Yankees' Cashman to sign three-year deal  —  Brian Cashman has agreed to return as the Yankees general manager on a three-year contract, Newsday has learned.  —  Cashman deliberated over the decision about whether it was time to move on after 11 seasons as GM, but gave the Yankees an affirmative answer this afternoon.

White Sox claim AL Central crown  —  Danks tosses gem, Thome hits monster homer to beat Twins  —  CHICAGO — With most of the 40,354 in attendance at U.S. Cellular Field sporting dark colors, the White Sox got their “Sox Pride” blackout as requested.  —  Through the immense power of Jim Thome …

After Yankees' ‘insult,’ Torre in a golden state with Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre stood in the Dodger Stadium infield, looked up at the fans screaming in jubilation, and slammed his eyes shut to stop the tears.  —  This is what it feels like to be appreciated again.

Blasts from their past?  —  Teixeira, drafted by Sox, didn't sign  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - If you could pick about five hitters in baseball who could be tagged with the label “perfect for the Red Sox,” Mark Teixeira likely would have his name in capital letters.

Drug Testers Notified Teams In Minors  —  When George J. Mitchell issued his report last December on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, Commissioner Bud Selig quickly embraced the report's findings.  He then went further, saying baseball would immediately end a practice under …

Players To Be Named  —  Today we acquired RHP Eduardo Perez and LHP Michael Watt from the Dodgers in exchange from Greg Maddux.  —  Eduardo is a 20-year old, 6'2" right-hander from Venezuela.  Our scouting reports indicate that he has an advanced feel for pitching, throws consistent strikes …

D-Backs found ways to lose this year  —  The easiest way to put it, when assessing the disappointment of the Diamondbacks season, is to call them underachievers - to say that the overachieving bunch that last year found ways to win somehow found ways to lose this year.

Padres ‘leaning’ toward Giles' option  —  Towers discusses exercising $9 million clause for right fielder  —  SAN DIEGO — Nothing is definitive, but Padres general manager Kevin Towers said Tuesday that the team is leaning toward picking up right fielder Brian Giles' $9 million option for 2009.

An Interview With Manny Acta  —  Thank you so much for both the kind words and the suggestions.  It's a challenge, of course, to jump into a beat midseason, and I know I took my lumps this year.  Plus, Barry didn't just leave behind big shoes to fill; he left behind size 16 Timberland boots.

Burrell leaves Phillies' practice with back issue  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell (burl) left today's workout with a sore lower back, a day before Philadelphia opens the NL playoffs.  —  The Phillies and Milwaukee play Game One of their division series tomorrow afternoon.

DePodesta, Towers won't get permission to talk to M's  —  The list of names the Mariners want to look at as they search for a new general manager is shrinking already, and the club is scarcely 24 hours into the formal process.  —  Sandy Alderson, the president of the Padres …

Lee, Lidge earn Comeback Awards  —  Tribe ace, Phillies closer easily outdistance competition  —  Cliff Lee, who was the American League leader in wins and ERA, and Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge, who converted 41 of 41 save opportunities to help the Phillies win a second consecutive National …