Yankees' Cashman to sign three-year deal  —  Brian Cashman has agreed to return as the Yankees general manager on a three-year contract, Newsday has learned.  —  Cashman deliberated over the decision about whether it was time to move on after 11 seasons as GM, but gave the Yankees an affirmative answer this afternoon.

JOBA'S SHOULDER BEARS WATCHING  —  For the second time inside of two months, Joba Chamberlain experienced discomfort in his valuable right shoulder Sunday at Fenway Park.  —  According to several people, Chamberlain said the shoulder was tight after exiting the first game of the doubleheader …

Maddux trade keeps on giving  —  With Dodgers in playoffs, San Diego handed two top prospects  —  SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Greg Maddux's ability to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win the National League West Division has actually helped the Padres.  —  Because the Dodgers advanced to the NL Division Series …

Blasts from their past?  —  Teixeira, drafted by Sox, didn't sign  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - If you could pick about five hitters in baseball who could be tagged with the label “perfect for the Red Sox,” Mark Teixeira likely would have his name in capital letters.

D-Backs found ways to lose this year  —  The easiest way to put it, when assessing the disappointment of the Diamondbacks season, is to call them underachievers - to say that the overachieving bunch that last year found ways to win somehow found ways to lose this year.

After Yankees' ‘insult,’ Torre in a golden state with Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre stood in the Dodger Stadium infield, looked up at the fans screaming in jubilation, and slammed his eyes shut to stop the tears.  —  This is what it feels like to be appreciated again.

Lee, Lidge earn Comeback Awards  —  Tribe ace, Phillies closer easily outdistance competition  —  Cliff Lee, who was the American League leader in wins and ERA, and Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge, who converted 41 of 41 save opportunities to help the Phillies win a second consecutive National …

Cubs pick up Piniella's option for 2010  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Manager Lou Piniella plans to stick with the Chicago Cubs for a while.  —  The Cubs picked up the option on Piniella's contract for 2010 on Tuesday, a day before the NL Central champions open the playoffs against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Red Sox Nation beginning to wear thin  —  OK, I'll give the Red Sox the whole nation thing.  —  Hard not to after following Boston through the playoffs last year and watching the throngs of faithful who always seem to show up no matter where they're playing.

An Interview With Manny Acta  —  Thank you so much for both the kind words and the suggestions.  It's a challenge, of course, to jump into a beat midseason, and I know I took my lumps this year.  Plus, Barry didn't just leave behind big shoes to fill; he left behind size 16 Timberland boots.

Lincoln addresses failures from his self-described ‘hot seat’  —  After an unexpectedly disastrous 101-loss season, Mariners chairman and CEO Howard Lincoln and president Chuck Armstrong have endured heavy criticism for their roles in the club's worst season in 25 years.

The Dodgers have the best offense of any NL playoff team  —  Don't believe me?  I don't blame you.  The Dodgers scored 4.32 runs per game in the regular season, well below average.  But there are a few problems with looking at that figure.  First, the Dodgers are not the same team today that they were in April.

Texas Rangers' Daniels shakes up coaches  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  A day after the Texas Rangers finished the season with the worst ERA, fielding percentage and the most catching errors in the majors, they made changes in all three areas.  —  Bench coach/infield instructor Art Howe …

Home, sweet home  —  A.J. Pierzynski relishes the chance to face the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field instead of at the Metrodome and its artificial surface.  —  “You can ask Minnesota how much of a different team they are at home,” Pierzynski said.  “It won't be a concrete home plate like it was in Minnesota …