MLB: Tigers' Cabrera cashing in on Triple Crown
Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera will profit greatly from his Triple Crown season.
The third baseman signed a deal with autograph memorabilia firm Detroit City Sports to inscribe baseballs with the words "Triple Crown 2012," according to an ESPN.com report.
The signed balls have been listed at an introductory price of $275, but Detroit City Sports owner Steve Graus says the cost will rise north of $350 by Monday.
"We think it's a reasonable price based on the caliber of player that he is," Graus told ESPN. "I mean, this is the Triple Crown."
In addition to the ball, Cabrera will also sign 8-by-10 inch and 16-by-20 photos of him tipping his cap Wednesday night after pulling off the achievement for the first time since 1967.
---Los Angeles Angels catcher Chris Iannetta agreed to a $15.55 million, three-year contract with the team that keeps him in Los Angeles.
Iannetta will earn $5.05 million for 2013, $4.98 in 2014 and $5.53 in 2015. He can also earn performance bonuses based on starts at catcher.
Iannetta, 29, batted .240 with nine homers and 26 RBIs in 79 games, though he missed 2 1/2 months with a broken right wrist.
---Terry Francona spent Friday in Cleveland interviewing for the Indians' vacant managerial job.
Francona formally met with members of the team's front office and scouting and player development departments at Progressive Field, according to MLB.com.
Sandy Alomar Jr. interviewed with the club Thursday.
"Just looking at Terry, he's obviously had a lot of success," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Thursday. "He's won two world championships. He's also had success in developing players."
Francona and Antonelli were not immediately available for comment Friday.
Francona and Alomar are the only publicly-announced candidates so far. The Indians fired Manny Acta on Sept. 27 and Alomar finished the season as the interim manager. Cleveland may name a manager as early as Monday or Tuesday.
Because the playoffs have started, the team must coordinate making an announcement with Major League Baseball's Commissioner's Office if it makes the hire before the World Series ends.
Francona, 53, won World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. He was fired last year. He also managed the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000) and worked in the Indians front office in 2001. He is currently an analyst with ESPN.
"It was great to hear that he was interested," Antonetti said of Francona on Thursday. "I think he's excited to get back on the field."
Antonelli denied that economics would play a factor in the hire, considering Francona would likely seek a high salary.
