Top News:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What's in the immediate future for the Yankees? — HOUSTON — Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera faded to black, the ceremonies and tears finally at an end. — Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter exited to mystery. Are they the once and future double-play combo?
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Bleed Cubbie Blue, HardballTalk, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Pinstriped Bible, MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Your Morning Phil: Sveum, Girardi and a farewell — On Baseball — Talking baseball while pitying the fools who passed on Peyton Manning in their fantasy leagues: — 1. Dale Sveum seems likely to be fired today, and to his credit hasn't come close to pulling an Eric Wedge.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, CSN Chicago, MLB Daily Dish and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Cubs Fire Manager Dale Sveum After 2 Seasons — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs fired manager Dale Sveum on Monday after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years, ending a two-year run that produced more losses than any other in the team's cursed history.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Five Teams That Could Sign Jose Abreu — Major League Baseball and the U.S. government have given Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu the green light to sign. — International scouts already have formed strong opinions about Abreu, who has been one of the most heavily-scouted Cuban players in recent years …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, Lone Star Ball and Bucs Dugout
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Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Mets will scout Cuban 1B Jose Abreu — The Mets have three scouts in Santo Domingo to watch Cuban 1B Jose Abreu, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. — Abreu declared as a free agent this past weekend and is clear to sign with an MLB team, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported on Twitter.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
MLB.com:
Marlins to sell no-hitter tickets — Marlins Pitcher Henderson Alvarez made history on Sunday by tossing the fifth no-hitter in franchise history and the first no-hitter at Marlins Park. The Marlins are offering fans who were unable to attend the game the opportunity to purchase the remaining unsold tickets from yesterday's game.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Clark Spencer / MiamiHerald.com:
Henderson Alvarez closes Miami Marlins season with no-hitter
Henderson Alvarez closes Miami Marlins season with no-hitter
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Alvarez in the Ninth — Henderson Alvarez comes out for the top …
Alvarez in the Ninth — Henderson Alvarez comes out for the top …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, Baseball Prospectus, Fish Stripes and Bless You Boys
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Designate Joey Butler For Assignment — The Rangers have reinstated Nelson Cruz from the restricted list following his Biogenesis suspension and designated fellow outfielder Joey Butler for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster, according to executive vice president of communications John Blake (on Twitter).
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
MLB.com:
Sims, Elander earn top Minor League honors — ATLANTA — Rookie left-hander Alex Wood appears headed for a key role on the Braves' postseason pitching staff, and in the final week of the regular season, two more of Atlanta's top picks in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft were recognized earlier …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals set RISP record — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — In a fitting finish to a record-setting season with runners in scoring position, the Cardinals went four for nine in such situations Sunday and scored all their runs in a 4-0 win over the Cubs with two outs.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Rick Eymer / MLB.com:
Headley played through knee pain, will have surgery — Operation to repair third baseman's torn meniscus slated for Tuesday — SAN FRANCISCO — Playing through a knee injury all season, without complaining or making excuses, is another reason Chase Headley is one of the leaders of the San Diego Padres, manager Bud Black said Sunday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
MLB.com:
Rangers to activate Cruz for tiebreaker game — ARLINGTON — Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz has served his 50-game suspension and will be activated for Monday night's tiebreaker game against the Rays at the Ballpark in Arlington. Cruz accepted a 50-game suspension by Major League Baseball …
Discussion:
The Strike Zone, ESPN and Lone Star Ball
csnphilly.com:
Phillies cut ties with pitching coach Rich Dubee — The day after their first losing season since 2002 ended, the Phillies began making changes on their coaching staff. — The team announced Monday morning that Dubee, the team's pitching coach for nine seasons, would not return in 2014.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Yanks Top Astros 5-1 in 14, Enter Uncertain Future — HOUSTON — Mark Reynolds hit a tiebreaking homer in a four-run 14th inning, and the New York Yankees went into an offseason of uncertainty Sunday with a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros, whose 15-game losing streak was the longest at the end of the season in more than a century.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and CBS New York
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TSN.ca:
Blue Jays host Rays with wild card spot on the line — The Sports Network — (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays appeared headed toward a postseason spot this weekend, but losing the first two meetings of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays has their playoff fate in a cloud.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Red Sox Monster, Bluebird Banter, Minor League Ball, Canadian Press, baseballmusings.com and DRaysBay
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