Top News:
Gene Wojciechowski / ESPN:
Yankees' 'sad failure' is George's doing … The Boss? George Steinbrenner is The Boss like Mariah Carey is Mrs. Derek Jeter. Those days are long gone, like the last glow of a cigarette butt. — Only Steinbrenner, the imperialistic owner of the New York Yankees, can issue a statement chiding …
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Blez / Athletics Nation:
ALCS Series Preview: Oakland A's vs. Detroit Tigers — So the A's were decided underdogs in the series against the Twins. They will play that role once again against the Tigers, at least according to the MSM. We know this because anyone who gives the Yankees the Zed from Pulp Fiction treatment …
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Tigers are free-swingers, and it pays — Hitters might not fit into 'Moneyball,' but they're effective — OAKLAND — The Tigers apparently never got the memo about the "Moneyball" offense, and how effective it is to work walks and jack up the opponent's pitch count.
Josh Dubow / Associated Press:
Rogers held back until Game 3 despite success in Oakland
Rogers held back until Game 3 despite success in Oakland
Discussion:
The Catbird …
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Girardi interviews for Cubs' skipper job — Former Chicago catcher dismissed by Marlins last week — Former Marlins manager Joe Girardi interviewed for the vacant Cubs managerial job on Monday, a spokesperson for the club said. — Girardi met with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.
Discussion:
GROTA
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Associated Press:
Cup of Joe? Cubs interview Girardi for skipper job — CHICAGO — Joe Girardi, considered a leading candidate for the Chicago Cubs' managing job, interviewed for the position on Monday. — The Florida Marlins fired Girardi last week. Girardi guided them to a 78-84 record and kept …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Ticket cost on the rise next season — Though the worst team in the National League West, the Rockies' improvement produced their first season-ticket price increase since 2000. — Season-ticket holders were informed of the raise through a letter written by team president Keli McGregor.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Cardinals-Mets: Position analysis — CATCHER EDGE: METS — Paul Lo Duca is reputed as a winner, and he finally won, defeating his old team, the Dodgers, in the first round. Here's the chance for a grinder who handles a bat well and handles a pitching staff even better.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Who will lead off in 2007? — Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers Braves fans' questions — With the Braves needing a leadoff hitter who can play left field, what are the odds they could acquire Carl Crawford? — It certainly seems the Braves' biggest offseason need is to locate …
Associated Press:
Twins hope Liriano can heal in Florida without surgery — MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Liriano is off to Florida, and the Minnesota Twins are hoping his left elbow will heal there during the offseason. — The Twins will send Liriano to their spring training and minor league facility in Fort Myers …
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Devil Rays announce '07 ticket prices — Average ticket price will increase by less than one dollar — ST. PETERSBURG — Devil Rays ticket prices for the 2007 season were released on Monday. — The average ticket price for individual game tickets will increase less than $1, from $22.35 in 2006 to $23.19 in 2007.
Discussion:
DRays Bay
Maury Brown / Baseball Prospectus:
Breaking Down the 2006 Season by Marginal Payroll/Marginal Wins — There's something sweetly seductive about the stealthy nature of a Major League Baseball team that seems completely outgunned, yet at the end of the season, has overpowered teams that seemed stacked with more weapons than two, maybe three teams combined.
Discussion:
On Baseball and the Reds
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
It's time for the Reds to trade Dunn — It was written in this space exactly a year ago that it was time for the Cincinnati Reds to trade Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns. Somebody was listening, right? — Pena was traded during spring training for pitcher Bronson Arroyo. How did that work?
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Jim Caple / ESPN:
Trade Jeter, not A-Rod — Enough is enough. Just reaching the postseason might qualify as success in smaller markets such as Minnesota or Los Angeles, but not in New York. The world's greatest team has such lofty standards that even winning the World Series is a disappointment if it takes more than five games.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Who steps up to replace Buck? — Beat writer T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions … What do you think the chances are of the Rangers pursuing Dusty Baker or Felipe Alou? Who would be the best fit? — The Rangers aren't expected to go after Baker or Alou.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Cardinals-Mets: Rotation analysis — St. Louis Cardinals — GAME 1 STARTER: The right-hander left the Dodgers as a free agent last year and was cast aside by the Angels this summer to make room for his brother, Jered. He was signed by the Cards to fill a starting slot.