New Agreement Includes Draft, Rule 5 Changes  —  ST. LOUIS — Overshadowed by more wide-ranging issues and the sheer euphoria of an agreement between Major League Baseball and the Players Association being reached with no rancor or threats of a work stoppage, the structure …

Twins' Liriano contemplating elbow surgery  —  The Twins pitcher, unhappy with his rehabilitation progress, left the team's Fort Myers facility to re-examine his options.  —  Still experiencing pain in his left elbow, Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano has left the team's year-round facility …

Everyone's underdog is now everyone's favorite … ST. LOUIS — The only thing missing from this World Series, other than the truth from Kenny Rogers, is a ransom note.  —  Someone has kidnapped the Detroit Tigers, and manager Jim Leyland would do anything — pay the kidnappers a pack of smokes …

Bombers planning to pick up & ship out Sheff  —  ST. LOUIS - The biggest buzz among the few general managers attending the World Series is the silent auction the Yankees have apparently already begun for Gary Sheffield.  It turns out that Yankee GM Brian Cashman had always intended to pick …

Cardinals' Suppan Pitching and Politicking  —  Jeff Suppan is scheduled to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series tonight at Busch Stadium.  But his time on the mound will not be his only appearance on baseball fans' television screens.

Bochy meets with Giants GM for chat  —  Candidates for manager include Angels' Black  —  As expected, Padres manager Bruce Bochy, one of four candidates for the San Francisco managerial job, recently chatted with the Giants.  According to multiple sources, Bochy and Giants General Manager Brian Sabean met in the Bay Area.

Controversy Is in the Palm of His Hand  —  In his radio broadcast Monday on the Detroit station WJR, the Detroit Free Press sports columnist Mitch Albom made light of suggestions that Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers had a strange, dark substance on his hand early in Game 2 of the World Series.

Player Profile  —  Carlos Guillen  —  Thanks to a 2006 season that has seen Detroit reach the World Series for the first time since 1984, Carlos Guillen has finally received a little bit of the press he's more than earned over the course of his career with the Tigers.

A-Rod, Yanks stand united  —  Agent: Brian vows no trades  —  Speculation about the possibility of Alex Rodriguez getting traded will surely linger until he actually takes the field at the Stadium on Opening Day, but the embattled third baseman's agent said yesterday that he has received assurances …

Award minor consolation  —  Delgado gets trophy but says it's too painful to stay and watch Game 3  —  ST. LOUIS — Carlos Delgado was at the World Series after all.  He capped an outstanding first year with the Mets by receiving the Roberto Clemente Award, then he made it clear that he would like to have more years with the Mets.

GM wants Yount back  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  St. Louis - Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is still optimistic that bench coach Robin Yount will return to the club next season.  —  Melvin, attending the three World Series games here, spoke briefly with Yount …

Players Union to Yankees: No New Taxes  —  In the negotiations that culminated in a new labor agreement that was announced yesterday, the union had the best interests of George Steinbrenner's checkbook in mind.  Whereas the other clubs are out to get the Yankees' money and inhibit …

Girardi Doesn't Want to Uproot His Family to Be a Manager Again  —  Joe Girardi is providing analysis for Fox television during the World Series, not managing in the World Series.  Girardi's goal is to manage a championship team.  After a tumultuous first season with the Florida Marlins, he is willing to wait for his next opportunity.

Vote For Your Favorite White Guy!  —  The legend of the scrappy, hustling, get-yer-uniform-dirty utility player holds a special place in baseball lore, probably because no sport more values its ... well, no sport has more white people.  It's a sacred role on a team: White guy who's not that skilled but is popular because he's "gritty."