Indians pick up options for Francona, Santana; Lovullo to manage Diamondbacks

Two days later, the pain has diminished — a little. The cruel sting of losing Game 7 hasn’t completely left the Cleveland Indians.

“We all want to hoist that World Series trophy,” team President Chris Antonetti said Friday, “so it hurt when we lost.”

At the same time the Chicago Cubs were parading down Michigan Avenue after winning their first title in 108 years, the Indians — who pushed the NL champions into extra innings in an unforgettable season finale before losing 8-7 — took the first steps toward getting back to the Series in 2017.

For Antonetti, who has been with the club for 18 years, there is some comfort in what the Indians did this season. But he’ll never be satisfied completely until Cleveland’s title quest is finished.

“We went to Game 7 of the World Series, that in and of itself is an accomplishment,” he said. “Not the ultimate one we’re striving for, but still a great organizational accomplishment.”

With deadlines approaching and no time for pity, the Indians jumped right into the offseason by locking up Manager Terry Francona through 2020.

The club exercised its contract options for 2019 and 2020 on the 57-year-old manager, who did a remarkable job in steering the Indians around numerous obstacles to get them to their first Series since 1997.

Cleveland overcame key injuries, suspensions and questions about their legitimacy as title contenders under Francona, who in his fourth season got the Indians within one win of their first title since 1948.

“He did a masterful job,” Antonetti said. “The way in which Tito is constantly thinking about how to place individual players in a position to be successful, to most impact the team, is always extraordinary. He does that first and foremost by building really deep relationships with guys, where they know he cares and he has their best interest in mind, and he’s always going to find a way for them to be the best versions of themselves.

“He’s done that from the day he got here. As high as our expectations were for Tito when we hired him, he’s gone beyond that. We’re really fortunate to have him.”

Along with rewarding Francona, the Indians exercised their $12-million option on slugger Carlos Santana for next season. The move was expected after Santana belted 34 homers while splitting time at first base and designated hitter.

Antonetti also said the club has expressed to first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Rajai Davis that they would like to re-sign the potential free agents. The team has until Monday to make qualifying offers to both. Napoli’s is worth $17.2 million.

Arizona has a new manager

Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo has been hired as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and will be introduced at a news conference on Monday.

Lovullo, whose hiring was announced Friday, had been considered a leading candidate for the job after Mike Hazen, the Red Sox’s assistant general manager, was hired as Diamondbacks general manager.

Lovullo replaces Chip Hale, who was fired after two seasons. Hazen took over from Dave Stewart, who also was dismissed after two years.

Etc.

The Astros have exercised catcher/designated hitter Evan Gattis’ $5.2-million option for 2017. Gattis, who hit .251 with a career-high and team-leading 32 homers with 72 RBIs, gets a raise of $2 million. … The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired right-handed reliever Pat Neshek from Houston for a player to be named later or cash. Neshek was 2-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 60 relief appearances with Houston. The Phillies also announced Friday they exercised Neshek’s club option for $6.5 million in 2017. …

The Royals exercised club options on All-Star closer Wade Davis and shortstop Alcides Escobar on Friday, while designated hitter Kendrys Morales and starter Edinson Volquez declined their mutual options. Davis will make $10 million next season and Escobar will earn $6.5 million. The Royals also declined their mutual option on pitcher Kris Medlen. …

John Orsino, one of the San Francisco players who hit a record-tying five home runs in a 12-run ninth inning in a 1961 game at Cincinnati, has died. He was 78. Orsino, who played for seven seasons in the majors, died Tuesday at Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., following a lengthy illness, according to his wife, Honey.