Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Kansas City Royals Sweep Baltimore Orioles to Advance to World Series — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For almost three decades, the gold crown above the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium had mocked the home team. The Kansas City Royals had not been kings of anything since 1985, when they won their only championship.
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Pitching, defense, timely hitting put KC on verge of World Series
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Royals Review, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Camden Chat, Federal Baseball and Bleacher Report
Associated Press:
Royals advance to first World Series since '85
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, ABC News and MLB
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Playoffs Today — The Orioles play for their post-season life …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Why Nick Markakis would be a good fit for Mets — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nick Markakis is not a perfect fit for the Mets. — They want a corner outfield bat who projects to more power, though good luck finding that in this market. They want someone who probably will cost less …
Discussion:
Metsblog, Royals Review, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Schuerholz on report of Hart declining GM job: “Not accurate”
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Orioles plan to extend qualifying offer to Cruz, decline Markakis option
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Braves Interim GM John Hart
Discussion:
Mark Bradley blog, Royals Review and Talking Chop
Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Sources: Gary Pettis will leave Texas Rangers coaching staff — Outfield instructor and third base coach Gary Pettis, who had the longest current service to the Rangers among 2014 coaches, will not be part of new manager Jeff Banister's staff, two sources said Thursday.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Ultimate Astros and Lone Star Ball
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers To Hire Jeff Banister As Manager — The Rangers will hire Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister as their next manager, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). — The Rangers interviewed a wide variety of candidates for the position following Ron Washington's abrupt resignation.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Where Have You Gone …, Bleacher Report and Bucs Dugout
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Friedman finally gets freedom, Dodgers finally get a bargain — Frankly, it's about time the Dodgers got with the program. If you're going to spend freely to get the best players, why not do the same to get the best general manager? — Mind you, I don't know what Andrew Friedman …
Discussion:
MLB.com, The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Trade Rumors, Game theory and ESPN
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Matt Silverman says Rays intend to keep Joe Maddon — ST. PETERSBURG — Until and if the Rays sign manager Joe Maddon to another multiseason extension, there will be speculation that he eventually will join departed top executive Andrew Friedman with the Dodgers.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Friedman leaving Rays for Dodgers
Discussion:
NESN.com, Los Angeles Times, CBSSports.com, True Blue LA and ESPN
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Rangers decline $14 million option on outfielder Alex Rios — The Rangers are declining outfielder Alex Rios' $14 million option, as expected. The club chose instead to pay the $2 million buyout on the veteran outfielder, who now becomes a free agent. — Word is, the team has informed Rios …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Lone Star Ball, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Bleacher Report
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Veteran outfielder was in line to earn $14 million from Texas next season — 8/16/14: Josh Hamilton tries to score from second on Howie Kendrick's single to right field, but Alex Rios makes a great throw for the out — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have informed outfielder Alex Rios …
Discussion:
Texas Rangers Blog
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Former Major League player, broadcaster hired to assist Ward — PHOENIX — Former Major Leaguer and broadcaster Mark Grace joined the D-backs on Thursday to be assistant hitting coach, while Glenn Sherlock was moved from third-base to bench coach and Andy Green was named third-base coach.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
New manager's statement drew attention of La Russa, Stewart
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Star third baseman Aramis Ramirez is said to want to remain a Milwaukee Brewer, but several interesting decisions by both the team and player are on the agenda before anything is set. — Ramirez is said by friends to be very comfortable in Milwaukee and also would like to continue in the NL Central …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Bernie Pleskoff / MLB.com:
Yankees' No. 11 prospect was club's 2013 Minor League Player of the Year — 2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: Greg Bird has really hit, and should continue to do so with his truly advanced approach at the plate — Yankees first-base prospect Greg Bird has raised eyebrows with his right-handed power since …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Associated Press:
Posey, Giants clip Cards to take 3-1 NLCS lead — SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey drove in three runs and the San Francisco Giants took advantage of some clunky defense by St. Louis first baseman Matt Adams, beating the Cardinals 6-4 on Wednesday night to move within one victory of the World Series.
Discussion:
MLB, ABC News and McCovey Chronicles
