Mets will interview Wally Backman, Chip Hale for manager after hiring J.P. Ricciardi in front office  —  New Mets general manager Sandy Alderson spent his first full day in his Citi Field office Tuesday beginning to schedule managerial interviews and announcing a high-profile front office acquisition in J.P. Ricciardi.

Hal Steinbrenner wants Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera back with Yankees in 2011, but at right price  —  Hal Steinbrenner wants Derek Jeter back in pinstripes next season.  Just not at any cost.  —  The Yankees' managing general partner did a pair of radio interviews Tuesday …

Giants won World Series despite draft failures  —  The San Francisco Giants have their own stupidity to thank for their first World Series title.  —  It's true.  If the Giants didn't run their organization in such boneheaded fashion in the early part of this century, they wouldn't have pig-piled …

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)

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

Fraley: Will deep World Series run cause trouble for Ranger pitchers' arms?  —  ARLINGTON - Now the Rangers face the bill for their World Series run.  —  How much did an additional 16 pressure-packed games and 141 demanding innings take from the pitching staff?

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.

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 …