Cubs introduce Maddon; deal is for 5 years … CHICAGO — When Joe Maddon and the Tampa Bay Rays visited Wrigley Field in August, the manager raved about National League baseball and praised the iconic neighborhood ballpark.  —  Couple that with Maddon's impressive resume …

Pirates Make Qualifying Offers To Martin, Liriano  —  The Pirates have extended one-year, $15.3MM qualifying offers to both Russell Martin and Francisco Liriano, the team announced.  —  Both moves have been expected to varying degrees.  Martin was seen as the likelier candidate …

Aramis opts for another season with Brewers  —  9/17/14: Aramis Ramirez chases a ball off Jon Jay's bat into foul ground and makes the great basket catch  —  Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Monday exercised his part of the mutual option in his contract for the 2015 season, solidifying his place with the club for next year.

Showcase planned for Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada  —  Scouts believe Yoan Moncada could be the best teenage prospect to come from Cuba in years.  —  Now, he is one step closer to making his Major League dream a reality.  —  Moncada, 19, a switch-hitting infielder from the Cuban city of Cienfuegos …

Sandoval likely to hit free agency before Giants push to re-sign him  —  When the Giants won the World Series in 2012, they re-signed left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, second baseman Marco Scutaro and center fielder Angel Pagan only after each became a free agent.

Kansas City extends $15.3M offer to Shields  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals extended a $15.3 million qualifying offer Monday to right-hander James Shields, which assures Kansas City of draft pick compensation if its staff ace signs a major league contract with another team before June 8.

Brewers optimistic Ryan Braun is making progress after thumb procedure  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  The Milwaukee Brewers won't know for sure until Ryan Braun starts playing on at least a semiregular basis in spring training, but all parties are optimistic about the procedure …

M&R: Bumgarner wanted to ride a horse in the World Series parade  —  When pitching ace Madison Bumgarner arrived at Steuart Street for the start of the World Series parade, the cops assigned to the parade were waiting, and just as pumped as the thousands of other Giant fans who were lining the route.

Red Sox Outright Herrera; Rivero Claimed By Mariners  —  The Red Sox announced today that infielder Jonathan Herrera has been outrighted off the 40-man roster and will elect free agency.  Additionally, infielder Carlos Rivero has been claimed off waivers by the Mariners, according to the Red Sox.

2015 Prospects: Philadelphia Phillies Top 10 Prospects by Chris Mellen, BP Prospect Staff and BP Prospect Staff  —  Philadelphia Phillies Top 10 Prospects  —  The Top Ten  —  Position: SS  —  Bats/Throws: L/R  —  Drafted/Acquired: 1st round, 2013 draft, Lakewood HS (Lakewood, CA)

Rockies Claim Jorge Rondon; Designate Rob Scahill  —  The Rockies announced today (on Twitter) that they have claimed right-hander Jorge Rondon off waivers from the Cardinals and designated fellow righty Rob Scahill for assignment.  —  The 26-year-old Rondon made his big league debut in 2014 …

Yankees first-base prospect known for OBP, unleashing power in AFL  —  11/1/14: Greg Bird drives a pitch over the center-field wall for a solo shot, giving the East a 1-0 lead  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The way Yankees first-base prospect Greg Bird has been swinging the bat here in the Arizona Fall League …