RED SOX PLAYING HARDBALL WITH CUBS  —  Major League Baseball sources have confirmed to me tonight that the negotiations between the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox have turned increasingly contentious and the two sides remain far apart as they try to hammer out a compensation package …

Crew's Game 6 starter a topic of discussion  —  ST. LOUIS — Brewers manager Ron Roenicke left the door open ever so slightly Friday to bringing back Yovani Gallardo on short rest to pitch Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, but made it abundantly clear that Plan A was to pitch Shaun Marcum.

Leyland says Verlander won't pitch again in AL Championship Series … ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — If Justin Verlander pitches again this season, it will be in Game 1 of the World Series.  —  Detroit manager Jim Leyland is adamant that if the AL championship series against Texas reaches a seventh game …

CC's credibility issue  —  If you're so happy, then why opt out?  —  CC Sabathia is widely expected to exercise his opt-out clause in the coming weeks.  In discussing it after the ALDS loss, he said baseball is a business, which is something I think most fans accept.

Randolph talks about leaving Orioles  —  Orioles third base/infielders coach Willie Randolph acknowledged he was “a little disappointed” when he learned Thursday night in a telephone conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter that he would not be back with the club next season, “but I am always going to move forward.”

Kalish feeling no pain  —  Four weeks have elapsed since Ryan Kalish underwent surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck.  —  “At this point honestly, I can't really tell that anything was done to my neck,” said Kalish via phone from San Francisco, where the Red Sox outfield prospect is conducting his rehab.