In Philadelphia, Ryan Lawrence reports MLB Manager of Salary & Contract Administration Scott Freedman "will work with the Phillies this offseason in adding advanced metrics into their player evaluation process." Freedman works in MLB's labor relations department, where he "assists teams in salary-arbitration cases, among other things." Phillies Assistant GM Scott Proefrock said that Freedman "is not a Phillies employee." Proefrock referred to the role as an "externship." Proefrock: "He's joined us through the commissioner's office" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 11/7).
OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT: In Detroit, Tom Gage writes Tigers Owner Mike Illitch has become "an absentee owner only in this sense: He doesn't appear at functions that once were automatic for him to attend." Illitch in recent months has been absent from "the team photo, the retirement of a manager who’s led you to the postseason four times in eight years, and the hiring of a new manager." Gage: "It's different now. And if you want to wish him the best as he transitions out of the visibility of ownership, this is probably the time" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/7).
DRAWING THE UNION'S IRE: TSN.ca's Darren Dreger notes the NHLPA said that the Flames "cannot mandate its players wear protective foot and ankle equipment," but Flames GM Jay Feaster "instructed his players get fitted for the guards" after two recent injuries on the team. The NHLPA "intends on reaching out to the NHL to discuss its concerns" with the Flames' approach (TSN.ca, 11/5).
