Wagner eyes retirement, not 400th career save  —  Billy Wagner may have thrown his last pitch in the major leagues.  —  The former Mets pitcher told The Post yesterday he's planning to retire rather than pursue a closer's job — and 400 career saves — next season.

NY Yankees' GM Brian Cashman says this is one of the Yankees' ‘better teams’ … MINNEAPOLIS — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman leaned against a wall in the visitor's clubhouse at the Metrodome on Sunday night, seemingly oblivious to the celebration dying down around him.

PADRES: Ready will interview to be Astros' manager  —  Padres hitting coach Randy Ready is one of 10 candidates to be the Houston Astros' next manager.  —  The Astros asked for, and were granted, permission to talk to Ready.  He'll interview with Astros officials on Thursday.

Rockies' Ubaldo, Phillies' Lee in pitching duel in Game 4  —  DENVER — Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has the pitcher he wants going in tonight's Game 4 of the National League Division Series.  —  But Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy isn't cringing about the matchup that pits …

Minor League Transactions  —  The offseason is officially upon us.  The first wave of minor league free agents make their way to the open market as their contracts expire.  The list includes a pair of No. 1 overall draft picks in Kris Benson ('96) and Bryan Bullington ('02).

Miller headed to Arizona Fall League  —  Rangy left-hander to work out kinks after rough '09 with Marlins  —  MIAMI — Relying so heavily on youth, the Marlins understand the importance of patience.  —  Not every player is a finished product when they take the field for the first time.

Five years, what a surprise  —  FIVE YEARS LATER...  ...The Yankees are back in the American League Championship Series.  This is an accomplishment, no doubt about it, but the sweep of the Twins shouldn't be taken as any sign of the Yankees' predestination as champions.

Does Baseball Need Umpires?  —  Recent Bad Calls Have Critics Howling for Better Umps, But Maybe It's a Job for Machines  —  During Friday's playoff game at Yankee Stadium, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins hit an 11th-inning fly ball down the left-field line that landed clearly fair, a foot inside the line.

Local MLB legend, pitcher Larry Jansen passes away at 89 in his hometown of Verboort  —  Former major league baseball star Larry Jansen, the winning pitcher in one of the sport's most famous games, died in his sleep early Saturday morning in the home he built in 1951 in his hometown of Verboort.

There's certainly a lot to love about the Angels; more notes (cont.)  —  Abreu thriving in Southern Cal, a good spot for him  —  Abreu was shocked at his lack of market last offseason, but he should do better this time, especially with Scioscia calling him the team MVP (he would have been the ALDS MVP …