North State Journal for Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Kawann Short deal keeps Panthers’ draft plans on track Josh Norman experience last year forced lastminute shift in focus By Shawn Krest North State Journal he Carolina Panthers locked up defensive tackle T Kawann Short, signing the stand-
out defensive lineman to a longterm contract on Monday. The deal keeps Short, who had 17 sacks over the last two seasons, in the middle of Carolina’s defensive line for the next five years. The contract is also worth a reported $80 million in total, with more than $40 million in money being paid out in the first two years. The $16 million annual value is a topfive number for defensive tackles in the NFL. More importantly, a week and a half before the NFL Draft started, it eliminated a position from the Panthers’ shopping list. Short was given the non-exclusive franchise tag in February. That kept the four-year veteran off the open free-agent market. The tag guaranteed Short a one-year contract with the Panthers with at least a 20 percent raise, while giving Carolina the chance to match any offers from other teams seeking to sign Short. Often, the tag is used to buy a team and player time to negotiate a longer deal, which is what the Panthers and Short were able to do. The Panthers were able to sign Short through 2021. It was just the seventh time in team history that the Panthers have used the franchise tag, but last year’s experience didn’t go anywhere near as smoothly. Cornerback Josh Norman received the tag in February 2016. Norman had recorded four interceptions during the Panthers’ Super Bowl season the year before and was the heart and soul of the Carolina secondary. The negotiations on a longer deal stalled, however. “We were at an impasse,” head
a four-game series to start the team’s two-year tenure at Campbell’s baseball field. Tucker has been a huge part of that success, hitting a home run and cranking out another three doubles for a .333/.368/.611 stat line to go along with his ridiculous 1.036 OPS before the first road trip. His swing and athleticism earned him comparisons to the likes of Christian Yelich and High Point native Wil Myers from Baseball America editor John Manuel. “He brings some pretty significant star power to Buies Creek,” Manuel said. “We’ve compared him to guys who are some of the elite young hitters in the game. That’s good company. I’m fairly certain he’s going to hit for high batting averages at the highest level. “Then you look at his body and his swing and you know there’s some untapped power that could come out this season. Long term, he’s just a rung below being
Patrick Leonard succeeding in second stint with Bulls Demoted after two months last season, Leonard looks ready to stick around awhile By Shawn Krest North State Journal
JEREMY BREVARD | USA TODAY SPORTS
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) applies pressure to San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
coach Ron Rivera told Sports Illustrated’s MMQB. “Things weren’t happening, and the one thing we didn’t want to do is go into training camp not knowing. I think that was part of the decision.” Rather than having the fiery Norman on the team for a lameduck season, the team rescinded the franchise tag on April 20, making Norman an unrestricted free agent. He quickly signed with the Washington Redskins. The decision essentially torpedoed the Carolina board a week before the start of the draft. The Panthers used three of their top four draft picks on cornerbacks James Bradberry (second round), Daryl Worley (third) and Zack Sanchez (fifth). In addition to forcing the team to ignore other needs in the draft, the attempt to replace Norman
The deal keeps Short, who had 17 sacks over the last two seasons, in the middle of Carolina’s defensive line for the next five years. The contract is also worth a reported $80 million in total, with more than $40 million in money being paid out in the first
two years.
with quantity was doomed from the start. The rookies combined for fewer interceptions and tackles than Norman had the previous season, and the Panthers fell from
ninth to 28th in the league in pass defense. Nearly a year to the day after Norman’s tag was lifted, the Panthers were able to secure Short, performing draft board addition by subtraction—removing the defensive tackle position and allowing the team to focus on other areas. After virtually ignoring one side of the ball in the 2016 draft, the Panthers will be able to focus on offense this season, with depth at offensive tackle and running back being two likely areas of concentration. On defense, Carolina may look to add a pass-rushing end. Those have been the Panthers’ priorities since draft planning began. Unlike last season, with their franchise player wrapped up for the future, those plans can remain on track for the final stretch.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL BRATTON
TUCKER from page B1
B5
the best hitter on a championship-caliber team. That’s lofty.” Unlike most young prospects making their way through the minor league baseball system, Tucker isn’t alone on his journey. Similar to the likes of Kyle and Corey Seager, two players from N.C., Tucker can share his experience with his brother Preston. So what makes their situation unique? Both are in the Astros system. Having a brother to lean on is one thing. Having one that can break things down every step of the way is something Kyle doesn’t take for granted. “I got to watch him go all the way through the minor leagues up to the big leagues, so I kind of know what to expect,” Kyle Tucker said. “Watching him play in this organization and knowing how they’ve treated him let’s me know this is where I need to be. I’ve actually never been on the same team as him, but playing on the Astros together would be a once in a lifetime experience.” Preston set career records with the Florida Gators for hits
(341) and RBI (258) while finishing second in home runs (57) before being drafted in the seventh round by the ‘Stros in the 2012 draft. Kyle, on the other hand, was taken in the first round at 18 years old after winning the Baseball America High School Player of the Year in 2015. While Preston has had to prove himself as an undersized player at nearly every level, Kyle was blessed with a 6-foot-4 frame that he has yet to fully grow into two years removed from high school. “He’s had a target on his back for a while because of his brother,” Manuel said. “So he came in with high expectations, but has a lot of accolades for a guy his age. ... It is a pretty interesting situation for both of them to have a brother in the same system. Preston wishes he had Kyle’s body, because if he was 6-foot-4, he might be the Astros first baseman right now. “But I’ll say that having his brother drafted by the Astros was really important for Preston.
Having him drafted that high was a great part of Preston’s career, too.” Regardless of the size advantage or where he was drafted, Kyle said he still gets ripped on by his brother. “He’s still my big brother, so he gives me a hard time about a lot of things,” Kyle said with a laugh. “Last year, I only hit nine home runs, so he never let me hear the end of it. He’s like, ‘C’mon, man! Nine home runs? That’s nothing.’ But he can say that when he’s hit home runs at the big league level.” Kyle will get there soon enough and does have a chance to join Preston if they both stay in the Astros system. With an estimated arrival date of 2019 in Houston by Baseball America, the time is coming for Kyle Tucker in the near future. For now, fans in Buies Creek not only get to enjoy minor league baseball, but one of the best players Houston’s organization has to offer. Both will be gone soon, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy either while they last.
DURHAM — For the second straight year, Patrick Leonard opened the season with the Durham Bulls. For the first time, however, he feels like he belongs. Leonard is the often-forgotten piece of the Rays’ blockbuster trade with Kansas City prior to the 2013 season. Tampa dealt starting pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis for a treasure trove of prospects, including outfielder Wil Myers, who won A.L. Rookie of the Year with the Rays, Mike Montgomery, who picked up a World Series ring with the Cubs last season, and Jake Odorizzi, a member of Tampa’s starting rotation. Leonard is the only player acquired by Tampa who hasn’t yet made it to the big leagues. He made his Triple-A debut with the Bulls last season and struggled through the first two months. When he was finally demoted to Double-A Montgomery, Leonard was hitting .198, with twice as many strikeouts (54) as hits (26). “He took it as a positive,” Rays manager Jared Sandberg said of Leonard being sent down a level. “He went down there and played very very well and earned the right to come back here.” “He’s definitely earned the right to stay,” Sandberg added. In the first week of his second stint with the Bulls, Leonard is among the International League’s leaders in RBI. He’s hitting .464 with three doubles, three steals, a homer and 10 RBI. “He’s just more comfortable,” Sandberg said. The soft-spoken Leonard tried to downplay his hot start. “I’m doing good,” he said. “I’m seeing the ball well, having fun.” His struggles last year could have intimidated Leonard, but, much like his demotion, he looks at it as a positive. “I think it helped just having those two months under my belt from last year,” he said. “Toing down to Montgomery just kind of reinforced things, I guess. I had experienced success at that level already. I’d done well there before. When I went back there, it kind of got me back to myself. Coming here I have that experience under my belt now.” Leonard also has the experience of a successful spring in big league camp. He hit .303 with a 1.040 OPS, five doubles and two home runs for the Rays in spring training. Leonard also has a home on the field, which helps put his mind at ease. “He’s playing third base,” Sandberg said. “So he’s comfortable there.” Last season, while adjusting to Triple-A pitching, Leonard was also playing four different positions, including two that were brand new to him. “I think I played about an equal number of games at third, first, left field and right,” Leonard said. “I don’t want to blame that for what I was doing wrong last year, but I like third. That definitely helps take the pressure off, because I’d never played outfield before. I’m not thinking about what I have to do out there. I’m familiar with third.” Along with the demotion, Leonard got word that he’d be at third to stay. “When I went down to Montgomery, I think I played the outfield for the first series and then third base the rest of the time.” “When you’re comfortable with your defensive position, it helps,” Sandberg said. “Last year, he moved around so much. It’s just hard for a young player to do that. He’s comfortable paying third. He’s working good at bats. He’s hitting with two strikes. He’s driving the ball all over the field.” “I’ll say it every night,” Sandberg said. “He was my pick to click before the season started.”