Twenty-five years after playing for nearby Tampa Northside and 15
years after going to the College World Series with Florida State,
the undrafted catcher-turned-coach was named Tampa Bay's new manager
Friday.
"Kevin is passionate, genuine and dedicated, and those attributes
will resonate throughout our clubhouse," President of Baseball
Operations Matt Silverman said. "As a catcher, a scout and a coach,
he has always been a student of the game, and his communication and
tireless work will put our club in a position to win, night in and
night out."
Cash was chosen over Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu to
replace Joe Maddon, who ended his nine-year tenure with the Rays by
exercising an opt-out clause in his contract and later was named
manager of the Chicago Cubs on Oct. 31.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/06/images/ads/current/fricke_sda.png) Cash, who turns 37 on Saturday, has been the Cleveland Indians'
bullpen coach for the past two seasons.
--- The New York Yankees acquired shortstop Didi Gregorius from the
Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team trade that included the Detroit
Tigers.
The Yankees have been seeking a replacement for the retired Derek
Jeter and it appears that player will be the left-handed-hitting
Gregorius. General manager Brian Cashman plans to platoon Gregorius
and right-handed-hitting Brendan Ryan next season.
Arizona received left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray and minor league
infielder Domingo Leyba from the Tigers, and Detroit acquired
Yankees right-hander Shane Greene.
The Yankees later announced that they signed left-hander Andrew
Miller to a four-year, $36 million contract through the 2018 season.
---Longtime major league pitcher Ryan Dempster officially retired
after 16 seasons and accepted a job in the front office of the
Chicago Cubs.
Dempster, who pitched for the Cubs from 2004 to 2012, returns to
Chicago as a special assistant to president Theo Epstein and general
manager Jed Hoyer.
Dempster is hoping to persuade free-agent pitcher Jon Lester, a
former teammate with the Boston Red Sox, to sign with the Cubs.
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"Jon and I have talked about how great it is to play here. He
knows that," Dempster said. "(He) has an extremely tough decision
ahead, but whatever the decision is going to be, hopefully it's here
with the Chicago Cubs."
---Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth was sentenced to 10
days in jail for reckless driving earlier this year.
Werth's Porsche was clocked at 105 mph in a 55 mph zone on the
Capital Beltway in the Washington area.
The 35-year-old is in the midst of a seven-year, $126 million
contract with the Nationals. He batted .292 with 16 home runs and 82
RBIs in 147 games last season.
---Despite missing last season while recovering from Tommy John
elbow surgery, Luke Hochevar still landed a lucrative contract from
his longtime team.
The 31-year-old right-hander and the Kansas City Royals finalized a
two-year, $10 million deal on Thursday.
According to reports, Hochevar will make $4 million in 2015 and $5.5
million in 2016. A mutual option for a third season carries a
$500,000 buyout.
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