Shane Victorino, Jose Reyes, Starlin Castro, Robinson Cano, Mike Stanton and Asdrubal Cabrera, who all have the talent to bring fans to the edge of their seats, are nominated for GIBBY Wow Factor honors.

Don't feel too sorry for the guy who claims Tony La Russa's throne. He's stepping into a primo position — a managerial opportunity of the utmost allure.

There are plenty of reliable, solid, pick-your-synonym types, with some upside to be found, too, among free-agent second basemen this offseason.

The Cubs' managerial job trumps the vacancies in St. Louis and Boston. Fail and you're simply the latest in a long line of those who have come up short. Win a championship and you'll be elevated to an unprecedented level.

Baseball is a sport in love with round numbers, and none inspire more reverence than the zeroes that follow any other integer. As for crooked numbers, nothing is as criminal as a "nine" at the end of a significant statistic.

A pair of first-year skippers — along with an outgoing Hall of Famer-to-be, it's worth noting — head the candidates for the NL's Manager of the Year award. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce the winner of that award on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

After his Tampa Bay Rays got off to a horrible start this past season with a revamped roster minus most of their top-paid players from the year before, Joe Maddon may well finish with his second American League Manager of the Year Award.

Boosted by added revenues from their new stadium, the Marlins are actively surveying the market for proven players. They've already made preliminary inquiries on free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes and left-hander Mark Buehrle.

The free-agent market will receive an influx of international talent when a large group of players from Cuba become eligible to sign with Major League clubs before the end of the year.

The manager who does for Chicago what Terry Francona did for Boston — Reverse the Curse — will be canonized. St. Louis has a winning team with plenty of good pieces in place. But the ideal managerial situation lies with the Red Sox.

Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux confirmed Monday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration for the Red Sox's managerial job. But he will interview with the Cubs on Wednesday.

In a surprising move, Terry Ryan has returned to the role of Twins general manager on an interim basis, replacing Bill Smith, the club announced Monday.

In a swap that included talented yet erratic performers, the Giants attempted to bolster their offense Monday by acquiring outfielder Melky Cabrera from the Kansas City Royals for left-handers Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo.

A furious September not only propelled Tony La Russa's Cardinals and Joe Maddon's Rays to the postseason, it has also certainly vaulted them to Major League Baseball's highest honor for managers.

Free agency, awards, Winter Meetings and much more lay ahead in the days and weeks to come this offseason.

There's Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and everybody else when it comes to first basemen on the free-agent market. They are the biggest free agents available, and both will command huge contracts.

Though a clear-cut favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year award is missing, the candidates are abundant.