It's official: Epstein resigns and joins Cubs  —  Theo Epstein resigned as general manager of the Red Sox tonight and on Tuesday will be introduced as the president of baseball operations of the Cubs.  The Red Sox will name Ben Cherington as his successor that same day.

Cardinals criticized for not speaking to media after Game 2  —  • The Cardinals would prefer to let their bats and gloves do their talking.  But because this is the World Series, that is not an option.  —  When they landed Saturday afternoon, the National League champions found themselves tied …

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 …

Selig, Costas discuss possible changes to game  —  Commissioner touches on realignment, replay, retirement  —  Commissioner Bud Selig sat down to speak with Bob Costas in an interview that aired Friday night on MLB Network, discussing the state of Major League Baseball — including a few changes that could be coming soon.

Toronto— From Saturday's Globe and Mail  —  We'll know by this time next week whether Mark McGwire has won another World Series ring.  It won't be until January that we'll know how much his reputation has been saved.  —  But make no mistake: reading what amounts to baseball's version of the tea leaves …

PADRES: Byrnes expected to replace Hoyer as GM  —  SAN DIEGO — Josh Byrnes is poised to become the new general manager of the Padres.  —  A team source confirmed Friday night that the Chicago Cubs asked for permission to speak to Padres general manager Jed Hoyer following the hiring …

Bucs to decline options on Snyder, Doumit  —  In a pronouncement that comes as no surprise, general manager Neal Huntington said that the Pirates intend to decline club options for Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder after the conclusion of the World Series.  The catchers are two of four Pirates who hold club options for the 2012 season.

2011 Major League Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Hellickson  —  ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Jeremy Hellickson does at least look like a rookie.  —  The 24-year-old's baby face, his preferred wardrobe of jeans and a T-shirt, his non-stop attachment to his iPad and his quiet Midwestern demeanor might …

Five years after last shot at Series, Mets face game-changing winter  —  Mets on Twitter  —  “We'll explore Wright's market,” a team official said.  “I think considering where we are as an organization, it would be foolish not to at least look at it.  However, I expect actually pulling the trigger is a long shot.”

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.