Levine: Alexei Ramirez In High Demand  —  By Bruce Levine-  —  (CBS) The White Sox have heard from numerous major league clubs about the availability of shortstop Alexei Ramirez, the 33-year-old All-Star who has been high on the list of several big-market teams.  The interested teams include the Mets, Yankees and Dodgers.

What Rays might be looking for in a manager  —  The Rays today are expected to name the 12 or so candidates to replace Joe Maddon.  They haven't said exactly what they're looking for, beyond someone to maintain the current clubhouse culture, but it's safe to assume their next manager needs …

J.J. Putz Joins Diamondbacks' Front Office  —  The Diamondbacks announced that J.J. Putz, who spent the 2011-14 seasons as a member of the team's bullpen, has been hired as a special assistant to president and CEO Derrick Hall.  According to the press release, Putz will assist the team in both a baseball and business capacity.

Rockies willing to listen to offers for Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki  —  For the first time, the Colorado Rockies sound willing to trade shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and/or outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.  —  The Rockies are telling clubs they are keeping their “eyes and ears open” …

Silver Slugger Awards honor game's top mashers  —  In an era when pitching and defense have become so powerful, the art of hitting the ball and creating runs remains a force in Major League Baseball.  At each position in the field, there's someone capable of doing some damage at the plate …

Yuri Sucart on A-Rod situation: 'It doesn't make sense' … Yankees  —  Yuri Sucart discusses A-Rod situation … Yankees  —  Report: A-Rod told DEA he used PEDs … Yankees  —  Feds: A-Rod paid cousin to keep quiet … Yankees  —  A-Rod's ups and downs as a Yankee … Baseball

Phillies keeping Asche at third base for now  —  9/27/14: Cody Asche dives to his left to make a fantastic stop before firing to first for the out  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies' front office is planning and hoping for significant changes to its roster, but until those changes happen, other players must remain in place.

Padres poised to begin renovation plan at Petco  —  The new video board at Petco Park will be the third largest in baseball.  —  SAN DIEGO — Starting next week, you'll need a different kind of helmet if you're wandering the field at Petco Park — a construction helmet.  —  Wrecking ball, meet left-field bleachers.

Prospect seeking reliable option to accompany cutting fastball, curve  —  2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: C.J. Edwards possesses a pair of hard breaking balls in his curveball and his slider  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs' best hope for a front-line starter from their farm system is right-hander C.J. Edwards …

Livan interested in working for Nationals full-time  —  Right-hander Livan Hernandez made the first start in Nationals history in 2005.  —  WASHINGTON — Livan Hernandez said recently he would like to become a full-time employee for the Nationals.  He is known as an ambassador for the club and was last seen at Nationals Park in July.

Geeks inherit the Earth, or at least the Dodgers front office  —  The nerds have officially taken over the world.  Just give into it.  All those guys who used to sit in the back of the classroom with their black horn-rimmed classes, pocket calculators and clothes their mommies picked out?

Cubs looking again at Cole Hamels, plus top free-agent pitchers  —  The Cubs, already connected heavily in speculative reports about top free-agent pitchers Jon Lester and Max Scherzer, are also interested in Cole Hamels, according to sources, and are expecting to talk to the Phillies about him.