Top News:
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Pirates hire Huntington as new GM — Exec spent past 10 years within the Indians' organization — PITTSBURGH — Looking for a general manager with a keen eye for evaluating talent and a scouting background, the Pirates announced early Tuesday that Indians advance scout Neal Huntington …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
RELATED:
MLB.com:
A letter to fans from Frank Coonelly — Dear Pirates Fans: — I am extremely excited to officially announce today that we have hired Neal Huntington as our new General Manager. After a comprehensive search for a baseball executive who can restore the culture of success within the Pirates organization …
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Huntington's Challenge — Neal Huntington, now officially the Pirates new General Manager, won't have to learn to talk like a Pirate, though he is facing several challenges with his new team. Let's take a quick look at some of the ones he can have the most effect on.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Keith Hernandez vents frustration over the airwaves — Figuring out how Mets fans are dealing with the frustration of a team living on the edge is not a priority. What about the Mets broadcasters? They can try hiding their frustrations, but what the heck? — Why not just let it out?
RELATED:
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Nationals thump Mets, lead over Phillies is 2 — The Nationals are a team of up-and-comers and reclamation projects. There isn't a household name on the roster and they've been out of the playoff picture pretty much since the season started. And now they have become an enormous headache for the Mets at a critical juncture.
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
These Mets lack a killer instinct — Pity poor Willie Randolph. Try as he might, he can't turn these sleeping dogs into pit bulls. — Right now, he's got three gamers - David Wright, Moises Alou and Paul Lo Duca - and a clubhouse full of Mister Softees who wouldn't have survived …
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Padres fall into tie for wild-card lead — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bud Black still likes San Diego's situation with six games to go, even though the Padres' problems are mounting. — Fast. — Missing two injured outfielders, San Diego lost its fourth straight game Monday night — and sole possession of the wild-card lead.
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Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
Sox to face A's, Twins in final week — Oakland (75-82) at Boston (92-64), Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET — With a postseason berth assured, Red Sox Nation is clamoring for a little more this time around. — Hey, guys, how about a Division championship? — "It's a challenge," starter Tim Wakefield said.
Discussion:
Fox Sports
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
In the season's last week, they need to stay on top of things — The playoff-bound Red Sox are home tonight to start the final six games of the regular season, and manager Terry Francona continues to straddle the line between playing for the division title (and the best record in the league) …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Pitching coach opts to 'explore options' — Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has left the Marlins because of what sources described as a dispute over his salary for next season. — With a 66-90 record and six games left, the Marlins are headed toward one of the worst finishes in their 15-year history, largely because of poor pitching.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Maureen Mullen / Boston Herald:
Lynn: Ellsbury has familiar look — In 15 games as a September call-up, the Red Sox [team stats]' 6-foot-1, lean, left-handed center fielder went 18-for-43, hitting .419 with two doubles, two triples, two home runs and 10 RBI, setting the stage for a historic rookie season.
George Vecsey / New York Times:
East Races Are as Different as N.L. and A.L. — At 6:08 p.m. on my laptop digital clock yesterday, both New York teams had the bases loaded. Alex Rodriguez was at bat in the Bronx while Carlos Delgado was up in Florida, two of the great hitters of this generation.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Erstad: Take it and move on — Sox outfielder-first baseman not dwelling on unproductive 2007 — The mind truly is a terrible thing to waste. — In some cases, an even scarier place to visit. — Welcome to the world of White Sox veteran Darin Erstad, where you enter at your own risk.
Discussion:
FanHouse
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Willis assesses future with Marlins — Club's all-time winningest pitcher uncertain of his return in '08 — MIAMI — Numbers alone don't measure the value of Dontrelle Willis. They never have. — A consummate professional with boundless energy and enthusiasm, Willis has been the face …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Hill shut down for season — Righty will need surgery for nerve problem in forearm — NEW YORK — Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill will miss the rest of the season because of a nerve problem in his right forearm. Like right-hander John Patterson before him, the radial nerve needs to be decompressed.
