Top News:
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Cubs set to hire Theo Epstein — The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are finalizing a deal that would make Theo Epstein the Cubs' president of baseball operations at some point Thursday morning, according to a Major League Baseball source. — A source with knowledge of negotiations said …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Boston Globe, Bleed Cubbie Blue, WEEI, MLB Rumors, NESN.com, Baseball Nation, Gaslamp Ball and YFSF
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NY Daily News:
Beer in the clubhouse is ‘nothing new’ and not the blame for the Boston Red Sox's September collapse — The finger-pointing in Boston began as soon as the regular season was over: The Red Sox, who had gone 7-20 in September, missed the playoffs thanks to yet another epic collapse, and somebody's head had to roll.
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk, Subway Squawkers, Babes Love Baseball and NESN.com
Dan Hayes / North County Times:
PADRES: Reports indicate Hoyer, McLeod are headed to Chicago — SAN DIEGO — A team source confirmed on Thursday night the Padres will receive compensation if general manager Jed Hoyer and assistant GM Jason McLeod join the Chicago Cubs as expected. — Reports earlier in the day indicated McLeod will follow Hoyer to Chicago.
Discussion:
Boston Globe and MLB Rumors
CBSSports.com Blogs:
Hoyer to join Epstein with Cubs, Byrnes new SD GM — The Red Sox-Cubs soap opera spins forward as the clubs haggle over compensation, but the general parameters of a deal that will affect three clubs are in place, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations:
Discussion:
NESN.com
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Ortiz: ‘Of course I would like to come back’ — ST. LOUIS — In the same city where he once helped reverse the Curse of the Bambino, David Ortiz accepted the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet before Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday and then said he is not looking to leave the Red Sox.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's eyeing familiar face Young as pitching coach — Staple in Oakland organization could return after Boston stint — OAKLAND — Though A's hurlers were forced to say goodbye to a popular face when pitching coach Ron Romanick was not retained, they may soon be welcoming back a familiar one to fill that role.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, HardballTalk and Over the Monster
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Clay Buchholz: Got to learn from bad decisions
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This kind of Octoberfest is leaving a sour taste
This kind of Octoberfest is leaving a sour taste
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Deal is now closer — The Red Sox and Cubs are making progress …
Deal is now closer — The Red Sox and Cubs are making progress …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Padres may have interest in Lackey
Padres may have interest in Lackey
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish and The Soxaholix
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Craig comes through in a pinch — Until the World Series moves to Arlington, Texas, this weekend and he gets three starts either as an outfielder or a designated hitter, the Cardinals' Allen Craig will serve as the club's top pinch hitter. — But as manager Tony La Russa amply had displayed …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball, union make progress in talks
Baseball, union make progress in talks
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and baseballmusings.com
Ben Walker / Associated Press:
La Russa's moves pay off, Cards win Series opener
La Russa's moves pay off, Cards win Series opener
Discussion:
Associated Press, baseballmusings.com and HardballTalk
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Rhodes makes World Series debut, Cardinals win 3-2
Rhodes makes World Series debut, Cardinals win 3-2
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Baseball Prospectus, Twinkie Town, Lone Star Ball and Lookout Landing
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: Igarashi released — Reliever Ryota Igarashi has been released by the Mets, a major league source tells ESPNNewYork.com. — #18 RP — New York Mets — 2011 STATS — GM45 — W4 — L1 — BB28 — K42 — ERA4.66 — Igarashi, 32, just completed a two-year …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk, MetsOnline and Mets Merized Online
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Source: Rays VP Friedman on Angels' GM radar — The Los Angeles Angels' search for a general manager is moving along at a brisk pace. — According to a source with direct knowledge of the Angels' search, owner Arte Moreno and team president John Carpino have been in Florida this week …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and MLB Rumors
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Jason Collette / DRaysBay:
Breaking: Andrew Friedman Seen Dining With Angels Owner Arte Moreno
Breaking: Andrew Friedman Seen Dining With Angels Owner Arte Moreno
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Lookout Landing, New Jersey Online, Baseball Nation, 6-4-2, MLB Rumors, Angels blog and MLB Daily Dish
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Hamilton: Regular season would mean DL trip … ST. LOUIS — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton said his strained groin is bothering him enough that if this were the regular season, he'd probably be on the disabled list. — Hamilton, speaking to reporters prior to Game 2 of the World Series …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, Baseball Nation and FanGraphs Baseball
RELATED:
ESPN:
Yankees odds and ends: Swisher in, Chavez out? — From conversations I have had this week with executives, agents and various baseball wiseguys, here are a couple of things I can share with a reasonable amount of confidence: — Despite another post-season flameout …
Discussion:
Bleeding Yankee Blue, Bronx Baseball Daily, River Avenue Blues and It's About The Money
Bruce Dowbiggin / Globe and Mail:
From Friday's Globe and Mail — Imagine using your iPhone to take video of a rotary phone. That's how we felt watching Fox's World Series coverage with its heat-sensitive cameras, virtual strike zones and super slo-mo cameras tracking the 19th-century sensibilities of baseball.
Mirror.co.uk:
Confirmed Gaddafi dead: New York Yankees baseball fan ‘captured’ tyrant — A man holds up Colonel Gaddafi golden gun (Pic: Getty Images) — Evil dictator Colonel Gaddafi was captured cowering in a drainage pipe by a 20-year-old rebel fighter wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap, it was claimed tonight.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Brock, Clemente embody MLB community spirit — Hall of Famer, legend's widow help reach out before Game 2 — ST. LOUIS — Lou Brock is baseball royalty here, and truth be told, the Hall of Famer never needs a reason to go out into the community and bring inspiration to others who revere him.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Josh Kosman / New York Post:
Potential Astros owner Jim Crane wants $50M discount to move team to American League — Potential Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is looking to cut $50 million from the purchase price of the team in exchange for the Astros switching leagues, The Post has learned.
Discussion:
Ultimate Astros, Baseball Nation and HardballTalk