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.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Royals advance to first World Series since '85 — @KC 2, BAL 1 — Scoring Summary — E Hosmer grounded into fielder's choice to first, A Escobar and N Aoki scored, E Hosmer safe at second on error by catcher C Joseph. — 3rd — R Flaherty homered to right (432 feet). — Game Information
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, ABC News and MLB
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Playoffs Today — The Orioles play for their post-season life as they send Miguel Gonzalez against Jason Vargas and the Royals in Kansas City. The Royals lead the ALCS three games to none, and a victory today sends Kansas City to the World Series with home field advantage.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Pitching, defense, timely hitting put KC on verge of World Series
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Camden Chat, Federal Baseball and Bleacher Report
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
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Schuerholz on report of Hart declining GM job: “Not accurate” — Braves president John Schuerholz read a Yahoo Sports report that said interim general manager John Hart has turned down the Braves' offer to take the job full-time, prompting the team to focus on assistant GM John Coppolella …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Orioles plan to extend qualifying offer to Cruz, decline Markakis option — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Orioles are interested in re-signing outfielder/DH Nelson Cruz and outfielder Nick Markakis, but with the Orioles still ensconced in the playoffs, it seems the team will likely have to make one-year calls …
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
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
RELATED:
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
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
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Friedman leaving Rays for Dodgers
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, NESN.com, CBSSports.com, True Blue LA and ESPN
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:
McCovey Chronicles, ABC News and ESPN
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
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 …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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).
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
