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Minor Leagues
The Memphis Redbirds swept the Sacramento River Cats to win the Pacific Coast League (AAA) championship. Second baseman Andre Hicks hit .375 with 3 HR and 7 RBI in the four games. After their series finished, LF Victor Sharp and C Logan Ice were called up to give the major league regulars a few extra days off down the stretch. The Redbirds also released three veteran players with minor league contracts: MR Jordan Swagerty, C Marcos Villanueva, and LF Max Walla.
The Palm Beach Cardinals won the Florida State League championship 4-1 over the Clearwater Threshers. Several of the better Palm Beach players finished the season in Springfield (AA).
Personnel
Memphis pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd left at the end of their season as expected. There are two outstanding rookie pitching coaches on the market: 48-year-old LaTroy Hawkins and 38-year-old Brandon League. I will have two opening in the organization, and ideally I would hire both of these guys. I want to hire them at the lowest level that they will accept, which is tricky because I can’t offer a job that isn’t open.
Peoria pitching coach Sil Campusano is very highly paid ($450K) for his level. He has two years left on his contract, and I decided to promote him to the open AAA position. This allows me to see if one or both of the candidates would be interested in low-A. In fact, both coaches were interested in the position on a three-year contract. I decided to offer the job to League, because he wanted the higher salary. Jupiter (low-Rookie) will finish their season soon, and Hawkins will be offered the job there.
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