Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Dayton Moore's vision validated — Royals' GM had a plan for how to build a winning team in a small market — Sometimes the definition of leadership is sticking with a plan and putting one foot in front of the other when things aren't going well, your job security is being questioned …
Discussion:
Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Doug Padilla / MLB:
A's Adam Dunn on bench vs. Royals — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a winner-take-all game where runs figure to be at a premium, the Oakland Athletics prioritized defense over the potential for more scoring chances with a surprise starting lineup. — Manager Bob Melvin's lineup …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Athletics Nation and ESPN
Doug Padilla / ESPN.com:
A's Geovany Soto out for thumb injury — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Oakland Athletics went to their bench in just the third inning when Geovany Soto left Tuesday's American League wild-card game with a left thumb injury. — A's manager Bob Melvin said before the game that Soto got the call …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and baseballmusings.com
Clark / Miami Herald & MiamiHerald.com:
Miami Marlins making moves in right direction — They won more games. They scored more runs. They even attracted more fans. — While the Marlins failed to make the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season — the third-longest postseason drought in the majors — they provided clear signs …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins' Payroll
Latest On Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins' Payroll
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs have the cash to pursue a marquee pitcher — The Cubs believed they had enough money last winter to make an honest run at free-agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. — But with about $41 million off the books from this year's obligations — including the final $14 million installment …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, csnphilly.com and Cubs Den
RELATED:
Quinn Roberts / MLB.com:
Newly acquired slugger led Major Leagues in outfield assists with 16 in 2014
Newly acquired slugger led Major Leagues in outfield assists with 16 in 2014
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Yanks start work on Cashman deal — The New York Yankees have begun the process of constructing a new contract for longtime general manager Brian Cashman, sources close to the situation said. — Cashman's contract is set to expire on Oct. 31. — He just completed his 17th season …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, MLB Daily Dish, Pinstripe Alley, HardballTalk, MLB Trade Rumors and CBSSports.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Epstein Says Cubs Intend To Compete In 2015 — Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said today that he believes the club is prepared to compete in the NL Central next year, as MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports. “I think we've proved we can be very competitive in this division …
Discussion:
Muskat Ramblings
Michael Lananna / MLB.com:
Ryu to toss simulated game in bid for Game 3 start — 9/20/14: Hyun-Jin Ryu is seen playing catch before the Dodgers-Cubs ballgame, as he hopes to recover from injury and return to the rotation — LOS ANGELES — Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will throw a 45-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Richard Goldstein / New York Times:
George Shuba, Whose Handshake Heralded Racial Tolerance in Baseball, Dies at 89 — George Shuba, the Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder who played in three World Series during the 1950s but who was best remembered for his welcoming gesture to Jackie Robinson at home plate on the day Robinson …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
MLB.com:
Major League Baseball players will tour Japan for All-Star Series 2014 — Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association jointly announced today that All-Stars and other accomplished Major Leaguers will travel to Japan this November to play a five-game series against …
Discussion:
Purple Row and The Crawfish Boxes
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks interview Andy Green for managerial job — (Photo: Rob Schumacher Rob Schumacher/The Republic) — The Diamondbacks began the interview process for their managerial opening on Monday by talking with internal candidate Andy Green, who just completed his second season as the manager at Double-A Mobile.
Brian Costa / Wall Street Journal:
The 2014 Baseball Playoffs Hateability Index — Which Teams Should You Root Against This October? — For the second straight year, the New York Yankees have missed the playoffs, abdicating one of their most important social responsibilities: giving America an obvious team to root against in October.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and Royals Review