Giants' Alou, Cubs' Baker looking for new positions

SAN FRANCISCO - Nobody in the Giants' front office is blamingFelipe Alou for San Francisco's failures the past two seasons. OwnerPeter Magowan is willing to take the heat for that.

The club cut ties with Alou on Monday, a day after the teamfinished its second straight losing season. San Francisco iscommitted to moving forward with a younger roster, and likely ayounger manager.

"He's every way a victim of circumstances," General Manager BrianSabean said. "He knows he had four good years here. The last two wererugged."

The change had been expected for some time, with the 71-year-oldAlou's contract expiring. He said he would like to stay in baseballin 2007, …