The Mariners named Tim Kissner director of international operations on Monday, filling the void formed when Bob Engle left the post earlier this month.

Citing an anonymous source who says their talk went “great,” the report said that Joe Girardi did not apologize for benching Alex Rodriguez during the postseason. Instead, Girardi once again emphasized how important A-Rod is to the Yankees and discussed expectations for his training program this winter.

The Giants’ World Series-clinching victory over the Tigers on Sunday night had everyone online discussing their latest October triumph.

MLB Network will broadcast three Arizona Fall League games in November: the Rising Stars Game, the Military Appreciation Game and the Championship Game.

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez, starter Shaun Marcum and reliever Francisco Rodriguez elected free agency Monday amid a series of moves that left the Brewers’ 40-man roster at 36 players.

Even with two championships in three years, the Giants may not be getting the credit they deserve for a job extraordinarily well done.

The Yankees announced on Monday that they have chosen to exercise 2013 contract options for second baseman Robinson Cano, outfielder Curtis Granderson and right-handed reliever David Aardsma.

For 11 games in October, no one played the three-dimensional game better than the Giants, and now that it’s been two times in three years, they should be admired, respected and lauded for doing what they do and doing it right.

The finalists for the 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been announced, and among the group are 21 past recipients and 11 reigning winners. Winners will be revealed during the 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Announcement Show, airing on ESPN2 on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

A panel of MLB.com experts came up with four nominees for the Note-able World Series Performances presented by Samsung so fans could identify which player will be remembered the most from the Giants’ four-game sweep of the Tigers, which brought the City by the Bay its second title in the last three years.

The Phillies picked up the $5 million club option on Carlos Ruiz’s contract for next season. The club declined its half of a $5.5 million mutual option with Placido Polanco. The Phillies will instead pay him a $1 million buyout.

On Monday, 137 players became free agents pursuant to Article XX B (2) of the Basic Agreement.

From a Division Series round that went the distance at every turn all the way through the Giants’ sweep of the Tigers in the World Series, this was postseason for the ages.

Before any moves are made, Miami needs a manager, and ex-Marlins catcher Mike Redmond and Reds pitching coach Bryan Price are considered the favorites.

If it’s a capable middle- or back-end starter you seek, free agency presents several intriguing options this year. But if it’s a sure-shot ace you’re looking for, there is only one: Zack Greinke.

Peter Magowan, the former managing general partner of the Giants, made a brief appearance in the zaniness of San Francisco’s post-World Series victory clubhouse. Larry Baer, the team’s president and now the chief executive and control person, accepted the trophy from Commissioner Bud Selig.

The Tigers won’t have to figure out how they would’ve gone on without Omar Infante. No sooner had they realized Infante had suffered a season-ending left wrist injury than their season was over.