Major Changes In Triple-A Fall Into Place  —  It's official: Three of the longest-standing affiliations in the minor leagues are coming to an end in the International League, with the announcements of new player-development agreements in Columbus and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yanks celebrate ninth straight East title  —  Bombers fall to Jays, but clinch division with Red Sox loss  —  TORONTO — It's not very often that you will see the Yankees whooping it up in the clubhouse after a loss.  In fact, it's not very often that you will see the Yankees whoop it up after a win.

Philadelphia Phillies  —  If Phillies fans were as casually vicious or as unthinkingly, unblinkingly negative as their stereotype suggests, Pat Burrell would have been booed as soon as he stepped to the plate in the first inning.  —  Heck, if Phillies fans were going to live up to their spit …

Clement not too open to closing  —  Of all the tasks facing the Red Sox this winter, finding a closer will be near the top of the list.  No incumbent pitcher has been ruled out, according to club officials, so it is not a big surprise that Matt Clement is a candidate.

Rangers eliminated with 6-3 loss  —  ARLINGTON - There is only one hitch in the Rangers' desires to etch Robinson Tejeda into their starting rotation for 2007: He has yet to win a game in Texas.  —  That's a pretty significant issue.  —  In a 6-3 loss to Seattle on Wednesday …

Why Santana isn't the AL MVP … Johan Santana is the most talented, most charismatic, most dominating pitcher in this hemisphere.  And that's something we should all be able to agree on, except perhaps for certain members of Roy Halladay's immediate family.

Relive all the magic with Clinch Time  —  Download playoff-assuring games for free at MLB.com  —  The first celebration scene happens on the field, where giddy players release all of that pent-up emotion from a marathon Major League Baseball season and pile on top of each other after clinching a championship.

Aparicio ready to lead chagrined O's fans in protest  —  You say you've had it with the Orioles this time.  —  You've had it with nine straight losing seasons.  With another meaningless September.  With a jewel of a ballpark that sits empty and forlorn, except when it's invaded by thousands …

Wilpon deserves all the credit  —  A wealthy, genteel and proper gentleman who's probably used to drinking his bubbly from a crystal flute instead took it straight from the bottle, and had it all dumped right on his head.  Don't be misled; Fred Wilpon was not drunk the other night, at least not from liquor.

Pirates Notebook: Team, Duffy disagree on winter ball  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  LOS ANGELES — The Pirates have told Chris Duffy they would like for him to play winter ball, but Duffy has responded that he has no wish to do so.  —  Potential for another rift between the team and its starting center fielder?

Royals manager takes medical leave of absence, return indefinite  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals manager Buddy Bell is taking a leave of absence to treat a growth discovered near his left tonsil.  —  The Royals announced the move during the ninth inning of their game against …

Notes: Washburn will miss final starts  —  Starter diagnosed with a strain or tear in his right calf  —  ARLINGTON — Jarrod Washburn immediately knew he was in trouble on Tuesday when he heard something "pop" in his right calf after he landed awkwardly after delivering a pitch.

Gulf Coast League Top 20 Prospects  —  Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players (Click here to subscribe)  —  Though major league owners contemplated dissolving both complex-based Rookie leagues, the Arizona and the Gulf Coast, that proposal was tabled and the circuits operated as usual in 2006.