A tip of the cap to all of the Veterans for what you’ve given to provide the freedom that we all enjoy on a daily basis
Anthony Rizzo was named the Heart and Hustle Award winner Tuesday at the MLBPAA dinner. Rizzo called it an incredible honor and said, “There is still a lot more work to do and we aren’t stopping until be knock cancer out of the park.”
The Cubs did not have any Gold Glove winners this season. Anthony Rizzo did have ESPN’s 10th best WebGem of the season for this incredible play.
Rawlings handed out the annual awards Tuesday night. And Zack Greinke beat out Gerrit Cole and Jake Arrieta for the Gold Glove in the National League. Addison Russell figures to be a finalist for a Gold Glove for many years to come.
Rick Renteria
The White Sox made it official and announced Tuesday that Rick Renteria is their new bench coach. Renteria is supposed to have a conference call with the media this week. Renteria has not talked publicly since he was fired last fall when the Cubs decided to replace him with Joe Maddon.
Jed Hoyer said he is glad Renteria is back in the game. Hoyer admitted the Cubs did not treat him fairly and that he deserved better. Hoyer thinks Renteria will be a very good big league manager. Hoyer hopes “this starts his path back to being a manager.”
The Cubs signed Renteria to a three-year contract when he accepted the job in 2013. Renteria will receive a check from the Cubs next season while he is the Sox bench coach.
Hoyer said he maintains a good relationship with Renteria. The two exchanged texts during the Cubs run in the playoffs. Renteria congratulated the team and Hoyer thinks “he was really happy for the guys he touched during the course of the season.”
The Sox wanted him to be part of the coaching staff a year ago. Rick Hahn could not find a fit then. The Sox value Renteria’s ability to communicate with players, his positive attitude and the fact that he is bilingual. The Sox did not have a coach on the staff that spoke Spanish.
Rick Renteria is in position to be the White Sox next manager if the team struggles at the start of the season.
- Report from Comcast SportsNet – White Sox
- Report from Comcast SportsNet – Cubs
- Report from the Sun-Times
- Report from ESPN Chicago
Dave Martinez
Dave Martinez arrived Tuesday night at the GM Meetings to interview for the Dodgers’ managerial opening. Martinez is scheduled to talk to the Dodgers’ brass Wednesday.
According to Joel Sherman, Martinez is the Dodgers ninth and final candidate. After talking to Martinez, the Dodgers will “pare the group down to three” with Dave Roberts and Gabe Kapler believed to be the leading candidates to be the next Dodgers’ manager.
Denard Span
Denard Span joined Casey Stern and Jim Bowden during Tuesday’s Inside Pitch (MLB Network Radio). Span recently switched agents and is now represented by Scott Boras. Span said he changed agents in order to get the best contract he could this winter.
The Nationals, Mariners and Cubs figure to be the best fits for Span. He is one of only three true center fielders on the free agent market along with Dexter Fowler and Austin Jackson.
Span enjoyed his time with the Nationals and would be willing to sign back with Washington. Span thrived with the Nationals and still loves his teammates. There are no ill feelings whatsoever. Span has always enjoyed playing in Seattle. He likes the stadium and city.
Chicago has always been one of Span’s favorite cities and he likes Wrigley Field. Span said he is not being picky at all. He would like to play for whatever team “wants Denard Span.”
Winning is important to Span. He would like to win a championship. That is high on his priority list. He is from the East Coast and would rather play on the East Coast but he would not cancel out any team that is interested in him.
Physical therapy has been going really well. Span has been told he heals fast. Span admitted he came back to early last season but he feels with the off-season he is getting the proper amount of rehab time. Span is supposed to start jogging in two weeks and he is scheduled to begin baseball activities “shortly after that.” He is not worried about being ready to go when Spring Training starts.
News, Notes and Rumors
• World Series or bust? That’s not the way the Cubs are thinking according to Paul Sullivan.
• The Cardinals announced Tuesday that Lance Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2016 season. The Cardinals are expected to push to re-sign John Lackey and pursue free agents David Price and Zack Greinke with the multiple question marks in their rotation.
• Jon Paul Morosi thinks the qualifying offer deadline Friday could have long-term ramifications on labor talks.
• Dusty Baker is bringing one of his guys, or dudes, with him to the Nationals. According to Bill Ladson, Chris Speier will either be Baker’s bench coach or third base coach.
• The Reds are finally willing to trade Aroldis Chapman, Jay Bruce and others according to Ken Rosenthal.
• According to Bruce Levine and was confirmed by Ozzie Guillen, if Jim Hendry had still be in charge of the Cubs in 2012, Guillen would have been offered a job to manage the Cubs.
• Wrigley Field is a realistic option to host an upcoming All-Star Game according to Bruce Levine.
And last, but not least, Wrigley Blog posted a photo of the Wrigley construction and what the front of the old ballyard is expected to look like by Opening Day.
This Day In Cubstory
1999 – Cubs signed free agent Chris Hatcher
1990 – Starling Peralta, born
1987 – Cubs named Jim Frey director of baseball operations. Frey led the Cubs to the 1984 NL East Crown.
1977 – Cubs released Dave Giusti
1968 – Cubs signed amateur free agent Dave Rosello
1962 – Ken Hubbs won the Gold Glove and became the first rookie to be honored with the fielding award.
1961 – Scott May, born
1917 – Cubs acquired Grover Cleveland Alexander and Bill Killefer from the Phillies for Mike Prendergast, Pickles Dilhoefer and $60,000.
1891 – Rabbit Maranville, born