Welcome to the offseason

Yesterday's Baseball

Kansas City's Magic Year of Unicorns and Rainbows was no match for Madison Bumgarner, as the GIants won Game 7 behind an MVP pitching performance.

Even better: Giants add 2014 Series title to '10, '12 | MLB.com - Kansas City remained unable to solve Madison Bumgarner, who pitched 5 shutout innings of relief on two days' rest.

San Francisco treat: Third title just as sweet | MLB.com - KANSAS CITY -- It's always a little odd when a road team clinches the World Series. The stands get very quiet, but what's going on on the field is pure chaos -- players piling on each other, hugging, yelling, celebrating, while 40,000 fans watch in relative silence. That was the scene at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday night.

MadBum seals MVP with outing, postseason for the ages | MLB.com - We have never seen anything quite like Bumgarner on this postseason stage and in this Fall Classic. The Giants claimed their third title in five seasons in a 3-2 Game 7 victory in which Bumgarner cemented his obvious, unanimous claim to the Most Valuable Player Award

Guthrie's 'small act' meant much for dying Royals fan | MLB.com - "When I spoke to him," Guthrie said, "I knew he was very close to the end of his life. But there was no sign of that. All he could talk about was baseball and how excited he was for the Royals and for the players he roots for. To have a family that's touched by that, that's impactful. That's real life."

Indians News

Progressive Field renovations continue for Cleveland Indians (slideshow) | cleveland.com - Progressive Field's face lift remains a work in progress. Renovations to the ballpark -- privately funded by the Dolan family and Delaware North -- are expected to be completed in time for the Indians' home opener on April 10.

Around the Horn

Braves expected to make qualifying offer to Ervin Santana | HardballTalk - Santana turned down a qualifying offer (worth one year, $14.1 million) last offseason from the Royals and then couldn't find a multi-year contract to his liking on the open market, so he may consider accepting the thing this time around.

Report: Cubs hire Joe Maddon as manager | HardballTalk - Maddon leaves Tampa Bay for Chicago.

Reds decline options on Ryan Ludwick, Jack Hannahan | HardballTalk - Expensive buyouts, too.