June 2014 - Baseball Wiretap

Major Individual Award Finalists Announced
The BWAA has revealed the top three finalists for the American League and National League for Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and Most Valuable Player.

MLB

Maddon Extended Olive Branch Offer To Rays
Before leaving for the Cubs, Joe Maddon is said to have made an offer to the Rays to remain their manager.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Burnett Declines Option, Has No Plans To Retire
A.J. Burnett became a free agent when he declined to exercise his $12.75 million player option with the Phillies, but he is not ready to retire.

Jayson Stark/ESPN

Molitor: Twins 'Where I'm Supposed To Be'
Paul Moliter is in the Hall of Fame as a player, but he's entering a new world as manager of the Twins.

Associated Press

Indians Sign Francona To Extension Through 2018
The Indians have agreed to a two-year contract extension with Terry Francona.

MLBlogs

Cruz Receives QO For Second-Straight Year
Nelson Cruz declined last year's qualifying offer from the Rangers ($14.1 million) and this year's offer is for $15.3 million in 2015.

Brittany Ghiroli/MLB

Cuddyer Surprisingly Gets Qualifying Offer From Rockies
No player has ever accepted a qualifying offer, but many believe Michael Cuddyer is a candidate to do so.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Giants Give Sandoval Qualifying Offer
The Giants have extended a $15.3 million qualifying offer to Pablo Sandoval.

ESPN

Kershaw Voted Player, Man Of Year By Players
The Dodgers left-hander was 21-3 with a Major League-best 1.77 ERA this season.

Associated Press

Documents: A-Rod Paid Cousin $1M For Silence
Alex Rodriguez paid nearly $1 million to his cousin, Yuri Sucart, in exchange for Sucart's silence regarding A-Rod's illegal PED use in June 2013.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN

Scherzer, Martinez Get Qualifying Offers
The Tigers have extended $15.3 million qualifying offers to Max Scherzer and Victor Martinez.

ESPN

Rays Exercise Peralta's $2.5M Option
Peralta was 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 2014. He was second on the Rays staff with 69 appearances.

Associated Press

Trammell Returns To Tigers As Special Assistant
The Tigers have named Alan Trammell as special assistant to team president, CEO and general manager Dave Dombrowski.

ESPN

Maddon's Deal With Cubs Is For Five Years
Joe Maddon is the Chicago's fifth manager since the start of the 2010 season.

Associated Press

Royals Extend Qualifying Offer To Shields
If a club wants to sign James Shields as a free agent, they'll have to surrender a compensatory draft pick.

Associated Press

Twins Hire Molitor As 13th Manager
Paul Molitor spent 2014 as a coach on Ron Gardenhire's staff.

ESPN

Cubs Agree To One-Year Deal With Wada
The deal is for $4 million, a source confirmed.

Jesse Rogers/ESPN

Cuban Prospect Moncada Petitioning For Free Agency
Yoan Moncada, a switch-hitting infielder, has established residency in Guatemala and has a Major League showcase tentatively scheduled for Nov. 12.

Jesse Sanchez/MLB

A's Unlikely To Make Lowrie Qualifying Offer
The Athletics don't have a Major League ready shortstop for next season.

Susan Slusser/San Francisco Chronicle

Janssen Excited To Experience Free Agency
His 2.77 ERA over the last four seasons ranks 24th among relievers with at least 200 innings, while he converted 83 of 95 save opportunities.

Brendan Kennedy/Toronto Star

Marlins Hope To Extend Stanton Before Winter Meetings
The Marlins hope to sign Giancarlo Stanton to a long-term extension before the start of the Winter Meetings, president Michael Hill told MLB Network Radio.

Mark Polishuk/MLB Trade Rumors

Braves To Offer Ervin Santana $15.3M
Ervin Santana is expected to reject the $15.3M qualifying offer from the Braves.

MLB.com

Maddon's Agent: Cubs Didn't Tamper
The Rays are considering filing tampering charges against Theo Epstein and the Cubs.

ESPN.com

Blue Jays Extend $15.3M Offer To Melky Cabrera
The Blue Jays extended a qualifying offer to outfielder Melky Cabrera on Saturday.

MLB.com

Report: Twins To Name Paul Molitor Manager
The Minnesota Twins are expected to name Paul Molitor their next manager on Monday.

MLB.com

President Obama Congratulates Giants
President Barack Obama called Giants manager Bruce Bochy on Saturday to congratulate the team on their recent World Series victory.

ESPN.com

Brett Anderson's Option Declined By Rockies
Brett Anderson went 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA this season with the Rockies.

ESPN.com

Royals Decline Option On Billy Butler
Billy Butler hopes that he'll be able to agree with the Royals on a deal deal for 2015.

ESPN.com

Blue Jays Trade Lind To Brewers For Estrada
Adam Lind hit .321 with six home runs and 40 RBIs in 96 games for the Blue Jays last season.

ESPN.com

Orioles Decline Markakis' Option
Nick Markakis will receive a $2 million buyout as part of a deal signed with the Orioles in 2009.

ESPN.com