Francona on Young: ‘This was an important hire’  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona knew in September that it was likely he'd be losing John Farrell from his coaching staff.  But before Farrell left his position as pitching coach to become manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Francona asked for his advice on potential replacements.

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.

Blast From The Past: Edgar Renteria  —  With the Giants winning the World Series last night and Edgar Renteria being named the World Series MVP, I thought it would be fun to dig up one of Renteria's old scouting reports.  This one comes from the Dec. 24, 1995 issue of Baseball America …

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.

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.

Infection sidelines prospect Jackson for year  —  CHICAGO — Outfielder Brett Jackson, the Cubs' No. 1 Draft pick in 2009 who had been playing in the Arizona Fall League, is done for the year after being hospitalized with a bacterial infection in his right shin.

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.

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.

Ravens have interest in Merriman  —  Coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday night on his WBAL radio show the Ravens would pass on wide receiver Randy Moss, but he expressed an interest in former Maryland linebacker Shawne Merriman.  Asked if he had any interest in Moss, who has been waived by the Vikings …

AFL Announces Saturday's Rising Stars Rosters  —  The World Series is over, but there is still baseball on TV this weekend.  —  The Arizona Fall League announced the rosters for its annual Rising Stars all-star game, which will be televised live on MLB Network and on MLB.com on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET from Surprise Stadium.

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 …