Top News:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Joe Maddon is about to become the new manager of the Cubs, sources tell CBSSports.com. — Maddon and the Cubs are on the verge of agreeing to a mega deal, according to people familair with the situation. — The Cubs denied that a deal was done in response.
Discussion:
Voices, River Avenue Blues, MLB.com, New York Times, Baseball America, DRaysBay, NESN.com and Bleacher Report
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Report: Cubs to hire ex-Rays manager Joe Maddon — Rumors that surfaced immediately after Joe Maddon left the Rays last week that he was headed to the Cubs apparently are about to become reality. — Though agent Alan Nero told the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday night there was “not a done deal …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs To Hire Joe Maddon As Manager — The Cubs will hire Joe Maddon as their new manager, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Earlier today, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Maddon and the Cubs had been negotiating. Rick Renteria, who had been serving as manager …
Discussion:
Metsblog, DRaysBay, Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk and Bucs Dugout
ESPN:
Sources: Maddon, Cubs on verge of contract … The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of hiring Joe Maddon as manager, as first reported by CBSSports.com. — Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed the agreement to ESPN's Jim Bowden. However, three team sources told ESPN's Buster Olney …
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs in talks with Joe Maddon, could have answer by Friday
Cubs in talks with Joe Maddon, could have answer by Friday
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, DRaysBay, South Side Sox, MLB Daily Dish, Red Reporter, Royals Review, Lone Star Ball and HardballTalk
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees' next hitting coach could be in Royals dugout — Raul Ibanez greets Alex Gordon . — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There was serious speculation running through Kauffman Stadium before the Giants' 3-2 victory over the Royals in Game 7 of the World Series that the Yankees were waiting …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
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Associated Press:
Bumgarner, Giants Beat Royals 3-2 to Win Series — Madison Bumgarner closes it out and the San Francisco Giants hold off the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in Game 7 for their third World Series title in five years. — Alex Gordon hit a two-out single in the ninth inning and went all the way to third …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and baseballmusings.com
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Even Giants — The first and third innings saw the Giants go down in order, and now the fourth inning starts like the second. Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence both reach, Sandoval on an infield single rather than a HBP. We'll see if the Giants end up as successful.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Oddities Abound in Even World Series
Oddities Abound in Even World Series
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, McCovey Chronicles, Camden Chat and Athletics Nation
Tim Dierkes / MLB.com:
Hot stove begins to warm as 121 players become free agents under Article XX B — Free agency and the Major League Baseball offseason represent a time of optimism and hope for baseball teams and their fans. By the time the last pitch in the World Series is thrown, all 30 teams are already hard …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Andy McCulloughthe / Kansas City Star:
Ribcage injury kept Danny Duffy from the Royals playoff rotation — Ned Yost had his rotation set. As the Royals prepared for the American League Division Series, with James Shields occupied by the Wild Card Game two days prior, Yost knew who would start the first game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Lisa L. Colangelo / NY Daily News:
New York Mets hurler Vic Black and volunteer crew mark Hurricane Sandy anniversary by sprucing up Staten Island school — Vic Black and a crew helped create a baseball diamond and other improvements. The school took in 17 feet of water during Hurricane Sandy and the playground is still shuttered because of potential sinkholes.
Discussion:
Metsblog
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Moore dissects moves carrying KC to postseason — 9/26/14: Dayton Moore, Ned Yost, Billy Butler and the Royals celebrate the franchise's first postseason appearance since 1985 — After the Royals clinched their first postseason berth in 29 years, MLB.com talked with general manager Dayton Moore.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves blog:
Braves' starting-rotation plans could hinge on Santana — The Braves went from 96 wins and a division title in 2013 to 79 wins and out of the playoffs in 2014, but it was through no fault of their starting pitchers. — Despite losing Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy to season-ending elbow …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Talking Chop