Playoffs Today  —  The Giants try to go to the World Series for the third even numbered year in a row as they host the St. Louis Cardinals.  Adam Wainwright takes the hill for the visitors against Madison Bumgarner.  If the Giants win the NLCS, which they lead three games to one …

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 …

Rangers Hire Jeff Banister As Manager  —  6:03pm: The Rangers have announced the hiring.  —  10:34am: 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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

Glendale-Salt River to use 20-second timer in game streamed live on MLB.com  —  10/14/14: Mark Appel is issued his second pitch violation of the game at the beginning of the 3rd, resulting in an automatic 1-0 count  —  The 20-second pitch clock Major League Baseball is experimenting with during …

Rays Sign Michael Kohn To Major League Deal  —  The Rays have inked right-hander Michael Kohn to a one-year, major league contract, the club announced today.  With the move, Tampa's 40-man roster is now full for the time being.  —  Kohn, 28, elected free agency after being designated …

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 …

San Diego can bring back starter, who missed all of '14, for $4 million  —  3/14/13: Josh Johnson gets Jean Segura on a swinging strike for his first punchout of the game  —  SAN DIEGO — Last Thursday, without fanfare and far from a big league ballpark, Josh Johnson picked up a baseball …

Minor Moves: Bernadina, Diaz, Balester  —  Here are today's minor moves and outright assignments from around the league...  - Outfielder Roger Bernadina has elected free agency, thereby freeing a 40-man roster spot for the Dodgers, the team announced last night (Twitter link).