Lee's stellar pitching lifts Texas, but free agency is looming  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — As the Texas Rangers convened behind closed clubhouse doors July 9, manager Ron Washington announced to his players the move that forever changed the franchise.  —  “We have traded,” Washington said, “for Cliff Lee.”

Red Sox announce ticket prices for 2011  —  The Red Sox issued a press release announcing ticket prices for the 2011 season.  The team said that ticket prices in 16 categories of seats would remain the same, while approximately 30 percent of seats will be increased by no more than $5 a ticket.

Inside the Phillies: Age is a consideration as Phillies GM Ruben Amaro builds his team for next season  —  Winning never gets old, but the players do and that has always been the tricky part for the men in charge of making sure the victories keep coming even as the names on the back of the uniforms change.

Jon Daniels out of Mets' plans for next GM, will decide between Sandy Alderson and Josh Byrnes  —  Texas Rangers general manager and Queens product Jon Daniels is no longer being considered to replace Omar Minaya as Mets' GM, and all indications are that the team expects to choose between Sandy Alderson …

Nats to unveil uniform changes Nov. 10  —  After months of rumors and speculation, the Nats are set to unveil significant changes to their uniforms on Nov. 10 at Nats Park.  The team will hold a fashion show event at the stadium, and will show off at least three styles of uniforms.

Baseball union head says players open to expanding playoffs  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Baseball's playoffs could be expanding in two years.  —  The new head of the players' union says his members are open to adding more wild-card teams for 2012 and possibly extending the division series to a best-of-seven.

After Lincecum, Giants tweak Series rotation  —  Cain moved up to Game 2, Sanchez back to Game 3  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants announced their rotation for the World Series on Monday, flip-flopping Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain to give Cain the Game 2 start.

Tragedy  —  My favorite part about sitting in the Yankee Stadium press box is getting the chance to watch Bill Shannon, the official scorer, in action.  Shannon, who for years was the head of public relations at MSG, was ripped out of the pages of Damon Runyon.

Yanks, Girardi will open contract talks  —  The Yankees and Joe Girardi are beginning contract talks Monday that are expected to keep Girardi as manager an additional three years.  —  Girardi's new deal is expected to pay him about $3 million a year, according to sources.

Tim Wallach out of Brewers mix  —  PHOENIX — Tim Wallach has been told by the Milwaukee Brewers that he is no longer a candidate for their managerial vacancy, a development that all but assures Wallach will be the third-base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011.

White Sox Exercise Options On Thornton, Castro  —  The White Sox exercised their 2011 options on reliever Matt Thornton and catcher Ramon Castro, tweets MLB.com's Scott Merkin.  The Sox also requested release waivers on righty Carlos Torres so he can pursue a job in Asia.

Slighting Weaver  —  Jered Weaver was a top five starter in the 2010 AL.  —  If you accept the premise, you may expect a few Cy Young votes to come his way.  'Twas a fine season, worthy of recognition.  —  Alternatively, you reject the premise and would be surprised if many—if any—writers figured in him the top three.

Joe Girardi not ready to put DH tag on Jorge Posada; Brian Cashman admits Vazquez-Johnson gaffe  —  Jorge Posada is the only member of the Core Four with a contract for 2011, but how he'll fulfill that contract remains to be seen.  —  Posada, who turned 39 in August, started only 78 games behind …

Vlad to play right field in Game 1 of Series  —  Hunter to start Game 4 as Rangers keep rotation the same  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Vladimir Guerrero will be in right field for the Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, and right-hander Tommy Hunter will be on the mound for Game 4 when the Series returns to Texas.

Eiland not being brought back  —  Brian Cashman just announced that the team is not bringing Dave Eiland back next season.  —  “It has nothing to do with what took place in the playoffs,” Cashman said.  —  Cashman said the decision is not based on performance.  He labeled the reason as “private.”