Boras is not to blame, A-Rod is  —  There have been several thousand posts here in the last week and half them are from people who want the head of Scott Boras on a stake.  Columnists from across the country and ripping him as well.  —  It's misguided anger.  —  There are dozens of agents available to a baseball player.

Breaking down all MLB team needs  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Hot Stove is upon us once again.  —  With the Boston Red Sox newly crowned, it's time for the focus to shift to next season.  That, of course, means that all clubs will be working to address their needs in the coming weeks.

Pirates pick former coach as new manager  —  John Russell, who two years ago was let go as a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be named tomorrow as the team's new manager, a source confirmed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last night.  —  Mr. Russell, 46, who managed …

Q&A with Andy MacPhail  —  O's president of baseball operations answers Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec's questions ahead of the general managers meetings  —  Hired in June to head the Orioles' front office, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail faces a daunting task this offseason …

'We need to evolve'  —  Even if he was not the Cardinals' first choice as general manager, John Mozeliak resounded as an extremely popular one when announced Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium.  —  The fit was a comfortable one.  Club chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. introduced Mozeliak …

Twins can't bear to look at what Silva market will bear  —  Twins righthander Carlos Silva was 13-14 with a 4.19 ERA last season.  That's good enough for him to be a sought-after free-agent pitcher during this offseason.  —  The team wants him back, but he will be one of the most sought-after free-agent pitchers this offseason.

Padres must get better to get back  —  Towers takes short list to GMs meeting, will seek center fielder via trade route  —  Padres General Manager Kevin Towers will try to trade for a center fielder this month.  If he doesn't find the right deal, he'll look harder at free agents such as Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron, among others.

Ringing endorsement  —  Team of stars and hidden jewels dazzled its fans in a season filled with special diamond moments  —  It's the celebration of the year for the Red Sox after they finish off a four-game sweep and take home another world championship.  (BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF)

New father-in-law fond of Francoeur  —  As he prepared to give away his daughter Saturday night to Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, Malcolm McCoy was the picture of poise.  —  People have been asking him all week if he was nervous, but McCoy said he's been feeling quite the opposite.

Foresight is their specialty  —  Theo Epstein.  John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino.  —  Theo and the Trio.  —  The Four Horsemen of Boston's Baseball Renaissance.  —  And to think we once had reservations about them . . .  When the Henry group's bid was awarded the Red Sox Dec. 20 …

SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...  JOE GIRARDI  —  The Post's Steve Serby chatted with the 32nd manager of the Yankees about his family, personal and professional influences, and the job ahead.  —  Q: An old-timer you would want on your team?  —  A: Lou Gehrig.