The new version of the Big Red Machine plays some pretty slick defense, too.

Cincinnati third baseman Scott Rolen won his eighth Gold Glove on Wednesday, one of three Reds players to be honored following the team’s first playoff appearance in 15 years. Second baseman Brandon Phillips and pitcher Bronson Arroyo also were among the National League recipients announced by Rawlings.

It’s the first time Cincinnati has had more than one winner in a season since the days of the Big Red Machine, when catcher Johnny Bench, second baseman Joe Morgan, shortstop Dave Concepcion and center fielder Cesar Geronimo won four straight years from 1974-77.

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina and Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino each garnered their third Gold Glove in a row. Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez joined Arroyo as first-time winners.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols won for the second time (2006), and speedy Houston center fielder Michael Bourn was a repeat winner.

Baseball

A’s get DeJesus from K.C.

Oakland, Calif. — David DeJesus has been on the Oakland Athletics’ radar for a while now. They like his near-perfect defense, base-running and consistent bat. The A’s acquired the outfielder from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday for right-hander Vin Mazzaro and minor-league lefty Justin Marks.

Ex-White Sox exec indicted

Chicago — A former Chicago White Sox scouting executive was indicted on federal fraud charges Wednesday for allegedly accepting kickbacks from signing bonuses and contract buyouts, targeting players from impoverished parts of Latin America hungry to play in the U.S.

David Wilder and two former scouts for the team in Latin America are accused of accepting about $400,000 to secure 23 prospects between 2004 and 2008, according to the indictment released by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago.

Francoeur a free agent

Arlington, Texas — Jeff Francoeur has become a free agent after refusing a minor-league assignment from the Texas Rangers and clearing waivers. Francoeur hit .340 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 15 games for the American League champions after being acquired from the New York Mets for infielder Joaquin Arias on Aug. 31.

Yankees courting Lee

New York — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has traveled to Arkansas to meet with free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee.

Cashman was invited Tuesday by Lee’s agent, Darek Brauneker, to meet with the 32-year-old left-hander and his wife, a person familiar with the arrangements told the Associated Press on Wednesday.

Courts

Dozen Title IX complaints filed

New York — The National Women’s Law Center filed complaints against 12 school districts Wednesday alleging they failed to offer equal opportunities for female athletes.

NWLC officials said they believe data from 2006 indicates the districts violated Title IX, the federal law prohibiting gender discrimination in federally funded education programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate the complaints.

The school districts are Chicago; Clark County, Nev.; Columbus, Ohio; Deer Valley, Ariz.; Henry County, Ga.; Houston; Irvine, Calif.; New York City; Oldham County, Ky.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Wake County, N.C.; and Worcester, Mass.

Colleges

Source: WAC to add 3 schools

The Western Athletic Conference is expected to announce today the addition of the University of Texas-San Antonio and Texas State University, along with the University of Denver as a non-football member.

A person familiar with the decisions, speaking on condition of anonymity because final approval of the additions were still being worked out, told the Associated Press on Wednesday night that the three schools will become members of the WAC in 2012.

Texas regents OK sports network

Austin, Texas — University of Texas regents on Wednesday gave their blessing to the school’s pursuit of a so-called Longhorn network of cable TV sports programming.

NHL

All-Star game gets makeover

Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin might get the thrill of being picked No. 1 all over again.

No, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals aren’t losing their superstar captains, but Crosby or Ovechkin could be selected first when the NHL All-Star game gets a makeover unlike any other.

The NHL announced Wednesday it is switching from the conference-vs.-conference format it has used for years to a player draft conducted by the All-Stars, in which captains selected by the players will determine the teams.