The Chicago Cubs are expected to interview Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo within the week about their vacant managerial position, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Lovullo, 48, has ties to Cubs president Theo Epstein, who hired him to manage Boston's Class-AAA affiiate in Pawtucket in 2010. Lovullo served as first-base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 and 2012 before taking the Red Sox position this season.
“Look, when Theo was here (as general manager of the Red Sox), the operation was very efficient and well run,” Lovullo said. “I know he’s doing the same thing there in Chicago. We have mutual respect.
“And it’s only a matter of time before things start to get real good there in Chicago. Whoever sits in that seat is going to be the right man. … Becoming a manager is something everybody aspires to do at this level.”
The Cubs are looking to replace Dale Sveum, who was 127-197 over two seasons.
The team also is expected to interview former Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge, San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria and Padres assistant general manager A.J. Hinch. Renteria is considered the front-runner.
CABRERA TO HAVE SURGERY
Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera will have surgery Tuesday to repair a groin tear that limited his effectiveness in the latter part of the regular season and the playoffs.
The two-time Sporting News MLB Player of the Year is expected to be ready for spring training.
"Those are decisions you have to make sometimes, if not it affects your future," Cabrera told ESPN Deportes. "If not, it could hurt your career, and that's what I based my decision on. I consulted with the team and made this decision personally so I could keep playing with the team. I tried to [play hurt] to take advantage of the chance we had in the playoffs, because with so many good teams you never know when a chance like this will come along. It took me eight or nine years to get back in the playoffs and I wanted to be back there and help the team win."
Cabrera also dealt with an abdominal injury during the summer. He hurt his groin late in the season after the abdominal injury had healed.
The injuries did little to affect Cabrera's swing. The 2012 AL Triple Crown winner led the majors in average, OBP and slugging (.348/.442/.636 in 652 plate appearances). He slugged 44 home runs and drove in 137 runs; both totals were second in MLB to Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles.
But during Detroit's 11-game playoff run, he was limited to just nine singles, two home runs and seven RBIs.
M'S INTERVIEW GIANTS COACH
The Seattle Mariners have interviewed long-time San Francisco Giants coach Ron Wotus for their managerial opening, CBSSports.com reports.
Wotus, 52, joins a long list of candidates being considered to replace Eric Wedge, including Oakland A's bench coach Chip Hale, San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria and Detroit Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon.
After a brief major league career, Wotus became a manager in the Giants' minor league system in 1991. In 1998, he became the team's third base coach and a year later was named bench coach. He's held that position ever since.
The Mariners are looking for a replacement for Eric Wedge, who stepped down at the end of the regular season.
YANKS INTERESTED IN HEADLEY
One way or another, the New York Yankees will need help at third base next season.
Veteran 3B Alex Rodriguez, of course, is facing a 211-game suspension. And even if A-Rod manages to get the suspension reduced, he likely will miss a significant part of the 2014 campaign. When he's eligible to play, his health and age will be a concern.
That's why New York is eyeing San Diego Padres 3B Chase Headley, the New York Post reports.
The switch-hitting Headley, 29, is eligible for free agency after next season, so the thought is that the Padres might be willing to move him for the right price. And indeed, the Post reports, San Diego will listen to offers.
But the Yankees and other suitors probably shouldn't get their hopes up.
"San Diego believes it is more in a win-now mode and will deal him only for cost-effective players ready for the majors now or close to the majors," the Post reports. "Padres officials feel, because of that, the Yanks are not a match. This is one of the problems of having an unproductive farm system — not only are you not feeding the big league team useful parts, but those parts do not exist for trades."
Headley hit .250/.347/.400 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs in 141 games in 2013.
Contributor: Justin McGuire