The Cleveland Indians shake up their front office: they announce that GM Mark Shapiro will become team President at the end of the season, when his assistant Chris Antonetti becomes General Manager. Current President Paul Dolan, the son of owner Larry Dolan, will become Chairman and CEO in his father’s place. Antonetti, like newly-appointed Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, began his career as an intern with the Montreal Expos. He joined the former franchise in 1997, before moving to the Indians in 1999, where he has held a number of front office positions.

ByTom

The Cleveland Indians shake up their front office: they announce that GM Mark Shapiro will become team President at the end of the season, when his assistant Chris Antonetti becomes General Manager. Current President Paul Dolan, the son of owner Larry Dolan, will become Chairman and CEO in his father’s place. Antonetti, like newly-appointed Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, began his career as an intern with the Montreal Expos. He joined the former franchise in 1997, before moving to the Indians in 1999, where he has held a number of front office positions.

The Nationals sign former Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract. Wang saw his 2008 season end early with a foot injury, and struggled to a 1-6 record while being bothered with various ailments in 2009. He won’t return to a major league mound until 2011.

ByTom

The Nationals sign former Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract. Wang saw his 2008 season end early with a foot injury, and struggled to a 1-6 record while being bothered with various ailments in 2009. He won’t return to a major league mound until 2011.

The Indians bring back 1B Russell Branyan, whom they originally drafted in 1994 and who played for the team until 2002. Coming off his best year in the majors, in which he slugged 31 homers for Seattle, Branyan missed the last month of the season with an ailing back and his health remains a concern.

ByTom

The Indians bring back 1B Russell Branyan, whom they originally drafted in 1994 and who played for the team until 2002. Coming off his best year in the majors, in which he slugged 31 homers for Seattle, Branyan missed the last month of the season with an ailing back and his health remains a concern.

Washington signs speedy outfielder Willy Taveras to a minor league contract. Coming off a disappointing season with the Reds in which he hit .240 with 1 home run and 15 RBI, Taveras was recently designated for assignment by the Athletics.

ByTom

Washington signs speedy outfielder Willy Taveras to a minor league contract. Coming off a disappointing season with the Reds in which he hit .240 with 1 home run and 15 RBI, Taveras was recently designated for assignment by the Athletics.

The Rangers also add an outfielder renowned for his speed, inking Endy Chavez to a minor league deal. He is coming off knee surgery, the result of an on-field collision with SS Yuniesky Betancourt on June 19th that ended his 2009 season after 54 games; he is not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

ByTom

The Rangers also add an outfielder renowned for his speed, inking Endy Chavez to a minor league deal. He is coming off knee surgery, the result of an on-field collision with SS Yuniesky Betancourt on June 19th that ended his 2009 season after 54 games; he is not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas retire

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas retire

ByTom

Two long-time baseball icons officially hang their spikes today, although neither played last season. Pitcher Tom Glavine, after 305 wins and two Cy Young Awards, accepts a position in the Atlanta Braves’ front office as a special assistant to team President John Schuerholz, putting an end to any desire for a comeback attempt, which would have required undergoing another arm surgery. For his part, 1B/DH Frank Thomas, nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, veteran of 19 seasons during which he hit .301 with 521 homers and 1704 RBI, announces he will not attempt a comeback either. He last played for the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but could find no takers for his services last season.

New York Mets sign veteran Japanese lefthander Hisanori Takahashi

ByTom

The Mets round out their squad as spring training is about to get under way, signing veteran Japanese lefthander Hisanori Takahashi, 1B Mike Jacobs and C Shawn Riggans to minor league contracts. Takahashi, unrelated to Ken Takahashi who pitched for New York last year, was 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA with the Yomiuri Giants in 2009; he joins Ryota Igarashi, who was signed earlier this off-season, on the Mets’ pitching staff.

Ernie Harwell will receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award
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Ernie Harwell will receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Ernie Harwell, the long-time voice of the Tigers, will receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting during WFUV Radio’s Spring Gala at Fordham University. The 92 year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster is the third recipient of the VSLA, named for the former alum and Dodger broadcast icon, joining inaugural honoree Vin Scully (2008) and Dick Enberg (2009).