MLB notebook: Indians to retire Chief Wahoo logo after season

[January 30, 2018]  The Cleveland Indians will remove the Chief Wahoo logo from their uniforms beginning with the 2019 season after receiving pressure from commissioner Rob Manfred.

The logo has drawn criticism and lawsuits from Native American groups who consider it racist. Under growing pressure to eliminate Chief Wahoo, the Indians have been transitioning away from the logo in recent years.

On Monday, Major League Baseball announced that the Indians will discontinue the use of the divisive logo on their uniforms after the 2018 campaign.

"We have consistently maintained that we are cognizant and sensitive to both sides of the discussion," Indians owner Paul Dolan said in a statement. "While we recognize many of our fans have a long-standing attachment to Chief Wahoo, I'm ultimately in agreement with Commissioner Manfred's desire to remove the logo from our uniforms in 2019."

--The Kansas City Royals officially re-signed shortstop Alcides Escobar to a contract for the upcoming season.

Terms of the one-year deal were not disclosed by the team, but the Kansas City Star reported the deal is for $2.5 million with up to $1.5 million more in bonuses if Escobar reaches 600 plate appearances. Escobar, 31, made $6.5 million in 2017, the final year of a six-year contract.

Escobar batted .250 with a career-best 36 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 71 runs scored and 54 RBIs in 2017, playing in all 162 games for the second straight season and third time in four seasons.

--The Oakland Athletics reacquired designated hitter/first baseman Brandon Moss from the Kansas City Royals on Monday, both teams announced.

Oakland also received left-handed reliever Ryan Butcher and cash considerations in the deal. The Royals received right-handed pitchers Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer.

Moss, 34, slugged 76 homers from 2012-14 with the Athletics and was an American League All-Star in 2014. He batted just .207 with 22 homers and 50 RBIs last season for Kansas City.

--The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms with left-hander Travis Wood on a minor-league contract for the 2018 season. Wood also received an invitation to major-league spring training, the team announced.

Wood, who will turn 31 next week, split last season between the Royals and San Diego Padres and had a 4-7 record and 6.80 ERA over 94 innings with 65 strikeouts in 39 appearances, including 14 starts.

-- Field Level Media

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