How one blown strike call in Game 5 illustrates MLB's need for robot umps  —  WASHINGTON — The dawn of the robot umpire is near, and it is time.  Game 5 of the World Series exemplified this.  Plate umpire Lance Barksdale actually called a decent game by the current standards for umpires …

Sources: Pirates planning to fire GM Neal Huntington to complete house-cleaning  —  Many this offseason clamored for the Pirates to clean house, to go in a completely different direction.  —  They did, albeit in delayed, disjointed fashion.  —  The Pirates have fired general manager Neal Huntington …

Astros Owner Jim Crane Apologizes to Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein, Retracts Team's Initial Statement  —  Houston Astros owner Jim Crane sent a letter Saturday to Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein, retracting his organization's allegation that she attempted “to fabricate a story” last week.

Mets managerial search progresses into third round of interviews  —  When it comes to choosing their next manager, perhaps for the Mets, accuracy is everything.  One thing is certain: Speed is hardly a concern.  Brodie Van Wagenen and Mets officials are expected to begin a third round …

Yankees Fire Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild  —  10:48am: The Yankees have formally announced that Rothschild will not return to the staff in 2020.  —  “I want to personally thank Larry for his near decade of commitment to this organization,” general manager Brian Cashman said in the press release announcing the move.

Rays will cover Chaim Bloom's duties from within  —  Chaim Bloom had numerous responsibilities as a senior vice president with the Rays, and now that he has left for the Red Sox his duties will be assumed by several other executives.Rather than replace Bloom directly, the Rays will have a trio of executives …

Giants' Joey Bart showcased star potential in Arizona Fall League  —  Joey Bart entered the Arizona Fall League with one of the hottest bats in baseball, at any level.  His stick stayed scorching hot in the desert, too, until an injury kept him out of the lineup.

No experience needed for Mets: Skipping over Girardi, Showalter and Baker is certainly a telling sign  —  We may never know the real reason why Joe Girardi was not hired as the Mets manager.  We may also never know why neither Buck Showalter nor Dusty Baker even got an interview with them.

David Ross introduced as new manager of Cubs  —  CHICAGO — New Cubs manager David Ross and team president Theo Epstein pushed back on the notion that Ross simply will be an extension of the front office after working as a special assistant in it over the past three years.  —  Ross is set out to be his own man.

Former major league umpire Chuck Meriwether dies at 63  —  WASHINGTON — Former major league umpire Chuck Meriwether, who was behind the plate when the Boston Red Sox ended their championship drought in 2004, died Saturday.  He was 63.  —  Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement hours before Game 4 of the World Series.

Aroldis Chapman, Josh Hader named Relievers of the Year  —  Josh Hader were selected as the AL and NL Relievers of the Year on Saturday, per an official announcement from Major League Baseball.  It's the second consecutive award for Hader, who took home NL honors in 2018 as well.