Morning Marquee: Cubs’ Rick Renteria breaks silence; Twins Buxton hurt in AFL game

The silence of the Joe Maddon Saga was broken yesterday by the unlikeliest of parties, Rick Renteria. The Chicago Cubs as a whole have been very silent since Maddon became available, a much different than the approach most teams have taken. Renteria made a statement through his agent that he is committed to finishing the job he was hired to do over a year ago, to help the Cubs win a championship.

It was also reported that Theo Epstein may have traveled to Florida this weekend to meet with Maddon. For Renteria, he is helpless with anything that happens from here on out.

Minnesota Twins’ top prospect Byron Buxton was injured in an AFL game Monday, dislocating the middle finger on his right hand. He played in only 31 games this season. Injuries to himself, as well as the Twins other prospect Miguel Sano have slowed down the rebuilding process in Minnesota. Buxton is the top rated prospect overall by MLBPipeline.com.

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The Atlanta Braves hired Kevin Seitzer as their new hitting coach, leaving the same position he held with the Toronto Blue Jays. Seitzer has held the same title with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals. Seitzer’s playing career spanned 12 seasons, and he carried a .295 career average. In 1987 with the Royals, he was runner-up for the AL rookie of the Year Award (Mark McGwire).

The St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak and manager Mike Matheny flew to the Dominican Republic to meet with the grieving family of Oscar Taveras. Taveras would have been beginning his off-season program in less than a week to compete for a starting job in the Cards outfield.

Here’s the headlines from yesterday:

‘Rumors aside, Renteria still focused on the Cubs’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs’ Theo Epstein reportedly met with Joe Maddon recently’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Minnesota Twins top prospect Byron Buxton hurt…Again’ – Puckett’s Pond

‘Kevin Seitzer named Atlanta Braves hitting coach’ – Call to the Pen

‘Shocked Cards travel to visit Taveras’ family’ – MLB.com