Mets target Posada while Yankees move slowly on catcher  —  In the past two weeks, the Yankees have severed ties with Joe Torre and Don Mattingly, two of the team's most popular figures of the past 20 years.  Is Jorge Posada next?  —  Industry sources are becoming increasingly baffled …

Scott Boras points ridiculous finger at Mariano Rivera  —  You just have to laugh sometimes when you hear Scott Boras speak.  He must think everyone is as dumb as Tom Hicks, the Rangers owner he once convinced to pay Alex Rodriguez at least $50 million more than anyone else was willing to bid at the time.

Papelbon on Letterman  —  A transcript of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon's appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on Wednesday night:  —  Letterman: "Our first guest dominated opposing hitters throughout the postseason and closed out the World Series for the Boston Red Sox.

AL Elias rankings  —  American League slugger David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox led all major league players with a 100 ranking.  Other top performers at their positions included Jorge Posada of the New York Yankees, Michael Young of the Texas Rangers and Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins.

HOLLYWOOD ENDING  —  Though the Dodgers strongly denied they have a completed deal with former Yankees manager Joe Torre, people on both sides of the situation said yesterday the process of Torre replacing Grady Little in the dugout is moving forward.  —  Los Angeles GM Ned Colletti said Torre …

The old hidden-ball trick  —  Club can't locate symbol of Series  —  The ball.  Where's the darned ball?  —  Here we go again.  —  We last saw the official championship souvenir in Jason Varitek's back pocket after the final out when the Red Sox wrapped up the World Series Sunday in Game 4 at Denver.

Baseball skippers' pay compares unfavorably  —  Few people question the grueling nature of managers' jobs.  —  They're at the ballpark every day for nearly eight months — including spring training but not the postseason — spend half the year on the road and make decisions that impact 162 games …

Voices of Marlins nominated for honor  —  Trio among this year's nominees for Ford C. Frick Award  —  MIAMI — Their voices have informed and entertained Marlins baseball fans for years.  Now their work is being considered for their profession's highest honor, the prestigious 2008 Ford C. Frick Award.

Hunter, Williams to meet next week  —  Asked Monday where he stood with the start of his offseason plans, White Sox general manager Ken Williams responded with little hesitation, ''Full go.''  —  He wasn't kidding.  —  The Sun-Times has learned from two sources in the Sox' organization …

What's Wrong With Sports Illustrated  —  AND HOW TO FIX IT.  —  In August 1994, on the occasion of the magazine's 40th anniversary, Sports Illustrated ran a 22,000-word story called "How We Got Here."  Steve Rushin's sprawling, multipart essay on integration, the rise of television …

Zumaya Out Indefinitely!  —  The Detroit Tigers today announced righthanded pitcher Joel Zumaya underwent surgery yesterday at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego.  Zumaya had an AC joint reconstruction on his right shoulder, a procedure performed by Dr. Heinz Hoenecke and Dr. Jan Fronek.

Hillman, Ham Fighters lose series on perfect game  —  NAGOYA, Japan —Trey Hillman was on the wrong side of a perfect ending in the Japan Series on Thursday.  —  The Kansas City Royals' new manager and his Nippon Ham Fighters lost 1- to the Chunichi Dragons when Daisuke Yamai and Hitoki Iwase combined …

The 2007 Internet Baseball Awards  —  Results and Wrap-Up  —  It's time to announce the winners of the 16th annual Internet Baseball Awards.  More than 1,400 baseball fans from cyberspace participated in this effort to honor those players and managers whose performance in 2007 were most deserving.

Mozeliak takes on 'huge responsibility'  —  A four-week search including a detour or two led the Cardinals down the hallway of their own front offices Wednesday when the organization formally announced former assistant general manager John Mozeliak as the 12th general manager in franchise history.