Some things up in the air  —  Once he gets to Denver, Francona faces decisions  —  The Red Sox will send their ace, Josh Beckett, to the mound tomorrow night at Fenway Park for Game 1 of the World Series, but how the rotation sets up from there remained classified information yesterday as the Sox wrapped up an optional workout.

Yankees likely to offer Jorge Posada $40 million  —  The Yankees plan to do what they can to keep Jorge Posada from hitting the open market, but it doesn't look like anything will happen before the team has completed its interview process for the open manager's job.

Mariners add experienced coaches  —  Stottlemyre, Riggleman, Charlton, Rodriguez tabbed  —  The coaching staff Mariners manager John McLaren inherited from Mike Hargrove last July lacked experience.  —  But McLaren's new staff is loaded with Major League service time.

Yankees' Levine Cries Foul on Criticism  —  For most of the past 34 years, George Steinbrenner could be reliably blamed for hiring and firing Yankee managers because you knew he was in charge.  But the end of the Joe Torre era last week shoved the Steinbrenner sons onto a stage they had never …

Mailbag: Will Prior return to Cubs in '08?  —  Beat reporter Carrie Muskat answers Cubs fans' questions  —  Mark Prior, Alex Rodriguez and the Cubs, Jason Kendall and Geovany Soto, a correction and some history are among the topics in this week's mailbag.  —  Send your questions …

Sadly, Series likely a letdown  —  Tiresome title games the trend.  Don't count on any Colorado-Boston drama  —  BOSTON — No one has won World Series jewelry yet.  The event doesn't start until Wednesday night.  —  It just feels like it's already over.

Jaguar Fans Are Inappropriate, Funny  —  What you're about to see occurred in the stands during the Jags first drive of the second half:  —  First off, bravo good sir.  Now that is how to properly utilize a gameday give-a-way.  They kept showing these four dudes, so I guess the comedian …

Managing a champion: Let players play  —  Hurdle's Rockies share similarities with recent upstart teams  —  It's safe to say that Clint Hurdle has never been compared to Connie Mack or John McGraw or any of the other men who rank among the best managers of all time.

Mailbag: Should Maybin stay in Minors?  —  Reporter Jason Beck answers Tigers fans' questions  —  Is it just me, or does Cameron Maybin need at least one more full season in the Minors?  He seems to have all the tools, but not the understanding of how to use them.

Mailbag: Can Murphy be the man in left?  —  Rangers beat writer T.R. Sullivan answers your questions  —  Of the young players acquired this season, David Murphy has my attention.  Do you believe Murphy can be the everyday left fielder now and in the future?

Mailbag: Could Johnson oust Young?  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' burning questions … With first baseman Nick Johnson expected to come back next year, where will Dmitri Young play?  —  It's too early to answer this question.  I have to see if Johnson is going to fully recover from his hip surgery.