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 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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Yanks give strong CC the Game 1 start  —  Left-hander went undefeated in August and September  —  When the Yankees drew up their mission plan and circled the name “CC Sabathia” on their list of must-have free agents, they envisioned the big left-hander casting his long shadow over an October diamond …

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.

Could Valentine be Marlins' manager? … Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is said to be less than satisfied with his team's standing, and in a fairly shocking development is apparently considering replacing well-regarded manager Fredi Gonzalez, who has been widely praised for his performance this season.

Pitches up, Clay Buchholz down  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  Two garbage-time starts in what amounts to glorified spring training aren't cause for concern about Clay Buchholz' postseason readiness, right?  —  Right?  —  For the second straight outing …