Royals deal Cabrera to Giants for Sanchez

The Royals traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Giants for lefthander Jonathan Sanchez yesterday, clearing the way for top prospect Lorenzo Cain to get a chance in centerfield.

The Royals also received Double-A pitcher Ryan Verdugo in the deal.

Cabrera, a former Yankee, batted .305 with 18 homers and 87 RBIs last season.

Sanchez, was 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA in 2010, but he struggled this past season, going 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA before missing the final month with a left ankle sprain.

It was the second significant trade involving a starter this offseason. The Braves dealt Derek Lowe to the Indians last week.

Twins fire GMThe Twins fired general manager Bill Smith and returned Terry Ryan to the role on an interim basis. Smith was Ryan's top assistant when he stepped down four years ago, citing burnout.

Rangers probing leak

The Rangers are investigating who leaked an audio recording of the profanity-laced clubhouse speech manager Ron Washington gave to his players before Game 7 of the World Series.

The joesportsfan.com website posted the six-minute recording and said it was made by a member of the clubhouse staff it did not identify.

Maddux passing on Bosox

Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux has withdrawn from consideration for the manager's job with the Red Sox. -- AP