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 …

Tigers could figure in bidding for Matsuzaka  —  ST. LOUIS - Imagine a future Tigers' rotation headed by right-hander Justin Verlander, 23, and Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, 26.  —  It's not as improbable as you might think.  —  The Tigers are intrigued by Matsuzaka …

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 …

Liriano quits rehab  —  Injured Twins pitcher 'doesn't feel right,' Ryan says  —  ST. LOUIS — Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano, the injured left-hander the team hopes will be a major part of next year's starting rotation, quit his rehabilitation program over the weekend …

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.

Howard, Jeter win Hank Aaron Award  —  Players honored for their big offensive contributions of 2006  —  ST. LOUIS — Ryan Howard of the Phillies and Derek Jeter of the Yankees were honored with the Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21 in a ceremony before Wednesday's Game 4 of the World Series …

Rain delays start of Game 4 of Series  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) - Rain, rain go away.  —  In a postseason that has already seen its share of foul weather, rain has delayed the start of Game 4 of the World Series in St. Louis, where the Cardinals host the Detroit Tigers.  —  Officials are hopeful that the game will be played tonight.

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.

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.

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.

Cardinal Sin  —  WHY IS EVERYONE SO ANNOYED THAT ST. LOUIS IS IN THE WORLD SERIES?  —  The St. Louis Cardinals reached the World Series thanks to the worst hitter in the National League.  Yadier Molina, whose .216 batting average was dead last among NL regulars, launched a tie-breaking blast …

Broadway making his way to Majors  —  Hurler progressing in Minors, preparing for big-league debut  —  Take a quick mental snapshot of the White Sox starting rotation for the 2008 season, and then examine that group of five hurlers, who ultimately could lead the South Siders to postseason glory two years from now.

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.

Pirates buy out veteran Burnitz  —  Bucs opt to not pick up 2007 option for outfielder  —  PITTSBURGH — Veteran outfielder Jeromy Burnitz's tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates will come to an end after just one season.  —  General manager Dave Littlefield confirmed Tuesday that the Pirates …