Top News:
George A. King III / New York Post:
Cano's agent wants contract redone; Yankees GM hasn't returned call — ST. LOUIS — Robinson Cano's effort to get his two club contract options deleted and a new deal hasn't penetrated the wax in the Yankees' ears. — Nevertheless, the team is more open to signing left-handed ace CC Sabathia …
Discussion:
It's About The Money, MLB Rumors, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bronx Baseball Daily and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
CC Sabathia opt-out clause looms over Yankees, who close in on signing Brian Cashman for 3 years — The Yankees moved closer to a deal with Brian Cashman to remain as their general manager and also worked on a plan for answering their biggest on-field question of the offseason …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and NESN.com
David Waldstein / Bats:
New Offer for Sabathia in the Works — ST. LOUIS — The Yankees are close to completing a new contract proposal for the left-hander C.C. Sabathia, which they intend to present to him before he can opt out of his current contract, according to a baseball executive who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, NESN.com and New York Post
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Aim To Sign Sabathia Before Opt-Out Date
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, The Yankee Analysts, Associated Press, Bronx Baseball Daily and HardballTalk
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
La Russa no fan of ‘Moneyball’ — Cardinals skipper has his own ideas — ST. LOUIS - After Major League Baseball pulled the plug on Game 6 of the World Series last night, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he planned to go see the movie “Moneyball,” even though he despises the concept the film is based on.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Can't Stop The Bleeding and THE BOOK
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright looks back, and ahead — With so much talk Wednesday at Busch Stadium centering on what starter could pitch Game 7 of the World Series if the Cardinals win Game 6 tonight, rehabbing righthander Adam Wainwright had a suggestion for his coaches. — He offered to skip today's scheduled side session.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and FanGraphs Baseball
David Waldstein / New York Times:
The Only Pitcher's Name That La Russa Got Right
Discussion:
NotGraphs Baseball
Scott Lauber / Clubhouse Insider:
Source: Blue Jays ‘will not rule out’ a pursuit of David Ortiz — Coming off an 81-81 season and with money to spend, the Toronto Blue Jays “will not rule out” making a strong push for David Ortiz, a major-league source said today. In fact, Ortiz could conceivably be a good fit north of the border.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Batter's Box Interactive …, HardballTalk and NESN.com
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Draft slotting system still being debated — Late last night, The Associated Press moved an update on MLB's negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The last major issue involves a slotting system for the draft. Putting such a system in place would eliminate a team's ability …
Discussion:
Respect Jeter's Gangster and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Draft Bonuses Last Major Issue In CBA Talks
Discussion:
MiamiHerald.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Hoyer, McLeod To Join Cubs; Byrnes Now Padres GM — Theo Epstein's first deal as the Cubs' president of baseball operations may be one of the most significant moves of his tenure in Chicago. The Cubs and Padres have confirmed that San Diego GM Jed Hoyer and assistant GM Jason McLeod …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Stark says the Phillies like David Wright — In an interview with host Mike Missanelli on 97.5 FM in Philadelphia, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark said: … Phillies manager Charlie Manuel indicated after the post season that his team should seek an upgrade at third base this offseason …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Colby Lewis stays calm and composed — Rangers' most consistent postseason starter on the mound as they go for first title … ST. LOUIS — Derek Holland does impersonations, even on national television, and sports one of the worst mustaches in the history of sports.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, ESPN.com, MLB and Baseball Time in Arlington
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Game 6 postponement possible
Discussion:
ESPN, Rangers Blog, Baseball Time in Arlington and Yahoo! Sports
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers preparing to take next step in 2012 — MILWAUKEE — Barely 48 hours had passed since the sudden end to the Brewers' 2011 season when general manager Doug Melvin started facing the questions about 2012. Melvin summed up his challenge by asking a question himself.
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
MADDON: ANY POTENTIAL BAN ON BEER ‘ASININE’ — Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, speaking from his Huntington Beach, Calif. home Wednesday, strongly criticized the idea that beer needed to be banned from clubhouses in Major League Baseball, calling such a move “asinine.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Can't Stop The Bleeding
ESPN:
New player in Yanks RF derby: Beltran — Not long ago, it was considered a slam-dunk that the Yankees would pick up Nick Swisher's $10.25 million option for 2012, despite another miserable postseason performance. — Now, it's not so clear. — The reason?
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and Bronx Baseball Daily
Colin Wyers / Baseball Prospectus:
Manufactured Runs — Matchup Madness — With the Cardinals facing elimination, Game Six will be an all-hands-on-deck endeavor. Both managers are scouring their rosters for any potential advantage, and as part of that effort, they'll probably be referring to historic batter-pitcher matchups.
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Mets have discussed changing outfield wall to blue — Yesterday, I heard from a few people close to the team who say the Mets are finally considering whether to change the outfield wall to blue in Citi Field (like it was at Shea Stadium). Right now, the outfield wall is 'soot …
