In K.C., Herbie Teope notes the Chiefs yesterday "signed team President Mark Donovan to what they termed a 'long-term' contract extension." Chiefs Chair & CEO Clark Hunt hired Donovan from the Eagles in '09 as COO before he was "promoted to president" in '11. Donovan is the "fifth president in franchise history." His "last contract extension with the Chiefs" came in '15 (K.C. STAR, 11/6).
KEEPING THE BAND TOGETHER: In St. Louis, Derrick Goold notes the MLB Cardinals yesterday gave "confirmation of new contracts" for GM Michael Girsch and President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. Girsch had the option on his contract for '20 "exercised and two years added on," through '22. Mozeliak had "one year remaining on his contract but agreed to a three-year extension that expires" after the '23 season. Cardinals Owner Bill DeWitt Jr. said, "We're very happy to have continuity here." Meanwhile, Goold notes among the announcements made yesterday were "promotions for six members of the baseball operations staff, including five in the analytics department." The Cardinals "plan to add staff to the analytics department with an eye on creativity" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/6).
STAYING ON TRACK: In Boston, Alex Speier notes the Red Sox are trying to get their payroll under the luxury-tax threshold of $208M for the '20 season, and Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy said "nothing has changed" on that front despite DH J.D. Martinez not opting out of his contract. Kennedy said that the effort to get under the tax threshold is a "desire but not an absolute commitment." Speier notes that stance "theoretically gives the team the latitude to enter the year" with both Martinez and RF Mookie Betts. Kennedy said, "The team will continue to think through different strategies for the near term and the long term" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/6).
