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Dodgers are among several teams pursuing free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The general managers meetings, the first of Major League Baseball's two offseason summits, began this week. It will double as the ignition for a rumor mill that, based on the last few years, could extend into spring training. Minor moves will be made. Negotiations for bigger deals will get underway. Most will be drawn out ...Read more
Tony La Russa joins Angels as a special adviser to general manager Billy Eppler
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Angels general manager Billy Eppler hired reinforcements for his front office Tuesday, bringing aboard Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa as a special assistant of baseball operations. He'll assist in all areas, including player evaluations and minor league development.
Above all, La Russa, 75, will serve as a sounding ...Read more
Giants select ousted Phillies manager Gabe Kapler to succeed Bruce Bochy
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have found Bruce Bochy's successor.
The club agreed to terms with former Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, who is set to become the team's next manager. The announcement comes one day after the team introduced new general manager Scott Harris at a press conference at Oracle Park.
Kapler emerged from a pool ...Read more
Cardinals' Shildt named NL Manager of the Year
ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, though he received three fewer first-place votes than Milwaukee's Craig Counsell, was named the National League Manager of the Year Tuesday night in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Shildt, the first manager to win such an award without having played professionally,...Read more
The Minnesota Twins are advertising for a new mascot
MINNEAPOLIS -- So you want to be a mascot?
Well, the Twins posted this on Linked-In the other day: "The Twins mascot T.C. is responsible for entertaining our fans, implementing successful engagement strategies, and promoting the Twins brand throughout Twins Territory. As the mascot, you will be an ambassador for the organization at a majority ...Read more
Twins' Rocco Baldelli named American League manager of the year
Rocco Baldelli, who led the Twins to their second 100-win season in franchise history, was voted 2019 Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, the organization announced Tuesday.
Baldelli, at 38 the major leagues' youngest manager, is the third Twins' manager in ten seasons to win the award, following Ron Gardenhire ...Read more
A's pitcher Mike Fiers helps blow the whistle on Astros' alleged sign stealing
Mike Fiers, whistleblower?
Apparently so. Fiers, the Oakland A's ace last season who recorded a career high 15 wins and threw his second career no-hitter, has come forward to help unmask a systematic attempt on the part of the Houston Astros to steal opponents' signs.
Fiers became aware of the extralegal practice when he pitched for the Astros...Read more
If 2020 is to feature a Royals turnaround, the momentum would begin this winter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The World Series is more than two weeks in the past.
Major League Baseball's award season is in full swing.
The preliminary administrative contract paperwork has been handled -- options have been accepted and declined, qualifying offers accepted and declined, players officially deemed free agents.
So now, the offseason ...Read more
Padres' Preller gets to work at GM meetings
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A.J. Preller emerged from a white Chevy Malibu in front of the Omni Resort & Spa at Montelucia, with its sprawling grounds and vine-strewn courtyards, late Monday afternoon.
The Padres general manager arrived via Uber and with a purpose.
Even if he isn't projecting it publicly.
His stock speech about the offseason has ...Read more
Mike Scioscia wants to manage again, but the interest hasn't been reciprocated
LOS ANGELES -- On the baseball calendar, winter has dawned. Three months await before spring training, but we already have a winner for the most curious statistic of the offseason.
Zero.
Although the managerial pendulum has swung gently back toward candidates with experience, Mike Scioscia got zero interviews for eight openings.
He appeared ...Read more
Paul Sullivan: Cubs hope to shield players from offseason trade rumors. Will it work?
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cubs veterans looking for clues about their future in Chicago can stop reading now.
President Theo Epstein said Monday he's not interested in reacting to every rumor that pops up on Twitter, the internet or talk radio.
The Cubs entered the offseason with speculation they're shopping catcher Willson Contreras and that ...Read more
Are free-agent signings in the Cards? Don't hold your breath
ST. LOUIS -- Unlike pro hockey, pro football and pro basketball, when the clock starts for free agency and you can see a rash of deals completed on the first eligible day as early as 12:01 p.m. or 4:01 p.m. or 6:01 p.m., depending on the sport, baseball assumes more of a sundial approach.
Free agency began five days after the World Series, ...Read more
Dodgers to shop for starting pitchers, right-handed power as offseason begins
LOS ANGELES -- It's been more than a month since the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their stunning exit from the postseason.
The reasons for the latest disappointment were dissected and analyzed. The manager was criticized. Players were blamed. The front office was questioned. But there are no obvious roster needs for a team that compiled 106 ...Read more
Giants make their GM move; will managerial hire be far behind it?
The San Francisco Giants haven't hired Bruce Bochy's replacement yet, but they did make a high-profile addition to their front office on Sunday.
The Giants hired Chicago Cubs assistant general manager Scott Harris to serve as the team's general manager under president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
"We're thrilled to be able to bring in ...Read more
Phillies will focus on starting pitching at GM meetings
On one side of Houston's Minute Maid Park, the Washington Nationals sprayed each other with champagne late last month as they closed the baseball season by celebrating a World Series crown. On the other, Gerrit Cole -- one of baseball's premier pitchers -- traded his Astros cap for a hat emblazoned with the logo of his agent and left the stadium...Read more
David Ross' 1st Cubs coaching staff is taking shape. Now Theo Epstein will start renovation work on roster at GM meetings.
CHICAGO -- The reckoning Cubs President Theo Epstein threatened last winter if the team underachieved in 2019 is well underway, with new manager David Ross in place and his coaching staff under construction.
As the general managers meetings begin Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz., Epstein will begin to focus more on the reconstruction of the Cubs ...Read more
A diamond in the rough: As team rebuilds, Orioles have big plans for its main jewel, Camden Yards
BALTIMORE -- Orioles' executives, facing the challenge of marketing a team that has lost 100-plus games in each of the last two years, are banking partly on its remaining superstar -- its popular stadium -- to draw in fans with "major headliner concerts" and other events in the near future.
The club says it is exploring updates to Oriole Park ...Read more
Mike Elias: Orioles have to listen on trade offers this offseason; free-agent spending won't be solution
BALTIMORE -- Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias set the stage Thursday in his appearance on the team-sponsored Hot Stove Radio Show on 105.7 The Fan for an offseason in which the team's top arbitration-eligible players will face uncertain futures, beginning at next week's general manager meetings.
Elias said the Orioles...Read more
'We need to get better' — Michael Hill addresses Marlins offseason and how they plan to improve
MIAMI -- Speaking to reporters at Marlins Park, Michael Hill frequently repeated a straightforward message when discussing Miami's offseason plans.
"We need to get better."
After a 57-105 season -- Miami's 10th consecutive losing campaign -- it's hardly a surprising edict from the Marlins president of baseball operation ahead of next week's ...Read more
Giants' manager search takes a turn, Rays bench coach reportedly still in mix
SAN FRANCISCO -- For the last week, it appeared the Giants were down to three candidates to succeed Bruce Bochy as the team's next manager.
Former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, current Astros bench coach Joe Espada and current Royals quality control coach Pedro Grifol all remained in the mix before the calendar turned to November.
Kapler and ...Read more
Popular Stories
- A's pitcher Mike Fiers helps blow the whistle on Astros' alleged sign stealing
- Padres' Preller gets to work at GM meetings
- If 2020 is to feature a Royals turnaround, the momentum would begin this winter
- The Minnesota Twins are advertising for a new mascot
- Twins' Rocco Baldelli named American League manager of the year
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