The Dodgers extended a $15.3 million qualifying offer to free-agent shortstop Hanley Ramirez on Monday. By extending the offer, the Dodgers are assured of receiving a supplemental Draft pick if Ramirez signs with another club. Ramirez can accept the offer by Nov. 10 and be a signed Dodger for 2015, or can decline and remain a free agent.

The Cubs ushered in a new era of optimism with confidence and flair on Monday, introducing Joe Maddon as the franchise’s 54th manager.

The Rays exercised their 2015 club option on Joel Peralta on Monday. The veteran right-hander will make $2.5 million next season.

Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Monday exercised his part of the mutual option in his contract for the 2015 season, solidifying his place with the club for next year.

As he prepared for his 22nd and final postseason as the sport’s chief, Commissioner Bud Selig revisited his great reign and looked ahead to the rest of his life.

Theo Epstein interviewed Joe Maddon, then a bench coach with the Angels, for the Red Sox’s managerial opening back in 2003. Epstein instead picked Terry Francona, who the next season guided Boston to its first World Series championship since 1918. Maddon will be presented today as the Cubs’ 54th manager. And Epstein, now Chicago’s president of baseball operations, will be the one to introduce him.

The Twins are expected to name Paul Molitor as their next manager today, according to a Major League source. The team has not made an announcement and is reportedly working on finalizing Molitor’s contract.

Joe Maddon’s agent said accusations that the Cubs are guilty of tampering are “insulting” and credited Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein for doing due diligence in making certain Maddon had exercised the opt-out clause in his contract before contacting him.

With the unmatched parity of today’s game, teams are rewarded for more than just spending money. Scouting and player development are critical. Free agency is important, too, but not just in going for the big-ticket guys who get most of the headlines.

Now that the celebration has subsided, the freshly crowned World Series-champion Giants must address numerous personnel issues that could determine whether they remain competitive next season.

Yoan Moncada, 19, a switch-hitting infielder from Cienfuegos, Cuba, has established residency in Guatemala and is petitioning for free agency with Major League Baseball, according to an industry source. He has a showcase tentatively scheduled for Nov. 12 in Guatemala.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was named as one of three finalists for the American League’s Outstanding Player for the Players Choice Awards, which have been chosen by Major League players since 1992.

Paul Molitor will be another rookie big league manager when he assumes his post in the Twins’ dugout next year. But his pedigree is still unmatched for this line of work with this particular franchise.

The Braves have informed right-hander Ervin Santana he will receive a qualifying offer, according to a source familiar with the situation. Santana is expected to reject the one-year, $15.3 million offer, which would give Atlanta a 2015 compensatory Draft pick if Santana signs with another team.

Yankees prospect Greg Bird tops the AFL in home runs and RBIs, which made him a pretty good choice to start at first base and bat cleanup for the East squad in the Fall Stars Game. The move seemed even smarter when Bird hit a monster home run to lead off the second inning en route to claiming the game’s MVP Award.

The Arizona Fall League’s most dangerous hitter this season continued to pound pitchers in the prospect circuit’s Fall Stars Game at Salt River Fields on Saturday evening. Yankees first baseman Greg Bird opened the scoring with the longest home run in the game’s nine-year history, triggering a four-run second inning that held up for a 6-2 Eastern Division victory.

The Rockies have declined the 2015 option on left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson, who flashed his ability when healthy but made just eight starts because of injuries.