Top News:
Theo Epstein / Boston Globe:
Farewell, Red Sox Nation — I gave everything I had to the team and received even more in return — Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein gestures to fans during the 2004 World Series Championship parade. (File 2004/Bill Greene/Globe Staff) — I GREW up in Brookline just down the road …
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ESPN:
New Cubs president Epstein: ‘Truly feels great’ … CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs introduced Theo Epstein as their president of baseball operations on Tuesday, hoping he can end a championship drought the way he did for the Boston Red Sox. — “To me, baseball is better with tradition …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and SI Tracking Blog
TSN.ca:
Jays make policy change, look to end Farrell speculation — The Toronto Blue Jays tried to clear up the speculation on Tuesday with rumours persisting that the Boston Red Sox - and perhaps even the Chicago Cubs - have interest in manager John Farrell to run their respective clubs.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Bluebird Banter
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox set to name Cherington general manager — Epstein successor has risen up Red Sox ranks since 1999 — BOSTON — With the man they believe is the ideal successor already in place, the Red Sox will waste no time going on an exhaustive search to replace Theo Epstein …
Discussion:
NESN.com
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
La Russa takes responsibility for bullpen call — Cards manager Tony La Russa said “it was his fault” on the confusion over calls to the bullpen in the eighth inning of Game 6 on Monday. — “There wasn't anything that Derek (Lilliquist) did wrong there,” La Russa said today. “I've told him that.
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Jean-Jacques Taylor / ESPN:
Mike Napoli turns pressure into success — Rangers' best postseason performer once more uses taste for spotlight in key spots … ARLINGTON, Texas — No words remain to put Mike Napoli's postseason performance into proper perspective. — “Phenomenal” doesn't really do it justice.
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, ESPN and Bluebird Banter
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
La Russa is to blame for Cardinals' Game 5 loss
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk and Deadspin
Sports Illustrated:
La Russa's sloppy mistakes cost Cardinals any shot in Game 5
Discussion:
NESN.com and Al's Ramblings
Fox Sports:
La Russa's explanations are baffling
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding, New York Times and Bats
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Rangers win wacky and weird Game 5
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington and Giants Win
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
YOCUM EXAMINES LACKEY; ‘RESOLUTION’ NEAR — According to multiple industry sources, Red Sox right-hander John Lackey recently visited Dr. Lewis Yocum in California to have his right elbow examined. According to one of the sources, the Red Sox are expecting “a final resolution” …
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Matt Pepin / Boston Globe:
John Lackey to have Tommy John surgery — New Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said today that pitcher John Lackey will have Tommy John surgery and miss the 2012 season. — Lackey had elbow soreness during the season, and recently saw a specialist, Dr. Lewis Yocum.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Baseball-Reference Blog and MLB Daily Dish
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
MLB accuses Frank McCourt of ‘looting’ $189 million from Dodgers — As the bankrupcty case moves forward, a slew of court filings on Monday show that beating victim Bryan Stow will be central to the arguments and outcome in court. — For the first time, Major League Baseball put …
Discussion:
Dodgers Blog, ESPN, HardballTalk, 6-4-2 and Baseball Nation
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Twins Decline Option On Joe Nathan — The Twins announced today that they've declined their club option on reliever Joe Nathan. The option was worth $12.5MM, but the team will pay a $2MM buyout. … Nathan signed a four-year contract extension for $47MM in March of 2008, and the total remains the record for a reliever.
Discussion:
Around the Majors, Yahoo! Sports, Twinkie Town, MLB Daily Dish and SI Tracking Blog
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Cashman has meeting with Hal Steinbrenner — Yankees GM confident of new deal before Monday's expiration — NEW YORK — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner on Monday in New York, and a new contract for the GM is expected to be agreed upon before next Monday.
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Associated Press:
Napoli, Pujols Swing Deep Into World Series Lore — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols made the first big dent in this World Series, then it was Mike Napoli's turn. — Bases loaded, eighth inning, tie game. A ballpark full of fans on their feet, “Nap-Oh-Lee” flashing on the scoreboard, crowd chanting his name.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Minor Moves: Johnson, Maysonet — Here are today's minor moves... - Padres catcher Rob Johnson has cleared outright waivers and elected free agency, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter). Johnson, 28, posted a .190/.259/.285 line in 199 plate appearances as San Diego's backup catcher in 2011 …
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
A's Release Wuertz, Claim Scribner, Hunter — The A's announced that they released Michael Wuertz to create 40-man roster space for right-hander Evan Scribner and outfielder Cedric Hunter, who were claimed off of waivers from the Padres. The A's held a $3.25MM option for Wuertz in 2012 …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
It's the Hardball Times Annual 2012 — It's gone, out of my hands—sent away to be forever committed to paper. There's nothing I can do about it anymore. What is it? It's The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2012, our eighth Annual in a row. And this year, it's different.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Phillies decline options on Lidge, Oswalt — Club could attempt to bring both players back as free agents — PHILADELPHIA — It is no surprise the Phillies declined the 2012 options for right-handers Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge. — If Oswalt's mutual option had been exercised …
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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