BASEBALL

White Sox making moves at meetings

SAN DIEGO >> The Chicago White Sox are making the biggest moves at the winter meetings, trying to regain relevance in the AL Central after losing 188 games over two seasons.

Hours after reaching a $46 million, four-year deal with closer David Robertson, Chicago acquired starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics as part of a six-player trade.

"In our mind we’re not finished yet," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We still know we have some other areas we need to improve and we’re hopeful that in the coming days, and if not the coming days, then the coming weeks, we’ll be able to fill a couple more voids in our roster."

Samardzija, a right-hander who turns 30 on Jan. 23, made $5,345,000 this year and is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the 2015 season. Samardzija joins a rotation that includes Chris Sale and Joel Quintana.

Lester, Cubs agree to $155 million deal

SAN DIEGO >> A person familiar with the negotiations says pitcher Jon Lester has agreed to a $155 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

The deal contains an option for 2021 that, if it becomes guaranteed, would make the deal worth $170 million over seven seasons.

Cubs get All-Star catcher Montero

In the day’s other significant swap, the Arizona Diamondbacks sent All-Star catcher Miguel Montero, who is owed $40 million over the next three seasons, to the Chicago Cubs for a pair of prospects.

Pirates give Liriano three-year deal

Coming off consecutive playoff appearances that followed a 20-year drought, the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a $39 million, three-year deal to keep left-hander Francisco Liriano. 

SOCCER

U.S. men set spring exhibition schedule

CHICAGO >> The U.S. will play exhibition games next spring at Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany as it prepares to defend its title at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The U.S. plays at Denmark on March 27 and at Switzerland four days later. In a game likely to feature players primarily from MLS, the Americans host Mexico on April 15.

In two more games before the Gold Cup, the Americans are at the Netherlands on June 5, and then play Germany five days later in Cologne.  

RODEO

Jones gets first national finals win

LAS VEGAS >> Steer wrestler K.C. Jones moved up in the world standings and the National Finals Rodeo standings by getting his first win of the event.

Jones, of Decatur, Texas, won round six in a time of 3.5 and improved to second in the NFR aggregate standings with a time of 28.30 on six head.