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Last Night's Playoff Action
Red Sox 4, Tigers 3: Early miscues doom Tigers as Sox take 3-2 series lead - Bless You Boys
The Red Sox won two out of the three games in Detroit, and they head home needing just one more win to get to the World Series. They'll face Max Scherzer on Friday, and probably Justin Verlander if the series goes to a seventh game, so it's not going to be easy closing out the Tigers.
AL Central News
Jose Abreu Agrees To Deal With White Sox - BaseballAmerica.com
White Sox said to be deep in negotiations with Cuban slugger Jose Abreu | MLB.com: News
Rosenthal: White Sox to sign Abreu, 6 years/$68 million - South Side Sox
The six-year deal is worth $68M, and should be thought of as a major-league free agent signing, as Abreu isn't going to spend any time in the minors. Cubans defectors 23 and older are not subject to the recently-implemented international signing pool. Abreu for years has been thought of as the best power hitter in Cuba, and given that impact players like Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig have recently defected to the US, that's saying something. Abreu would give the White Sox three Cubans in their starting lineup, as both Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo are from the island country.
The signing likely means that Paul Konerko's career is over, as Abreu will either play first base or DH. Adam Dunn is signed through 2014, and there's no way Abreu, Dunn, and Konerko could co-exist on the same roster.
Other MLB News
Dodgers plan to start Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier in NLCS Game 6 | MLB.com: News
The Dodgers once again face a must-win situation tonight, and they'll have both Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier in the lineup. Ramirez has a fractured rib, and Ethier has a small fracture in his lower left leg. Having Clayton Kershaw on the mound will help too.
Rangers announce Nolan Ryan retiring as of 10/31/13 - Lone Star Ball
This marks the end of a power struggle over baseball decision in the Texas front office, with GM Jon Daniels apparently winning it.