NEW YORK (AP) ? The new version of the Big Red Machine plays some pretty slick defense, too.Cincinnati third baseman Scott Rolen won his eighth Gold Glove on Wednesday, one of three Reds players to be honored following the team's first playoff appearance in 15 years. Second baseman Brandon Phillips and pitcher Bronson Arroyo also were among the National League recipients announced by Rawlings.It's the first time Cincinnati has had more than one winner in a season since the days of the Big Red Machine, when catcher Johnny Bench, second baseman Joe Morgan, shortstop Dave Concepcion and center fielder Cesar Geronimo won four straight years from 1974-77."I think our defense won a lot of games this year," Rolen said.St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina and Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino each garnered their third Gold Glove in a row. Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez joined Arroyo as first-time winners."It was definitely a shock," Arroyo said.Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols won for the second time (2006), and speedy Houston center fielder Michael Bourn was a repeat winner."Michael's second Gold Glove comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched him play," Astros general manager Ed Wade said.Phillips also won in 2008 before Orlando Hudson took the NL award at second base last year.Rolen was selected for the first time since 2006. His eight Gold Gloves rank third at his position behind Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10).On a conference call with all three Reds winners, the 35-year-old Rolen joked that he and general manager Walt Jocketty had already discussed a six-to-eight-year contract extension for so he could chase Schmidt and Robinson."I think Mike Schmidt was the best third baseman to ever play the game," Rolen said.Cincinnati tied for the major league lead with a club-record .988 fielding percentage, a big reason the resurgent Reds won the NL Central before losing to Philadelphia in a first-round playoff sweep. They committed only 72 errors, 17 fewer than the previous team record set last year."Having a great defensive infield is such a bonus," Arroyo said.Rolen thinks other Cincinnati players such as first baseman Joey Votto, a leading contender for NL MVP this year, and outfielders Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs could be future Gold Glove winners, too."As we put this team together," Jocketty said,We are very pleased and also very proud of these guys," he added.By winning, Phillips receives a $250,000 increase in his salary next year to $11.25 million. Molina, Pujols, Rolen and Victorino each get $50,000 bonuses, and Bourn and Tulowitzki receive $25,000 apiece."It's an honor to be recognized by the managers and coaches as one of the top defensive players in the league along with all the other deserving candidates," Victorino said in a Phillies statement.Molina, who threw out 44 percent of opposing basestealers, joined Mike Matheny (2000, 2003-04) and Tom Pagnozzi (1991-92, 1994) as Cardinals catchers to win three times.Rawlings has awarded Gold Gloves since 1957. Managers and coaches vote for players in their leagues before the end of the regular season, but they can't choose members of their own teams.The AL awards were announced Tuesday, with three New York Yankees infielders honored.NEW YORK (AP) ? Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has traveled to Arkansas to meet with free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee.Cashman was invited Tuesday by Lee's agent, Darek Brauneker, to meet with the 32-year-old left-hander and his wife, a person familiar with the arrangements told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Yankees and Lee didn't make any announcements.Wednesday's meeting was a session, the person said, and an offer was not expected to be made until later.In addition, Cashman, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and team president Randy Levine met in recent days with captain Derek Jeter and his agent, Casey Close, to start the process of negotiating a new contract, the person said.The Yankees have identified Lee as the top free agent they would like to sign, in addition to retaining Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte.Texas would like to re-sign Lee, who was acquired in July and led the Rangers to their first World Series appearance.Lee was 12-9 with a 3.18 ERA for the Mariners and Rangers, striking out 185 and walking 18 in 212 1-3 innings. He went 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his first eight career postseason starts before losing to San Francisco in Games 1 and 5 of the World Series.Jeter completed a $189 million, 10-year contract and is expected to remain with the Yankees.-- Ronald BlumFrancoeur a free agent after short time with TexasARLINGTON (AP) ? Jeff Francoeur has become a free agent after refusing a minor league assignment from the Texas Rangers and clearing waivers.Francoeur hit .340 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 15 games for the American League champions after being acquired from the New York Mets for infielder Joaquin Arias on Aug. 31. He was 3 for 24 in nine postseason games.The first-round pick of Atlanta in 2002, Francoeur is a .268 career hitter in 845 games for the Braves (2005-09), Mets (2009-10) and Rangers (2010).The move Wednesday leaves the Rangers with 33 players on their 40-man roster.A's send�two pitchers to Royals for OF DeJesusOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) ? David DeJesus has been on the Oakland Athletics' radar for a while now. They like his near-perfect defense, baserunning and consistent bat.The A's acquired the outfielder from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday for right-hander Vin Mazzaro and minor league lefty Justin Marks. General manager Billy Beane immediately said he will start in one of the corner outfield spots."He's a guy we've always liked," Beane said.One of Beane's priorities this offseason was to find a capable hitter who could help the A's score more runs for their talented pitching staff.DeJesus, while not the power hitter Oakland is seeking, batted .318 with five homers and 37 RBIs in 91 games with Kansas City this year. He was sidelined for the final two months following right thumb surgery.Beane said the A's researched his surgery and physical therapy information and are confident DeJesus will have no restrictions this winter getting ready for spring training. A left-handed hitter, DeJesus had resumed taking batting practice late in the season.The 30-year-old DeJesus ? who started 67 games in right field, 19 in center and one in left ? didn't have an error in 88 games overall in the outfield. He has a 241-game errorless streak dating to his last one on Sept. 15, 2008.While Ryan Sweeney played right field when healthy, Beane said the A's would discuss whether to keep him there or move him to left and have DeJesus play right.What does this mean for the other outfielders on the roster ? such as Conor Jackson and Rajai Davis? Beane said with the team's injury history in recent seasons, he doesn't plan to unload everybody."We are a little bit gun shy because of the injuries. We have to be careful," he said.Mazzaro had three stints with the A's in 2010. He was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento on Sept. 10 only to be called back up four days later. Oakland already has solid, proven starters in Brett Anderson, Dallas Braden, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez. Ben Sheets, signed to a $10 million, one-year deal before last season, won't pitch in 2011 following elbow surgery but hasn't ruled out trying to return to baseball the next year.Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma could fit into that fifth starter spot. Oakland won a bid for negotiating rights to the pitcher from the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Pacific League, Major League Baseball announced Monday.The A's then got 30 days to reach a contract agreement."We think we have a little bit of depth," Beane said.The 29-year-old righty was 10-9 with a 2.82 ERA in 28 games this season with four complete games and one shutout. He struck out 153 and walked 36 in 201 innings.Left-hander Josh Outman, who missed last year recovering from Tommy John surgery, also could be an option to start. He made a good impression in the instructional league this fall.The A's stayed in the division chase until late in the season ? losing out to the AL champion Texas Rangers ? and finished 81-81 for second place in the AL West. That was despite using the disabled list 23 times, two shy of the franchise record set in 2008. Oakland fired head athletic trainer Steve Sayles, so finding his replacement is also on the to-do list. Beane said the A's would begin interviewing candidates next week.Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore said Mazzaro will be in the team's rotation next season. The 24-year-old right-hander went 6-8 with a 4.27 ERA in 24 appearances, including 18 starts, last season. When Anderson was sidelined with an elbow injury, Mazzaro moved into the rotation June 8 and made 17 consecutive starts."This deal allows us to further increase our pitching depth at the major and minor league levels," Moore said.^(Class A) Wilmington."-- Janie McCauleyNew scoreboard expected in Target Field upgradesMINNEAPOLIS (AP) ? The Minnesota Twins have some home improvement projects in the works for their second season at Target Field.The Twins revealed plans Wednesday for a new scoreboard, free wireless internet service throughout the ballpark and other fan-related amenities.The new high-definition scoreboard for video, replays and other graphics above the right field grandstand will allow customers in the left field seats to see it without having to turn behind them to look at the big board. The new scoreboard, built by South Dakota-based Daktronics, will measure 28 feet high and 50 feet wide ? still far bigger than the main board at the Metrodome.Nestled next to the new scoreboard will be the a 100-foot tall illuminated structure with the time of day on top that's capable of showing animation, graphics and text. It will serve as a terminus for the pedestrian plaza behind right field.More Minnesota-themed items will also be added to the concession stands, with plans to reduce waiting time in lines. New radiant heaters will be added in a couple of locations. And more artwork will be added throughout the ballpark as well.At a news conference to announce the enhancements, Twins executive Jerry Bell said the team is paying for all the projects at a cost between $4 million and $6 million.Bell credited owner and CEO Jim Pohlad for pushing for the upgrades, saying heMinn. woman charged in Sizemore racy photos caseHASTINGS, Minn. (AP) ? A Minnesota woman has been charged with stealing racy photos of Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore from the e-mail account of his girlfriend.The photos, taken with his cellphone camera, were widely circulated on the Internet starting last year despite efforts by Major League Baseball to stop their spread.The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reports that prosecutors for the Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley on Tuesday charged 19-year-old Leah Ayers, of Apple Valley, with two counts of unauthorized computer access, a gross misdemeanor.Documents filed in Dakota County District Court say investigators traced intrusions into the accout of Sizemore's girlfield, Brittany Binger, back to the home of Ayers' parents and to her laptop computer in April.Ayers does not have a listed phone number and did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Court records do not list a lawyer for her. She's due to appear in court Nov. 29.Mauer says Gold Gloves have come from hard workMINNEAPOLIS (AP) ? Joe Mauer says he's proud of the work he's done with his defense considering how much publicity his hitting has received over his career.The Minnesota Twins catcher spoke Wednesday to local reporters on a conference call, the day after he was awarded his third straight Gold Glove award.Mauer acknowledged that 2010 was a for him physically, given shoulder and knee injuries. He doesn't need surgeryMauer, who signed a $184 million contract extension in March, says he realizes there will be a point when he'll have to stop catching, but he says he's hoping that will beAngels hire Rob Picciolo as bench coach ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) ? The Los Angeles Angels have hired Rob Picciolo to be their bench coach, replacing new Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke.The Angels also hired former All-Star shortstop Gary DiSarcina as special assistant to the general manager Wednesday.Adam Nevala was hired as the Angels' new head athletic trainer, and Los Angeles also promoted Steve Soliz from bullpen catcher to bullpen coach, replacing him with Tom Gregorio.The 57-year-old Picciolo will be manager Mike Scioscia's new right-hand man after spending the past four seasons as Los Angeles' roving infield coordinator. The former infielder for the Athletics, Brewers and Angels spent the previous 20 years in the San Diego Padres' organization, including 10 seasons as a bench coach.Yankees C Jorge Posada has left knee surgeryNEW YORK (AP) ? Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has undergone arthroscopic surgery to repair a small tear in the meniscus of his left knee.Dr. Lee Kaplan operated Wednesday in Miami. The Yankees expect Posada will be ready for spring training.The 39-year-old was limited to 120 games this season, including 83 behind the plate, as he shared time with Francisco Cervelli. Jesus Montero, a Triple-A All-Star at Scranton, is expected to be brought up sometime next season, further limiting Posada's catching.Elsewhere Mariners broadcaster Niehaus dies at 75SEATTLE (AP) ? For 34 seasons, Dave Niehaus narrated baseball in the Pacific Northwest.The golden Midwestern tones and trademark and tags of Seattle's first baseball icon were silenced Wednesday.Niehaus, who called the first pitch in Seattle Mariners history and described more than three decades of occasionally good and mostly bad baseball, died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack at his suburban Bellevue home, according to his family. He was 75."He was one of the great broadcast voices of our generation, a true gentleman, and a credit to baseball," commissioner Bud Selig said.From Diego Segui's first pitch on April 6, 1977, through the end of the 2010 season, Niehaus called 5,284 of the Mariners' 5,385 games. He was the instructor for a region void of the major league game sans the Seattle Pilots' one-year experiment in 1969. Adults and kids regularly tuned in on summer evenings to hear Niehaus try and put his best spin on what were among the worst teams in baseball during much of the club's history.But no matter how bad the Mariners were, Niehaus never let the on-field product affect his approach to the game. He always brought enthusiasm and drama to some horrible teams, horrible games and horrible seasons."This is the saddest day of my life. It is like I am losing a dad, someone that was a father figure to me," former Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner said.At Safeco Field on Wednesday night, an image of Niehaus, who threw out the first pitch in the stadium's history when it opened during the middle of the 1999 season, was shown on the video board in center field. Twitter and Facebook were full of tributes to the broadcaster."This is a day that I was hoping would never come," former Seattle star Ken Griffey Jr. told the Mariners' flagship radio station Wednesday night.Niehaus was the recipient of the 2008 Ford C. Frick award and was inducted into the broadcasters' wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the lone Seattle Mariners representative in Cooperstown."Dave has truly been the heart and soul of this franchise since its inception in 1977," Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and team president Chuck Armstrong said in a statement Wednesday night.Niehaus got into broadcasting as a student at Indiana. He worked for the Armed Forces Network in Los Angeles and New York before anchoring himself in the L.A. market in the late 1960s and early '70s, calling games for the California Angels and UCLA football. In 1976 at the baseball winter meetings, Niehaus was encouraged to interview for the lead play-by-play job with the expansion Mariners.He got the job, and with few exceptions, never left the seat."All of us in this business, guys, this is the toy department of life," Niehaus said before his Hall of Fame induction in 2008.^(the writing) end or the front office end, we're lucky. We're lucky people."As much as Griffey, Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki were responsible for making Seattle relevant in professional baseball, it was Niehaus telling their stories along the way."He was a consummate pro at everything he did," Buhner said.^? going to miss his face, his ugly white shoes and his awful sport coats. He was one of a kind."When Griffey returned to Seattle for the 2009 season, he was constantly on Niehaus' case, playfully badgering the broadcaster while checking in to make sure Niehaus was eating right and feeling OK. The bond between the two was developed during Griffey's first spring training with Seattle as a teenager and never wavered.When Niehaus was honored with the Frick award, his first congratulatory call came from Griffey."When I got to Seattle I struggled for like the first couple weeks and he said, 'Where's that smile?'" Griffey recalled Wednesday night.Even though Niehaus has never announced a World Series game with the Angels or Mariners, his calls during Seattle's remarkable rally during the 1995 season still bring chills to those who fondly remember the brightest time in Mariners history.Seattle trailed the Angels by 13 games on Aug. 2 before surging to win the AL West for its first playoff berth.In the playoffs, Niehuas was behind the mic for Martinez's Game 4 that propelled the Mariners for one more day of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.His call of Martinez's double that beat the Yankees in the 11th inning of Game 5 a day later was being replayed all around the Northwest on Wednesday night."Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with Junior's speed. The stretch ... and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez, swung on and LINED DOWN THE LEFT-FIELD LINE FOR A BASE HIT! HERE COMES JOEY, HERE IS JUNIOR TO THIRD BASE, THEY'RE GOING TO WAVE HIM IN! THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE ... LATE! THE MARINERS ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! IT JUST CONTINUES! MY OH MY!"Niehaus later said Martinez's double wasn't his favorite call during his career. That honor belonged to the first pitch from Segui that set Seattle on its voyage. But Niehaus realized ? as its become known in the Northwest ? was the one he'd be the most identified with.Niehaus had heart problems in the mid 1990s that forced changes in old habits. He stopped smoking and started eating better. He is survived by wife Marilyn, sons Andy, Matt, daughter Greta and six grandchildren."Dave was the best there ever was," said Mariners producer/engeiner Kevin Cremin, who sat next to Niehaus on Seattle broadcasts for the last 28 years.-- Tim BoothEx-Chicago White Sox scouting exec indictedCHICAGO (AP) ? A former Chicago White Sox scouting executive was indicted on federal fraud charges Wednesday for allegedly accepting kickbacks from signing bonuses and contract buyouts, targeting players from impoverished parts of Latin America hungry to play in the U.S.David Wilder and two former scouts for the team in Latin America are accused of accepting about $400,000 to secure 23 prospects between 2004 and 2008, according to the indictment released by the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago."These defendants allegedly defrauded their employer and enriched themselves by taking advantage of vulnerable ballplayers, who were anxious to pursue their dreams of stardom in the major leagues," said Robert Grant, of the FBI's Chicago office.At the time, the White Sox were recruiting in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela and other Latin American nations, the indictment says.The kickbacks were concealed from the team and its more senior officials, according to the indictment, which doesn't identify specific players."The Chicago White Sox commend the diligence and hard work shown by federal authorities and Major League Baseball in reaching today's indictments," the team said in a release.MLB spokesman Pat Courtney declined comment.Wilder, 50, of San Francisco, is charged with seven counts of mail fraud. If convicted, he could face 20 years in prison for each count.The seven mail fraud counts allege that checks ranging from $30,000 to $525,000 were sent from the White Sox to players or teams for the contract rights to players.Former scouts Jorge L. Oquendo Rivera and Victor Mateo also face mail fraud charges.Wilder and the scouts are accused of secretly inflating signing bonuses of prospects, then kicking back the money they added on to themselves.Wilder and Oquendo, 49, of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, were expected to appear voluntarily at an arraignment at a later date. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the 39-year-old Mateo, of Arroyo Hondo in the Dominican Republic.An investigation into the matter began after the White Sox reported internal findings to Major League Baseball, and baseball officials then contacted authorities, the indictment says.The White Sox in 2008 fired Wilder as director of player personnel and Mateo as a scout. The team offered few details at the time, saying only that the dismissals wereWilder began his player-development career with the Oakland Athletics in 1990 after a seven-year minor league career as an outfielder in the Oakland and Chicago Cubs systems.He was assistant director of scouting and player development for the Atlanta Braves from 1991-95; farm director and assistant general manager with the Cubs from 1996-99; and vice president of player personnel and special assignment scout with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-03, before joining the White Sox late in 2003.He oversaw Chicago's entire minor league department and player development staff as well as the club's Latin American operations.Wilder was also a member of the United States Olympic Baseball team's selection committee in 2000, helping assemble the team that won the gold medal.-- Michael TarmProsecution rests in Leyritz DUI death trial FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) ? The prosecution rested Wednesday in the DUI manslaughter trial of former major league baseball player Jim Leyritz, after a crash reconstruction expert said Leyritz wasn't speeding before the crash that killed a 30-year-old woman.Testifying for the prosecution, crash expert Donald Felicella said based on the damage to Leyritz's red Ford Expedition and other factors, his vehicle was going about 35 mph ? the posted speed limit ? when it approached the intersection shortly after 3 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2007."There was not anything to indicate that speed was a factor," Felicella told jurors, adding later that airbags did not deploy in either vehicle and there was no indication that either driver hit the brakes.Leyritz, remembered for his dramatic 1996 World Series home run for the New York Yankees, is accused of driving drunk, running a red light and slamming into a Mitsubishi Montero driven by the victim, Fredia Ann Veitch. Leyritz's blood-alcohol level was 0.14 percent about three hours after the crash, well above Florida's 0.08 percent limit, and may have been as high as 0.19 percent when the crash happened, according to trial testimony.Prosecutor Stefanie Newman rested her case on the trial's seventh day, after testimony from 20 witnesses. The defense is expected to begin its case Monday morning, although it is unclear if Leyritz will testify. Leyritz, 46, faces between four and 15 years behind bars if convicted.Circuit Judge Marc Gold denied a motion for acquittal by Leyritz attorney David Bogenschutz, who contended there is to submit the case to a jury. Gold said.Veitch's vehicle was traveling between 33 mph and 40 mph before the collision, Felicella testified. Under cross-examination, Felicella said his examination of the Montero's intact lights did not turn up residual evidence of heat or which is used to help determine if the lights were on. But, he cautioned, lack of that evidenceA police investigator testified previously that the light switch in Veitch's vehicle was in the position and that she did find evidence of in at least some of the lamps.Veitch, a mother of two, was thrown from her vehicle by the impact of the crash. Evidence shows that she was also drunk, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.18 when the collision occurred, and was not wearing a seat belt.Earlier this year, Leyritz settled a wrongful death lawsuit by agreeing to pay Veitch's family $250,000 in insurance and $1,000 in monthly payments out of his own pocket for 100 months.Leyritz, mainly a catcher in an 11-season big league career, played for the Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers. His last season was 2000.-- Curt AndersonBidding for Kirk Gibson's historic bat at $139,015LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP) ? Bidding for the bat Kirk Gibson used for his historic home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 World Series has reached $139,015.SCP Auctions' October/November auction ? at http://www.scpauctions.com ? will close Saturday night.Gibson, now manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, also is selling his batting helmet and home and road uniforms from the World Series, his World Series trophy and NL most valuable player award. Proceeds from the sale of the World Series trophy and MVP award will benefit the Kirk Gibson Foundation.Gibson's home jersey from Game 1 of the World Series has a high bid $129,690, while a restored T206 Honus Wagner baseball card has reached $156,925. Also, a 1934 Babe Ruth professional-model bat used by Ruth to hit career home run No. 702 has a high bid of $53,594. It is autographed by the 1934 Yankees team, including Ruth and Lou Gehrig.Troy, N.Y.: Giants owe us World Series trophy visitTROY, N.Y. (AP) ? A New York newspaper has launched a campaign aimed at persuading the San Francisco Giants to bring their 2010 World Series trophy to the city where the team was born ? and it's not the Big Apple.An online petition drive has been started by The Record of Troy, where the Troy City Trojans were a charter member of the National League when it started in 1879.After the 1882 season, NL owners voted to move the franchise 135 miles south to New York City, where the team became the Giants. Some baseball historians say the removal was illegal because it violated the NL's charter.The newspaper says bringing the World Series trophy to Troy would committed by Major League Baseball.Japanese players Nishioka, Kobayashi eye majorsTOKYO (AP) ? Two members of the Japan Series-winning Chiba Lotte Marines say they want to play in the major leagues next season.Shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka said on Wednesday he intends to move to Major League Baseball via the posting system, while closer Hiroyuki Kobayashi will try to sign as a free agent.The posting system allows major league teams to bid for the negotiating rights to Japanese players who have yet to become free agents.Nishioka had the most hits in the Pacific League this season with 206 and won the batting title with a .346 average in 144 games.Kobayashi, 32, had a 2.21 ERA with 29 saves.Glass becomes chairman of MLB Advanced MediaNEW YORK (AP) ? Kansas City Royals owner David Glass has replaced Bob DuPuy as chairman of MLB Advanced Media, the sport's Internet wing.DuPuy was forced out as baseball's chief operating officer last month. Glass is the former chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He appointment was announced Wednesday.
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