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.

White Sox claim AL Central crown  —  Danks tosses gem, Thome hits monster homer to beat Twins  —  CHICAGO — As recently as last Thursday, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf didn't think Tuesday night's celebration at U.S. Cellular Field would be possible.

Angels-Red Sox is the can't-miss series of first round  —  If ever there were a first-round American League playoff series that deserved to be a best-of-seven, it's the Angels and Red Sox [team stats].  —  The Angels have the most wins, the record-setting closer and the best hitter left in the AL.

Meet the Mets Minaya needs  —  When he was being grilled on Sunday about the disturbing pattern of succumbing to pressure that currently defines his ballclub, Omar Minaya defiantly defended his “core group” as a proven commodity, noting that it won 97 games in 2006 and came within one game of reaching the World Series.

JOBA SAYS HIS SHOULDER IS FINE  —  Joba Chamberlain revealed yesterday that he had problems getting loose on Sunday in Boston.  But he says his shoulder's fine.  —  “We're good,” Chamberlain said outside Yankee Stadium.  “Everything's been good since the last check-up and everything comes out good.

My awards ballot: These MVP picks may surprise you … In the National League MVP vote, which should be fascinating, the question the voters will have to ask themselves is whether two players who came to the party late can qualify for that coveted seasonal honor.

Greene's self-inflicted hand injury could cost him a chunk of salary  —  Losing his cool could cost Khalil Greene more than a cool million.  —  Padres CEO Sandy Alderson acknowledged Tuesday that the club is pursuing a grievance against its normally stoic shortstop, who was lost for the season …

Return for Sheets in playoffs ‘doubtful’  —  Torn muscle near right elbow likely to end right-hander's year  —  PHILADELPHIA — The end of Ben Sheets' 2008 season became a bit more official on Tuesday, when the Brewers' co-ace was left off Milwaukee's National League Division Series roster …

Shea Stadium to be slowly dismantled  —  Shea Stadium will be torn down slowly and meticulously, beginning in two weeks.  (Photo by RJ Mickelson)  —  To those Mets fans frustrated enough to want Shea Stadium blown up to rid the franchise of the stench of another September collapse, you're going to be disappointed.

Players To Be Named  —  Today we acquired RHP Eduardo Perez and LHP Michael Watt from the Dodgers in exchange from Greg Maddux.  —  Eduardo is a 20-year old, 6'2" right-hander from Venezuela.  Our scouting reports indicate that he has an advanced feel for pitching, throws consistent strikes …