Cincinnati hires Krivsky as next GM

CINCINNATI -- Minnesota's Wayne Krivsky overwhelmed the Cincinnati Reds' new owner during an interview Wednesday, then got the job as their next general manager.

Krivsky's hiring ended a two-week search that involved eight candidates and ultimately came down to two -- him and Reds special adviser Jim Beattie. Krivsky's second interview went so well that owner Bob Castellini didn't need any more time to think it over.

"He was totally prepared," Castellini said. "He blew us away."

Krivsky was a leading candidate for the Reds' job two years ago, but former owner Carl Lindner chose Dan O'Brien, who had worked for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. O'Brien was fired last month by Castellini, who wanted to bring in his own executive to run the baseball operation.

"We connected," Krivsky said. "Very compatible. Very similar ideas on how you run a quality organization."

Krivsky, 51, comes from a small-market team that knows how to win. The Twins won three straight AL Central titles from 2002 to 2004 with comparable payrolls.

Brown wins arbitration

Emil Brown defeated the Kansas City Royals in salary arbitration Thursday and will get his request for $1,775,000 rather than the team's offer of $1.4 million.

Brown set career highs last season by hitting .286 with 31 doubles, 17 homers and 86 RBIs for the Royals, who had the worst record in the major leagues at 56-106. He made $355,000 and became eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Wrigley to add seats

A $13.5 million bleacher expansion project at venerable Wrigley Field is on schedule to be completed by opening day and will add about 1,800 seats to the second oldest ball park in the major leagues.