Reds-Cubs swap
The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-handed reliever Sean Marshall from the Chicago Cubs on Friday for young lefty starter Travis Wood and two other players. It was the second time in a week that the Reds gave up several prospects for pitching help. They earlier sent four players, including Edinson Volquez, to San Diego for starter Mat Latos. The 29-year-old, 6-foot-7 Marshall was 6-6 with a 2.26 ERA last season. He had five saves. The Reds have been in talks to try to re-sign closer Francisco Cordero, who became a free agent after last season.
"Sean has been one of the best and most durable relievers in baseball the last couple of seasons," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement. The 24-year-old Wood made 35 starts for the Reds over two seasons. He finished 6-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 2011, with a stint in Triple-A after struggling early in the year.
A’s-Nats deal done
The Athletics and Nationals completed a six-player trade that sends All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez from Oakland to Washington. The deal was announced after the players involved passed physicals. On Thursday, Gonzalez said in a phone interview that the trade was just about done.
The Nationals get Gonzalez and minor league right-hander Robert Gilliam in exchange for four players, including three top prospects: catcher Derek Norris, right-handers A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, and left-hander Tommy Milone. The 26-year-old Gonzalez went 16-12 last season — a career high for wins — with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to his first All-Star Game. He has reached 200 innings the past two seasons.
Bosox name coaches
The Boston Red Sox hired Bob McClure as pitching coach and moved Tim Bogar to bench coach. The Red Sox said Alex Ochoa will be the first base coach on manager Bobby Valentine’s staff and Jerry Royster will be the third base coach. Bogar and Ochoa both played under Valentine with the Mets.