Time to close curtain on this act  —  TORONTO — In 2011, when Manny Ramírez will be 39 years old, he will start to receive the first installment in 16 years of deferred payments.  The checks that year will total slightly less than $2 million, and by the year 2026 …

Girardi's days likely numbered  —  Manager reportedly will be dismissed at season's end  —  PHILADELPHIA — It's been a year of surprises for the Florida Marlins.  So, in an ironic way, it's strangely fitting that this startling season has produced a fallout between management and manager.

A's walk-off win gives Zito lasting image  —  Scutaro's heroics put Oakland in position to clinch AL West  —  OAKLAND — Barry Zito wore the satisfied, bemused look of a man who knows he's about to attend one hell of a party.  —  Thanks to Bobby Kielty, Jay Payton, Marco Scutaro and a host of lesser heroes, he is.

Pirates, Royals play spoiler at end of season  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals will not be around for October, but they are going to have a say about the eight postseason teams.  —  The Pirates, in fifth place in the National League East, play a weekend series …

Who will be the next Esteban Loaiza?  —  Say hello to the "Esteban Loaizas of 2006."  —  The scout who coined that phrase wasn't talking about the top of this year's free-agent pitching market — left-hander Barry Zito and righty Jason Schmidt.  —  He wasn't talking about potential free agents …

Pavano Joins Yankees, and the Joking Begins  —  It has been a season of setbacks for Carl Pavano, the Yankees' $10 million missing man.  But the team made sure his latest physical problem did not keep him out of the clubhouse.  —  Pavano, who cracked three ribs in a car accident on Aug. 15 …

International: Mariners Sign Truinfel  —  As expected, the summer of 2006 has been a busy one on the international market.  The Mariners, who aren't shy about signing players from any corner of the globe, already had spent heavily earlier in the summer, signing Venezuelan outfielder Mario Martinez for $600,000.

Under The Knife  —  A Scary Day  —  I've been covering steroids in baseball for most of my career, and there's been no scarier day than yesterday.  I was in the ESPN newsroom, getting ready to go on and talk some fantasy football when I saw that the authors of Game of Shadows were sent to jail.

What's next for Cubs' Ramirez?  —  Cubs want him back, but out clause gives slugger upper hand  —  CINCINNATI — Will Aramis Ramirez hold the Cubs hostage next month, or will negotiations over a new contract go smoothly?  —  That may be the biggest dilemma general manager Jim Hendry faces this off-season …

Cardinals extend Jocketty, restructure front office  —  HOUSTON — On the same day Cardinals ownership made apparent its commitment to general manager Walt Jocketty, it also announced a restructuring of the front office he heads.  —  The club announced Friday that it had assumed the option on Jocketty's contract for 2008.

Cards Notebook: Eckstein returns; Edmonds on the way?  —  Eckstein returns; Edmonds on the way?  —  David Eckstein's name appeared among the starters on the Cardinals' lineup card Friday night for the first time since Aug. 18, when he suffered a strained left side.