Steinbrenner Takes Another Day to Decide on Torre  —  If George Steinbrenner had acted on his impulse after the Yankees' swift playoff exit Saturday, Joe Torre would already be a former Yankees manager.  But Steinbrenner took a second day to contemplate Torre's fate, which could only be an encouraging sign for Torre.

Twins pick up $12 million option on Hunter for '07  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Torii Hunter will be back with the Minnesota Twins for at least one more year.  —  The Twins said Tuesday they picked up Hunter's $12 million option.  —  Hunter, 31, a five-time Gold Glove winner in center field, was a big part of the Twins' AL Central title.

Transcript: Willie on Cliff, Carlos, Etc.  —  Q. Can you just update us on Cliff's status and when and if you've made a decision.  —  WILLIE RANDOLPH: He had a nice little workout, swung the bat well in BP, and we're going to just wait until tomorrow to decide when he comes in.

What to do with Harden?  Game 4 an option  —  The A's still have not officially decided who will throw Game 3 of the ALCS, and Rich Harden might not have helped himself with a somewhat shaky outing in an instructional-league game in Phoenix on Monday.  —  Harden allowed six hits and five runs …

White Sox Have New Start Time: 7-Eleven  —  It is not easy to conjure $500,000 out of the ether, but the Chicago White Sox have discovered a way.  Their financial trick was really quite simple.  —  They changed their evening game times at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tired of waiting  —  So, I tried to watch Monday Night Football last night, I really did.  I had my Goldfish, my cantaloupe, my cheese and my mystery meat all set up for the game.  Alas, it was not a Mets playoff game, and thus my interest soon waned, I became a touch sleepy and the next thing …

NY Yankees: Liars, cheats & gangsters  —  You'd never guess it by visiting the NY Yankees website, but this team was founded by a corrupt bunch of politicians and swindlers at the turn of the century.  No seriously...we're talking Gangs of New York type thugs.

Harrington Signs Deal With The Cubs  —  After six years, five draft selections and three independent league teams, Matt Harrington is finally headed to affiliated baseball.  —  Harrington, the seventh overall pick in the 2000 draft, signed a minor league contract with the Cubs …

MLB unveils roster for Japan tour  —  Philadelphia's Howard highlights collection of stars  —  Not all Major Leaguers will have their bats and gloves packed up in November.  A star-studded crew, led by Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, will go on a six-game tour of Japan.

Yankees' Rotation, Old and Ineffective, Needs an Overhaul  —  Nothing against Mike Mussina, but he is the symbol of the Yankees' failure to win the World Series the last six years.  If George Steinbrenner is seeking a scapegoat, make it Mussina.  —  Mussina joined the Yankees as a free agent six years ago.

Nazty  —  VILE ... Croatia fans make human swastika  —  CROATIA could be kicked out of Euro 2008 if fans abuse England's black players tomorrow.  —  Soccer chiefs fear trouble after 200 of their supporters formed a human swastika at a friendly in Italy.  —  UEFA's William Gaillard warned: "We won't tolerate racism.

Mailbag: How did Reds fare in trades?  —  Beat writer Mark Sheldon answers Reds fans' questions  —  Welcome to the first edition of the Reds offseason mailbag.  —  Each Monday I'll try to answer your questions about the Reds season that was and the one upcoming.

You're wrong about A-Rod (and you're bald, too)  —  Friends, I come to you today with a heavy heart.  No use hiding my feelings.  You've hurt me too much already.  I understand that sometimes we disagree on things.  That's one of the reasons blogs exist.