This year, Texas acquired Koji Uehara, Michael Gonzalez and Mike Adams at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline to set up for Neftali Feliz. That gives manager Ron Washington vastly more options to consider as his club heads into Game 6 of the ALCS.

With the Red Sox still under fire from fans and media on the heels of their recent collapse, team owner John Henry drove unprompted to a Boston radio station on Friday to discuss some of the criticism, delving into topics such as GM Theo Epstein's status and the Carl Crawford signing.

Nelson Cruz has feasted on Tigers fastballs so far in the ALCS. So as Detroit enters must-win Game 6, keeping the Rangers slugger in the yard is of paramount importance.

The Cubs and Red Sox continued negotiations on Friday over compensation in order to free Theo Epstein from the final year of his contract in Boston and allow him to take over baseball operations in Chicago.

As bad as Michael Young's playoff slump has been, the last two games are the best sign yet that he's coming around.

Rafael Furcal can be a free agent when the season ends, and in a market lacking shortstops, he could be in demand. But he said prior to Game 5 of the National League Championship Series that he's happy in St. Louis and would like to be back.

The Rangers are one win away from going back to the World Series and Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is the biggest obstacle in their way.

The Tigers will ask Max Scherzer to extend their season to a winner-take-all game, while the Rangers are trusting that Derek Holland won't let it go that far, locking up the World Series berth. Game 6 will be played on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

Former Red Sox reliever Scott Williamson has placed his 2004 World Series ring up for sale with online personal property sale company Everything But the House. It is the first player's ring to become available from the 2004 team that snapped the club's 86-year championship drought.

With the Mets having finished interviewing candidates for their bench coach vacancy, former A's skipper Bob Geren is set to fill the position next season.

Tigers catcher Alex Avila is hurting. His manager admits that the catcher was overused in the regular season, and the wear and tear of more than 150 games behind the plate is finally taking its toll on the third-year backstop. But Avila won't make any excuses, and as he showed on Thursday, he's still capable of digging deep and changing the course of a ballgame.

Getting past a first-half slump for the third straight year, Ryan Raburn rebounded with a monstrous second half and is quietly playing strong in the American League Championship Series. Raburn went 2-for-4 with a home run as the Tigers staved off elimination in Game 5.

Brandon Inge hitting .177 halfway through the year before being designated for assignment in late July, and many wondered if his career with the Tigers was over. But Inge went to Triple-A Toledo, was recalled in mid-August and has been swinging a hot bat in the postseason.

Outfielder Josh Hamilton and third baseman Adrian Beltre were no-shows at the Rangers' optional workout on Friday at the Ballpark in Arlington. Their absence came with manager Ron Washington's blessing.

Rangers reliever Mark Lowe, who strained his left hamstring on Sept. 22, threw live batting practice on Friday before doing pitcher's fielding practice.

Andres Blanco, who is sidelined with a stress fracture in his lower back, said he is unlikely to be on the World Series roster if the Rangers were to advance.

The Cubs and the city of Mesa, Ariz., have reached agreement on all major details of a new $99 million Spring Training facility. The deal will become official on Monday when the Mesa city council is expected to approve it.