Top News:
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Jays exercise 2015 option on Lind, decline Santos — The Toronto Blue Jays have exercised their 2015 option for first baseman and designated hitter Adam Lind, an industry source told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. — Lind batted .321 with six home runs and 40 RBI over 96 games in an injury-shortened 2014 season …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
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Leon Halip / Toronto Star:
Blue Jays claim Andy Dirks, sign Canadian Jeff Francis Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos stays active after adding Justin Smoak, Liam Hendriks. — The Jays claimed outfielder Andy Dirks, formerly of the Tigers, off waivers Friday. — Photos View photos — zoom
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bluebird Banter and HardballTalk
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Club loses Dirks, McCoy to waiver claims; Iglesias reinstated from 60-day DL — 10/2/14: Max Scherzer pitches 7 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six in Game 1 of the ALDS — DETROIT — The Tigers announced qualifying offers to free agents Max Scherzer …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Chicago Cubs hire former Rays manager Joe Maddon — Joe Maddon's exodus from Tampa Bay to Chicago became official Friday, as the Cubs, after firing Rick Renteria, announced plans to introduce Maddon on Monday as their next manager. — But there are still some messy details …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
So, does this Joe Maddon-to-Cubs deal feel icky? Deal with it — This Joe Maddon business is, well, just that. Business. — Yeah, it's a little dirty. Baseball is a little dirty. Life is a little dirty. — But rest assured, most will quickly move on from the sordid details of L'Affaire Maddon.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Two-time AL Manager of the Year to be introduced by club on Monday
Two-time AL Manager of the Year to be introduced by club on Monday
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and DRaysBay
Tracy Ringolsby / MLB.com:
Longest-tenured GM follows proven strategy — Giants GM Brian Sabean explains why the organization has had such great success after capturing its third title in five seasons — Shortly after Brian Sabean became general manager of the Giants, he orchestrated a trade that was arguably one of the most unpopular in franchise history.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks scouting director Ray Montgomery leaves team — The Diamondbacks' front office shakeup continued Friday with the departure of well-regarded scouting director Ray Montgomery, who left the organization to accept a high-ranking position with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to multiple baseball sources.
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and Brew Crew Ball
Judd Zulgad / 1500 ESPN Twin Cities:
SportsWire Twins Paul Molitor expected to be named Twins manager next week — The search appears to be over. — All indications are that Paul Molitor will be named the Twins manager next week. Patrick Reusse reported the news during Saturday Morning SportsTalk on 1500 ESPN.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and CBSSports.com
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals manager calls procedure ‘absolutely nothing to worry about’ — 10/30/14: Ned Yost reflects on the Royals' memorable 2014 season, despite falling short of the team's goal of a World Series championship — KANSAS CITY — Royals manager Ned Yost delayed his return home to Georgia …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Steve Dilbeck / Los Angeles Times:
Why the Dodgers should hang on to Andre Ethier — Here's an idea sure not to warm the cockles of most Dodgers fans' hearts: — Don't trade Andre Ethier. — Don't trade Carl Crawford or Matt Kemp or Yasiel Puig. Keep 'em all. So what if they don't make for one big happy family?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Yankees hire Eric Chavez as a special assignment scout — The Yankees have hired longtime star third baseman Eric Chavez as a special assignment scout. — Chavez, the former A's, Yankees and Diamondbacks player who retired this year, has said all along he wants to remain in the game.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sources: Angels likely to shake up infield to address pitching needs — Expect a different look in the Angels' infield next season. — The team is likely to trade either second baseman Howie Kendrick or third baseman David Freese to address other needs, according to major-league sources.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Tribe picks up 2015 option on Aviles — 9/26/14: Mike Aviles runs and dives to make a great stop on a ground ball and fires to first to record an impressive out — CLEVELAND — After Terry Francona became manager two offseasons ago, one of the Indians' first targets was utility man Mike Aviles.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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