Top News:
Associated Press:
Twins fire five coaches, head trainer in shakeup — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have fired five coaches and their head athletic trainer in the wake of a second straight last-place finish in the AL Central. — The Twins announced the moves on Thursday.
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Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Twins shake up coaching staff for next season — Steve Liddle had been with the Twins since 1987, the last two seasons as their third-base coach. (Getty) — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins shook up their coaching staff on Thursday, as they did not offer 2013 contacts to bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek …
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com
La Velle E. Neal III / Twins Insider:
Twins coaching shakeup: Stelmaszek, Liddle, White, McWane out. Vavra, Ullger reassigned. — The Twins are making big changes to their staff after a second straight 96-plus loss season. — Bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, third base coach Steve Liddle, first base coach Jerry White …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Twinkie Town
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Extra Bases — It's official: Red Sox fire Bobby Valentine — The Red Sox have fired Bobby Valentine after the franchise's worst season in decades. The Sox were 69-93 and finished in last place in the American League East. — Not since 1934 have the Red Sox fired a manager after only one season.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Boston Globe, Bluebird Banter, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
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Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Receive De La Rosa, Sands From Dodgers — The Red Sox announced that they have received right-hander Rubby De La Rosa and outfielder Jerry Sands to complete their blockbuster deal with the Dodgers from earlier this summer. In a related move, the club has designated catcher Guillermo Quiroz for assignment.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Boston Globe
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Sources: Ozzie Guillen's job in jeopardy as some with Miami Marlins condemn his managerial style — Manager Ozzie Guillen and some members of his coaching staff might have worked their last game for the Miami Marlins. — Owner Jeffrey Loria is getting pressure from his top baseball executives …
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Fish Stripes and MLB Rumors
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Dave Hyde / Boston Herald:
As Ozzie Guillen dangles, all questions again point to the Marlins' owner
As Ozzie Guillen dangles, all questions again point to the Marlins' owner
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Bochy unsure of Giants' NLDS Game 3 starter — SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy plans to start a pair of 16-game winners in the first two games of the National League division series, but says he's not certain what he'll do beyond that. — Matt Cain will pitch Game 1 …
Discussion:
Hardball Times and Yahoo! Sports
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
O's will send Johnson or Saunders to face Rangers — ST. PETERSBURG — Hours after their 4-1 loss to the Rays on Wednesday, the Orioles had not named a starter for Friday's American League Wild Card matchup against the Rangers, with Steve Johnson and Joe Saunders the two options for the organization's first playoff game in 15 years.
Discussion:
Purple Row, Lone Star Ball, baseballmusings.com, Camden Chat and Baseball Prospectus
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Starting pitching help will be priority in offseason — MILWAUKEE — At the top of the Padres wish list this winter will be starting pitching, as the team could look to add as many as two starters — either through trades or free agency — to bolster a rotation that was ravaged by injuries and ineffectiveness this season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Braves bench C Brian McCann for wild-card game — ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have benched catcher Brian McCann for Friday's wild-card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals. — Manager Fredi Gonzalez made the announcement Thursday before a workout at Turner Field.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Yahoo! Sports
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
GM: Hamilton not to blame, but not at his best — ARLINGTON, Texas — While the Texas Rangers are ready to move on after Josh Hamilton's error, general manager Jon Daniels confirmed Thursday that his star slugger didn't play his best down the stretch. — Daniels said Hamilton shouldn't shoulder …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
New horizons await Astros in move to AL West — Before '13 campaign, club aims to build around core through free agency — HOUSTON — After playing their first 51 years in the National League, the Astros will embark on a brave new frontier when they move to the American League West in 2013.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes