FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal cited sources as saying that D-Backs ownership “declined to give final approval” to a trade that would have sent C Miguel Montero and prospects to the Dodgers for CF Andre Either and C Tim Federowicz. Montero is “said to be a favorite” of Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick. The D-Backs also “might not want to deal” within the NL West or with their former GM, Josh Byrnes, who is now Dodgers Senior VP/Baseball Operations (FOXSPORTS.com, 12/6). In Phoenix, Nick Piecoro noted the D-Backs and Dodgers have had "bad blood in recent years, and it could be that Kendrick did not want to send the club's longest-tenured player to its division rival" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 12/7).
STRAIGHT CASH, HOMIE: In Tampa, Tom Jones noted new Rays manager Kevin Cash is “now the youngest manager” in MLB and his “next game as a major-league manager will be his first.” Jones noted Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman should be praised for the move and wrote, "Go big or go home. Malaise has set in with the Rays. Time for a change, a big change.” They could “use something new, something different, something outside the box.” The possibilities are “worth the risk” (TAMPABAY.com, 12/5).
BEARING DOWN: Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said that he “envisions a time when the Cubs are the ‘feared team’ in free agency.” He said, “We're not the Dodgers, and we're not the Yankees. But there are still plenty of things we can do. We have a lot of resources at our disposal. We're not going to complain about it. We're a team with a healthy enough financial situation and a lot of young players who give us flexibility to be very impactful in the marketplace” (AP, 12/5).
DEE'S DAY: In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote Padres President & CEO Mike Dee deserves credit, as he is “trying to create a baseball atmosphere in San Diego again.” Dee “got the OK to allow GM A.J. Preller to acquire a couple of top hitters to revamp the worst offensive team” in MLB. Dee, a former Red Sox COO, is “trying to create that Red Sox feel out west” (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7).
