Hank Steinbrenner's stance caught A-Rod, Boras off guard  —  As it turns out, the one development that Alex Rodriguez didn't see coming, the one that caused him to finally stand up to Scott Boras and go looking to make things right with the Yankees, was the emergence of Hank Steinbrenner as the new Boss.

Mets eye Yorvit Torrealba as Ramon Castro stays  —  Ramon Castro wrapped up a two-year deal yesterday to remain a Met, and looks forward to pairing with Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate, provided the organization completes an agreement for that free-agent catcher today.

Club looks to extend ace Bedard's contract  —  Source: Team, agent to talk before Dec. 3  —  Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail spent part of last week's general manager meetings listening to offers for Erik Bedard.  But his focus is expected to change in the coming days …

Braves GM meets with Glavine's agent  —  The Braves took another step toward bringing Tom Glavine back to Atlanta Wednesday as general manager Frank Wren met with the veteran left-hander's agent in Phoenix.  —  "We had a good conversation in regards to our interest in Tom returning to the Braves …

Lowell move twofold?  —  Yankees open to him playing first  —  Mike Lowell moving to first base for the Yankees?  —  That was the word on the Newark Star-Ledger website last night.  Baseball writer Dan Graziano reported that the Yankees, who appear to be moving closer …

Texas Rangers need apology to sign Rogers  —  Hicks says pitcher's 'unfinished business' must be resolved  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  Like his general manager did a day earlier,Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks said Wednesday that under "certain circumstances," he would welcome …

Padres talk extension with Peavy as Cy awaits  —  Padres ace Jake Peavy will receive the National League Cy Young Award today - and a contract extension in coming weeks isn't out of the question for the 26-year-old right-hander.  —  Padres CEO Sandy Alderson and Peavy's agent said the sides …

Braves appear to be flush with cash  —  Team CEO says they will spend 'many millions more' on player payroll  —  The Braves appear to have plenty of money to spend this shopping season.  —  Team owner Liberty Media revealed in a financial report filed this week that the Braves had robust revenue and cash flow last season.

Not a banner day for fans  —  After weeks of good news, Boston hit with some bad  —  If you added up what happened yesterday that could affect the Red Sox directly or indirectly, you might grade the day a D. It would have been an F except that Alex Rodriguez said on his website he might …

LA clubs lead list of Cabrera suitors  —  League source says deal could come before Thanksgiving  —  MIAMI — Miguel Cabrera could soon be the toast of Los Angeles.  —  A league source on Wednesday confirmed the Angels and Dodgers are the front-runners to acquire the 24-year-old Marlins slugger.

Fuld wins Stenson Award  —  Cubs prospect overcame juvenile diabetes on way to Majors  —  It was just a brief encounter, a preteen boy meeting a Major League veteran.  But it was a moment that Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Sam Fuld has never forgotten.  —  Fuld, just 12 at the time …

'Black Irish' sees light  —  Baseball pic labor of love for first-time director  —  Brad Gann knows what it's like to move up to the Major Leagues.  —  Gann, the writer and director of the baseball-family film "Black Irish," cobbled together a small budget to make the movie of his dreams.

Task ahead nothing new for Wiley  —  Former Marlins pitching coach once again has young pitchers  —  MIAMI — Dealing with a young Florida pitching staff is nothing new for Mark Wiley.  What will be different now in his second stint as a Marlins coach is a number of the names have changed from a few years ago.