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From Mirror, wire reports
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs hired manager Craig Counsell away from Milwaukee, landing the former big leaguer with a record-breaking contract and firing David Ross in a tandem of surprising moves.
The 53-year-old Counsell became the majors' highest paid manager with a five-year contract worth more than $40 million. That's according to a person with knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms weren't announced.
Ross went 262-284 in four seasons with Chicago, winning the NL Central in 2020 in his first year in charge. Counsell led the budget-conscious Brewers to five playoff appearances in the last six years.
Pirates
PITTSBURGH --The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker and infielder Oneil Cruz from the 60-day injured list.
Right-handed pitcher Yerry De Los Santos has been outrighted to Triple-A.
Outfielder Miguel Andujar has been claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.
Left-handed pitcher Angel Perdomo has been claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. There are now 37 players on the 40-man roster.
Diamondbacks
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Diamondbacks have extended manager Torey Lovullo's contract through the 2026 season following the team's surprising run to the World Series, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the extension had not been announced.
Lovullo had his contract extended through 2024 back in June, but that was before the D-backs went on their unexpected postseason run, beating the Brewers, Dodgers and Phillies in the playoffs before falling to the Texas Rangers in five games in the Fall Classic.
Guardians
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Guardians have hired Stephen Vogt, a journeyman catcher with no managerial experience, as their new manager to replace Terry Francona.
Vogt was Seattle's bullpen coach last season. Although the 39-year-old Vogt has never been a manager, he checked every other box for the Guardians, who also spoke with Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell last week.
A two-time All-Star, Vogt played for six teams in 10 seasons before retiring with Oakland in 2022. He homered in his final at-bat for the Athletics.
The Guardians are beginning a new era following 11 successful seasons with Francona, the winningest manager in the club's 123-year history.
NY Mets
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets are hiring Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza as their manager, according to a person familiar with the decision.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move had not been announced. Mendoza spent the past four seasons across town as Aaron Boone's bench coach with the New York Yankees.
He replaces Buck Showalter, who was fired by the Mets at the end of last season. It's the first high-profile hire by new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who took over his hometown team early last month.
Braves
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have exercised a $20 million option for pitcher Charlie Morton, bolstering a shaky rotation for the NL East champions.
But they declined a $9 million option for outfielder Eddie Rosario. The return of Morton, who went 14-12 with a 3.64 ERA, was expected even though he turns 40 on Sunday.
The Braves need starting depth after learning that Kyle Wright will miss another whole season because of an injury that kept him out most of this past year. The decision to cut ties with Rosario was a bit of a surprise. He hit 21 homers with 74 RBIs.
Marlins
MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins have hired Tampa Bay general manager Peter Bendix to become their president of baseball operations.
Bendix will take over the department previously overseen by Kim Ng, who had been general manager of the Marlins for the last three seasons.
The Marlins The declined options on right-handers Johnny Cueto ($10.5 million) and Matt Barnes ($9 million), allowing the pair to become free agents. Infielder Josh Bell did not opt out of his contract to go free and will make $16.5 million in 2024. Miami exercised a $3,625,000 option on infielder Jon Berti.
Awards lists
NEW YORK -- Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL MVP award, along with teammates Corey Seager and Marcus Semien of the World Series champion Texas Rangers.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. headlines the remaining contenders for the National League prize, joined by Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
The top three finishers in voting for each of the major individual awards presented annually by the Baseball Writers' Association of America were announced Monday night.
Winners will be revealed next week. Gerrit Cole, Kevin Gausman and Sonny Gray are finalists for the American League Cy Young Award. In the NL, it's Zac Gallen, Blake Snell and Logan Webb.