New York Yankees, Dodgers lead MLB in salaries

While the New York Yankees set another salary record, the Houston Astros had the lowest average in the major leagues in 14 years.

The overall big league average rose 5.4% this season to a record $3.39 million, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Assn. The increase was the steepest since 2006.

In the economy at large, civilian compensation is increasing at an annual rate of 1.9%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average U.S. wage in 2012 was $42,498, according to the Social Security Administration.

The Yankees had the highest average for the 15th consecutive season at $8.17 million, breaking the mark of $7.66 million when they won the World Series in 2009. The Dodgers were second at $7.82 million.

Houston’s average of $549,603 was the smallest since the 1999 Kansas City Royals’ at $534,460.

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The San Diego Padres have agreed with former Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit on a $15.5-million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending Benoit’s passing a physical.

In his first season as Tigers closer, Benoit had 24 saves in 26 chances. But in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, he gave up a tying grand slam by Boston’s David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.

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Eric Chavez has reached an agreement to re-sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a person with knowledge of the situation said.

The 36-year-old third baseman reportedly had been courted by several other teams but decided to return to Arizona on a one-year deal. Chavez has had his home in nearby Scottsdale for several years.

The person who confirmed the agreement asked not to be identified because Chavez has not signed the contract.

ETC.

Penguins’ Engelland suspended by NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland was suspended for five games without pay by the NHL for a check to the head of Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader.

Engelland was given a match penalty for hitting Abdelkader in the first period of Pittsburgh’s 4-1 road victory Saturday night. The suspension will cost Engelland $14,530.

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Arizona State promoted offensive coordinator Mike Norvell to deputy head coach.

Considered one of the top young assistants in college football, Norvell had been mentioned as a possible candidate for numerous head coaching jobs, but Sun Devils Coach Todd Graham pushed hard to keep him.

The 32-year-old Norvell has led an offense that amassed more than 12,000 yards and 1,000 points in two seasons, most in a two-year span at Arizona State since 1972-73.

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Bowling Green hired Eastern Illinois’ Dino Babers to become the Falcons’ new football coach.

Babers led Eastern Illinois to a 12-2 record and the Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals this season.

He takes over for Dave Clawson, who led Bowling Green to a Mid-American Conference championship before leaving for Wake Forest.

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Former overall World Cup winner Maria Hoefl-Riesch posted the fastest time in a downhill training session at Val d’Isere, France, and Lindsey Vonn was 12th-quickest in her comeback from injury.

Hoefl-Riesch clocked 1 minute 49.30 seconds on the Olympique de Bellvarde course.

Vonn, a four-time overall winner and the defending Olympic downhill champion, crossed the line in 1:50.53 behind defending World Cup champion Tina Maze of Slovenia.

cked 1 minute 49.30 seconds on the Olympique de Bellvarde course.

Vonn, a four-time overall winner and the defending Olympic downhill champion, crossed the line in 1:50.53 behind defending World Cup champion Tina Maze of Slovenia.