Top News:
Keith Law / ESPN:
Cards' hitters an undisciplined lot … In three games last week at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals lost the first two to the Padres and only won the third because Cla Meredith threw a fastball intended to run in on Albert Pujols out over the plate ... and Pujols hit it into Illinois.
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
It should be a tough day for hitters — Santana faces off against Zito in battle of Cy Young winners — MINNEAPOLIS — For a playoff matchup that was literally thrown together at the eleventh hour, Oakland and Minnesota found a way to super Cy-ize the opener.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Johnson in line for Game 3 — Feels no abnormal stiffness on day after bullpen session — NEW YORK — Yankees left-hander Randy Johnson continues to pass tests in his quest to pitch with a herniated disc in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Notes: Twins mulling final reliever — One of three rookies will make staff as 11th available arm — MINNEAPOLIS — With less than 24 hours before the start of Game 1 of the American League Division Series, the Twins had yet to finalize their playoff roster.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs part ways with Baker — Manager not offered extension following 2006 campaign — CHICAGO — Dusty Baker didn't take any questions on Monday after the Cubs announced they were not renewing his contract. There was nothing left to be said. — Baker is gone after four seasons in Chicago …
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
With Baker out, Cubs likely will select one of five — Although general manager Jim Hendry says his search for a new Cubs manager will be an "extensive process," it appears he has a very short list of candidates to replace Dusty Baker, whose contract wasn't renewed Monday.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:He can manage up storm — Piniella has credentials to thrive …
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Gonzalez likely to replace Girardi — Braves coach Fredi Gonzalez played youth baseball in Little Havana. He likely will return today as Marlins manager. — kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com — ATLANTA - For as long as he can remember, Fredi Gonzalez has been driven by one simple goal: to honor his parents' sacrifice.
Discussion:
The Sports Frog
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins brace for change in leadership — Sources say Braves' Gonzalez could replace Girardi Tuesday — MIAMI — As the Marlins look ahead to 2007, the club is bracing to be under different leadership. — Joe Girardi is expected to be dismissed as manager when he meets with management …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mike Berardino / Chicago Tribune:
Girardi's dismissal looms — Marlins may quickly snap up Gonzalez to fend off other teams — MIAMI — They won't exactly pass each other in the Dolphin Stadium parking lot, but it shouldn't take long for the Marlins to grab the keys from Joe Girardi and hand them to Fredi Gonzalez.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Jackson, Wallace out — Red Sox part ways with pair of coaches — The Red Sox, in the wake of their third-place finish, severed ties with pitching coach Dave Wallace and hitting coach Ron ``Papa Jack" Jackson yesterday, and only two members of Terry Francona's coaching staff …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Mike Shalin / MLB.com:
Notes: Francona faces 'bag day' — Clubhouse nearly empty after Boston's season ends — BOSTON — Manager Terry Francona was talking on Sunday about how "cold" the Red Sox clubhouse is when he comes in to work out during the offseason, the room filled with boxes and other assorted stuff …
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Associated Press:
Giants say goodbye to Alou after 76-85 season — SAN FRANCISCO — Nobody in the Giants' front office is blaming Felipe Alou for San Francisco's failures the past two seasons. Owner Peter Magowan is willing to take the heat for that. — The club cut ties with Alou on Monday …
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals have reason for optimism — Young Kansas City squad improved in second half — KANSAS CITY — With yet another 100-loss season in the books, the Royals' fourth in the last five years, there is no better place to look than ahead. — And that is precisely what general manager Dayton Moore …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals season in review — WASHINGTON — The Nationals' disappointing season can be traced back to Spring Training, in which they went 9-21. They couldn't pitch, catch the ball nor hit in the clutch and it carried over into the season. The Nationals ended up finishing in fifth place …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Mark Polishuk / MLB.com:
Sanchez named NL Rookie of the Month — Florida right-hander went 5-1 with a no-hitter during September — MIAMI — The most memorable month of Anibal Sanchez's brief Major League career became even more noteworthy on Monday, when the Florida Marlins right-hander was named National League Rookie of the Month for September.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Dan Cichalski / MLB.com:
Milledge, two others, left off Mets roster — Rookie outfielder one of three players not included for NLDS — NEW YORK — As part of the only Division Series that will not begin play until Wednesday, the Mets have a little more time to set their 25-man roster for the series against the Dodgers.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Twins-A's: Position analysis — CATCHER EDGE: TWINS — Jason Kendall's batting average and on-base percentage are both more than 50 points higher after the break than before. The Oakland backstop has very little power, but he does get on base, doesn't strike out much and at 32 years old is still more than adequate defensively.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
