Top News:
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci: ALCS Game 6 is critical for Yankees' World Series rotation … 1. The Phillies suddenly are big fans of the Angels and The Weather Channel. It's not that Philadelphia would rather play Los Angeles than New York in the World Series. It's that the Phillies would benefit …
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Jesse Spector / NY Daily News:
If Yanks collapse in ALCS, Joe needs to go — The Yankees will come home Saturday still leading the ALCS, 3-2, still one win away from returning to the World Series for the first time since 2003, still with Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia lined up to pitch them there.
Dan Rosenheck / Bats:
Scioscia Will Need a Quick Hook in Game 6 — After rallying for three runs in the seventh inning against the apparently mortal Phil Hughes and holding on by a thread in the ninth, the Angels will head back to New York for Game 6. The Yankees will start Andy Pettitte, a reliable veteran …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Bridget Wentworth / New Jersey Online:NY Yankees can't afford to give struggling Nick Swisher another at-bat
Discussion:
ESPN, The Pinstriper, The Bronx View Yankees Podcast …, It's About The Money and Deadspin
Melissa Segura / Sports Illustrated:
Padres to hire Hoyer as GM … The San Diego Padres will name Jed Hoyer as their new general manager later today, a front office source tells SI.com. — Hoyer, 35, most recently served as the Boston Red Sox's senior vice president and assistant general manager.
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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Hoyer to be named Padres GM — Jed Hoyer will be named the San Diego Padres general manager, a baseball source confirmed to the Globe's Tony Massarotti. — The 35-year-old Hoyer, who recently held the title of vice president and assistant general manager, has been a member of the Red Sox' front office since 2002.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers outline offseason needs — Colletti, Torre list starting pitching depth, second baseman — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and manager Joe Torre got an early start on the managing of offseason expectations Friday when they said an acquisition of an ace starting pitcher is unlikely.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Associated Press:
Colletti: McCourts' problems not affecting the Dodgers — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Friday it's been business as usual running the team despite owner Frank McCourt firing his wife as CEO of the club. — Colletti said he doesn't anticipate any cutbacks …
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets meet with Cuban pitcher Chapman — The Mets had their expected — meeting Friday with lefthander Aroldis Chapman and his agent, but it was unclear if they discussed financial parameters with the 21-year-old Cuban defector. Chapman arrived in New York Wednesday, and the Mets …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Tim Britton / MLB.com:
Yankees could sit slumping Swisher — Girardi considering lineup change, batting order flip-flop — NEW YORK — Nick Swisher sauntered to his locker Friday, opened up a pair of Louisville Slugger boxes storing new bats and turned to the cluster of reporters slowly encroaching.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Hudson, Braves talking about extension — Right-hander optimistic that he can stay in Atlanta — ATLANTA — Tim Hudson and the Braves have started negotiating the contract extension that could enable the right-hander the opportunity to continue pitching in Atlanta.
Joseph Pawlikowski / River Avenue Blues:
If a closer is a team's best reliever, then why isn't he used in the highest leverage situations? — If you're still in the mood to think about baseball and haven't read Rebecca's article on leverage, I'd suggest you give it a look. She makes the case that we've been making here forever.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Sheets planning big return in 2010 — Former Brewers righty has high school number retired — MILWAUKEE — Former Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets returned to his Louisiana high school last week and saw his No. 15 uniform retired. Sheets intends to be wearing it again in 2010.
