In Atlanta, Gabriel Burns reports Braves Senior Advisor John Hart is "resigning" from his role to "pursue other opportunities outside" the organization. Hart "relinquished his role" as President of Baseball Operations "upon the hiring" of new GM Alex Anthopoulos on Monday (AJC.com, 11/17).
UNDER THE TABLE: THE ATHLETIC's Ken Rosenthal cited sources as saying that the Pirates dismissed Dir of Latin American Scouting Rene Gayo after an investigation by MLB "revealed that he had received an improper payment from a Mexican Summer League team." Sources said that the investigation "showed that the Mexican team paid Gayo a form of a kickback several years ago for the sale of at least one player to the Pirates." The Pirates on Monday, after learning the results of MLB's probe, informed Gayo that they "would not renew his contract." Gayo still faces "possible discipline from MLB" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/16).
WINTER UPGRADES: In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen noted the Brewers have "modest projects" planned this offseason at Miller Park, including "refurbishing the Club Level, renovating a team store and creating a baby-nursing station." The Club Level refurbish "will include new graphics, colors, lighting and signage." A bar area in Loge Level office space near "The Selig Experience" exhibit "will be converted to offices for Brewers employees" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/15).
ENDANGERED SPECIES? The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jared Diamond wrote the role of MLB managers is "rapidly evolving -- and in some ways diminishing." Experience "means little nowadays." Gruff, surly personalities "need not apply." The modern manager, "once the heartbeat of a team who controlled virtually everything that happened in the dugout, now exists as a cog in a much larger machine where the real authority comes from above." Today’s organizations "want younger, gentler leaders prepared to collaborate with increasingly powerful front offices." Managers must "embrace analytics and demonstrate the willingness to rely on data -- typically provided by their superiors -- in their decision-making process" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/16).
