Top News:
David Kaplan / csnchicago.com:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Full Count and FenwayNationWorld
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Lackey conundrum lacks a clear solution — What do you do with John Lackey? — Hope he performs better? — Hope his troublesome elbow, which is being examined again this week, doesn't blow out? — Hope you can get the Angels to take him back and get Vernon Wells in return to stick in right field?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Comp talks extend; Schill speaks up — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — CHICAGO — Compensation talks between the Red Sox [team stats] and Chicago Cubs regarding Theo Epstein's move to the front office of the NL club look as if they will continue through the weekend.
Discussion:
Clubhouse Insider and MLB Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Just what will Epstein cost? — As talks for GM drag on …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matthew Geagan / CBS Boston:
Henry Denies Red Sox Owners Involved In Globe Francona Story
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch, Yahoo! Sports, SportsGrid, MLB Rumors, Fenway West, NESN.com and Surviving Grady
Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Rangers slug their way to the World Series — ARLINGTON (AP) — Nelson Cruz and the Texas Rangers are headed to their second straight World Series, finishing off the Detroit Tigers to become the American League's first repeat champion in a decade. — Cruz set a postseason record …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Surviving Grady, baseballmusings.com, Associated Press and TSN.ca
RELATED:
John Schlegel / MLB.com:
Historic rally sets stage for Rangers in clincher — ARLINGTON — For all the damage Nelson Cruz wrought when making contact in the American League Championship Series, it was his checked swing — or was it? — that helped ignite a record nine-run third inning for the Rangers on Saturday night.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Phillies Nation, Purple Row and Yahoo! Sports
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Tigers' Verlander won't pitch again in ALCS … ARLINGTON, Texas — Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander won't pitch again in the AL Championship Series, manager Jim Leyland said prior to Saturday's Game 6 at Rangers Ballpark. The Rangers lead the series 3-2. Game 7, if necessary, would also take place in Arlington.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, MLB, Babes Love Baseball and Bleed Cubbie Blue
New York Post:
Yankees will look for in-house offseason fixes — This is the time of year in which we have the Yankees involved in every major scenario involving the acquisition of big-time players. This is what happens when your history is to chase stars and swell payroll.
Discussion:
IT IS HIGH! and WasWatching.com
RELATED:
Steve S. / The Yankee Analysts:
CC's credibility issue
Discussion:
It's About The Money, baseballmusings.com and New York Post
Associated Press:
Cardinals eye World Series berth in Game 6 with Brewers — (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Brewers head home hoping to stave off elimination when they play Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. — The Brewers owned the best home mark …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and TSN.ca
RELATED:
Philly.com:
Inside the Phillies: Is window of opportunity closing on aging Phillies? — Windows are as much a part of baseball as hot dogs, peanuts, and cracker jacks. — Whenever there is rain in the forecast, the owners are always looking for that window in the sky that will allow them to play ball and avoid postponement.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
NorthJersey.com:
Popper: Tough to put a price tag on Jose Reyes — The clock is ticking, with the World Series starting this week. The Mets' exclusive window to negotiate with Jose Reyes ends five days after the Series is over. — Reyes wanted to negotiate before the 2011 season began, but the Mets insisted on seeing him perform.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Backman tells WFAN he's staying with Mets — Yesterday on WFAN, Wally Backman told host Ed Randall he will be returning to the Mets in 2012, though he has yet to talk with the organization about where he will be working. — “You know, there was a long thought process …
