Top News:
Justin Sablich / New York Times:
Highlights and Analysis: 2013 N.L. Wildcard — Pirates 6, Reds 2 — Anyone who has even casually followed the Pittsburgh Pirates this season is probably familiar with one particular number: 21. That's how many years it had been since the Pirates have made the postseason, let alone had a winning season.
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John Fay / Cincinnati Reds:
Jocketty says Baker will be back — PITTSBURGH — Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said in the immediate wake of the Reds' elimination from the postseason that Reds manager Dusty Baker will be back. — Asked if there was any question about Baker returning, Jocketty said: “I don't think so,” Jocketty said.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Reds may be one-and-done in playoffs — On Sept. 8, after winning three of four from the Cardinals and sweeping the Dodgers, the Reds looked like they might be poised for a World Series run. — As they enter Tuesday night's wild-card game in Pittsburgh, losers of five straight games, they look ready for a quick elimination.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox will face Rays or Indians — The Tampa Bay Rays are on their way to Cleveland for the wild card playoff game after beating the Texas Rangers, 5-2. David Price went the distance, throwing 118 pitches. — The Rays will face the Indians in Cleveland on Wednesday at 8:07 p.m …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, Twinkie Town, Bless You Boys and Surviving Grady
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Associated Press:
Rays to Playoffs Again After 5-2 Win Over Rangers — ARLINGTON, Texas — David Price, Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays are going to playoffs again, getting there with a victory in their final regular-season game for the second time in three years. — They needed an extra game this time.
Discussion:
TSN.ca, ESPN, Canadian Press and DRaysBay
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Game of the Day — Left-handers David Price and Martin Perez …
Game of the Day — Left-handers David Price and Martin Perez …
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Brew Crew Ball
NY Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez tells panel he was duped into taking steroids: source — The embattled Yankee and his lawyers have presented a case based partly on the idea that Rodriguez believed the substances he procured from the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic were innocent legal supplements.
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk, Deadspin and The Big Lead
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Will Make Qualifying Offer To Morales — The Mariners will “definitely” make a qualifying offer to impending free agent Kendrys Morales, general manager Jack Zduriencik said on 710 ESPN Radio in Seattle (h/t: MLB.com's Greg Johns on Twitter). — A qualifying offer …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Josh Johnson Has Elbow Surgery; Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training — Righty Josh Johnson underwent minor elbow surgery this morning to remove bone spurs, agent Matt Sosnick tells MLBTR. Dr. James Andrews performed the procedure, telling Johnson he feels the discomfort caused …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Melvin talks Crew's bright spots, offseason plans — GM confident club can win with current roster, intends to add to first-base depth — MILWAUKEE — Two days after the end of a season that saw the Brewers win 12 of their final 18 games but finish 14 games under .500 …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Minor Moves: Velez, Gomez, Diaz, Leon — Here are today's minor moves from around the league... - The Brewers have re-signed infielders Eugenio Velez and Hector Gomez and catcher Robinzon Diaz to minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays praise Delmon Young's impact — CLEVELAND — Evan Longoria proved again in Monday's tiebreaker win that — even in a season marred by inconsistency — he is still the biggest force in the Rays lineup. And Wil Myers has been putting an impressive finish on his first big-league season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Prospectus
Mike Mazzeo / ESPN:
Supporters greet A-Rod; hearing enters Day 2 — A-Rod arrives at the MLB office at 245 Park Avenue for the second day of his grievance hearing. — NEW YORK — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was greeted Tuesday morning by approximately 50 supporters outside Major League …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Associated Press
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Amaro Feels the Heat, Talks Future — Ruben Amaro Jr. settled into one of the blue seats a few rows from the field Saturday afternoon at Turner Field. He munched on sunflower seeds as Scott Proefrock, one of his assistant general managers, sat in the row behind him.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, MLB Rumors and Phillies Nation
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Ryan Lawrence / Philly.com:
Phillies Notebook: Phillies' Ruiz hopes to return next season
Phillies Notebook: Phillies' Ruiz hopes to return next season
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
ESPN:
Cubs dismiss manager Sveum after 2 years — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have fired manager Dale Sveum after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years. — The Cubs closed the campaign dropping 41 of their final 59 games, including six of their final seven.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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