Trevor Hoffman, Milwaukee Brewers agree to 1-year, $8 million deal  —  Trevor Hoffman has agreed to another one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  Hoffman  —  Hoffman, who turns 42 next week, had 37 saves and a 1.55 ERA with the Brewers this season, pushing his career saves total to 591, the major league record.

The Beginning?  —  That was kind of amazing.  —  When the Twins lost in Detroit last Wednesday it looked (to me at least) like the season was over, save for “a miracle if things break perfectly for the Twins and horribly for the Tigers.”  They were three games back with four games left …

Mets have season to disremember  —  The initials ‘DL’ figure prominently in team's lost year  —  NEW YORK — David Wright had hit the pitch soundly and in the general direction of a come-from-behind victory.  This one had carry, and, unlike many of his well-struck drives at Citi Field …

2009 MLB Postseason Schedule*  —  Teams That Have Clinched a Postseason Berth:  —  NOTE: In the Division Series, the New York Yankees will host the AL Central Champion (winner of the Tuesday, Oct. 6th DET @ MIN tie-breaker), while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will host the Boston Red Sox.

Mets likely to give Backman minor-league gig amid staff shakeup … The Mets will announce a few changes to their coaching staff today, but a more intriguing personnel decision is on deck.  —  The team now appears willing to give scrappy fan favorite Wally Backman a second chance to return to baseball in a minor-league job.

Yanks set club record with 243rd homer  —  With two in one inning, A-Rod breaks '04 record, ties McGwire  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Alex Rodriguez helped the Yankees set a new franchise record for home runs in a single season, punctuating the final day of the campaign by sending two homers …

Minaya might hire fired GMs  —  Omar Minaya reached out to Kevin Towers and J.P. Ricciardi over the weekend to express his support after the two were fired as general managers and also to lay the groundwork to speak to both soon about possible jobs in the Mets' organization, The Post has learned.

Arizona beats Cubs in finale of miserable year  —  Doug Davis gave the Arizona Diamondbacks a win over the Chicago Cubs in the finale of disappointing seasons for both teams.  —  Davis pitched eight strong innings and Chris Young homered Sunday. leading the Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory.

Police: Drunk Cabrera picked up, released after 911 call from home  —  Birmingham — Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was taken in for questioning early Saturday morning based on a 911 call made from his home by his wife, Birmingham Police Chief Richard Patterson said Monday.

Alvarez Worth The Shift For Pirates  —  Nothing is certain yet, but the Pirates have spoken with incumbent third baseman Andy LaRoche about working out at second base, with the hope that Pedro Alvarez can take over at third base in Pittsburgh by the middle of next season.

Brewers want new pitching coach quickly  —  Hire will have some say in filling of other openings  —  ST. LOUIS — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin plans to move fast in his search for a new pitching coach.  —  “I hope to do the pitching thing within 2-3 weeks,” Melvin said Sunday …

Q&A With Mike Rizzo  —  So, here's the full let's-begin-the-offseason Q&A with GM Mike Rizzo.  If you want the microwave version, here goes: 1) Rizzo seems to want a veteran baseball guy as his next manager.  2) He doesn't believe Bryce Harper is the surefire No. 1 pick in 2010, as Stephen Strasburg was this year.

Ramirez becomes first Marlin to win batting crown … PHILADELPHIA(AP) Philadelphia's big sluggers had the day off to rest for the playoffs.  The Phillies didn't miss them in their final postseason tuneup.  —  Paul Hoover hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th inning …