I've been bracing myself this week for the not-finalized-but-almost-a-sure-thing departures of Brian McCann and now Tim Hudson. I'm going to miss them.
Andrelton Simmons wins Platinum Glove Award in NL - Big League Stew
The award goes to the best overall defender in each league. Manny Machado won the AL award in a landslide, but Simmons beat out Yadier Molina by .2% and Carlos Gomez by .5%. Can't really say I'm surprised here.
Freddie Freeman, Chris Johnson miss out on Silver Sluggers - ajc.com
Paul Goldschmidt and Pedro Alvarez won the Silver Slugger Awards for first base and third base, respectively. The article goes on to state that in the opinion of Harold Reynolds, Freeman was snubbed for the MVP vote as he was not one of the three finalists for the honor.
Mariners hire Lloyd McClendon to replace Eric Wedge - Seattle Times
The Mariners filled their managerial vacancy this week when they hired former Pirates skipper Lloyd McClendon. McClendon spent 2001 - 2005 as manager of the Pirates before joining the Tigers in 2006, spending seven of his eight years there as the hitting coach under Leyland, the manager for whom he played in Pittsburgh.
Brad Ausmus tabbed as new Tigers manager - USA Today
Ausmus is only three years removed from his playing days spanning an 18-year career, and served as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations with the Padres since November 2010. He is a three-time Gold Glove winner as a catcher and was an All-Star in 1999.
Rockies co-owner arrested for DUI - Denver Post
This is Charlie Monfort's second DUI charge, having also been arrested in 1999. He stated that he was "extremely disappointed" in himself in a statement, but his mugshot might suggest otherwise.
Speeding charges dropped against Yasiel Puig - ESPN
The incident happened earlier this year back in April, but the charges were dropped this past Wednesday. Puig was going 97 mph in a 50-mph zone in Tennessee, and was sentenced to 12 hours of community service. He was playing for LA's AA minor league team in Chattanooga at the time.
Here come another Cuban defector! - MLB Trade Rumors
Last week, I said that Cuban pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne would be exhibited in Mexico for potential MLB suitors. Now, another pitcher has defected in Raicel Iglesias. He is reported to have a 92-95 fastball, a swing-and-miss breaking ball, but questionable control.
Cubs fill managerial void - cubs.com
Padres coach Rick Renteria was named the fourth Cubs manager in five years Wednesday after Dale Sveum was dismissed. Renteria isn't a name too many people outside of baseball are familiar with, but his peers say he's a great baseball guy. Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley says Renteria is "a good strategist and a fantastic people-person". Renteria played 184 games over five years with the Pirates, Mariners and Marlins. The contract is for three years plus two option years.
Jeffrey Loria sells artwork for $32.6 million - Big League Stew
The 2013 Marlins payroll: $39 million.
Tampa Mayor: New stadium for Rays within reach - Tampa Tribune
It better be. The fans and the team have suffered long enough at Tropicana Field. Despite being a playoff team with a 92-win season and the only pro sports franchise in the area (Buccaneers don't count and hockey is nonexistent to me), the Rays had the worst attendance of all 30 teams (1,510,300).
How the Mets could look in 2014 - NY Post
Joel Sherman brings up names like Jhonny Peralta as potential targets and suggests some late-inning relief options such as Luke Gregerson and Matt Belisle.
Reds sign catcher Brayan Pena, Hanigan likely odd man out - ESPN Deportes
Pena signs a two-year deal with Cincinnati after not being retained by the Tigers, for which he hit .297/.315/.397 in 243 plate appearances, the most he's ever had in a single season. The signing means a likely departure for Ryan Hanigan, who hit just .198 in 75 games for the Reds. Buster Olney tweets that the Rays and Yankees have shown interest in Hanigan in the past.