Analytics, scouting, money and Alex Cora: How the 2018 Red Sox became one of history's great teams  —  The Washington Post  —  One of the beautiful things about modern baseball is the divergent paths available for teams seeking to claim the sport's biggest prize.

Sources: After postseason antics, Yankees ‘lukewarm’ on signing Manny Machado  —  An all-out pursuit isn't ruled out, but won't be the recommendation of the Yankees' baseball operations department  —  We're not here, the morning after the Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship since 2004 …

Mets throw a changeup, hire agent Brodie Van Wagenen as GM  —  NEW YORK — When the New York Mets went looking for a general manager, they found one in a peculiar place.  —  On the other side of the bargaining table.  —  Longtime baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen is switching roles …

Giants Exercise Options Over Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval  —  The Giants announced today that they have exercised club options over lefty Madison Bumgarner and third baseman Pablo Sandoval.  With players returning from the 60-day DL, the club adds, it'll have four open 40-man roster spots at the outset of the offseason.

Albert will guide hitters; Clapp to coach at first base  —  LOS ANGELES  • To fill the two openings on manager Mike Shildt's coaching staff, the Cardinals pulled one obvious candidate from their organization and another from their past.  —  Jeff Albert, who spent the 2018 season …

Athletics give contract extensions to Beane, Forst, Melvin  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics believe they have stability in their leadership structure to keep a good thing going and build momentum from their 2018 playoff return.  —  Manager Bob Melvin has been rewarded …

After 16 seasons, Phillies legend Chase Utley's ride through major-league baseball comes to an end  —  Chase Utley had not yet helped snap Philadelphia's title drought or blasted five home runs in a single World Series or picked up a nickname from Harry Kalas when he stood 15 years ago inside …

Orioles prospect Ryan McKenna in final vote for Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game  —  Outfielder Ryan McKenna bats during an Aug. 16, 2018 game for the Double-A Bowie Baysox against the Richmond Flying Squirrels at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie.  (Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun)

Cubs, White Sox prospects look for strong finish in fall league  —  Chicago Tribune  —  A wise scout once said that it was unfair to evaluate Arizona Fall League players until the final three weeks of the season.  —  But now with the AFL slated to end Nov. 17, there's something for four Cubs and White Sox players to prove.