Major League Notebook: Johnson will manage U.S. team

Davey Johnson attends a World Baseball Classic news conference at the Baseball Winter Meeting in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Associated Press

The baseball notebook ...

LAS VEGAS — Davey Johnson will get another chance to manage the United States.

Johnson guided the U.S. team to a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. He has been picked to manage at the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Johnson was a coach for the United States on the 2006 WBC team that failed to reach the semifinals.

Johnson already has one roster spot set. It was also announced that New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will play for the U.S. team — and USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler didn't hesitate in naming Jeter the starter.

The 65-year-old Johnson spent 14 seasons as a big league manager, highlighted by his 1986 World Series win with the New York Mets.

KUBEK AWARDED

LAS VEGAS — Tony Kubek, an All-Star shortstop who became a fixture on NBC's "Game of the Week" telecasts for more than two decades, was honored with the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award on Tuesday.

The award is presented annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting. The 73-year-old Kubek will be honored July 26 during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y.

After retiring following a nine-year playing career, Kubek worked for NBC, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Yankees for 30 years. He was at the microphone for 11 World Series, 14 AL championship series and 10 All-Star games, and was the color commentator for the final NBC "Game of the Week" telecast on Sept. 30, 1989.

TIGERS-RANGERS TRADE

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers traded catcher Gerald Laird to the Detroit Tigers for right-handed pitching prospects Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo

Laird hit .276 with six home runs and 41 RBIs in 95 games for the Rangers this season. The Tigers traded starting catcher Ivan Rodriguez to the New York Yankees in July.

PIRATES-PHILLIES TRADE

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired catcher Ronny Paulino from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor-league catcher Jason Jaramillo. Paulino hit .212 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 40 games.

ORIOLES-REDS TRADE

LAS VEGAS — The Cincinnati Reds plugged a hole behind the plate, acquiring Ramon Hernandez from the Baltimore Orioles for frustrated utilityman Ryan Freel and two minor leaguers Tuesday.

The rebuilding Orioles also receive infield prospects Justin Turner and Brandon Waring. As part of the deal, Baltimore will give Cincinnati cash to offset part of Hernandez's contract. He is owed $8.5 million next year.

WOOD TO INDIANS

LAS VEGAS — Kerry Wood was in Cleveland on Wednesday night to take the physical needed before he can finalize a two-year deal with the Indians worth about $20 million.

Wood had 34 saves last season for Chicago Cubs, then became a free agent. The 30-year-old right-hander has had a long history of injuries and moved from Chicago's starting rotation to the bullpen in 2007.