Rangers exec thinks Phillies are role-model franchise  —  NEW YORK - Chuck Greenberg, managing partner and chief executive officer of the Texas Rangers, says the Phillies are one of the teams he hopes his franchise can emulate.  —  Greenberg's group, Rangers Baseball Express …

Phillies show signs of panic in Game 4 loss  —  SAN FRANCISCO - The chinks in these impermeable Philadelphia Phillies keep emerging, and the latest Wednesday night revealed an ugly truth: Not only are the Phillies one game away from extinction by the San Francisco Giants, they are turning into an awfully panicky bunch.

There's a fourth finalist for the Blue Jays' job: Brian Butterfield  —  According to an industry source, Blue Jays' third base coach Brian Butterfield is one of the four finalists for the Toronto managerial opening.  Butterfield, 52, a native of Maine who still lives in the state …

Bryce Harper's first Arizona Fall League hit, a near-miss  —  And there it is in video form: Bryce Harper's first professional hit in the Arizona Fall League last night — almost a grand slam — a two-run, ground rule double.  —  Sounds like the guy holding the video camera got a little excited - almost a double-rainbow moment!

D-Backs to tab Montgomery as scouting director  —  The Diamondbacks are expected to name Ray Montgomery their new scouting director, with an announcement likely to come early next week.  —  Montgomery, 41, has spent the past eight seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Rangers' manager sits on hands (again)  —  I know I said I would lay off Ron Washington.  —  Really, though?  —  Washington's decision to start Matt Treanor in Game 5 was ... questionable, at best.  But we might at least understand the rationale: Treanor began serving as C.J. Wilson's personal catcher …

Hillman likely to become Dodgers' bench coach  —  Former skipper would provide experience behind Mattingly  —  LOS ANGELES — Former Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman has emerged as the front-runner to be bench coach on Dodgers rookie manager Don Mattingly's staff, according to baseball sources.

Where did the hitters go in October?  — The playoffs have followed the regular season trend back to pitching dominance.  Not that aces haven't done this in past postseasons, it's just that their supremacy this year stands out.  —  Roy Halladay's no-hitter, Tim Lincecum's 14 strikeouts …

Greinke will be popular topic this offseason  —  Zack Greinke's name will be a fixture in the offseason rumor mill.  —  And here's something to keep in mind: His contract with the Kansas City Royals includes a no-trade clause - but only through the end of next season.

Lee's Price Climbs Ever Higher  —  How the Luxury Tax Could Price the Yankees Out of the Market for the Rangers Ace in the Offseason  —  It was a testament to how well Cliff Lee pitched Monday in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series—eight shutout innings, two hits, 13 strikeouts …