Duncan to manage Yankees’ AAA team
MOOSIC, Pa. — Former Yankee Shelley Duncan was hired Friday to manage New York’s top farm team, the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Duncan won the International League MVP award with Scranton in 2009.
The 43-year-old Duncan was drafted by the Yankees in 2001 and hit .231 with 43 homers and 144 RBIs in the majors for New York (200709), Cleveland (2010-12) and
Tampa Bay.
He replaces Doug Davis, Scranton’s manager for the past three seasons.
Duncan managed Arizona’s short-season Class A Hillsboro affiliate in 2015 and ’17, High A Visalia in 2016 and Double-A Jackson in 2019. He became Toronto’s major league field coordinator in 2019 and spent the past two seasons as analytics coordinator with the Chicago White Sox.
Braves: Atlanta added another potential contender for playing time in left field by signing Kevin Pillar to a minor league contract. Pillar confirmed the deal Friday, tweeting that he was “beyond excited” to be joining the Braves. He would reportedly make $3 million if he cracks the big league roster. Pillar played for the New York Mets in 2021, when he was involved in a frightening incident against the Braves. A fastball from Jacob Webb struck Pillar in the face, leaving him with multiple fractures. He still played in 124 games, batting .231 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs.
Cubs: Trey Mancini and Chicago finalized a $14 million, two-year contract. He gets $7 million in each of the next two seasons and has a conditional right to opt out after this season if he has at least 350 plate appearances. His 2024 salary can escalate up to $11 million based on plate appearances for 2023. He can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses this year: $250,000 each for 350 and 400 plate appearances. Mancini can earn $2.5 million in performance bonuses for 2024: $500,000 apiece for 500 and each additional 50 through 600.
Marlins: Right-hander Johnny Cueto’s contract with Miami allows him to earn up to $17.5 million over two seasons. The 36-year-old is guaranteed $8.5 million as part of the deal finalized Thursday. The agreement calls for a $6 million salary in 2023 and includes a $10.5 million team option for 2024 with a $2.5 million buyout. Cueto can earn up to $250,000 in each season in performance bonuses.
Diamondbacks: Ronnie Gajownik has been hired as manager of the Hillsboro Hops, becoming the first woman to manage a minor league Class High-A team, Arizona announced late Friday.
Obituary: Sal Bando, a three-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics and former Milwaukee Brewers executive, has died. He was 78. According to a statement from his family, Bando lost a battle with cancer that began more than five years ago.