SoCal Varsity Awards: Harvard-Westlake's Ryan Neapole tops the All-Varsity Boys Water Polo Team  —  The Southern California News Group honors the region's top fall sports athletes:  —  SoCal Varsity Awards special section is in Sunday's edition of your local SCNG newspaper.  —  PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Pitcher Alex Wood says Cincinnati Reds could ‘surprise some people’ next season  —  When Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson spoke on the phone with Alex Wood on Friday night, one of the first things he mentioned was relief that they were finally on the same team.

Baseball notes: Dodgers' Kelly is happy to be going home  —  Joe Kelly helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series title.  His next goal is to try to win one for the team he grew up rooting for and defeated in October.  —  The Dodgers on Friday officially announced signing Kelly …

A's Sign Mike Fiers  —  The Oakland Athletics are close to re-signing Michael Fiers, per the MLB Network's Jon Morosi.  Fiers will earn between $14MM and $15MM over a two-year span (Twitter links).  The deal is pending a physical.  —  The dollar amount makes sense for both sides …

Jurickson Profar: 'I'm going to be the same guy and try to do the same for my new team'  —  Texas Rangers first baseman Jurickson Profar is called out on strikes by home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday night, September 18, 2018 played at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX.

Angels, Brewers, Rangers Reportedly Interested In Dallas Keuchel  —  The Angels, Brewers and Rangers join the previously reported Phillies as a few of the teams with interest in free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

Lakers already closing in on Anthony Davis, but with lots of competition  —  Talented center seems like a lock to leave New Orleans, and LeBron James isn't the only player wooing him  —  Now, the latest entry in the campaign to woo Anthony Davis:  —  What was once mere speculation …

Padres, Blue Jays Discussing Marcus Stroman Deal  —  The Padres and Blue Jays are reportedly discussing a deal that would send Marcus Stroman to the friendly confines of San Diego, per sources close to MLB.com's Jon Morosi.  —  The ongoing trade discussion would not include the uppermost echelon …

Phillies are the best option for Manny Machado  —  Manny Machado and his agent, Dan Lozano, have laid their cards on the table.  Even if there is a mystery team - isn't there always a mystery team? - it is clear that the primary suitors are the Phillies, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox.