The Minnesota Twins have picked up outfielder Michael Cuddyer's $10.5 million option for 2011. Cuddyer hit a career-high 32 home runs to lead the team. He also had 94 RBIs and was sixth in the American League with 73 extra-base hits. When slugger Justin Morneau went out with a back injury in September, Cuddyer moved from right field to first base.
Manny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season. The team said Friday that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed general manager Ned Colletti of the decision, which Ramirez had until this month to make. He could have exercised an out clause in the two-year, $45 million deal he signed in March.
More than any slugger on either team, pitching has been the star of this World Series. A.J. Burnett took a page from Cliff Lee's how-to manual and backed by a few key hits and a sharp pickoff throw, New York drew even with the Phillies at one game apiece. Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui helped rally the Yankees with solo homers off familiar foe Pedro Martinez, and Burnett's biting curveball…
Ryan Howard thought about the World Series and his eyes widened. "Between Yankee Stadium and Philly, it's going to be, I would have to say, probably one of the rowdiest World Series — just between the fans," he said. Sure will be if Howard and Alex Rodriguez start teeing off in their high-profile slugger showdown.
Cliff Lee sprinted off the mound after throwing his final pitch, nearly breaking a sweat for the first time. Heck, he almost outhustled the Phillies' newest speed demon, Ryan Howard. With their ace and slugger leading the way, the defending World Series champions got back their swagger. Lee dominated the Dodgers, Howard and Jayson Werth provided the big swings early and Philadelphia cruised past…
Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was drunk — three times above Michigan's legal limit for driving, according to police — between two key games over the weekend as his team was trying to win the American League Central title. The 26-year-old Venezuelan first baseman was taken to a police station Saturday after arriving at his suburban Detroit home at 5 a.m.
Tampa Bay slugger Carlos Pena left the opener of Monday's day-night doubleheader against the Yankees after a pitch hit his hand and was undergoing X-rays. Pena was hurt on an 0-1 offering in the first inning from CC Sabathia, with the ball hitting his left hand and then his bat. Pena initially headed to first, but plate umpire Jim Wolf checked with third base umpire Fieldin Culbreth, who…