Rodriguez's Agent Votes to Opt Out  —  A clubhouse attendant packed the belongings from Alex Rodriguez's locker into cardboard boxes yesterday, in what may have been a sign that Rodriguez did not plan to visit Yankee Stadium anytime soon.  He may never return as a member of the Yankees …

George Steinbrenner may clean house, hire Tony La Russa  —  After 12 playoff appearances, four World Championships and some heartbreaking disappointments, it looks like Joe Torre has managed his last game as a Yankee - and his successor may well be Tony La Russa.

The Great Wedge ...  This is an ode to Eric Wedge.  Monday night in New York, he did absolutely nothing that I, as a fan, agreed with.  Nothing.  He started Paul Byrd when I was sure he should have gone with C.C. Sabathia on short rest.  He played Kelly Shoppach because he's Paul Byrd's personal catcher …

Tigers exercise option on Ivan Rodriguez for 2008  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has exercised its option for the 2008 season on catcher Ivan Rodriguez.  —  "The Tigers are pleased to have Pudge back for the 2008 season," Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said.

Jeters never prosper ...  Hype is a funny thing.  It can rattle your nervous system even when you KNOW the hype is wrong.  Take Derek Jeter.  I know, intellectually, that the whole "Derek Jeter is Captain Clutch, Conqueror of Pressure, Count of Men on Base, Knight of the Round Ball …

Bell leaving Royals to become White Sox's minor-league field coordinator  —  Former Royals manager Buddy Bell sure didn't last long in his new job as a senior advisor to general manager Dayton Moore.  —  Bell plans to leave the Royals at the end of the month to become the minor-league field coordinator for the Chicago White Sox.

Suzyn Waldman Cries On-Air Following Yankees Defeat  —  I understand that Fans get upset when "their" team loses, and sometime cry.  But a broadcaster live on-air?  I think that's unprecedented.  Well that's exactly what Yankees radio announcer Suzyn Waldman did during the postgame show on WFAN last night.

NL Teams Can't Touch the Talent of the AL  —  There is probably one baseball fan, hidden safely away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado, who truly believes that everything — other than the right to play in an exhibition series — is at stake in the upcoming National League …

Fall guy (cont.)  —  Managerial Odds Board  —  1. Mattingly.  Lacks experience but has The Boss in his corner.  Even money.  —  2. Girardi.  NL Manager of the Year with Florida turned down $1.5 million a year from Orioles.  3-1.  —  3. La Russa.  A perfect fit for the old Steinbrenner.

King Kaufman's Sports Daily  —  Baseball playoffs: Sweeps week.  Off days abound thanks to first-round routs.  MLB needs a flexible schedule.  Plus: "Frank TV," more.  —  Thanks to the New York Yankees beating the Cleveland Indians in Game 3 Sunday, there will be at least one more baseball …

Pirates Manager Search — Don't look for Pirates to raid Cleveland  —  There might not be as large an influx of Cleveland Indians personnel into the Pirates' organization as was originally thought.  —  In fact, that influx could begin — and end — with general manager Neal Huntington.

Hamilton recovering from heart attack  —  Veteran Astros radio broadcaster undergoes angioplasty  —  HOUSTON — Longtime Astros radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton had a health scare on Sunday, experiencing chest pains that ultimately led to a heart attack.  —  Hamilton, who was scheduled …

Schill to go Game 2  —  Just the quick news right now...  Terry Francona just announced that Curt Schilling will be pitching in Game 2 against the Indians, with Daisuke Matsuzaka pitching in Game 3.  Josh Beckett will, of course, go in the first game of the series.

Playoff payoff: Phils give Manuel 2-year extension  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies and manager Charlie Manuel agreed to a two-year extension with a club option for 2010 on Tuesday night, keeping around the folksy manager who led the franchise to their first NL East title since 1993.