WHY BRINGING CASHMAN BACK WAS A MISTAKE  —  As we learned yesterday, Brian Cashman and the Yankees have agreed on a three-year deal that will keep him with the team through the 2011 season as their General Manager.  —  Now, Brian Cashman has some great qualities.  As I wrote back on August 29, 2008:

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.

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.

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.

Where will Manny land next season?  —  Mets keep cropping up as possible destination for slugger  —  There is no question as to how the Los Angeles Dodgers ended up in postseason play this season.  —  The same answer comes from all corners — Manny Ramirez.

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.

Peavy expected to be trade target  —  Kyle Lohse is off the board, CC Sabathia is going to be out of reach for most teams, and Derek Lowe might have more suitors than any pitcher on the market, a dynamic that will drive his asking price well beyond $50 million.

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.

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.

Ex-Tiger was the real deal  —  Former Tigers shortstop Eddie Brinkman, whose good humor and love of baseball made him a cherished figure in the game, died Tuesday.  He was 66.  —  His death was announced by the Chicago White Sox, whom he served as a coach and scout for 18 years.

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 …

Al Davis, after the cameras were off: “(Kiffin) conned me like you conned all you people”  —  There's a reason why I don't ask Al Davis questions at his formal news conferences-such as today's all-timer: Because he's always much better and more lucid in the informal give-and-take of the post-press conference gaggle.