Boss refused Torre's offer

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During a phone call that might have saved Torre's job, Torre apologized to Steinbrenner for the Yankees' pathetic postseason showing and told Steinbrenner that if he didn't trust him, he could fire him, which turned out to be Torre's best strategy of the year. Steinbrenner instead grilled Torre on several fronts, from what he perceived was the team's lack of energy and cohesiveness to questionable in-game strategies. Torre, an even better talker than manager, probably saved his job in that 10-minute call.

Steinbrenner's statement a day later reflected his concerns. The reference to being more "cohesive'' meant that Torre should try harder to get along with Alex Rodriguez. And Steinbrenner is right about that. Look for a high-level pow-wow with at least Rodriguez and Torre attempting to hash things out. If they can't, A-Rod still could be traded.

It didn't hurt Torre that GM Brian Cashman stumped for the only manager he's ever had as GM, and maybe it didn't hurt him that Cashman apparently wasn't in agreement on the successor, either (while Steinbrenner wanted Lou Piniella, Cashman probably preferred Don Mattingly). It also didn't hurt Torre's cause that the Yankees still owe Torre $7 million for next year, whether he manages or not.

Will Lou wait?

Piniella has already said that the Nationals are too much of a rebuilding job for him, and if he looks closely enough, he'd have to conclude the same about the Giants and their 11 free agents. The Cubs look a few years away and also aren't really a good match for Piniella, who can spot a flaw from a mile away and once found fault with his 116-victory Mariners team. The Cubs job is coveted by many for obvious reasons, some having little to do with winning. But Piniella's wisest move would be to wait for Torre to go. It may not be long.

Bobby Valentine would be my choice for Cubs manager. They need someone fun, and also someone who knows how to build a winner from the ground up. But since they aren't listening to me, Joe Girardi makes sense. In the words of one manager, "It would be the upset of the century if he doesn't get it.''

They like Mike, but ...

The Yankees have decided not to exercise the $17 million option on Mike Mussina. If they can't work out an equitable alternative deal -- say, for two years -- they'll have to pay him the $1.5 million buyout.

Happy Endy and other playoff notes

The Mets don't lose too much, if anything, with Endy Chavez in for a hobbling Cliff Floyd. About the last words heard in the Mets clubhouse came from Randolph: "Be ready, Endy.'' ... Tony La Russa's Game 1 moves made sense. He did well to walk David Wright in the sixth inning with a base open and pitch to him the next time, when there were runners on second and third and one out. He also had no choice but to move Chris Carpenter up to pitch Game 2 on Friday night.... Albert Pujols didn't take the loss well. Pujols snapped about winning pitcher Tom Glavine, "He wasn't all that good. We hit the ball hard.'' Actually, Glavine pulled his curveball out of mothballs to make Pujols look bad.... The charmed Tigers got some more good news when Joel Zumaya's wrist injury turned out to be less painful than first feared. They are now saying they expect him to pitch more in the ALCS.

Only one Lidle benefit in question

Condolences to the family of Cory Lidle, who was a good guy.

A union official said Lidle's wife, Melanie, will still receive the regular union death benefit and the pension of a player with nine-plus years' service time, even though he was flagged as a replacement player for pitching one inning of replacement ball. That means that when Lidle would have turned 62, Melanie will get $166,000 a year in pension payments.

Also, Lidle is eligible for $1.5 million total in death benefits. He is to receive $450,000 in life insurance and could receive $1.05 million for his accidental death and dismemberment policy, a players union official said. But if Lidle is proven to be the pilot of the plane that crashed Wednesday into a midtown Manhattan high-rise apartment building, killing Lidle and his flight instructor, the official said Lidle wouldn't be entitled to the $1.05 million payment. According to aviation expert Robert Hager, however, figuring out who the pilot was may not be possible because the plane had two sets of controls.

Around the majors

• I still think Arlington, Texas, native Trey Hillman, the Nippon Ham Fighters manager, may get the Texas Rangers managing job. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo pulled out -- after they told him he wasn't really a candidate, of course. And if not Texas, Hillman could become a candidate in San Diego if manager Bruce Bochy moves on.

• How does Frank Thomas not win Comeback Player of the Year? He went from nothing to close to the MVP. The honor went to Jim Thome instead.

• It's a travesty that Buck O'Neil didn't make the Hall of Fame while he was still alive.