New York • The Yankees made their first big moves to reshape for 2015, agreeing Friday to a $36 million, four-year contract with reliever Andrew Miller and obtaining shortstop Didi Gregorius from Arizona as part of a three-team trade that sent right-hander Shane Greene to Detroit.
Miller's acquisition gives the Yankees a bit of insurance in case they don't re-sign closer David Robertson, who is a free agent.
"I can't predict yet as his free agency continues where he's going to land," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "I certainly would not allude to the level of our participation. We've been in touch with his agency, and I'll just leave it at that."
A 29-year-old left-hander, Miller held opponents to a .153 average this year while going 5-5 with a 2.02 ERA for Boston and Baltimore. He joins a bullpen that includes hard-throwing right-hander Dellin Betances, who finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Gregorius, a 24-year-old left-handed hitter, becomes the favorite to take over at shortstop following the retirement of Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Gregorious hit his first big-league homer at Yankee Stadium in April 2013 but lost the starting shortstop job to Chris Owings during spring training this year and was sent to the minors.
He was recalled when Cliff Pennington tore a thumb ligament and became the regular shortstop when Owings injured a shoulder. Gregorius batted .226 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 80 games this year but hit .137 (7 for 51) against left-handers.
Rays hire newcomer Cash as manager
The Tampa Bay Rays tabbed former Cleveland Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash as Joe Maddon's replacement on Friday, selecting him over ex-Seattle Mariners manager and current Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu.
The Tampa native who turns 37 on Saturday has no previous managerial experience, yet the Rays are confident he has what it takes to be successful.
Dempster retires, joins Cubs front office
Former pitcher Ryan Dempster is retiring with the Chicago Cubs and joining their front office.
The Cubs announced the move on Friday.
Dempster, who played 16 years in the majors, will serve as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer. He will spend time with the Cubs in spring training, visit their minor league affiliates during the season, evaluate amateur players leading up to the draft and perform professional scouting assignments.
Dempster, an All-Star with the Miami Marlins and Cubs, played in Chicago from 2004 to 2012. He also won a World Series with Boston in 2013.
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2014, file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius (1) gets the force out against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Phoenix. The New York Yankees have made their first big moves to reshape for 2015, agreeing to a $36 million, four-year contract with reliever Andrew Miller and obtaining Gregorius from Arizona as part of a three-team trade that sent right-hander Shane Greene to Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Andrew Miller #30 of the Boston Red Sox poses during Photo Day on Sunday, February 23, 2013 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Miller
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