Padres still covet mercurial pitcher Perez  —  ST. LOUIS - The Padres will be watching the National League Championship Series tonight with extra interest.  One of their own will start for the Mets - left-hander Oliver Perez, who was a gangly, bespectacled 17-year-old when the Padres signed him out of Mexico in 1999.

Lou 'refreshed,' ready to return  —  Piniella says time off from managing has changed his perspective — but his only goal still is to win, and it appears he'll try with Cubs  —  DETROIT — Barring a snag in contract talks that are expected to begin Monday, Lou Piniella will become the next manager of the Cubs.

Pujols pulls no punches  —  Bat, mouth are trouble  —  Albert Pujols had an at-bat to remember last night, one that showcased all of his ability as the game's most dangerous hitter.  In the seventh inning he fouled off six pitches from Guillermo Mota during an 11-pitch at-bat that ended …

Krivsky offers Twins peek  —  Reds insider  —  The firing of Chris Chambliss was the latest move in the "Minnesota-ization" of the Reds.  If the Minnesota-ization continues we could see bigger moves.  —  Let's explain the Minnesota-ization theory.  —  Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky worked …

Not So Fast!  —  How tof ix the Yankees: First, keep A-Rod  —  As the Joe Torre "I'm staying!" news conference neared an end Tuesday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman stood up and returned to his Yankee Stadium office smiling.  —  Now starts the fun part of the baseball offseason.

Baseball beat: A-Rod has plenty of places to land  —  Brian Cashman will say he has no intention of trading Alex Rodriguez right up until the day he trades him.  And Rodriguez will swear by his desire to play for the Yankees until he agrees to that trade.  —  It's the game they have to play.

White Sox still eyeing Rodriguez  —  Now that Joe Torre has come full circle with George Steinbrenner - facing the same "show me what you're made of" edict in the potential final year of his Yankee managerial tenure as he did in his first - his main mission must be to re-establish the …

With whom will Barry bond?  —  Prospects for 2007 may be problematic  —  Played a name-association game with a National League scout last week.  —  ``Barry Bonds.  Answer: ``Advil.  That's where you start.  Any team thinking about signing Bonds for what should be the historic season …

It's all about the arms  —  Even as the postseason goes on without the Yankees, here and in St. Louis and so splendidly in Detroit early yesterday evening, here is a daring prediction for next season:  —  The Yankees win the American League East again.  —  Yankee fans are hoping for more …

Rockies look at five for hitting instructor, eye Mets' Alomar as coach  —  Detroit - For the Rockies to contend next season, they must ramp up their offense.  They have moved closer to deciding who will be behind the steering wheel, interviewing Ron Jackson, Jose Morales …

Gonzo journalism  —  Fox drops ball with Luis in booth  —  Fox's Jeanne Zelasko and Kevin Kennedy got all self-righteous a couple of weeks ago while attacking the veracity of a Los Angeles Times report that revealed names said to appear on the affadavit from the federal investigation of Jason Grimsley and his alleged HGH distribution.

A Very Classy Clubhouse  —  From Sporting Green columnist Bruce Jenkins in Detroit:  —  One of baseball's toughest men was moved to tears.  Sitting at his locker, a towel draped over his head, Milton Bradley had been crying.  His eyes were blood-red as he finally turned to face the media.

How to fix Yanks  —  So the conclusion was reached that whatever ails the Yankees, Joe Torre isn't the problem.  At least not so much of a problem that another manager is the solution.  —  It will be Torre's charge to confer with Brian Cashman and the rest of the brain trust to find …