Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees eyeing free-agent options — Questions surround return of Posada, Pettitte, Mussina, others — NEW YORK — Because the Yankees could not proceed with their offseason planning until it was decided who would sit in the general manager's chair, Brian Cashman assured …
Discussion:
The Chuck Knoblog
RELATED:
Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
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:
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Cashman signs 3-year deal to remain as Yankees GM — Less than two days after their season came to an end, the Yankees resolved one of their biggest questions by re-signing general manager Brian Cashman to a three-year contract. — The contract extension was first reported on Newsday.com …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox roster is set — The Red Sox have set their initial roster for the first round of the playoffs and there are no real surprises. The Sox are carrying 10 pitchers and 15 positional players; Mike Timlin is off and third catcher David Ross is on. Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew are both expected …
RELATED:
Sam Mellinger / Boston Herald:
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.
Billy Witz / New York Times:
Dodgers and Angels, California's Yin and Yang — ANAHEIM — When the Dodgers celebrated clinching the National League West title last week, Manny Ramirez walked out on the field armed with a microphone and surveyed the crowd, some of whom sported dreadlocked wigs and No. 99 jerseys. — “What's up L.A.?”
Discussion:
ShysterBall
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
A look at the Texas Rangers' off-season lineup card — ARLINGTON - Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels took some time Tuesday afternoon to run through the list of positive steps the team took this season. He cited the improved record, the contributions by young players …
RELATED:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Texas Rangers have to get smarter to get better — ARLINGTON — Not that the local baseball club needed to be reminded or anything, but that was John Danks, formerly of the Texas Rangers, pitching eight shutout innings Tuesday night and leading his team to the American League Central title.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets' Santana had torn meniscus — Mets ace Johan Santana had left knee surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus, SI.com has learned. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready in time for spring training. — Adding to his legacy as one of the game's elite starters …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
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.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Beyond the Box Score, Lone Star Ball, FIRE JOE MORGAN and Big Apple Sports
Tim Sullivan / San Diego Union-Tribune:
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 …
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
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.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
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.
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
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.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
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.
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
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.
