Wednesday Sports Briefs

Choo to Reds, Bauer to Indians in 3-team trade

Shin-Soo Choo didn't want to be part of the Indians' future. So they're moving on without him. Cleveland traded the talented outfielder to the Cincinnati Reds and acquired prized pitching prospect Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night in a three-team deal involving nine players. The Indians obtained center fielder Drew Stubbs from Cincinnati and received Bauer, the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft, along with right-handers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from the Diamondbacks. ''This is a trade that can impact our team not only for 2013, but for the future,'' Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. ''Three of the players we acquired we will have under control for at least the next three seasons.'' Cleveland shipped Choo, infielder Jason Donald and about $3.5 million to the Reds, while sending left-handed reliever Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson to Arizona. The Diamondbacks also received shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius from Cincinnati.

Texas Tech hires 33-year-old Kingsbury as coach

Texas Tech hired one of its own Wednesday, bringing back former Red Raiders quarterback Kliff Kingsbury to become the head coach. Kingsbury was offered the job in the afternoon and Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt announced the news with a video posted on Twitter not long after. ''Wreck 'em Tech,'' Kingsbury said in the video, giving the school's Guns Up sign when the camera panned to him. Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, coaching Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, this year and was the first in a string of record-setting quarterbacks for the Red Raiders under former coach Mike Leach. He has never been a head coach and at 33, he'll be one of the youngest in major college football. Not long after Kingsbury was hired former Texas Tech receiver Danny Amendola, now with the Los Angeles Rams, tweeted: ''We jus got our swagger back. Wreck em TECH. Lets ride.'' Hocutt was set to fly back to Austin with Kingsbury, athletic department spokesman Blayne Beal said. Kingsbury succeeds Tommy Tuberville, who left unexpectedly last week to take the Cincinnati job. Red Raiders fans never warmed to Tuberville. Texas Tech still emphasized the passing game and the spread offense under Tuberville, but many Tech fans had a hard time getting past the firing of the popular Leach.

Alabama QB McCarron to return for senior year

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, who has led the Crimson Tide to its second straight national title game, said he will return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft. McCarron made the announcement in a statement released by the school on Wednesday. ''I had many goals for myself when I came to the University of Alabama,'' the junior said. ''I have been lucky enough to achieve some of those goals, but some are still ahead of me. There were many factors in my decision to return to Alabama for my senior year but, after talking with my family and coaches, I knew it was the right choice for me. ''I love the University of Alabama, my coaches, my teammates and our fans. I am excited to have the opportunity to play with my brother (sophomore tight end Corey McCarron), continue to grow as a leader, continue to help our team win football games and develop even further as a quarterback. The NFL has long been a dream, but I think another year at Alabama can only help my chances of being successful at the next level.'' McCarron leads the nation in passing efficiency headed into the BCS championship game against Notre Dame on Jan. 7 in Miami, and he was MVP of the BCS championship game against LSU last season. He is 24-2 as a starter. McCarron has thrown for 2,669 yards and a school-record 26 touchdown passes against just three interceptions this season. His 45 career TD passes is second in Alabama history.

Dodgers acquire Schumaker in trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made another move in a busy offseason, getting utility player Skip Schumaker from St. Louis in a trade for minor-league shortstop Jake Lemmerman. The deal will become final when Schumaker passes a physical, the Los Angeles Times reported. Schumaker, 32, had spent his entire eight-year career in the major leagues with the Cardinals. The .288 career hitter has experience playing second base and in the outfield. It's likely the Dodgers will use Schumaker as a fourth outfielder next season. New Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire worked with Schumaker in St. Louis and, according to reports, may have recommended him to management. Lemmerman, 23, spent this past season with double-A Chattanooga and hit .233 with seven home runs and 46 RBI. 

Cubs claim RHP Rosario off waivers from Boston

The Chicago Cubs have claimed right-handed pitcher Sandy Rosario off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. The team announced the move on Wednesday. Rosario has played in parts of three seasons with the Miami Marlins, allowing 13 earned runs in 7 2-3 innings over 10 relief appearances. Rosario was claimed off waivers by Boston from the Marlins in October and got traded to Oakland last month. The Red Sox acquired him again off waivers from Oakland on Monday.