach at LSU on Tuesday, three days after independent Notre Dame finished its season 11-1.

Selection committee chairman Gary Barta, who is Iowa’s athletic director, noted selection protocol requires the committee to consider the unavailability of players and coaches and how that could affect a team’s performance in the postseason.

MLB

Javier Báez is taking his high motor to Motor City.

Báez has agreed to a $140 million, six-year contract with Detroit, giving the Tigers a dynamic bat for the middle of their order.

Báez, who turns 29 today, hit .265 with 31 homers and 87 RBIs in 138 games with the Cubs and Mets this season.

The move likely puts Báez back at shortstop after he finished the year at second base while playing alongside good friend Francisco Lindor in New York.

ANAHEIM — Right-hander Michael Lorenzen agreed to a $6.75 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Anaheim native spent his first seven major league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, making 295 appearances mostly as a reliever. He is 23-23 with a 4.07 ERA, 14 saves and 406 strikeouts.

Lorenzen also is an excellent hitter for a pitcher, batting .233 over his career with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 147 career plate appearances.

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox fortified their bullpen

announcing a $24 million, three-year contract with right-hander Kendall Graveman.

The 30-year-old Graveman is expected to pitch in front of All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, who had 38 saves and a 2.54 ERA in his first season with Chicago.

The defending AL Central champions also have Craig Kimbrel, but he could be on the move after he faltered in a setup role with the White Sox.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs added another catcher

agreeing to a $13 million, two-year contract with Yan Gomes.

The Cubs have Willson Contreras at catcher, but he is eligible for free agency after next season and the team could decide to trade him if they can’t reach a long-term deal this winter.

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

NHL

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils have locked up their best player until the end of the decade, signing center Jack Hughes to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension.

Hughes, the No. 1 pick overall in the 2019 NHL draft will earn an average salary of $8 million with the new contract.

His salary over the deal will range from $9 million next season and dropping to $7 million in the final two years.

NBA

MILWAUKEE — DeMarcus Cousins will attempt to boost a Milwaukee Bucks frontcourt that’s missing injured center Brook Lopez.

The Bucks announced they have signed Cousins, a four-time All-Star who earned second-team all-NBA honors in 2015 and 2016.

MLS

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Sean Johnson saved Adam Buksa’s attempt during a penalty shootout and all five of Johnson’s teammates scored as New York City FC advanced to its first Eastern Conference final following a 2-2 playoff draw with the New England Revolution.

Alexander Callens scored on the final penalty shot for NYC, which will play the Philadelphia Union on Sunday for a spot in the MLS Cup.

Alfredo Morales, Thiago Andrade, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Maximiliano Moralez and Callens all converted from the penalty spot against Matt Turner, the MLS goalkeeper of the year.