Less than a week after obtaining the Astros from Drayton McLane, new owner Jim Crane fires GM Ed Wade and team president Tal Smith. In a statement issued by new team president and chief executive officer George Postolos, Dave Gottfried, Houston’s assistant GM, has been asked to serve as the club’s interim general manager.

2011 – The Rays sign veteran C Jose Molina as a free agent, one day after trading John Jaso. Youngsters Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos are expected to compete for the starting job next year, but the experienced Molina will turn out to be the most used at the position.