Bruce Bochy Given Permission, Trey Hillman to the Japanese World Series, Soriano Rejects Nationals Offer, former Cub Hairston DFA'd by the Rangers and More A-Rod Talk
Many of the names that have hit the rumor mill for the Cubs already this off-season made a few headlines on Thursday afternoon. According to a report on FoxSports.com by Ken Rosenthal the Padres have given Bruce Bochy permission to talk to other teams about their managerial vacancy. Rosenthal stated that the Cubs and the Giants would likely be the teams to seek permission and he feels that could change the plans of the Cubs concerning Lou Piniella who according to Rosenthal "is the front runner for the Cubs job according to Major League sources". Bochy's name has been receiving a lot of press in the Chicago area and the Padres have been denying reports that he could be available to other teams with 1-year left on his current contract.
Bochy has been with the Padres for the past 12 seasons and is 951-974 with a .494 winning percentage. The Padres are coming off of back-to-back National League West Division titles and in 12 years he has won the division 4 times and has made a trip to the World Series.
Alfonso Soriano....
According to a report from the Associated Press, Soriano rejected a 5-year $70 million dollar offer from the Nationals on Thursday. There were not any details given as to why but this should put Soriano on the free agent market.
Trey Hillman....
Trey Hillman's team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, beat the Softbank Hawks to earn a trip to the Japanese World Series. Hillman has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Cubs job as well as a possible bench coach for Lou Piniella if he takes the job with the Cubs. Hillman is in his 4th season with Nippon and this is their first Pacific League Pennant since 1981.
Alex Rodriguez....
Seth Everett from MLB.com thinks that A-Rod will be traded to the Houston Astros for a package that could include Morgan Ensberg, Wandy Rodriguez and Tyler Buckholtz. Everett also spoke about Lou Piniella and Joe Girardi and feels that Piniella will be named the Cubs manager. Everett said that Piniella told him a few years back that he was trying to calm down and be more like Joe Torre. Everett thinks a good manager should command respect, have an open door policy with his players in order for them to be comfortable and must be a good chess player....in other words he must have a good knowledge of the game. Everett thinks Joe Girardi has all of those characteristics and will be a very successful manager.
Finally....
The Texas Rangers DFA'd former Cub Jerry Hairston, Jr. on Wednesday. Other former Cubs such as Jason Dubois and Scott Williamson also made roster moves. Dubois was sent outright by the Cleveland Indians to Buffalo (International League) and the Padres requested waivers on Williamson for the purpose of releasing him.
That's the latest from the wire....
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