>>Cubs Introduce New Manager Maddon

(Chicago, IL) -- Joe Maddon is the new manager of the Chicago Cubs. He was formally introduced yesterday. Maddon agreed to a five-year deal. He opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay last month after nine seasons as skipper of the Rays. The 60-year-old replaces Rick Renteria [[ renn-teh-REE-uh ]], who was fired after just one season to make room for the two-time AL Manager of the Year.

>>Cardinals Promote Bell To Bench Coach

(St. Louis, MO) -- David Bell is changing roles for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has agreed to a two-year contract to become manager Mike Matheny's bench coach. Bell spent this past season as assistant hitting coach. He replaces Mike Aldrete, who left last week to become bench coach for the Oakland A's.

>>O's Extend Qualifying Offer To Cruz

(Baltimore, MD) -- The Baltimore Orioles are extending a qualifying offer to slugger Nelson Cruz. The 34-year-old outfielder has until next Monday to accept the one-year, 15.3-million-dollar deal or become a free agent. Cruz turned down a similar qualifying offer with Texas, but settled for a one-year, eight-million-dollar deal with Baltimore after serving a 50-game suspension in 2013 for his connection to the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal. Cruz responded this season by leading the majors with 40 home runs as the Orioles captured the American League East title.

>>Yankees Extend Qualifying Offer To Robertson

(Bronx, NY) -- The New York Yankees are extending a qualifying offer to closer David Robertson. He has until next Monday to accept the one-year, 15.3-million-dollar offer or become a free agent. Taking over for the retired Mariano Rivera, Robertson had 39 saves and a 3.08 ERA in 63 outings this past season.

>>Braves Extend Qualifying Offer To Santana

(Atlanta, GA) -- The Atlanta Braves are extending a qualifying offer to starting pitcher Ervin Santana. The 31-year-old right-hander now has until next Monday to accept the one-year, 15.3-million-dollar offer or become a free agent. Santana went 14-and-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 31 starts this past season. He pitched his first eight big league seasons with the Angels before spending 2013 with Kansas City. Santana is 119-and-100 with a 4.17 ERA in 10 seasons overall.

>>Royals Exercise Option On Davis

(Kansas City, MO) -- A key member of the Kansas City Royals' bullpen will be back next season. The Royals have exercised the 2015 contract option on reliever Wade Davis. The 29-year-old right-hander will earn seven-million-dollars next year. Davis went 9-and-2 with a 1.00 ERA and three saves in 71 games this past season. He struck out 109 batters in just 72 innings. Davis then posted a 0.63 ERA in 12 postseason games as the Royals reached their first World Series since 1985. The 1.00 regular-season ERA led all major league relievers and his 109 strikeouts were the most by a reliever in team history.

>>Royals Extend Qualifying Offer To Shields

(Kansas City, MO) -- The Kansas City Royals are extending a qualifying offer to starting pitcher James Shields. The 32-year-old right-hander has until next Monday to accept the offer or become a free agent. If Shields accepts, he would receive a one-year deal worth 15.3-million-dollars. If he declines, the Royals would receive draft-pick compensation if he signs with another team. Shields went 14-and-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 starts this past season. He hurled 227 innings, his eighth straight season of at least 200 innings. For his career, Shields is 114-and-90 with a 3.72 ERA in nine seasons.

>>Cuddyer Receives Qualifying Offer From Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have extended a qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Cuddyer.

Cuddyer spent the first 11 seasons of his MLB career in Minnesota before playing in Colorado for the last three. He has enjoyed hitting in the friendly confines of Coors Field, batting .331 and .332 in consecutive years in 2013 and 2014, though injuries limited him to just 49 games this past season.

Over his 14-year MLB career, Cuddyer has 187 home runs and 753 RBI.

The 35-year-old has until 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Monday, Nov. 10 to accept the $15.3 million offer or become a free agent.

>>Twins To Introduce Molitor Today

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is the new manager of the Minnesota Twins. The two sides have agreed to a three-year contract through 2017. Molitor will be formally introduced today. He becomes just the third Twins manager since 1986, following Tom Kelly and the recently fired Ron Gardenhire. The 58-year-old Molitor is a St. Paul native and University of Minnesota product.