MLB NOTEBOOK

Baines shocked by Hall of Fame vote

Harold Baines is aware many fans are questioning whether his credentials are Hall of Fame worthy. He’s not sweating. “Well, they can’t take it away from me now, even if they don’t think I should be there,” he said.

A day after being elected to Cooperstown by a Hallpicked panel of 16, the six-time All-Star was at the winter meetings Monday for a news conference with newly chosen Lee Smith.

“I wasn’t out there beating my chest and campaigning for this,” Baines said. “I’m very honored and humbled.”

Shortly after being chosen, Baines said he certainly wasn’t anticipating this honor.

“Very shocked,” he admitted.

So were many others around the baseball world. Baines never drew more than 6.1 percent in five elections by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, far from the 75 percent required.

The vote by the Today’s Game Era Committee was sure to spark renewed cries of cronyism at Cooperstown. Especially because the 16-member panel appointed by the Hall board included longtime Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

Royals to sign outfielder Billy Hamilton

The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy

Hamilton have agreed to a $5.25 million contract for next season that includes up to $1 million in incentives, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.

The Royals hope spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds.

The 28-year-old Hamilton made his big league debut in 2013, then proceeded to have four consecutive seasons in which he stole at least 50 bases. That number dipped to 34 last season, when the switch-hitting Hamilton hit .236 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Reds’ everyday center fielder.

Kapler to be more publicly critical of players

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler intends to be more publicly critical of his players in his second season following his team’s late fade.

Philadelphia led the NL East in early August, then went 16-33 and wound up with its sixth straight losing record at 80-82.

“One thing that I can do immediately that I think will really resonate well with our fans in Philadelphia is ... as much as I illuminate some of the things we’re doing very well, I can be a little more assertive in illuminating the things that we need to work on,” he said Monday.