Ricciardi will decide soon; Sox will decline Hall option  —  J.P. Ricciardi will probably know by later this week whether he'll join the Mets or the Red Sox front office.  Both organizations want him, as we reported in Sunday Baseball Notes.  —  Ricciardi said via text …

How very sweet it is for Edgar Renteria  —  In possible final game of his career, Giants' shortstop hits big HR and wins Series MVP  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Edgar Renteria's career began on the fields of Barranquilla, Colombia more than 20 years ago.  But the way it will likely end …

With 2010 World Series Complete, 142 Players Opt for Free Agency  —  Brian Wilson had barely gotten the last out in the deciding Game 5 of the 2010 World Series, when MLB's Hot Stove season began in earnest.  As 2010's season ends, the information passed on by the MLB Players Association shows that baseball season really never ends.

Rodriguez to remain Marlins manager  —  Official annoucement expected Wednesday  —  Florida Marlins interim manager Edwin Rodriguezwatches his team during batting practice before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Friday, June 25, 2010, in Miami.  (AP/ Photo/J Pat Carter) (J Pat Carter, AP / June 25, 2010)

Hal Steinbrenner: Payroll staying “within the same level”  —  After attending the Yankees organizational meetings the past two days in Tampa, Hal Steinbrenner did a pair of radio interviews this afternoon — one on ESPN, one on WFAN — to discuss the state of the Yankees and what comes next.

Amid flurry of moves, Brewers cut ties with Hoffman  —  The Brewers on Tuesday declined 2011 contract options for pitchers Trevor Hoffman and Doug Davis and catcher Gregg Zaun, adding all three veterans to the pool of Major League free agents.  —  All three moves were widely expected.

Giants GM: No plans to trade Barry Zito  —  Barry Zito has fallen to fifth in the San Francisco Giants' starting rotation, but General Manager Brian Sabean said he has no plans to trade the left-hander this winter.  —  Zito has three years and $64.5 million left on his contract …

Brewers' choice for skipper is Angels' Roenicke  —  Former Minor League manager was bench coach for Scioscia  —  MILWAUKEE — Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke will be the Brewers' new manager, a source close to Milwaukee's managerial search confirmed on Tuesday.

By Honoring Their Past, the Giants Were Duly Rewarded  —  Karma counts.  This is a lesson everybody needs to remember.  Honor the past, because it is still out there.  —  The Giants won the World Series on Monday night with exquisite pitching, clutch hitting and inspired managing.

Ex-Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes arrested on contempt charges  —  Elijah Dukes, 26, of Tampa, was arrested Monday afternoon and is being held in the Hillsborough County jail, records show.  Bail has not been set.  —  TBO.com  —  TAMPA - Former Tampa Bay Rays player Elijah Dukes has been arrested again …

Baseball: Rakuten's Iwakuma enters posting system  —  New York (Kyodo) — Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma of Japan's Rakuten Eagles, who is aiming to sign with a major league team, entered the so-called posting system on Monday, according to a Major League Baseball official.

Kevin Youkilis: 'I'm preparing myself to play third base'  —  Kevin Youkilis was tracked down by reporters this past weekend at the University of Cincinnati Homecoming football game, having played for the Bearcats' baseball team from 1998-2001 .  The fairly clean-shaven Youkilis explained …

Tigers decline Peralta option; return possible  —  Detroit working on financial terms with free-agent infielder  —  DETROIT — The Tigers are still working on a contract extension for Jhonny Peralta, but his $7.25 million option is now officially out of the question.

Torrealba opts to leave Padres for free agency  —  Catcher Yorvit Torrealba is one of six Padres who became free agents Monday night with the end of the World Series.  —  Torrealba, 32, hit .271 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 95 games with the Padres this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers exercise option on outfielder Scott Podsednik  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers exercised the club option for Scott Podsednik on Tuesday, and the outfielder now has 72 hours to accept the contract or become a free agent.  —  Podsednik was acquired from the Kansas City Royals …