Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Rain now the story of this World Series … PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies came to the ballpark Monday thinking they were about to hand the World Series over to Mr. October, Cole Hamels. — Little did they know they were about to hand it over to Bud Selig's favorite Doppler 10,000.
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Baseball's crown event is beyond repair — PHILADELPHIA - This World Series is unsalvageable. It is a disaster borne of people who think cowbells and haircuts make them fans, owners who are so greedy that they accept late-October baseball and late-evening start times …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Baseball Musings, Associated Press, Blogging Baseball, The Big Lead and The Final Score
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:World Series Analysis: Rays try to stay vs. Phillies alive in Game 5
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Sabathia's free agency could set up a big payday for Padres ace — C.C. Sabathia's pending massive payday on the free-agent market could embolden Jake Peavy to seek extra money if the Padres try to trade Peavy to a team he doesn't prefer. — That's how Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod drew it up yesterday.
RELATED:
Sabernomics:
Who Gets Jake Peavy's Surplus? — It turns out that Jake Peavy thinks he does, and I think he's right. — Last week, I discussed how the Padres' ownership of Peavy's contract rights for the next four seasons would allow the team to reap the benefits of the difference between his expected income generation and his salary.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets look to farm prospects to lure Street, Putz — Francisco Rodriguez's agent will be at the — general managers' meetings next week in Dana Point, Calif., and the representative for Brian Fuentes likely will be there, too. The Mets have little to lose by meeting with both in their search for Billy Wagner's replacement.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Mets Merized Online, Dom D's Mets Fan Blog, Mets Fever and 24 Hours From Suicide
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
World Series Tampa Bay Rays: Maddon skeptical of explanation of Blanton's cap stain — PHILADELPHIA — Manager Joe Maddon heard Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton's explanation that the curious dark splotch on the bill of his cap during Game 4 was “just dirt from the ball.”
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' budget may be tight for big names — CUBS: Tight budget for big names — The Cubs' off-season may be quieter than in recent years, especially if Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood re-sign quickly, eating up a big chunk of general manager Jim Hendry's budget.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Another Cubs Blog, Dom D's Mets Fan Blog and Daily Herald
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Several factors affect White Sox in free agency — SOX: Tough to shake up, stir this mix — The 15-day free agent filing period begins immediately after the World Series, but the White Sox's off-season agenda has been set for months. — Whether general manager Ken Williams can shake …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Lynn Henning / Detroit News Online:
Tigers' needs are plenty — But filling holes will prove tricky — Settling on a shopping list is the easy task for the Tigers heading into what will be a significant, if not dramatic, offseason. — Finding bullpen help. Acquiring a shortstop. Bringing on a catcher.
Steve Miletich / Seattle Times:
Strip club proposed near Safeco Field — Longtime Seattle adult-entertainment figure Roger Forbes wants to open a strip club just down the street from Safeco Field. The Seattle Mariners aren't happy. — Take me out to the ballgame. Take me out with the crowd. — And buy me a lap dance?
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk
Los Angeles Times:
Take a trip to Baseball Heaven — It's a place where the grass is real, the players are friendly and all the things that made the sport great are on display again. — Chris Erskine, Man of the House — First of all, in Baseball Heaven no one spits. No seeds, no chew …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' larger payroll doesn't rule out roster changes — PHILADELPHIA - The Marlins haven't seen their payroll hit $40 million since 2005, the days of Carlos Delgado and Al Leiter. — That could change in 2009. — According to an industry source, the Marlins are telling teams …
