Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
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.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, SBNation.com and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Joe Posnanski / HardballTalk:
The beauty of belief — There are words in baseball — code words, you might call them — that separate old school and new, classic ball (often referred to simply as “ball” as in “now they're playing ball!") and Moneyball, tradition and reform. “Momentum” is one of those words, and “grit” is another, and “clutch” is a third.
Discussion:
Kansas City Star, Beyond the Box Score, FanGraphs Baseball, Fox Sports, Royals Review, Romo Phone Home and ESPN
Doug Padilla / ESPN.com:
A's Geovany Soto out for thumb injury
Discussion:
MLB, ESPN and Athletics Nation
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Dayton Moore's vision validated
Discussion:
Royals Review, Halos Heaven, Viva El Birdos, Let's Go Tribe, Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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 …
Discussion:
Greensburg Tribune-Review
RELATED:
Tim Rohan / New York Times:
Former Yankee Russell Martin Helps Lead the Pirates — PITTSBURGH — Russell Martin had a decision to make. After two seasons as a Yankee, Martin was a free-agent catcher in the winter of 2012, about to turn 30. His next team and contract would be crucial to the rest of his career.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Tim Hudson on Nationals-Giants: ‘What do you have between your legs?’ — The building of narratives for the Nationals-Giants National League Division Series can officially begin, and the juxtaposition between the recent playoff success for each team is an easy place to start.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and SBNation.com
RELATED:
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:
McCovey Chronicles, True Blue LA and HardballTalk
Paul White / USA Today:
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.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Talking Chop, CBSSports.com and MLB
Associated Press:
Bumgarner-led Giants send Pirates packing — SF 8, @PIT 0 — Scoring Summary — B Crawford homered to right (362 feet), P Sandoval, H Pence and B Belt scored. — 6th — B Belt singled to right, H Pence scored. — 7th — B Belt singled to center, B Posey and P Sandoval scored, H Pence to second.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, MLB and ESPN
Michael Saunders / Mariners blog:
Seattle Mariners' contract statuses for 2015 — So as we head into the offseason, it's always important to know what the contract statuses are for players on the Mariners. Because those things affect offseason decisions. — Quick note: In my story in the paper the other day …
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
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.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Camden Chat
RELATED:
Noah Trister / Globe and Mail:
Max Scherzer to start Game 1 for Tigers in ALDS
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Camden Chat
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
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 …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and HardballTalk
Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
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:
Discussion:
redsminorleagues.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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:
Union-News, Fish Stripes, HardballTalk and Red Sox Monster
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins' Payroll
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
