World Series draws record-low TV ratings

The San Francisco Giants’ sweep of the Detroit Tigers set a record low for the World Series’ television ratings.

The four games on Fox averaged a 7.6 rating and 12 share, Nielsen Media Research said Monday. The previous low was an 8.4 for the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies-Tampa Bay Rays and 2010 Giants-Texas Rangers series, which each went five games.

Last year’s St. Louis Cardinals-Rangers World Series went seven games and built momentum to average a 10.0/16.

The Giants’ 2-0 win in Game 3 on Saturday earned a 6.1/11, and their 4-3, 10-inning victory in the clincher Sunday drew an 8.9/14. Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with TVs tuned into a program. Shares represent the percentage watching among all homes with TVs in use at the time.

Yankees pick up options on Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson

The New York Yankees have exercised their $15-million contract options for second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder Curtis Granderson for next season.

Cano hit .313 with 33 home runs and 94 runs batted in this season and Granderson hit 43 home runs and drove in 106 runs, but hit .232. The Yankees were swept by Detroit in the American League Championship Series.

The Yankees also exercised their $500,000 option on reliever David Aardsma, who came back from elbow ligament-replacement surgery to pitch one inning at the end of the season.

Athletics exercise option on Grant Balfour, pass on Stephen Drew

The Oakland Athletics have exercised their $4.5-million contract option for closer Grant Balfour and declined their half of a $10-million mutual option for shortstop Stephen Drew.

Drew receives a $1.35-million buyout. Balfour would have been due a $350,000 buyout had the A’s turned down the option. General Manager Billy Beane all but said when the season ended in a five-game division series loss to Detroit that he would keep Balfour and do all he could to maintain the current roster.

Drew, acquired in an August trade with Arizona, batted .250 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 39 games.

Oakland had the lowest payroll in the major leagues at $59.5 million.

Twins decline option on Scott Baker

The Minnesota Twins have declined their $9.25-million option on right-hander Scott Baker’s contract for next season, making him eligible for free agency.

Baker didn’t pitch this year because of an injury that required elbow-ligament replacement surgery. The Twins have expressed interest in bringing him back for 2013, but not at that price.

Baker, 31, is 63-48 with a 4.15 earned-run average since his debut in 2005.