Free agent Bay nixes Sox's initial offer … Star free agent outfielder Jason Bay has declined Boston's initial contract offer and will head to full free agency, SI.com has learned.  —  Boston's offer to Bay was believed to be for four years and “close to $60 million,” according to sources.

Bud Selig planning fewer breaks in playoff schedule  —  CHICAGO — Baseball plans to cut down on off days during the postseason next year.  —  Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday he's working on tightening up the 2010 playoff schedule so there will be fewer gaps between games.

Reds won't be busy in free agency  —  General manager Jocketty doesn't expect to be active  —  CINCINNATI — Free agency opens for business at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, and that means it will be buying season for all 30 clubs.  —  Don't expect the Reds to be busy free-agent shoppers, however.

Scioscia tops in AL for remarkable year  —  Led Angels beyond tragedy to record-setting season  —  ANAHEIM — The most emotionally challenging of his 10 seasons as leader of the Angels culminated in Mike Scioscia's selection on Wednesday as 2009 American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Mets vow to spend on free agents, but how much, whom?  —  Omar Minaya must cast a wider net to see how he can repair a fractured team that went 70-92 this season.  —  In a perfect world, one  —  without payroll restrictions, the Mets could splurge on free agents to solve all of their most pressing needs.

Beane looking to go young in offseason  —  GM to pursue youth rather than spending on free agents  —  OAKLAND — The 15-day window in which teams hold exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents closes at 9 p.m. PT on Thursday, at which point the A's will be free to start their holiday shopping.

Havens heats up as AFL winds down  —  Mets prospect scores three runs, raises average to .324  —  Reese Havens is finishing his five-week stint in the Arizona Fall League on a roll.  —  The Mets' prospect fell a home run short of the cycle and scored three times Wednesday …

Why I picked Carpenter over Lincecum  —  (11-18) 21:30 PST — If Tim Lincecum wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award today, I will be happy for the lad.  Lincecum is one of the best and most electric pitchers in the game and had another fantastic season.

Cubs, lefty reliever Grabow agree to 2-year deal  —  The Cubs and left-hander reliever John Grabow have agreed in principle to a two-year deal, team sources said today.  —  There was never any doubt that Grabow would return, but with the 15-day exclusivity window to re-sign …

Time in LA ‘disappointing’ for Schmidt  —  Righty's career likely finished despite free-agent filing  —  LOS ANGELES — Jason Schmidt filed for free agency last week, surprising a lot of people who thought he had already retired.  —  “Just leaving my options open,” he said.

Tigers lowering select 2010 tickets  —  More than 4,500 seats will be discounted for season plans  —  DETROIT — The Tigers are lowering prices on select lower and upper box seats and freezing prices on all other tickets as part of their ticket plans for the 2010 season.

Double moves aside, Rogers is moving on  —  Benched Redskins cornerback is eager to bounce back in Dallas  —  Since his rookie season in 2005, Carlos Rogers has started all but two of the 47 games in which he has played.  So as the Washington Redskins began installing their game plan …

Kottaras Claimed by Brewers, Cabrera Elects Free Agency  —  Catcher George Kottaras has been released by the Red Sox.  (AP)  —  With Jason Varitek set to return to the Red Sox as a backup catcher and Victor Martinez returning for the 2010 season, the Red Sox' catching situation seemed set for the 2010 season.