CHARLOTTE Zach Gentry Jersey , N.C. (AP) — The Panthers agreed to terms with six-time Pro Bowl free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy on a one-year contract worth up to $10.25 million with incentives, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.McCoy, who was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a salary cap move, will receive a $4 million signing bonus.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because he has not yet signed his contract.McCoy chose Carolina over Baltimore and Cleveland.The addition of McCoy gives the Panthers a formidable trio of defensive tackles that includes Kawann Short and Dontari Poe, who have each been to the Pro Bowl twice Nick Bosa Jersey , and Kyle Love.The 31-year-old McCoy has started 123 games during his nine seasons with the Buccaneers and posted 296 tackles and 54 1/2 sacks.He had 28 tackles and six tackles last season for Tampa Bay in 14 games. He has had at least six sacks in each of the last six seasons.The Panthers are incorporating some 3-4 defensive looks into their scheme this year, which means the 6-foot-4, 300-pound McCoy could be lined up alongside Short, who will move to defensive end in those situations. Or, the team could move the versatile McCoy to the other defensive end spot in the three-man front.The Panthers struggled to apply pressure to the quarterback last season and also lost defensive end Julius Peppers to retirement this offseason.McCoy’s best statistical season came in 2013 when he had 50 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks.Along with a $4 million signing bonus L.J. Collier Jersey , McCoy can earn incentives for sacks, as well as making the Pro Bowl and the playoffs. After splitting a four-game weekend set in Seattle, the Boston Red Sox return to work Tuesday night when they open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
The Red Sox went into their off day on Monday just a half-game behind the New York Yankees, but they have won six of their last nine games thanks to a starting rotation that has been among the best in baseball during the last two weeks.
Chris Sale will look to keep that going Tuesday when he takes the mound for his 16th start of the season. The left-hander snapped a three-start losing streak his last time out, allowing just a run in six innings of a 5-1 victory over Baltimore.
Sale had allowed 10 runs in 10 1/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros on May 27 and June 1 Marquise Blair Jersey , respectively. He rebounded by holding the Chicago White Sox to a run in eight innings while striking out two on June 8 in a 1-0 Red Sox loss before getting back in the win column against the Orioles.
“I have a good rhythm and tempo going for me right now,” said Sale, who has held opponents to no more than a run in nine starts this season. “I’m feeling good. That’s the way I like it.”
He’s 10-6 with a 4.21 ERA in 26 career appearances (18 starts) against the Twins, who also had Monday off after a 3-3 road trip that saw them drop two of three to the Detroit Tigers and take two of three from the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians.
They’ll begin the day third in the division, five games behind Cleveland and 2 1/2 behind Detroit.
“It was a good series win (in Cleveland) D.K. Metcalf Jersey ,” third baseman Eduardo Escobar said. “We’ll be ready Tuesday for another series at home. This team will be OK. We go out there and play hard every day, but sometimes you have to give credit to the other pitchers.”
The Twins will turn to their own budding ace for the series opener.
Right-hander Jose Berrios is 4-1 with a 2.47 ERA in his last six starts. He has allowed more than two runs just once during that stretch and has struck out 51 while walking only 12 in 43 2/3 innings, including 24 strikeouts with two walks in his last three outings.
Berrios took no-decision his last time out. He held the Tigers to a run, seven hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings, but the Twins’ offense and bullpen couldn’t get the job done in a 5-2 loss.
“He threw a hell of a game Cody Barton Jersey ,” reliever Addison Reed said afterward. “That was fun to watch. He works his tail off, and it shows when he’s out there. The thing that I’m most (upset) about tonight is not getting him the ‘W.'”
Berrios has one previous career start against the Red Sox. He allowed four runs and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 4-1 loss at Fenway Park last season.