Top News:
ESPN:
Yanks faked Crawford interest to cost Red Sox — They really will do whatever it takes to win in this epic rivalry. — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted on Thursday that he feigned interest in Carl Crawford this offseason to drive up the price for the Boston Red Sox to sign the free agent.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, Bronx Baseball Daily, Surviving Grady and NESN.com
RELATED:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
They're not worthy — With nowhere else to turn, I called baseball commissioner Bud Selig yesterday. — Left him a message: — Please, Bud. This is your chance to think outside the box. You have sweeping powers that enable you to make unilateral decisions “in the best interests of baseball.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Jeremy Lundblad / ESPN:
Numbers tell tale of sickening month — Historically bad September starting pitching is at the root of epic Red Sox collapse — The Boston Red Sox took another step toward collapse with Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. — The Red Sox dropped to 5-16 this month …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Providence Journal, Beyond the Box Score and Projo Sox Blog
Ken Belson / New York Times:
Wild-Card Races in Boston and Atlanta Slow to Excruciating Crawls
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Deadspin
MLB.com:
Martin: ‘I hate the Red Sox’ — NEW YORK — Russell Martin's views on the American League Wild Card chase won't win him any buddies in Boston, but his sentiments should gather plenty of support in the Bronx. — Martin said on Thursday that he'd love to see the Yankees play spoiler …
Discussion:
YFSF
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Spoiling for a fight — NEW YORK - Facing the Red Sox …
Discussion:
Toeing the Rubber, Associated Press and Boston Globe
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Rod Barajas isn't so different from Russell Martin
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB.com
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Russell Martin: ‘I hate the Red Sox’
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, New York Yankees Fan Blog, New Jersey Online, HardballTalk and MLB
Jayson Stark / ESPN.com:
AL 3-way wild-card tie is big worry
Discussion:
ESPN, Angels blog and Associated Press
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Reyes prepared for week of uncertainty — Only the NL batting title is left in what could be the star's last homestand at Citi Field — ST. LOUIS — As Jose Reyes returns to Citi Field for perhaps his final homestand as a New York Met, the shortstop offered this prediction to longtime teammate David Wright:
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and ESPN
RELATED:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets deal St. Louis Cardinals crushing defeat in NL wild card chase, come back to win 8-6 — ST. LOUIS - It was a Mets game rife with playoff implications - not, though, for the Mets. — In defeating St. Louis 8-6, the Mets gave Atlanta a two-game wild-card lead over the Cardinals.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Dodgers dent Giants' playoff hopes with 8-2 win — LOS ANGELES—Matt Kemp went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and a career-high three doubles in his final home game of the season, Juan Rivera homered and drove in three runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat San Francisco 8-2 Thursday night …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Associated Press
RELATED:
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Lincecum prefers short-term deals
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Giants lose to Dodgers 8-2, denting playoff hopes
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Mitch Albom / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers Justin Verlander undoubtedly most ‘valuable’ player … Go on. Get out your scale. — Forget that we are from Detroit. Forget that we love the Tigers. Put your guys on one side and Justin Verlander on the other. — And let's see who's MVP. — Forget that Verlander is the best theater in baseball right now.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets brass begins to look at 2012 season, decisions to be made on Terry Collins, coaching staff — ST. LOUIS - The Mets returned to New York Thursday night for one final home stand, ready to intensify planning for 2012. According to team insiders, the front office will soon solidify decisions about next year's on-field leadership.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, ESPN, Amazin' Avenue and New York Times
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
2002 ‘Moneyball’ draft class in review — A's had some success stories, but they also had an unwitting victim — Jeremy Brown — If Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane is the engine that drives “Moneyball” — the book and movie versions — Jeremy Brown plays the role of the caboose.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Dan Mennella / MLB Rumors:
Diamondbacks Acquire Zagurski; Designate Vasquez — The Diamondbacks have acquired left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski from the Phillies in exchange for a player to be named, Zagurski's agent tells Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Arizona announced it designated reliever …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Jamey Newberg / MLB.com:
Newberg Report: Perez has bright future — Eighteen-year-old righty aims to rebound after tough campaign — Part 25 in a season-long series projecting a hypothetical 25-man roster made up solely of prospects from the Texas Rangers' Minor League system. — When Johan Santana was 18 years old …
Fox Sports:
Which free agent holds the most value? — Agent Scott Boras could become the biggest challenge the St. Louis Cardinals face in re-signing Albert Pujols. — No, Boras does not represent Pujols. Dan Lozano is Pujols' representative. — Boras does, however, represent Prince Fielder …
Associated Press:
Encarnacion hits walkoff homer as Jays beat Angels — (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette) — TORONTO—Edwin Encarnacion hit a game-ending home run in the 12th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Los Angeles 4-3 on Thursday night, dealing the Angels another blow in their chase for a playoff berth.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
AP: Florida's Leo Nunez has been playing under an assumed name — Leo Nunez(notes) is apparently not who we thought he was. — The Associated Press reports that the Florida Marlins closer and Dominican native has been playing under an assumed name for all seven of his years in Major League Baseball …
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Marlins place Leo Nunez on the restricted list
Discussion:
MiamiHerald.com, The Big Lead, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
