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The contract isn't signed yet but it's pretty much official now. Hunsicker will be joining the Rays in an advisory role to GM (in status if not in name) Andrew Friedman and helping smooth out the rough edges of a young and inexperienced staff taking over a front office.

I'm ecstatic about this, not only was Hunsicker a good GM but he's the perfect guy for what the Rays need him to do, instant credibility for the new regime and familiarity with the agents and other front offices.

Also happening with the Rays, stat-friendly Joe Maddon (currently the Angels bench coach) is one of the three finalists for the manager's job along with 2003-05 bench coach John McLaren and Bobby Valentine, who is probably headed for LA. I'm really hoping for Maddon to get the job.

Crazy as it is, one of the strongest bastions of old-schoolness in MLB is going Saber.