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.

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.

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.

Gems hidden in Minors free agency  —  Some players able to catch on in bigs, resurrect careers  —  Major League Baseball free agency is under way, and it takes on a life of its own, like the season after the season.  MLB.com even has a game, “Free Agent Frenzy,” so fans can get wrapped up in the excitement.

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.

Phillies add three players to 40-man roster  —  Move ensures prospects won't be picked in Rule 5 Draft  —  The Phillies selected the contracts of speedy center fielder Quintin Berry, left-hander Yohan Flande and right-hander Jesus Sanchez on Tuesday, thus adding them to the 40-man roster, which currently stands at 30 players.

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 …

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.

Patience a free-agent virtue for Braves  —  Club could look to open market to fill holes in 'pen, first base  —  ATLANTA — Last year, the Braves aggressively attacked the free-agent market in search of top-flight starting pitchers.  As this year's free-agent season begins …

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.

KTRB “XTRA Sports 860” Enters New Long-Term Contract to Broadcast Oakland A's Games Through 2019  —  Club Reaches Ten-Year Agreement with the San Francisco-Based Station  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Continuing a relationship which was forged last year, the Oakland Athletics and XTRA Sports 860 …

Roy Halladay sweepstakes could be just another Yankees-Red Sox bout … The Yankees recently called the Blue Jays to express interest in superstar pitcher Roy Halladay.  And while the Yankees made the very same call last summer with no hope of acquiring Halladay, this time they have a real reason …