Paul Molitor is hired as Minnesota Twins manager

The last time Paul Molitor was up for consideration for the Minnesota Twins managing job, the Hall of Fame infielder removed his name from consideration because the franchise’s future was being considered for contraction.

The team isn’t on the chopping block this time, but after four consecutive seasons of at least 92 losses, turning things around appears almost as daunting. This time around, Molitor is embracing the challenge.

Molitor, 58, was hired Monday as Twins manager and will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday. He got a three-year deal to replace Ron Gardenhire, who was fired five weeks ago.

“It’s pretty exciting. I’m a huge Molitor fan,” second baseman Brian Dozier said. “He’s a bright individual, with a better IQ in the game of baseball than anyone I’ve ever been around. He’s just an exceptional man.”

It is the first managing job for Molitor, who has the 10th-most hits in major league history. He spent 2014 as a coach on Gardenhire’s staff. For 10 seasons before that, he was a minor league instructor in the organization, a noted influence on many young players. Molitor was an initial candidate for the job that last opened in 2001, when Tom Kelly retired and Gardenhire was chosen.

The uncertainty was too much for Molitor as Major League Baseball sought and failed to eliminate two teams. With a strong farm system full of prospects with whom Molitor has worked, he’s ready to take the reins.

His Hall of Fame and 3,000-hit club credentials and reputation of valuable work with Twins prospects in his role as a roving tutor specializing in baserunning and infield play were strengths.

“I’ll tell you this much, there won’t be a team anywhere in the league with a better leader,” Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe tweeted.

Molitor, who was born in St. Paul, Minn., and played three years at the University of Minnesota, made his reputation with the Milwaukee Brewers and won a World Series title with the Toronto Blue Jays, but he finished a stellar 21-year career with the Twins from 1996 to 1998.

Several players receive qualifying offers

The Detroit Tigers made $15.3-million qualifying offers to right-hander Max Scherzer and slugger Victor Martinez, and the Baltimore Orioles did the same with outfielder and American League home run champion Nelson Cruz.

Others receiving qualifying offers from American League teams were Kansas City Royals right-hander James Shields, New York Yankees right-hander David Robertson and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera.

In the National League, players receiving offers were San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, Atlanta Braves right-hander Ervin Santana, Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer, and Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin and left-hander Francisco Liriano.

An offer could be made only to a free agent who was with the team for the entire season. Players have until Nov. 10 to accept.

Astros claim pitcher Will Harris from Diamondbacks

The Houston Astros claimed right-hander Will Harris off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Harris, 30, set a Diamondbacks record by capping the season with 16 consecutive scoreless appearances. He had a 4.34 earned-run average with 35 strikeouts in 29 outings.

Cardinals hire David Bell as bench coach

The St. Louis Cardinals signed David Bell to a two-year contract as bench coach to replace Mike Aldrete, who left last week for the same role with Oakland.

Bell, 42, was assistant hitting coach last year. He played in the majors for 12 years with six teams, including the Cardinals.