Top News:
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:
Phillies Nation, Purple Row and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
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:
Associated Press, baseballmusings.com and TSN.ca
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, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Baseball Nation
Associated Press:
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 …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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:
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:
MLB Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Just what will Epstein cost? — As talks for GM drag on, Cubs announce ticket pricing plan — Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein on the field prior to the game against Oakland. (Michael Zagaris, Getty Images / July 20, 2010) — The Cubs announced their 2012 ticket pricing plan Friday …
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, Surviving Grady and NESN.com
Alex Speier / WEEI:
HENRY: ‘PERSONALLY OPPOSED’ SIGNING CRAWFORD
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Over the Monster, Baseball Nerd and Yahoo! Sports
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:
WasWatching.com and IT IS HIGH!
RELATED:
Steve S. / The Yankee Analysts:
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.
Discussion:
It's About The Money, baseballmusings.com and New York Post
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 …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
MLB.com:
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.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
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
