L.A. vs. N.Y. for top free-agents … ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Baseball executives envision this country's horrific economic meltdown adversely affecting this free-agent class, though it might not cost three superstars who baseball people believe are too good to be affected.

L.A. vs. N.Y. for top free agents (cont.)  —  Braves are early leaders for Peavy  —  Padres ace Jake Peavy is seen as accepting a trade to at least any of his top five choices — the Braves, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers or Astros — and perhaps a few others, though his no-trade provision allows him to reject any deal.

Mariners GM leaves Milwaukee legacy  —  Zduriencik helped draft many pieces of the NL Wild Card winners  —  MILWAUKEE — In his now-former life as the Brewers' amateur scouting director, Jack Zduriencik was so sure about a high school kid from Tucson named J.J. Hardy that the Brewers might …

Dodgers retain entire Major League coaching staff for 2009  —  LOS ANGELES — The 2008 National League West Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers today announced they have retained their entire Major League coaching staff for the 2009 season.  The staff, led by manager Joe Torre …

The Happy Heckler Can't Be Heard Now in the Din at Tropicana Field  —  As Tampa Bay Rays Draw a Noisy Throng, Robert Szasz Gets Drowned Out  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For the past six years, the taunts of a lone Tampa Bay Rays fan could be heard echoing across cavernous Tropicana Field …

Brewers finish managerial interviews  —  Skipper to be named next week; scouting post on deck  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has finished interviewing managerial candidates and plans to name his choice immediately following the World Series.

Loewen signs with Blue Jays  —  Former first-round pick spurns O's, agrees to minor league deal with division rival in surprise move; ‘I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be a Blue Jay’  —  If Adam Loewen is going to make a successful transition into a power-hitting outfielder or first baseman, it won't be in an Orioles uniform.

It's LOOGY Time  —  In praise of the ballplayer who best embodies the absurdist quality of the game.  —  A World Series—even one hosted in such grim locales as St. Petersburg's moldy Tropicana Field or Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, the Ford F-250 of ballparks—is all about stars.

Arencibia heating up under desert sky  —  Jays catching prospect sizzling at plate in Arizona Fall League  —  TORONTO — J.P. Arencibia is beginning to heat up under the Arizona sun.  After a slow start for the Blue Jays' top catching prospect, Arencibia enjoyed a strong showing this week with the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

SOURCE: ISIAH THOMAS OVERDOSES ON SLEEPING PILLS  —  Former Knicks coach Isiah Thomas was taken to the hospital early this morning because he overdosed on sleeping pills at his Westchester home, authorities said.  —  When reached on his cell phone today, Thomas, 47, denied those claims …

Manny not a priority for Jays — Burnett is  —  Manny Ramirez?  —  Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi uttered that name to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports on Wednesday night saying that the feared slugger with heavy baggage was on the club's radar — the wishful thinking list.  —  Okay, we'll bite.