DON'T EXPECT BEANE TO STAND PAT IN WAKE OF A'S COLLAPSE  —  So now what does Billy Beane do?  —  One rival executive raised an interesting possibility in the aftermath of the Athletics' stunning 9-8 loss to the Royals in the American League wild-card game:  —  Trade right-hander Jeff Samardzija.

Pirates Willing To Stretch Payroll To Retain Martin  —  OCT. 1: Pirates owner Bob Nutting has now also voiced a willingness to stretch the payroll to retain Martin, writes Sawchik's colleague Rob Biertempfel.  He quotes Nutting: … SEPT. 24: While the Pirates have previously had a philosophy …

Five questions for Tigers-O's series  —  This series is all about the big three: the three great starting pitchers for the Detroit Tigers and the three crucial players who will not be playing for the Baltimore Orioles.  —  This might suggest a mismatch, but those who see it that way weren't watching the 2014 season.

A's veteran slugger isn't called on in first postseason game  —  9/30/14: Bob Melvin discusses his decision to not insert Adam Dunn into the game, based on the A's taking the lead in the top of the 12th  —  KANSAS CITY — Beyond the obvious sorrow clouding yet another A's postseason gone wrong …

Miguel Cabrera turns down playoff bonus, just wants ring  —  BALTIMORE — You've heard it over and over, especially come playoff time: “It's not about the money.”  —  Detroit Tigers slugger and two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera might actually be backing up those words.

MLB To Test Pace-Of-Game Initiatives In AFL  —  Major League Baseball on Wednesday said it would begin testing some ideas aimed at quickening the pace of game at the Arizona Fall League.  —  AFL games begin Oct. 7 and run through the championship game on Nov. 15.  —  Among the experimental rules are:

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …