Top News:
ESPN:
David Ortiz talks free agency, Sox mess … Could Big Papi really relocate to the Big Apple? — Longtime Boston Red Sox slugger and free-agent-to-be David Ortiz spoke about the possibility of signing with the AL East rival New York Yankees during an interview Wednesday with ESPN's Colleen Dominguez …
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Epstein accepts five-year deal from Cubs — Two team sources confirmed reports that Theo Epstein has reached agreement with the Cubs on a five-year contract and will officially leave the Red Sox before the end of the week. — The deal is believed to be worth $15 million with Epstein receiving …
Discussion:
YFSF, Empyreal Environs, baseballmusings.com, Gaslamp Ball and Yahoo! Sports
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Tito victim of latest Sox smear campaign
Discussion:
Bats, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine and Boston Globe
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Epstein embarking on mission impossible
Discussion:
Boston Herald and Associated Press
ESPN.com:
Sources: Theo Epstein, Cubs agree
Discussion:
ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Lady Loves Pinstripes, Chicago Tribune and Baseball Nation
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Brian Cashman: ‘I have a job’
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, New Jersey Online, Bronx Baseball Daily and MLB
Associated Press:
Cardinals hold off Brewers, take 2-1 series lead — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols hit an RBI double during a four-run first inning and the St. Louis bullpen bailed out Chris Carpenter as the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Wednesday night for a 2-1 edge in the NL championship series.
Discussion:
TSN.ca, Red Reporter, Viva El Birdos, baseballmusings.com and Yahoo! Sports
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards resolve ticket issue with Brewers — The Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers played down a flap over seating for friends and family of visiting players as a “misunderstanding.” — “There was some concern initially among the players about the situation, but it worked out,” said Brewers traveling secretary Dan Larrea.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Andrew Keh / New York Times:
Cardinals 4, Brewers 3: N.L.C.S. — Cardinals Strike Early, and Bullpen Does the Rest — ST. LOUIS — Under normal circumstances, Chris Carpenter would be nervous handing a one-run lead to a bullpen with four innings left to play. — But with the way the relievers in the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen …
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and Brew Crew Ball
Jordan Schelling / MLB.com:
Gallardo's troubles with Cardinals continue — ST. LOUIS — No team has beaten Yovani Gallardo more than the Cardinals. For whatever reason, facing the Cards seems to bring out the worst in the Brewers right-hander. — In 12 career starts against St. Louis, including Milwaukee's 4-3 loss …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Jack McKeon used to lock Marlins' clubhouse door to keep Josh Beckett out during games — Josh Beckett is among the Red Sox pitchers who reportedly drank beer, ate fried chicken, and played video games in the clubhouse during games and former Marlins manager Jack McKeon recalls locking …
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Nate Mink / MLB.com:
Manuel favors upgrade at third base spot — PHILADELPHIA — After the Phillies struggled to keep their everyday third baseman on the field the last two seasons, manager Charlie Manuel voiced his support of an upgrade on Wednesday. — Placido Polanco, regarded as one of the best …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Phillies Nation and MLB Rumors
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Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
David Wright ponders his future — In the final days of the season, David Wright would prepare himself at his locker almost unnoticed as crowds gathered regularly just a few feet away. Normally the face of the Mets' franchise and team spokesman, Wright dressed silently while Jose Reyes reluctantly held court.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Berkman booms to NL Comeback Player honors — Veteran slugger clubs 31 home runs in first season with Redbirds — ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals figured they had a quality player in Lance Berkman, someone better than the numbers he put up last year. Even so, it's hard to believe they knew they'd get what they did.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Porcello left to wonder what might have been — DETROIT — Rick Porcello had 'em on their feet early. The 42,234 in Comerica Park had watched the young Tigers right-hander all season, but they had never seen him like this. — Porcello wasn't just retiring the Texas Rangers.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Gary Carter gets more good news — An MRI exam at Duke University revealed positive news in Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter's battle with cancerous brain tumors, daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in an online journal. — Carter's doctors informed the family that the tumors have shrunk 10 percent …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Amazin' Avenue
