Around The Majors- Wednesday

All eyes may be on the Yankees right now, but there's an NLCS preview and some rumors to get to. The season is still going on, though it sure doesn't seem that way here in the Big Apple.

Will he stay, or will he go? That will be answered in at least a few days, said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. All the Pinstriped Honchos are meeting in Tampa to sort these things out. One of the potential Yankee managerial candidates is Tony LaRussa, and he's holding off on a return to St Louis depending on who they hire as GM, which is BS and really means that he wants the Yankees job and will take it if offered to him. I'm sure at some point St Louis will play hardball with him, but there may not be anyone better unless Torre does get canned. I'll have a full special report on the Yankees on Monday. You do not want to miss the Monday ATM.

Apparently, the Phillies decided that leading them to their first postseason in a decade and a half was enough to get Charlie Manuel an extension through 2010. The Tigers picked up Pudge Rodriguez's 13 million dollar option for next year which is smart considering the other available options at Catcher are weak, except for Jorge Posada who will hopefully not seriously entertain any other offers and come back to where he belongs. But he has a lot of leverage since he was the best backstop in baseball this season.

NLCS Preview
It's truly disgraceful that the Snakes can't sell out game 1, but the starting duels will be pretty darn good in the series, but especially in game one with Francis and Webb. Both bullpens have been exceptional, and the young Rockies hitters have done well, especially Troy Tulowitzki. The Diamondbacks have Chris Young stepping up in a huge way thus far this postseason, and it seems that Stephen Drew finally met his hype and potential in the Division Series. The Arizona pen has been excellent as well, but the momentum goes in Colorado's favor. Consider the trends as well: In every year since 2000, at least one Wild Card team has advanced to the World Series. Mets, Snakes, Angels, Marlins, Red Sox, Astros, and Tigers. With that said, Rockies in 6.

Rumors
-In the shocker of the century, Scott Boras wants A-Rod to become a free agent so Rodriguez could get 300 mill and Boras could collect even more cheese. Thank you, New York Times.
-Boras is also pointing out that A-Rod is a ratings booster, which would be beneficial for YES, SNY, NESN, and the new Angels network. (New York Post)
-Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press urges the Tigers to take a shot at A-Rod.
-The search for the Cardinals GM is on. Arizona assistant GM Peter Woodfork, Indians VP Chris Antonetti, and Toronto's Tony LaCava are early candidates according to the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
-The Tampa Tribune discusses Rays coaches: "The Rays could name a replacement by the end of the week for bench coach Bill Evers, whose contract was not renewed. Rangers third-base coach Don Wakamatsu and former Nationals and Diamondbacks coach Eddie Rodriguez are candidates to fill the job."