According to a report from Bruce Levine, Tom Ricketts extended the contract of Oneri Fleita earlier in the week. Ricketts gave the Cubs’ Vice President of Player Personnel a new four-year contract to keep him in the organization.
During the press conference following the dismissal of Jim Hendry, Ricketts said he would recommend to the new GM to keep both Oneri Fleita and Tim Wilken … Ricketts has apparently made the decision for the yet to be hired general manager. According to Bruce Levine’s sources, the Tigers expressed interest in Oneri Fleita and Ricketts hand may have been forced. Fleita will report to the team’s new general manager.
Crane Kenney promoted Oneri Fleita to VP of Player Personnel in December of 2007 after the Baltimore Orioles asked for permission to offer Fleita a job running their minor league system.