Starlin Castro's space cadet routine draws Bobby V's ire  —  Over the course of a season, I'm guessing it's an impossible task for any player outside of the battery to be 100 percent dialed into every pitch of a 162-game season.  The mind can wander, the mind can zone out, the mind can see something without seeing anything.

Mets broach Mike Pelfrey to bullpen, R.A. Dickey gets little support as Mets fall to Brewers, 6-2  —  Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey gives up two runs on six hits Sunday.  The Mets ask Mike Pelfrey (below) is he would be open to closing next year - an indictment of the current bullpen.

Weaver signs five-year extension with Angels  —  The Angels secured a big part of their present and future on Sunday, signing All-Star starter Jered Weaver to a five-year, $85 million contract, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com.  —  The extension will be announced in a news conference Tuesday …

Ricketts in prime position to hire next GM  —  FOX Sports  —  Man, I would like to be Tom Ricketts right now.  —  I'd be the owner of the Cubs - pretty sweet.  And I'd be in position to hire just about any general manager I wanted.  —  Not everyone is available: The Red Sox's Theo Epstein …

Timetable for Duncan's return unknown  —  CHICAGO — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak could not say whether pitching coach Dave Duncan would rejoin the club in time for tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Dodgers.  —  Duncan left the club Friday night for personal reasons.

A.J. Burnett spot in question  —  NEW YORK — With A.J. Burnett having his “typical terrible August,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the pitcher's five-year, $82.5 million contract will not prevent him from being dropped from the rotation.  —  “No, money is never going to be a factor,” Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com.

Texas trouble for Red Sox in recent years  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — It would be inaccurate to portray these four games in Texas as a playoff preview for the Red Sox.  —  Jon Lester is not starting any of the four games.  And presumably come October the Red Sox will field a lineup …

Laffey odd man out on A-Rod's return  —  MINNEAPOLIS — With the Yankees activating Alex Rodriguez from the disabled list on Sunday, recently acquired lefty Aaron Laffey was the odd man out, as he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  —  Laffey made his debut for the Yankees on Saturday night …

McKeon rips Marlins after they're swept by Padres  —  SAN DIEGO (AP)—Manager Jack McKeon had some harsh words for his staggering Florida Marlins.  —  “You have to start using your brain and figuring out how to get hitters out,” McKeon said after the Marlins lost 4-3 on Sunday as the San Diego Padres completed a four-game sweep.

Larry Jaster: Dominating the Dodgers like no other  —  The iconic Los Angeles Dodgers come to town on Monday, defaced by a messy divorce and ownership dispute.  It wasn't always this way.  —  Back in 1966, it was perfectly clear who owned the Boys in Blue.