The Indians promoted Travis Fryman to minor league field coordinator to work with infield prospects such as Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- News, notes and quotes from the winter meetings at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin resort.
-The Indians are said to be interested in free agent outfielder Jeff Francoeur. The right-handed hitter played for the Mets and Texas last season. He helped the Rangers reach the World Series as a late-season pickup.
Kansas City and Philadelphia are among the other teams interested.
Francoeur, 26, a combined .249 (113-for-454) with 13 homers and 65 RBI. He had a .300 on base percentage and slugged .383.
Manager Charlie Manuel isn't quite sure how the Phillies will replace Jayson Werth. He does know he needs help in the bullpen.
-Great quote from Pat Gillick, the long-time general manager who was elected to the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee Monday, "The job of a general manager is not to select the players, but select the people who select the players."
Marvin Miller, who founded the players association, missed election by one vote.
"If I was a betting man, I'd say one of these days he's going to make it," said Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, who was on the committee.
Gillick was general manager in Toronto, Baltimore, Seattle and Philadelphia.
"He's had a great career," said Manuel, who managed under Gillick. "No one is more passionate about baseball than Pat Gillick."
-Indians promoted Travis Fryman to minor league field coordinator after three years of managing at Class A Mahoning Valley.
Said Ross Atkins, director of player personnel, about the former Gold Glove third baseman, "Travis has demonstrated incredible leadership and organizational skills within our player development department. Along with his Cleveland Indians experience and passion for infield play, he is the ideal candidate for us in an area that we feel we can improve upon. We are excited about the impact Travis will undoubtedly have on our very strong group of infield prospects."
Among those prospects are Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps.
-Chien-Ming Wang, former 19-game winner with the Yankees who has not pitched in the big leagues in 17 months, is looking for a big-league deal. Indians were interested last winter.
They could be interested again if Wang would settle for a minor league deal.
-Boston and San Diego completed the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Gonzalez goes to Boston for prospects Reymond Fuentes, Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and a player to be named. The deal almost didn't happen because Boston wanted to sign Gonzalez to an extension.
Apparently, that hurdle was cleared.