Top News:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Hire Pitching Coach Derek Johnson Away From Brewers — 4:57pm: MLB.com's Adam McCalvy tweets that Milwaukee general manager David Stearns has confirmed that Johnson is leaving the organization. The Brewers had “extensive” negotiations in an effort to retain Johnson, Stearns said …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Red Reporter, Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds hire Derek Johnson as pitching coach from the Milwaukee Brewers — The Reds have made improving their pitching a priority in the offseason and they took their first step by hiring Derek Johnson as their new pitching coach, according to a source.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Name Darnell Coles Hitting Coach — The D-backs have announced that Darnell Coles, who recently stepped down as the Brewers' hitting coach, has been hired as the new hitting coach in Arizona. He'll replace the recently dismissed Dave Magadan.
Discussion:
Arizona Sports
Associated Press:
Thrown beer at Red Sox parade damages World Series trophy — This is most definitely the wrong kind of dinger. — Security was heavy for Wednesday's duck boat parade carrying the victorious Red Sox through downtown Boston to celebrate the team's fourth World Series title in 15 years — but there was still one problem.
Discussion:
BostonGlobe.com
RELATED:
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Who will define MLB's superteam era? Ranking the top 6 contenders — The Boston Red Sox are royal again after a World Series rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Boston is coming off a 108-win season, owns the game's highest payroll and has a talented core of players in their primes.
Associated Press:
Bill Fischer, who spent seven decades in pro baseball, dies at 88 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former big league pitcher Bill Fischer, who spent more than seven decades as a player and coach in professional baseball, died Tuesday. He was 88. — The Royals announced Fischer's death in a statement Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mickey Callaway has ‘support’ of the Mets' new GM … The Mets' new general manager is intent on keeping the old manager. — Mickey Callaway will meet with new GM Brodie Van Wagenen this week, at which time he will be told he's still the Mets' field boss.
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Mets make strangest GM hire in baseball history with Brodie Van Wagenen
Discussion:
Sox Machine
Steven Marcus / Newsday:
Jeff Wilpon says Brodie Van Wagenen will say who stays, who goes
Discussion:
Newsday
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Van Wagenen's background isn't what Mets need to know
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: As Cubs consider Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, the answer is simple: Neither — Chicago Tribune — As Dodgers slugger Manny Machado admired the longest single of the World Series in Game 3, he cost himself more than a double by dogging it down the first-base line.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Bryce Harper, Manny Machado or option No. 3? Assessing the Cubs' free-agent options
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
The future is uncertain for Manny Machado in L.A.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Willie McCovey Passes Away — The Giants issued a heavy-hearted statement Wednesday, announcing that Hall of Famer and franchise icon Willie McCovey has passed away peacefully at the age of 80 “after losing his battle with ongoing health issues.” — “San Francisco and the entire baseball community lost …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com and Lone Star Ball
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Exercise Club Option Over Jeremy Jeffress, Buy Out Jordan Lyles — The Brewers made the easy call today to pick up their club option over righty Jeremy Jeffress, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy tweets. He stands to earn $3.175MM for the 2019 season. — Meanwhile, the team declined …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates To Decline Option Over Josh Harrison, Jung Ho Kang — The Pirates will decline their club option over infielder Josh Harrison, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter link). Likewise, infielder Jung Ho Kang is heading to free agency, MLB.com's Adam Berry tweets.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs sign agreements with 4 minor-league affiliates through 2022 — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs have stabilized working relationships with their minor-league affiliates, signing two-year contract extensions with Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, Class A Myrtle Beach and Class …
Chris Vivlamore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Two Rookie of the Year awards for Acuna, one to go — Ronald Acuna Jr. has now won two Rookie of the Year awards. — The Braves young sensation was honored by Baseball Digest in the National League on Wednesday. He was also named by Sporting News several weeks ago.
