NEWS
The Marlins have officially announced Don Mattingly as their new manager. He received a 4 year deal.
Bud Black had accepted an offer from the Nationals to become their new manager but the two couldn’t reach an agreement. The Nationals reached out to Dusty Baker and they reached an agreement to a multi-year contract. This will be the 4th team Baker has managed, Giants 1993-2002, Cubs 2003-2006, and Reds 2008-2013. He is a 3 time Manager of the Year and has 1,671 career wins.
Terry Collins has received a new 2 year deal to stay the Mets manager.
The Dodgers are the only team left without a manager. They are excepted to interview at least 10 people. Some of those names are Bud Black, Darin Erstad, Gabe Kapler, Tim Wallach, Ron Roenicke and Dave Roberts.
Zack Greinke opts out of contract with the Dodgers. He left 3 years/$71 million on the table but will more than likely at least double that dollar amount.
The Nationals have hired Mike Maddux as their pitching coach. He previously held the same position with the Rangers.
Aramis Ramirez announced he will retire. He played for 18 seasons, all in the NL Central. He was a 3 time All-Star and he won a Silver Slugger in 2011 with the Cubs.
Twenty free agents have received Qualifying Offers. Brett Anderson (Dodgers), Wei-Yen Chen (Orioles), Chris Davis (Orioles), Ian Desmond (Nationals), Marco Estrada (Blue Jays), Dexter Fowler (Cubs), Yovani Gallardo (Rangers), Alex Gordon (Royals), Zack Greinke (Dodgers), Jason Heyward (Cardinals), Hisashi Iwakuma (Mariners), Howie Kendrick (Dodgers), Ian Kennedy (Padres), John Lackey (Cardinals), Daniel Murphy (Mets), Colby Rasmus (Astros), Jeff Samardzija (White Sox), Justin Upton (Padres), Matt Wieters (Orioles) and Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals).
Korean’s Nexen Heroes decided to accept a $12.85 million dollar bid on the rights to negotiate a contract with 1B Byung-Ho Park. MLB team that won the posting process is not yet known.
TRANSACTIONS
The Red Sox picked up their club option on RHP Clay Buchholz. He will make $13 million next year.
The Blue Jays exercised their club option for 3 of their veterans. OF Jose Bautista will make $14 million next year, 1B Edwin Encarnacion will make $10 million and RHP R.A. Dickey will make $12 million.
The Royals exercised their club option for 2 of their World Series heroes. RHP Wade Davis will make $8 million next year and SS Alcides Escobar will make $5.25 million.
The Rays acquired INF/OF Brad Miller, 1B Logan Morrison and RHP Danny Farquhar from the Mariners. The Mariners will receive RHP Nathan Karns, LHP C.J. Riefenhauser and OF prospect Boog Powell.
The Braves have signed INF Reid Brignac to a minor league deal.
The Cubs have claimed RHP Ryan Cook off of waivers from the Red Sox. Cook was an All-Star in 2012 with the A’s.
RUMORS
One of the Mariners top priority’s this offseason will be to resign RHP Hisashi Iwakuma.
The Brewers could make C Jonathan Lucroy and RHP Francisco Rodriguez available as they look to get younger.
The Orioles are interested in 2B Daniel Murphy.
The Yankees could shop OF Carlos Beltran this offseason.
The Braves will not pursue C Matt Wieters.
The Rockies have discussed internally making a run at Daniel Murphy.
The Marlins will explore an extension for 2B Dee Gordon.