Defiant Cashman returns, vowing change  —  A feisty, defiant Brian Cashman said today that he returned to the Yankees to “change the story” about where the team was headed.  “We have to win,” he said.  “And we will.”  —  Oddly, Hal Steinbrenner was not on hand to give the family's side of the story.

A look at the Texas Rangers' off-season lineup card  —  ARLINGTON - Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels took some time Tuesday afternoon to run through the list of positive steps the team took this season.  He cited the improved record, the contributions by young players …

Peavy expected to be trade target  —  Kyle Lohse is off the board, CC Sabathia is going to be out of reach for most teams, and Derek Lowe might have more suitors than any pitcher on the market, a dynamic that will drive his asking price well beyond $50 million.

Sox roster is set  —  The Red Sox have set their initial roster for the first round of the playoffs and there are no real surprises.  The Sox are carrying 10 pitchers and 15 positional players; Mike Timlin is off and third catcher David Ross is on.  Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew are both expected …

Dodgers and Angels, California's Yin and Yang  —  ANAHEIM — When the Dodgers celebrated clinching the National League West title last week, Manny Ramirez walked out on the field armed with a microphone and surveyed the crowd, some of whom sported dreadlocked wigs and No. 99 jerseys.  —  “What's up L.A.?”

Fan: Yep, lost my head over Mr. Met  —  A disgruntled Mets fan who melted down months before his team did pleaded guilty Tuesday to harassing Mr. Met during a game.  —  Christian Hansen, 32, of Brooklyn, admitted to badgering the baseball-headed mascot - while swatting young fans out of his way …

Rays trim roster, announce lineup  —  Maddon bats Crawford fifth, decides on 15 position players  —  ST. PETERSBURG — While the Rays won't announce their final 25-man postseason roster until Thursday's 10 a.m. ET deadline, manager Joe Maddon said on Wednesday that the club will go with a makeup …

Mets pitcher involved in deadly hit-and-run crash  —  Troubled Mets relief pitcher Ambiorix Burgos allegedly struck and killed two women in a hit-and-run crash in his homeland of the Dominican Republic, cops told a local paper.  —  Burgos, 24, who missed the whole season with an elbow injury …

Pirates' broadcaster Frattare retiring  —  Lanny Frattare, the voice of the Pirates for 33 years, is retiring.  —  Frattare, who began broadcasting the team's games in 1976, has called the team games longer than any other announcer, including the venerable Bob Prince.

Mets' Santana had a meniscus tear in left knee  —  Mets ace Johan Santana had left knee surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus, SI.com has learned.  He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready in time for spring training.  —  Adding to his legacy as one of the game's elite starters …

Note: Church loved NYC just 5 Weeks Ago  —  Yesterday, on WFAN, Mike Francesa said he has been told that Ryan Church ‘hated it here,’ while adding, 'I know for a fact that he didn't like the team, he didn't like the city and he was not a happy guy here.'  —  However, just five weeks ago …

Struggling Bullpen Costs Mets, Could Doom Playoff Clubs  —  The Mets are going home early again.  It's easy to point to the bullpen, but the 2008 club never seemed to be firing on all cylinders for any stretch of time, particularly in the second half.  Both the hitting and pitching ran hot …