MLB notebook: Yanks great Gossage blasts GM Cashman

[February 13, 2018]  The feud between Hall of Famer Rich "Goose" Gossage and New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman increased by a few more octaves on Monday when the former closer ripped Cashman in an expletive-filled rant to the New York Daily News.

Gossage, 66, wasn't invited to spring training as a guest instructor and was peeved over that decision.

"Well, with power, is that what happens to you, you turn into a (expletive expletive)," Gossage told the Daily News in reference to Cashman. "Is that it? I don't know."

Gossage, who pitched for the Yankees from 1978-83 and part of 1989, said former owner George Steinbrenner is "rolling over in his grave."

--Bud Norris agreed to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Norris, 32, worked out of the bullpen with the Los Angeles Angels last season and was effective before the All-Star break. A knee injury bothered Norris most of the second half, when his numbers seemed to reflect an issue.

Norris posted 19 saves in 23 chances with a 4.21 ERA in 2017 with 74 strikeouts in 62 innings.

--The mother of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz was rescued three days after being kidnapped in Venezuela last week.

Ana Isabel Soto, 72, was kidnapped on Thursday as Diaz was preparing to travel to spring training in Bradenton, Fla., where Pirates' pitchers and catchers are reporting this week. She was rescued Sunday by police and security officers, according to Venezuelan authorities.

 

Diaz, 27, hit .223 with one home run and 19 RBIs in 64 games as a backup last season.

--Former major league pitcher Esteban Loaiza was arrested in San Diego on three felony charges, including possession of more than 44 pounds of drugs.

Loaiza, 46, is being held on $200,000 bail by the San Diego Sheriff's office after Friday's arrest for possession of heroin and cocaine over 20 kilograms, and the possession and transportation of narcotics with the intent to sell.

Loaiza, a native of Tijuana, Mexico, is due to appear in court Wednesday, according to records obtained by USA Today on Monday.

--The Marlins named Chip Bowers, an executive for the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors, as president of business operations.

Bowers will report directly to Marlins CEO and part-owner Derek Jeter. Bowers most recently served as the chief marketing officer for the Warriors.

--Field Level Media

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