Odds & Ends: Mets, Reds, Halos, Skippers

Another batch of links as the Braves and Phillies prepare to get underway on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball…

• According to ex-Mets GM Jim Duquette, via Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets have canceled their fall instructional league "in an apparent cost-cutting maneuver."  If they're making cutbacks in the minors, might they also have cutbacks in mind at the big league level?
• According to Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty reaffirmed Sunday that he currently has no deals in the works. The deadline for waiver trades is tomorrow, August 31.
• Matthew Pouliot of NBC Sports continues his "Restoring the Rosters" series with a look at the Angels, who he ranks 10th among all MLB clubs with their impressive what-could-have-been roster.
• Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune discusses some MLB managers who may be on the proverbial "hot seat."  Among the names?  Cincinnati's Dusty Baker, Cleveland's Eric Wedge and Houston's Cecil Cooper.  Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports goes more in-depth with the list.