Versatile Craig will play more in Texas  —  When Cardinals right fielder Allen Craig, in vain pursuit of a foul ball, slid into the right-field fence in Houston's Minute Maid Park on June 7, it initially was suspected that he had suffered a bruised right knee and it was surmised that he would be out a few games.

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:

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.

Kinsler's plate discipline  —  For the second year in a row, the Texas Rangers are in the World Series.  A big part of their success could be attributed to second baseman Ian Kinsler, who hit for a .370 weighted on-base average and contributed in many different ways.

Clay Buchholz: Got to learn from bad decisions  —  Another day, another Red Sox [team stats] pitcher making a confession.  —  Taking a page from ace lefty Jon Lester [stats]'s playbook, right-hander Clay Buchholz took to the airwaves today and admitted to drinking beer in the clubhouse during games this season.

St. Louis Cardinals' Mark McGwire receives less air-play than deserved during World Series broadcast  —  With Fox's cameras zoned in on Cardinals batting instructor Mark McGwire gazing out from the dugout in the second inning of Game 1 of the World Series, it was only a matter of time before his past would merge with his present.

Five years after last shot at Series, Mets face game-changing winter  —  Mets on Twitter  —  ST. LOUIS — The last time the Cardinals reached the World Series, they had to go through the Mets in the NLCS.  Yet the quirky element was this:  —  The organization that seemed best situated …

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 …

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 …