Hiring raises energy level  —  ARLINGTON - If there is one attribute readily evident in Ron Washington, it is that he makes people want to give.  —  That would be an asset in any endeavor but should serve him well as he takes over as manager of the Rangers and attempts to calm a clubhouse …

Mailbag: In defense of Crede  —  Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers fans' questions … Could you explain to me why the Gold Glove is a popularity contest?  Defensively, Joe Crede was the best third baseman in the American League, not Oakland's Eric Chavez.  — Lawrence, Indianapolis

Red Sox will not pick up Foulke's option  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox will not exercise their $7.5 million option on reliever Keith Foulke, the star closer on their 2004 World Series championship team who struggled with injuries and inconsistency the past two seasons.

Colletti announces staff reorganization  —  Dodgers general manager hires special assistant  —  LOS ANGELES — Ned Colletti, almost one year after being named general manager, apparently has finished the reorganization of his staff with the announcement Tuesday of several promotions and the hiring of a special assistant.

Mets Mull Prospects for Pitching  —  When Carlos Delgado signed with Florida as a free agent two years ago, he said he chose the Marlins over the Mets because he felt they had a better chance of getting to the World Series.  Delgado is a top-notch run producer, but a top-notch prognosticator he is not.

Towers' option picked up for 2008  —  Padres Chief Executive Officer Sandy Alderson said Tuesday night he has picked up the option on General Manager Kevin Towers for 2008, guaranteeing Towers a seven-figure income for that year.  —  When Alderson took over as CEO in May 2005 …

Darryl Strawberry: Live And In Person  —  "We used to tag-team women.  I know all you dudes in here know what I mean when I say that.  We used to laugh about it, but now I know it was really wrong."  —  That sentence was uttered today by Darryl Strawberry, the star player on the world champion …

Report: Gooden scheduled to be released from prison  —  GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is set to be released from prison Thursday after finishing a sentence for violating his probation by using cocaine.  —  "He's eager to get home and see his family again," …

Nationals bolster scouting department  —  Washington adds 10 scouts, extend Brown's contract  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals/Expos had a small scouting staff due to their limited budget from 2002-05, and could not afford to travel to Latin America or Asia to scout potential big-league players.

Benson likely to stay with O's in 2007 … It appears that Kris Benson will be in the Orioles' 2007 rotation, with his agent saying Tuesday that the right-hander is unlikely to exercise his contractual right to demand a trade.  —  However, as expected, the five-man rotation probably won't include Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Redman is Royals' Pitcher of the Year  —  Left-hander makes splash in first, and perhaps final, year in KC  —  KANSAS CITY — It might or might not have been Mark Redman's only season with the Royals but, by golly, he made it a good one.  —  Redman, after leading the Royals with 11 victories …

Expect a bidding war for Japan's Matsuzaka  —  The days are shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and NBA games are infecting the television.  —  In baseball, that means it's almost open season on free agents.  —  So to get you ready for one of the most frantic (and expensive) …

Iwamura officially available to MLB  —  Gold Glove-winning third baseman considered a top acquisition  —  Akinori Iwamura, a left-handed-hitting, Gold Glove-winning third baseman, is the latest Japanese star made available to Major League clubs through the posting process.