Top News:
Associated Press:
Brewers hire Macha as team's new manager — MILWAUKEE — Ken Macha gets to manage again. That's because Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is a big believer in second chances. — The 58-year-old Macha was hired Thursday as the manager of the Brewers, taking over the role …
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers to name Macha manager — Former A's skipper won two division titles with Oakland — MILWAUKEE — Six years after Brewers general manager Doug Melvin first asked Ken Macha to be the team's field manager, Macha is poised to accept. — The Brewers called a 2 p.m. CT press conference Thursday during …
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
KC acquires power-hitting Jacobs — Royals send reliever Nunez to Marlins for first baseman — KANSAS CITY — The Royals acquired power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins on Thursday for right-handed reliever Leo Nunez. — Jacobs, who turned 28 on Thursday …
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Rany / Rany on the Royals:
Memo to DMGM: WTF? — So I guess Mark Teahen isn't moving anywhere after all. It's not often that a rumor that was reported at the highest levels gets shot down with such authority, but that's what happened here. Even as Bob Dutton himself reported that “Sources from both clubs said Teahen …
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals obtain 1B Jacobs from Marlins for Nuñez — The Royals wasted no time Thursday in pulling the trigger on their first major off-season move by acquiring slugging first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins for reliever Leo Nuñez. — The deal comes one day after …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Jones returning as Tigers' 'pen coach — Detroit brings back aide after intially releasing him at season's end — DETROIT — Jeff Jones was dismissed as bullpen coach at season's end in large part to allow a new pitching coach to make his own choice for the role.
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers buy out Renteria's option — Glover, Sardinha outrighted, become Minor League free agents — DETROIT — With the World Series having concluded, the Tigers formalized their decision to decline shortstop Edgar Renteria's $12 million option for 2009, instead buying it out for $3 million Thursday and making him a free agent.
Associated Press:
Phillies-Rays Series draws record-low television ratings — CBSSports.com wire reports — NEW YORK — A small-market team and a short series often are guarantees of low television ratings for sports in this age of fractured audiences. The 2008 World Series added to that double whammy …
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Mel Antonen / USA Today:Despite World Series loss, Rays prove they rate with best
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Fox Sports
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:Herzog has an idea for weather issue
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TigerBlog, Newsday, The Crawfish Boxes, Baseball Musings, The Heater, It is about the money, stupid and ShysterBall
Kathy Matheson / Associated Press:
Phillies' parade planned for Friday — PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Many baseball fans here would not speak the “P” word in the anxious days leading up to the city's World Series title, lest they jinx the team. — But now that the Philadelphia Phillies have claimed their second championship, everyone is talking about a parade.
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:With World Series drought over, Phillies seek refill
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Washington Post
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Burnett to decide on opt-out by Monday at latest — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett expects to decide whether to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract before the start of the Major League Baseball general managers' meetings Monday in Dana Point, Calif., his agent said Thursday.
MLB.com:
White Sox decline 2009 options on contracts of Ken Griffey Jr. and Toby Hall — CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have declined the club options for 2009 on the contracts of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and catcher Toby Hall. Griffey and Hall will be eligible for free agency.
MLB.com:
Mets sign Fernando Tatis to a one-year contract — Fernando Tatis, who was named the National League Comeback Player-of-the-Year this season, today signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets. Terms were not disclosed. — Tatis, 33, who hit .297 with 16 doubles, one triple …
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Three Braves file for free agency — Norton, Ohman and Tavarez to test the market — Greg Norton, Will Ohman and Julian Tavarez filed for free agency on Thursday, the first day that eligible players could officially declare their intentions to test the market.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Steelers Notebook: Safety is slighted by lack of playing time — Anthony Smith feels slighted. He started 10 games last season after illness struck down free safety Ryan Clark, and he wonders why he likely won't get the job this week. — “Yeah, I'm frustrated,” Smith said yesterday.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats cut ties with closer Cordero — Wagner, Orr also outrighted, decline Minors assignments — WASHINGTON — The Nationals outrighted right-handers Chad Cordero and Ryan Wagner and infielder Pete Orr to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday. All three declined the assignment and elected to become free agents …
Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
Yankee Stadium: One last plate appearance? — Yankee Stadium could host one final ceremony after all. — Stealing home — Plans are in the works to have Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte transfer home plate from the current ballpark into the new Yankee Stadium …
New York Post:
YANKEES MAY GUN FOR MANNY — PHILADELPHIA -Manny Ramirez doesn't fit the Yankees' desire to get younger and more athletic, but several industry sources believe the Yankees will make a serious push for the free agent to play right field next year. — Though GM Brian Cashman …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Wren readies for GM Meetings — Starters, slugging oufielder on short list of offseason needs — For more than a month, Braves general manager Frank Wren has been planning his attack. Now, it's time for him to dive headfirst into what should be a very hectic offseason shopping spree.
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Bottom9 Baseball
