Pujols displays zero leadership after Game 2 loss  —  ST. LOUIS - The kids could handle the mess.  Never mind that Albert Pujols(notes) created it.  This is his clubhouse, where his rules apply and where the term leader is thrown around rather liberally considering real leaders, you know, lead.

Ortiz says he wants to stay  —  ST. LOUIS - David Ortiz, who last night was named winner of Major League Baseball's prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, backed off his comments to ESPN earlier this month about potentially playing for the Yankees.  —  “I never said I would sign with the Yankees.

Source: Citi Field changes on tap  —  Substantial dimension changes to Citi Field will be announced after the World Series, in an effort to make the 3-year-old ballpark more hitter-friendly, a team official confirmed.  —  Citi Field allowed 1.33 homers per game last season …

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:

Young remains Rangers' heartbeat ... but could have been a Royal  —  Michael Young epitomizes the Texas Rangers.  Epitomizes.  That's the word manager Ron Washington uses when discussing his seven-time All-Star who has logged significant time at all four infield positions throughout a 12-season career.

Anatomy of a Baseball Trade  —  As this year's trade deadline approached, the fire sale was on in Houston.  An inside look at how the Astros and the Atlanta Braves got a big deal done  —  Fireballing right-hander Juan Abreu (left); gritty outfielder Jordan Schafer (center); MLB stolen base leader Michael Bourn (right)

Curt Young returns to Athletics  —  Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reports that Curt Young has returned to Oakand.  Young was the pitching coach in Oakland for seven years before taking a two-year deal with the Red Sox.  —  His one year was not a successful one.

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 …

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.

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.