A weak free agent class for pitchers is headed by Edwin Jackson, C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle, and Hiroki Kuroda. Bats are more plentiful, with Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, and Carlos Beltran on the market.
“Pitching, pitching, pitching. That will be the main thrust,’’ Cashman said, a sign the Yankees could explore trades involving low-priced players such as Jesus Montero and Brett Gardner.
On other topics, Cashman said A.J. Burnett is likely to remain with the Yankees and stay in the rotation; wouldn’t say whether the team intends to re-sign 40-year-old Jorge Posada; praised catcher Russell Martin but wouldn’t say whether he will offer a multiyear contract; said he’s open to re-signing pitchers Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, and third baseman Eric Chavez; and wouldn’t commit to whether the Yankees would have an interest in Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.
Dodgers are golden
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw and outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier became the first trio of Dodgers to win NL Gold Gloves in the same year when the awards were announced last night.
Rounding out the NL winners were Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, Reds first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco, and Diamondbacks outfielder Gerardo Parra.
Red Sox Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury led the AL team. They were joined by White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, Angels shortstop Erick Aybar, Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, and outfielders Alex Gordon (Royals) and Nick Markakis (Orioles).
Hoyer, Epstein reunited
Jed Hoyer was introduced as the Cubs’ new general manager, joining Theo Epstein in a partnership they hope can bring a World Series championship to a team without one since 1908 … General manager Dave Dombrowski said longtime Tigers Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen will not be re-signed … The Mariners named Chris Gwynn their new director of player development … Yankees slugger Curtis Granderson hit a grand slam to lead a team of major leaguers to a 7-0 win over Taiwan’s national team in Taiwan.
