June 2013 - Baseball Wiretap

World Series Features Regular Season Champs For First Time Since 1999
The World Series added an extra round in 1969 as previous matchups were determined strictly by regular season records.

Mark Newman/MLB.com

Yankees Hope To Drop Payroll Below $189M Despite Planned Spree
The Yankees are expected to cut their payroll to $189 million while also spending $300 million this winter on longterm contracts.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

MLB Expected To Ban Plate Collisions
The MLB is expected to discuss banning collisions at homeplate this winter.

Buster Olney/ESPN

Dodgers To Keep Don Mattingly As Manager For 2014
The Dodgers discussed firing Don Mattingly in June when they were in last place in the NL West, but they responded by winning 42 of 50 games.

Mark Saxon/ESPN

Farrell Sees 'Bright, Bright Future' For Bogaerts
Xander Bogaerts, who played a majority of the season in the minor leagues, played a huge role for the Red Sox as they won the American League pennant.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Tigers Nearly Got Out Of Fateful Inning
An error by Jose Iglesias allowed Shane Victorino to come to the plate and hit a game-winning grand slam.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Victorino Reflects On Pennant-Clinching Grand Slam
Shane Victorino had just three hits in the ALCS, but he made his third count on Saturday night.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Red Sox Advance To World Series
The Red Sox will open the World Series on Wednesday night against the Cardinals.

ESPN.com

Farrell Goes With 'Hunch,' Starts Gomes Over Nava
Jonny Gomes made his fourth start of the ALCS on Saturday night, while Daniel Nava sat.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Source: Dodgers Offered Kershaw $300M Deal
Clayton Kershaw's next contract is expected to be the largest ever given to a pitcher.

Buster Olney/ESPN

Cabrera 'Handicapped' By Injuries
Miguel Cabrera is hitting .263/.317/.421 with a pair of home runs and seven RBIs in the playoffs.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Leyland: Fielder Doesn't Have Time To 'Work Out' Of Slump
Prince Fielder hasn't hit a home run or driven in a run through 10 playoff games.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Abreu Signing Doesn't Mean Konerko Is Done With White Sox
Paul Konerko is still set to meet with the club in early November to discuss his plans for next season.

Dan Hayes/CSN Chicago

Reds To Shop Phillips With Intent To Trade Him
Brandon Phillips is owed $50 million through the 2017 season.

Bob Nightengale/USA Today

Sources: Yankees Targeting Cano, $300M Spending Spree
The Yankees are hoping to spend freely this winter, while keeping their 2014 payroll under $189 million.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

Victorino Done With Switch-Hitting Experiment
Shane Victorino has decided to ditch his recent switch-hitting experiment with the Red Sox one win away from the World Series.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Bogaerts Will Start Game 6 For Red Sox
Xander Bogaerts started at third in place of Will Middlebrooks in Game 5 of Thursday night.

Joe McDonald/ESPN

Sonny Gray Has Thumb Surgery
Sonny Gray is expected to be ready and fully healthy by spring training.

Associated Press

Farrell Throws Bogaerts 'Into The Fire'
Xander Bogaerts responded by going 1-for-3 with a double as the Red Sox took a 3-2 lead over the Tigers.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Avila Leaves Game 5 With Knee Sprain
Alex Avila is confident that he'll play in Game 6.

Associated Press

Dodgers Replace Ramirez With Punto For Game 6
Hanley Ramirez is not in the starting lineup for the Dodgers for Game 6 of the NLCS, despite expectations that he would be.

Arash Markazi/ESPN

White Sox Have Deal With Jose Abreu
The White Sox have reached an agreement on a six-year, $68 million deal with Jose Abreu, according to sources.

Scott Merkin/MLB.com

Jose Abreu Down To Astros, Red Sox, White Sox
The Cuban slugger could sign within the next few weeks.

Jesse Sanchez/MLB.com

Orioles Unlikely To Pursue Trade For Price
The Orioles are in need of an ace for their pitching staff, but don't expect them to go after David Price.

Steve Melewski/MASN

Indians Re-Sign Matt Capps
It comes with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training.

Zach Links/MLB Trade Rumors

Nolan Ryan Announces Retirement
Nolan Ryan will retire as CEO of the Texas Rangers, effective Oct. 31.

Richard Durrett/ESPN

Adair Won't Return To Baltimore's Coaching Staff
The rest of manager Buck Showalter's staff will return next season.

Roch Kubatko/MASN

Yankees Nearing New Deal With Larry Rothschild
Larry Rothschild has spent the last three seasons on Joe Girardi's staff.

Mark Feinsand/New York Daily News

Astros, Rangers, White Sox Front-Runners For Abreu
The 26-year-old is expected to command around $70 million.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Twins Still Haunted By Decision To Release David Ortiz
After reaching the ALCS in 2002, the Twins released David Ortiz at the winter meetings to clear roster space for infielder Jose Morban.

Patrick Reusse/Star Tribune