Wait till next year . . . or year after that  —  There still is a smoldering, five-game pileup on the side of the Mass Pike, but the Red Sox want their fans to avert their eyes and focus instead on the road ahead.  —  The company line goes something like this: At least Theo Epstein …

Mets finalize deal to land Green  —  Veteran outfielder waives no-trade clause for opportunity  —  NEW YORK — The Mets believe they have addressed their offensive shortfall that has developed since the trade of Xavier Nady 22 days ago.  They have acquired left-handed-hitting veteran right …

Cubs put O'Malley on DL, recall Ryu  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs put rookie left-hander Ryan O'Malley on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained left forearm and recalled right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu from Triple-A Iowa.  —  O'Malley, who won his major league debut earlier …

Squandered Opportunities Cost Yankees  —  Joe Torre did not say it to his players because he did not feel he had to.  Three thousand miles and one day removed from completing a five-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park, Torre expected his tired Yankee team to understand the sweep …

Rangers GM talks to his future free agents  —  GM begins early discussions with club's impending free agents  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - General manager Jon Daniels has begun talking with agents representing the club's impending free agents but said he doesn't want it to become a distraction in the clubhouse.

Nationals' Defense 'Springs a Leak'  —  This is how it goes for the Washington Nationals in these long, dreary days of August.  Take the lead, then give it right back.  Make a good pitch to a savvy hitter, then watch a fielder boot the ball.  Tie the score in the top of the eighth inning …

Double standard  —  Sheffield gets free pass while A-Rod gets grilled  —  Let's get this straight: Alex Rodriguez gets ripped like Dean Martin at closing time for casually mentioning that he has played hurt this season — and those close to A-Rod say he weathered a nagging groin injury …

Cardinals Sign Infielder Jose Vizcaino  —  The St. Louis Cardinals, in need of help at shortstop, signed free-agent infielder Jose Vizcaino on Wednesday.  —  Shortstop David Eckstein, the Cardinals' leadoff hitter, is expected to go on the disabled list after straining a muscle in his side Friday …

Clinton visits Cards' clubhouse  —  NEW YORK — After telling a gathering of people at Shea Stadium on Tuesday how he listened to Cardinals baseball as a boy in Arkansas, former President Bill Clinton stopped in for a pregame clubhouse visit with manager Tony La Russa and the players.

Reds prepare grievance vs. Nats  —  Could take case to Bowden, or MLB, to settle matter  —  General manager Wayne Krivsky's standard answer about the Gary Majewski controversy lately has been: "We're having internal discussions."  —  But the Reds are doing more than simply talking.

Being Julio Franco  —  Were this story to start with my stomach doing a loop-de-loop, it would not sufficiently explain how I tried to stifle the aging process, so let's instead begin with the two-pound omelet and work from there.  —  Every morning, Julio Franco takes 20 or so eggs …

Under The Knife  —  Gossip and Expectations  —  Okay, enough rumors—I'm used to reporting on them, not being in them.  Over the past few months, I've been in discussion with ESPN about several projects, some of which you'll see very soon.  My football injuries column moves from Football Outsiders …

In College Football, Big Paydays for Humiliation  —  The University at Buffalo football team went 1-10 last season and did not score a touchdown until the fourth game.  For nearly a decade, it has been considered one of the worst teams in college football.  —  Buffalo is just the kind …

Gagne might take less to stay  —  SAN DIEGO - Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, who is out for the season with a back injury and clearly headed for free agency in the fall, said Tuesday he wants to remain with the club.  —  He also is willing to take less money than he might get from another team in order to do so.

Top 10 stretch drive predictions  —  We're more than halfway through August, and that means baseball's stretch drive is about to get crankin'.  —  Although games in late August and September are no more important than games in May (they all count equally in the standings, you know) …

Barry, it's time to tell the truth  —  I've had it.  —  I've finally had it.  —  For the past four months, my life has been all Barry Bonds, all the time.  That's what happens when you publish a biography, as I did, about one of America's most fascinating figures.

Their tools of ignominy  —  A baseball box score adds up as neatly as an accountant's ledger.  For every home run, walk or strikeout in a hitter's column, there is an accompanying mark for the pitcher.  For every winner, there is — as every Cubs fan knows — a loser.

Teahen: Struggles will pay off  —  We're having a tough season in Kansas City, but I think we can turn our struggles into a positive for the club in the long run.  Learning how to play through the tough times will make it that much better when things are finally going right.