And other news/notes that include — will Alex Gonzalez be joining the Cincinnati Reds?

Among the clubs that might be interested:

Cubs: Ramirez would be a perfect fit if the Cubs struck out on Soriano; general manager Jim Spendry � er, Hendry � could sign Julio Lugo or Gary Matthews Jr. to hit leadoff, and a lineup that featured Derrek Lee and both Manny and Aramis Ramirez would be obscene. The Cubs could part with shortstop Cesar Izturis and bullpen arms; they still would need starting pitching.

Rangers: Three years ago, the Rangers tried to acquire Ramirez and left-hander Jon Lester for shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Pitching remains their biggest need, but the team will be desperate for offense if Lee, Matthews and catcher Rod Barajas join infielder Mark DeRosa as departed free agents.

Rockies: How about Ramirez for first baseman Todd Helton? The Rockies would need to balance out the money � Helton is guaranteed $16.6 million per season through 2010 and $19.1 million in ‘11 with a $4.6 million buyout in ‘12. Another issue: The Sox would be too left-handed if they acquired Helton and signed free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew to go with Ortiz.

Giants: Manny being Manny is annoying, but a lot more harmless than Barry being Barry. What’s more, the departure of Bonds as a free agent would create the need not just for a new left fielder in San Francisco, but also a marquee player. The Giants, though, have little that would appeal to the Red Sox.

Angels: Previous talks concerning Ramirez went nowhere; the Sox wanted financial relief and top prospects in return. The Angels seem more likely to sign a free agent such as Soriano than part with their best young players in a trade. Their biggest outfield need is in center, not left.

Dodgers: Another team loaded with prospects � and another that might get shut out on Soriano and pass on Lee. G.M. Ned Colletti has money to burn thanks to the gift certificate that Drew left by opting out of his contract, but might prefer to invest heavily in a free-agent starter such as left-hander Barry Zito or right-hander Jason Schmidt.

Mariners: Ramirez for first baseman Richie Sexson would be a near-wash financially; Sexson is guaranteed $14 million per season in ‘07 and �08. The Sox obviously would need more, knowing Sexson strikes out too much to adequately protect Ortiz. Ramirez would be reunited, at least for the moment, with former Indians manager Mike Hargrove.

Mets: They’re not nearly as hot on Ramirez as they once were, and their starting rotation is a far greater priority than left field. G.M. Omar Minaya loves Ramirez, but he will need to acquire two top-of-the-rotation starters if left-hander Tom Glavine leaves for the Braves.

What will the final offer be?

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Kei Igawa became the latest Japanese pitcher put up for bid to major league teams.

The Hanshin Tigers made Igawa available for posting Friday, and big league clubs have until Nov. 27 to submit offers for the right to negotiate a contract with the 27-year-old left-hander.

If his Japanese club accepts the highest bid by Dec. 1, the big league team that made it would then have 30 days to reach a deal with him.

Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA in Japan. He struck out 194 to tie for the Central League lead, adding to the strikeout titles he won in 2002 and 2004.

ESPN

Gary Pinkel, University of Missouri head coach, gets a three year contract extension, per 1380 ESPN Radio and PowerMizzou.com.

Just hope they don’t lose to Kansas…

The Red Wings have been absolutely awesome in recent weeks, surging into the second spot in this week’s Power Rankings. And though Dominik Hasek has certainly been excellent, the overriding reason for the Wings’ success has been the immaculate play of their defense. Led by Nicklas Lidstrom, the Wings have surrendered 24 shots or fewer in 12 of Hasek’s 13 starts, which will go a long way towards ensuring that the injury-prone Hasek will still be in the pipes for the Red Wings come playoff time.

So without further ado, here�s how the teams line up this week. The Power Rankings are based on teams� win-loss record, even strength and special teams performances, plus/minus rating, and strength of schedule. Each team�s ranking from last week appears in parentheses�

1. Buffalo Sabres (1): The Sabres just keep on rolling, getting balanced scoring throughout their lineup. When Maxim Afinogenov went down with a shoulder injury, Daniel Briere (26 points) and Thomas Vanek (23 points) took over.

2. Detroit Red Wings (8): New arrival Danny Markov has proven to be a prescient acquisition by GM Ken Holland. The hard-hitting Russian has compiled a +11 rating thus far.

3. Dallas Stars (3): Marty Turco and Mike Smith give the Stars� the league�s stingiest goaltending, but if Dallas is to contend for the Cup, their offense (fewer than three goals-per-game) will need to pick things up a notch or three.

4. San Jose Sharks (5): Joe Thornton has slumped a bit this season, and Jonathan Cheechoo just went down with a minor “lower body injury,” but Patrick Marleau, Milan Michalek, and Steve Bernier have more than picked up the slack.

5. Anaheim Ducks (2): Teemu Selanne leads the Ducks in scoring despite connecting on only four of his 61 shots. Look for his production to rise dramatically as his accuracy inevitably improves.

Inside Hockey

Blue Jays finish off deal to acquire Thomas

Associated Press
Posted: 30 minutes ago

TORONTO (AP) - The Toronto Blue Jays finalized a two-year, $18 million contract with veteran slugger Frank Thomas on Friday.

Updated: Nov. 17, 2006, 12:20 PM ET
Schembechler collapses, dies at 77
ESPN.com news services

DETROIT — Former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler has died, television station WXYZ is reporting.

He was 77.

Schembechler collapsed Friday during the taping of a television show and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.

He became ill at WXYZ-TV in Southfield the day before the Ohio State-Michigan showdown, the station said. Schembechler also was hospitalized Oct. 20 after falling ill at the same studio.

By NANCY ARMOUR, AP National Writer

November 16, 2006

CHICAGO (AP) — Major League Baseball owners on Thursday unanimously approved television contracts with Fox and TBS that run through 2013 and are worth more than $3 billion.

Under the deals, which begin next season, the World Series, All-Star games and Saturday afternoon regular-season telecasts remain on Fox.

Turner Broadcasting System will show all first-round playoff games, and the two networks will share the NL and AL championship series, alternating leagues each year.F

Fox will have the ALCS next year, while TBS will have the NLCS. The start of the World Series also will be pushed back three days next year, from Saturday to Tuesday.