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MLB notes: Dodgers hire ex-Tampa Bay GM Freidman

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have hired Andrew Friedman for the new position of president of baseball operations, while current general manger Ned Colletti will stay on as a senior adviser to team president and CEO Stan Kasten.

Friedman comes from the Tampa Bay Rays, where he was executive vice president of baseball operations for nine years after being hired at age 28.

Kasten called Friedman “one of the youngest and brightest minds in the game today.” Now 37, Friedman guided the Rays to four postseason appearances, including two division titles in 2009 and 2010 while overseeing one of the major leagues’ lowest payrolls.

In joining the Dodgers, Friedman will have baseball’s highest payroll of $256 million at his disposal.

Colletti spent nine years as GM of the Dodgers. The team reached the postseason five times and won four division titles, but had early playoff exits the last two years.

Tampa Bay announced team president Matt Silverman will replace Friedman.

Rangers name finalists

Bench coach Tim Bogar, the Rangers’ interim manager for the final 22 games after Ron Washington’s sudden resignation, is among three finalists for the Texas manager’s job.

Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister and Cleveland Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash are the other finalists announced.

Texas general manager Jon Daniels said at the end of the regular season he hoped to have the search completed before the World Series opens Oct. 21.

Vargas, Gonzalez start

The Royals are sticking with left-hander Jason Vargas and the Orioles with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez for Game 4 of their A.L. Championship Series today.

Rain on Monday night pushed each game in Kansas City back one day, creating a dilemma for Royals manager Ned Yost and Baltimore counterpart Buck Showalter.

Game 1 starters James Shields of the Royals and Chris Tillman of the Orioles would be on regular rest if they pitched on Wednesday.

Instead, the two managers decided to stick with their original Game 4 plans.

Vargas will be pitching for the first time since the Royals beat the Angels in the A.L. Division Series on Oct. 2, while Gonzalez will start for Baltimore for the first time since Sept. 28, his final outing of the regular season.