Breaking News

Jose Guillen, a midseason pickup by the National League champion San Francisco Giants, has been linked to a federal performance-enhancing drug investigation, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

Voted on by baseball fans and members of the media, the Roberto Clemente Award has been given annually since 1971 to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individuals contribution to his team". 

Named after 12-time All-Star and Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente in 1973, the award was named after Clemente died on New Year's Eve 1972 while trying to deliver supplies to victims of the Nicaragua earthquake.

The rumors seem to be piling up on a day-to-day basis nowadays.

Yes, the Brewers are currently looking for a new manager, and Bobby Valentine seems to be the sure-fire candidate to succeed Ken Macha.

Doug Melvin has reportedly denied the reports, writes MLB.com correspondent Adam McClavy.

Asked by the newspaper whether he had been at least offered the job, Valentine said, "We have met but there is nothing ongoing and no follow-up meeting is scheduled."

According to a source on ESPN, Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees have reached agreement on a three-year contract that will pay him $3 million per season with a $500,000 bonus for winning the World Series.

ESPN.com, citing an unnamed source, is reporting that the New York Mets have chosen Sandy Alderson as their next General Manger and the announcement could come as soon as this Friday, between Games 2 and 3 of the World Series.

After his red-pinstriped heroics of last season, Phillies fans were hoping that Clifton Phifer (Cliff) Lee would be back pitching Game 1 in the 2010 World Series.  After all, didn't the new Phillies pitcher dazzle the baseball world—and endear himself to Phillies Nation—with his performance in Yankees Stadium in last year's Fall Classic?

Well, we got our wish.  Sort of.

In case you may have forgotten, here are the "Cliff Notes" for the 2009 World Series.   

Alex Anthopoulos finally made it official by announcing the Blue Jays have hired John Farrell, the former pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox, to be the twelfth manager in Blue Jays history. Farrell was considered one of the best minds available. In fact, Terry Francona stated it was not a question of whether he became a bench boss, or even how long (he knew it would be this year), it was a question of where.

Juan Uribe's solo homer with two outs in the eighth inning and seven innings of shutout relief by their bullpen led the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, advancing the Cinderella team to the World Series.

As you might notice, The GM's Perspective reports on the Independent Leagues quite often, usually more than the mainstream MLB or MiLB news. There are a number of reasons for this.

As a former Frontier League player I enjoy reporting on the journeys of the underdogs. Compared to mainstream media, hundreds of players go unnoticed, and deserve their time in the spotlight. The next feel-good story might be right under our noses (Daniel Nava, Golden Baseball League).

Boston has lost a pitching coach. Toronto has gained a manager.

The Blue Jays have hired Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell to manage the Toronto ball club in 2011, according to Richard Griffin of theStar.com. An announcement should be made on Monday.

The hiring has been expected for several days as Toronto ended a lengthy search to fill their managerial void. Of course, the move will leave a new void on the Boston staff, one not easily filled.