As salaries rise, so does NL's need for DH … DENVER — Since we live in an age of money, an age of offense, and an age of power, it is time for the National League to stop worrying and start loving the designated hitter.  —  It's the unfortunate, but correct thing to do …

For Helton, Hall is accessible through shrinking window  —  DENVER — No pressure or anything, but the next three games will determine whether the Colorado Rockies can win the World Series — and whether Todd Helton can get into the Hall of Fame.  —  These next three games against Boston …

Jays claim Gosling, Lopez from Reds  —  The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed pitcher Mike Gosling and shortstop Pedro Lopez off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.  —  The Blue Jays have also outrighted pitchers Jordan DeJong, Lee Gronkiewicz and Jamie Vermiliyea to Syracuse of the International League (AAA).

Indians executive visits Cardinals  —  The Cardinals won't call Chris Antonetti the front-runner to become their next general manager, but the club did call the up-and-coming Cleveland Indians executive and his wife to Busch Stadium for a meeting Friday morning with team president Mark Lamping and a tour of the facility.

Schilling for the Hall  —  One school of thought says Curt Schilling, with 216 career regular-season wins, does not belong in the MLB Hall of Fame.  In his 20-year career, he has had eight sub-.500 win-loss records.  His career average year is 14-9 with a 3.46 ERA.

'I Live for This!  Baseball's Last True Believer,' by Bill Plaschke with Tommy Lasorda  —  Lasorda takes his place in baseball lore.  —  In one of the many great stories in "I Live for This!  Baseball's Last True Believer" by Bill Plaschke with Tommy Lasorda, the young Tommy …

Hank Steinbrenner: Yankees in 'agreement' on new skipper  —  BY MARK FEINSAND in New York and PETER BOTTE in Tampa  —  The Yankees don't plan on doing any business over the weekend, but it appears the club has settled on its choice for a new manager.  —  Who that choice is, however, remains to be seen.

LaMar leaves Nationals for Phillies  —  Former GM to become director of professional scouting  —  WASHINGTON — National crosschecker Chuck LaMar left the Nationals to become director of professional scouting with the Phillies on Thursday.  —  LaMar will also work with director …

Lefthander Romero likely to test free agency  —  It looks as if lefthander J.C. Romero could be pitching elsewhere next season.  —  Romero, who played a major role this season in helping the Phillies win their first National League East championship since 1993, appears far apart from the Phillies in early contract negotiations.

Dodgers hope to play one game at Coliseum in '08  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers may return to the Los Angeles Coliseum, site of "Moon Shots," for one game next season.  —  If it works out, the game will be part of the team's 50th anniversary in Los Angeles.

It's not major news, but for those who can't get enough  —  I don't want this entry to sound disrespectful to any other news outlet.  But reports have circulated in recent days regarding Carlos Silva and Torii Hunter, and after getting to the bottom of both stories, I couldn't even convince …

Baker keeping tabs on Cubs' Prior, Wood  —  Both could be free agents, and Reds need pitching  —  BOSTON — Whether it's simply to catch up on the past or plot for the future, new Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker has been chatting with his former Cubs co-aces, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.