Top News:
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies on the cusp of Series berth — Torrealba's homer instrumental in 3-0 NLCS advantage — DENVER — Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba grew up in Venezuela listening as his dad told stories of baseball's greatest teams. Little did he know he'd be living what could end up one of the greatest hot streaks ever.
Discussion:
6-4-2
RELATED:
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Torrealba's shot puts Rox on the cusp — Catcher's three-run homer instrumental in 3-0 NLCS advantage — DENVER — Yorvit Torrealba answered Diamondbacks pitcher Livan Hernandez's slow pitches with a slow trot that has put the Rockies, owners of what may go down as the greatest fall streak in history …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Confident D-Backs defend play — DENVER - Eric Byrnes plopped down in the Coors Field interview room Saturday afternoon, grabbing a pair of microphones on the table and pulling them toward him like pints of suds as if he were ready to opine to the local barkeep.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Associated Press, FanIQ Blog, Baseball Musings, AZ Snakepit and Bad Altitude
Brad Hamilton / New York Post:
HEIR TIME FOR YANKEES — KING GEORGE'S SONS ARE TAKING CHARGE — The Steinbrenner boys have taken the reins, Yankees brass has told The Post. — Hank and Hal Steinbrenner will share leadership of father George's beloved Bronx Bombers in an arrangement to be further ironed out at top-level meetings in Tampa this week.
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks, River Ave. Blues, The Bronx Block, Pinstripe Alley and The Yankee Despiser
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Will Torre be retained? — Support for manager may be growing in New York — Some Yankees decision-makers have been paying close attention to the reaction of players and fans, and a few people close to the situation are actually beginning to wonder whether Joe Torre is as gone as Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said he would be.
MSNBC:
Steinbrenner relinquishes control of Yankees — N.Y. owner's sons Hank, Hal reportedly to do day-to-day running of team — NEW YORK - The George Steinbrenner era is apparently all but over. — According to a report in the New York Post, the "Boss" has handed over control of the New York Yankees …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Baker has to conserve Reds' young arms — LIKE THIS STORY? — Dusty Baker will be paid approximately $3.5 million per season during his three-year contract with the Reds, major league sources say. — Some might suggest the contract should include pitch counts for the Reds' top pitching prospect, right-hander Homer Bailey.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Japanese pitcher Kuroda on Cubs' wish list — CLEVELAND — Game 3 starter Daisuke Matsuzaka became the next big thing last winter when Boston shelled out $100 million for a posting fee and contract to reel in the Japanese star. — His first season turned out to be more of a learning experience than most envisioned.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Hoffman has minor surgery on elbow — Padres closer Trevor Hoffman had surgery on his pitching elbow Thursday - an arthroscopic "cleanup" procedure that, according to the club, will have the all-time saves leader ready for Opening Day. — "Hoffy's surgery was very minor - a few bone chips removed," General Manager Kevin Towers said.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Jackie MacMullan / Boston Globe:
No relief in sight for Gagné — Ouch. — The wounds are multiple in the wake of Boston's bewildering 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians in 11 innings last night at Fenway Park. The obvious and most damaging byproduct is the Red Sox have suddenly coughed up home-field advantage …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe!, SOX & Dawgs, Boston Herald, Babes Love Baseball, Red Sox Monster and Peter's Red Sox Forever
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Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
O's, MSA reach agreement on video screen, scoreboard — Deal for $9M video and scoreboard display not yet official — The Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority have reached a tentative agreement to avoid arbitration and spend $9 million to replace the video display and audio systems at Camden Yards.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
O's keep Crowley as hitting coach — Club expected to make Kranitz offer for pitching coach vacancy — As expected, the Orioles are holding onto longtime hitting coach Terry Crowley for 2008, while they move aggressively toward filling their recently created pitching-coach vacancy.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Report: Reds to hire Baker as skipper — CINCINNATI — The Reds have chosen Dusty Baker as their new manager and have signed him to a three-year contract, ESPN reported on Saturday night. — Baker, currently an ESPN baseball analyst, has 14 seasons of managerial experience with the Giants …
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Detroit Free Press:
JON PAUL MOROSI: Why A-Rod is too rich for the Tigers — Team would have to cut players — Let's suppose Alex Rodriguez really, really wants to be a Tiger. — Let's suppose he opts out of his contract with the New York Yankees. — Let's suppose he decides the high-profile markets …
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
Barry Jackson / MiamiHerald.com:
Willis, Cabrera: tough duo to keep — Marlins offseason chatter: — • The Marlins, who are very open to making a major trade, have made pitching their clear-cut No. 1 priority but also will try to sign a veteran free agent catcher who works well with a young staff.
