Theo Epstein deal a go, but it might miss ‘deadline’  —  At this rate, Theo Epstein may need another gorilla suit.  —  Cubs sources with knowledge of the talks between the Cubs and Boston Red Sox don't expect their haggling over player compensation to keep Epstein from becoming the Cubs' next general manager.

Game 1 falls on Carpenter's turn to start … Dave Duncan retired the trophy for Understatement of the Year on Monday when he described the Cardinals' blueprint for success in the NL championship series as “a little unorthodox.”  —  Next thing you know, the Cardinals pitching coach may suggest Nyjer Morgan is a bit talkative.

Bradley on the World Series: Texas Rangers' Michael Young shows Derek Jeter-like qualities  —  The comparison was first introduced by Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long.  In an examination of Derek Jeter's unorthodox, inside-out swing, Long was asked if any other hitters reminded him of Jeter.

An important start  —  Until last week, there was only well-deserved praise for Jon Lester.  The quiet lefthander beat cancer and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, starting down a career path that includes a no-hitter and two All-Star selections.

Divorce settlement solves one problem for Frank McCourt  —  Without the $130-million settlement with ex-wife Jamie, he would not have been able to maintain ownership of Dodgers without beating Bud Selig in Bankruptcy Court, then winning in divorce court.  —  Two years and three days after Frank …

Another one bites the dust  —  I'll be honest with you.  —  Had I known from the beginning that the idea of designing a model to estimate the difficulty of blocking every major league pitch is not a new one—let alone a groundbreaking one—I might have spent significant portions of my free …

Ozzie Guillen fires on White Sox  —  Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen waves to fans following the Sox 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday September 26, 2011 at U.S. Cellular Field.  It was Guillen's final game as manager of the White Sox.  Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Montero not playing winter ball  —  The Yankees have decided not to have Jesus Montero play winter ball this offseason.  Between Triple-A and the big leagues, Montero played in 127 games this season, and he caught most of them.  —  General manager Brian Cashman said the Yankees …

Rosenthal On CBA Talks  —  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has the latest on the talks between the players' union and owners as they aim to strike a new collective bargaining agreement...  - It's a coin flip that an agreement will occur during the World Series, a source with knowledge of the discussions tells Rosenthal.