Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported today that the managerial “search” is more of a formality: I guess Hale, in particular, has a chance to throw a Hail Mary and get the job. But this is as close to a rigged event as possible with Collins as the favorite and Melvin as a very in-the-competition second choice. If this is in fact the situation, then why is it taking so long to declare [...]

According to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times, ESPN is expected to announce that Bobby Valentine and Dan Shulman will join Orel Hershiser in the broadcast booth for Sunday Night Baseball for the 2011 season and beyond. Regarding the decisions to fire Joe Morgan and reassign Jon Miller to radio, Sandomir writes that it was simply time for a change, For some, Morgan’s end is a time to celebrate. He became cranky, often intransigent, [...]

Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that the Oakland A’s have won the rights to bid exclusively on Japanese right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma. Of course Oakland must now try to work out an actual contract with Iwakuma, as their winning bid only gives them the right to negotiate with him. If the two sides can agree to a contract within the next 30 days, the bid amount will go to his old team in Japan and [...]

The San Francisco Giants are champions of the world after knocking out the Texas Rangers 3-1 to win the World Series 4-1. For the second time in the series, San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum outdueled the Texas ace Cliff Lee. The Giants took the lead on a 3-Run HR by Edgar Renteria off Lee in the 7th. Nelson Cruz answered with a solo shot in the bottom of the 7th off Lincecum. Lincecum was dominant [...]

According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, Joe Torre will be stepping down as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of the season, and be replaced by hitting coach Don Mattingly. There’s a possibility that Torre could remain with the Dodgers in some other capacity, but someone I spoke to with knowledge of the situation told me that Torre is very close to announcing his retirement from baseball and spending more time with [...]

Atlanta Braves: (73-54; Leader) The Braves were swept by the Colorado Rockies, and look to rebound this week against the Florida Marlins. Saturday’s matchup features two 14-game winners in Tim Hudson and Ricky Nolasco. Sunday’s game features two 11-game winners in Derek Lowe and Josh Johnson. Philadelphia Phillies: (70-57; -3) As bad as the Braves had it, the Phillies were worse. They were swept in four games, at home, to Roy Oswalt’s old buddies in [...]

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has a torn elbow ligament and will likely have Tommy John surgery, bringing his season to an end and most likely 2011 as well. Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday an MRI on the right elbow revealed a “significant tear.” Strasburg will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion, but Rizzo anticipates the 22-year-old right-hander will need the operation that requires 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation. [...]

This is what A.J. Perez of MLB wrote about the Clemens news on Thursday afternoon: Roger Clemens’ arraignment on six felony charges linked to his testimony in front of a Congressional committee will take place in Washington on Monday. A notice of Clemens’ first hearing in the case since charges were announced last week was posted on the federal docket system on Thursday. Clemens is expected to plead not guilty in what should be a [...]

Atlanta Braves: (71-50; Leader) The Braves took two of three form the Washington Nationals. The Bravos will travel to Chicago to play the Cubs. So apparently, Derrek Lee won’t have far to travel. Philadelphia Phillies: (68-52; -2.5) The Phillies took two of three from the San Francisco Giants, (they did not face Lincecum), and will head home to play the Nationals. Florida Marlins: (60-60; -10.5) The Marlins took three of four from the Pittsburgh Pirates, [...]