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.

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.

Police: Cabrera was drunk during fight with wife  —  First baseman had .26 blood-alcohol level  —  Miguel Cabrera had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit when he was involved in a physical altercation with his wife early Saturday morning, according to the Birmingham Police.

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 …

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 …

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.

Beltre prepared for uncertain market  —  Free agent third baseman might not return to Seattle  —  SEATTLE — The two lockers filled with Adrian Beltre's belongings the past five years were vacant on Monday morning.  —  The Mariners third baseman left the building late Sunday afternoon …

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.

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.

Carpenter and Hill voted comeback players of year  —  NEW YORK - Chris Carpenter has been voted NL comeback player of the year and Aaron Hill has won the AL award.  —  Limited to four starts over the prior two seasons because of elbow surgery and a shoulder injury, Carpenter was 17-4 …

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.

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 …

NeoJeter  —  The age-defying shortstop has put the Yankees back on top by being the best version of his old self.  —  Five days after he broke Lou Gehrig's record for most hits as a member of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter stood at the plate with 46,000 people screaming for him …

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.