Macha's staff to include familiar faces  —  Sveum, Sedar and Castro expected to return; waiting on Maddux  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers will make an announcement on Friday about new manager Ken Macha's coaching staff, and some familiar names will be on the list.

End of year means Baldelli a free agent  —  Outfielder thanks Rays for sticking with him during illness  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Rocco Baldelli is a free agent now that the season is over, and on Thursday afternoon, the veteran outfielder said he did not know what to expect heading into the offseason.

Tatis, Mets agree on one-year deal  —  Veteran provided versatility, clutch hitting during '08 season  —  NEW YORK — Fernando Tatis, recognized as a comeback player with the Mets in 2008, is coming back in different way.  The club announced Thursday night that Tatis had agreed to a one-year contract.

Baseball must be more fan-friendly  —  PHILADELPHIA — Years from now, when the champagne smell is gone from the clubhouse carpet and the Phillie Phanatic has gray fur, this World Series will be remembered for the weather.  —  It's a shame, really.  That's like being famous in high school for getting the worst wedgie.

It could be time to bring Griffey back - at a discount  —  I've generally been among the last to jump on the Ken Griffey Jr. bandwagon.  —  I've covered the Mariners since 2000, the spring Griffey forced his way off the team, and I never saw him work other than from covering the other team.

130-game baseball season?  Why not  —  There are age-old tribal conflicts that don't last as long as a major-league baseball season.  —  In the time it takes to get through the 162-game regular season and the slow-drip playoffs, you could write a chemistry textbook, crack a North Korean spy code …

Dempster one of four to test market  —  Starter wants to stay; Edmonds, Howry, Fox also file for free agency  —  CHICAGO — Four Cubs, including All-Star right-hander Ryan Dempster and center fielder Jim Edmonds, filed for free agency on Thursday, the first eligible day to do so.

With World Series drought over, Phillies seek refill  —  PHILADELPHIA — The message on the T-shirts that popped up around Citizens Bank Park soon after the final out of the World Series captured the joy and relief of Phillies fans in a uniquely Philadelphia way.  —  “Phinally,” the T-shirts proclaimed.

White Sox to begin youth movement  —  GM Williams looking within organization to improve next season  —  CHICAGO — The phrase “going young” in the world of Major League Baseball usually translates into “rebuilding” to fans following that particular team.  —  Judging by comments …

Tigers buy out Renteria's option  —  Glover, Sardinha outrighted, become Minor League free agents  —  DETROIT — With the World Series having concluded, the Tigers formalized their decision to decline shortstop Edgar Renteria's $12 million option for 2009, instead buying it out for $3 million Thursday and making him a free agent.

The New Testament of Fielding Stats and Awards  —  With the World Series behind us, the baseball world now turns its attention to award winners, free agents, the Rule 5 draft, and the hot stove league.  We will cover all of these matters - and much more - this off-season.

Wilkerson heads for open market  —  After splitting 2008 with M's and Jays, outfielder opts for free agency  —  TORONTO — Just one day after the conclusion of the World Series, outfielder Brad Wilkerson turned in the proper paperwork and filed for free agency after spending most of the season with the Blue Jays.

Trio of Angels file for free agency  —  Anderson, Teixeira and Garland set to test market  —  Three Angels — left fielder Garret Anderson, first baseman Mark Teixeira and starting pitcher Jon Garland — filed for free agency on Thursday.  The filing period runs through Nov. 13.

Florida Marlins trade Mike Jacobs for relief  —  The Marlins didn't bother with preheat.  —  The World Series had barely begun to thaw when the Marlins kicked off baseball's Hot Stove League with the first deal of the off-season, trading first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for set-up reliever Leo Nuñez.

Nats cut ties with closer Cordero  —  Wagner, Orr also outrighted, decline Minors assignments  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals outrighted right-handers Chad Cordero and Ryan Wagner and infielder Pete Orr to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.  All three declined the assignment and elected to become free agents …