Laura

*SWOON*

My guess is that he wasn't sure if he'd pitch him in the 8th. He batted with two outs in the 7th.

whoa

SWEET

Looks like Rizzo was mini-mobbed in the dugout before the game, saying how much he enjoyed playing in San Diego and how he's adjusted his swing. Then they showed video of Cashner long-tossing earlier this afternoon.

Check your PMs I need a PM, too!

From a Gordon Eades article on Beckett getting booed by the Fenway crowd last night: One baseball source said that while the Dodgers eventually traded for another outfielder, Shane Victorino, at the deadline, he expected they would make a serious run at Ellsbury this winter. "And if they don't, Theo will," the source said, referring, of course, to Cubs president Theo Epstein, who was the GM who drafted and signed Ellsbury. http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8221319/josh-beckett-stays-boston-red-sox-fans-dismay

Hey CT!

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi Maholm and Johnson close to being traded to #Braves. ETA: nothing to see here, move along.

That sign alone will break any resolve he has.

Pardon my ignorance, but how much would a qualifying offer be?

On my phone, without looking...... Nick Cafardo? Time to mow the lawn, Nick.

They told me that you can request an increase, getting it is subject to season ticket seating availability.

Named after Maddux did a great job. I'll mention a few additional items, and hopefully others can chime in, too. Rizzo said something in passing about attending a 'getting traded' conference in DC in passing -- does this sound familiar to anyone? Brett Jackson is California Cool. Fleita spoke at some length about selecting American-born prospects to spend time at the Dominican facility for cultural reasons in addition to focusing on specific skills. He said this gives U.S. players the experience of being in a foreign country with a different language / culture / cuisine and having to rely on teammates to help navigate everyday life. It also gives young players a chance to build relationships with Dominican players who will be moving to AZ and beyond. Bret Jackson and Vitters were both asked about this program (they spend about a month in the DR), then they asked Junior Lake about the reverse experience (which Maddux describes above). In the Player Development session, Fleita talked about a two-week seminar in Chicago that they are arranging for top prospects to attend that will focus on handling off-the-field life in MLB. It sounded like the NBA rookie program, but he also made it sound like a new program for 2012. Some of the old-timers here will remember Mark Peel. Mark made an appearance to ask Josh Vitters whether his plate discipline improvements over the past year were due to a concerted focus on plate discipline or maturation as a hitter. Vitters said it was both - working hard with coaches on his approach and gaining more experience. The individualized video clips program that Maddux mentioned above sounds great, but it also sounds like another area where the Cubs are playing catch-up. Wilken talked about looking for how players interact with teammates before, during and after the game and how they handle winning/losing as being an important aspect of scouting. They look for feedback on how players handle adversity, since "that's all they'll face" being challenged in the minor league system. McLeod / Fleita / Wilken throughtout the conference played Mutual Admiration Society. It did seem genuine, particularly when McLeod talked about the respect he had for Wilken and Bohringer.

They contacted me and I was at about 2,500 in October. I'd guess the attrition rate is pretty high for waiting list people who signed up many years ago. My problem is that my parents would like to split the buy with me, but they're in their late 60s and there's no way they want to sit in the bleachers ... but they're only offering nights-weekends combo for bleacher seats.

I could well be wrong, but wasn't Cafardo big on reporting crazy stuff about Theo's compensation? As in, the Red Sox were in the ideal position and the Cubs were giving up significant pieces for Theo? I tend to think Cafardo doesn't have strong sources in Chicago. Carfado was the reporter congratulating himself for pushing for Starlin as comp for Theo. It's the art of the deal!

JeffPassan Jeff Passan One GM whose team bid on Darvish believes Toronto's the favorite. Another thinks it's Cubs. One more says Mariners. The point: No one knows. 1 minute ago

pgammo Peter Gammons Cubs say they do not have cash to sign Fielder

Phil Rogers has some fun writing about the Red Sox signing Pujols and trading Adrian Gonzalez to the Cubs.

David Schuster spent 5 minutes on the Score laughing at rumors that the Cubs were candidates for any name free agents (Pujols, Fielder, Wilson, Buerhle).

I'm cool with this.

I like how he's proud of himself for suggesting Castro as compensation -- yep, that was a big step forward. Remember the ranting among Rosenbloom and others about how Ricketts mishandled the Theo negotiation by not settling on compensation before striking the deal with Theo? From the article above: “They should have never made the deal to let Theo go without the compensation being resolved,’’ said an executive from an American League team. “How can you expect Theo to be able to negotiate a deal for himself? How is he supposed to reach agreement on a significant player for himself? I think that’s asking something unrealistic.’’

nickcafardo Nick Cafardo Cherington and Epstein have decided to take more time to settle compensation issue. MLB seems to be on board with extention. 11 minutes ago

Peter Abraham / Boston Globe