Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Sources: Cubs close to deal for A's catcher Kendall — The Chicago Cubs, looking for help at catcher, are closing in on a deal for Oakland's Jason Kendall, two sources told ESPN.com. — ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, citing two sources close to the situation, said that the Cubs will send catcher Rob Bowen …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs acquire A's catcher Kendall — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Cubs have acquired catcher Jason Kendall from the A's for Rob Bowen and a minor leaguer, FOXSports.com has learned. — The A's are also including cash in the deal. Bowen was designated for assignment earlier Monday.
Discussion:
Hardball
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
A's deal catcher Kendall to Cubs — OAKLAND — The A's on Monday traded veteran catcher Jason Kendall to the Chicago Cubs, MLB.com has learned. — Kendall wasn't in Oakland's starting lineup for the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers on Monday, nor did he join the team for batting practice.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Associated Press:
Bonds scratched from lineup against Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Barry Bonds needed a physical and mental break in a big way. — The slumping slugger was scratched from San Francisco's starting lineup Monday night, letting him rest his aching legs and giving him time to focus on something besides his latest funk at the plate.
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Mets' Alou scheduled to play rehab game today — Mets general manager Omar Minaya is hoping he will get a call sometime today telling him what he has waited two months to hear: — Moises Alou is ready to play in a baseball game. — Minaya said after yesterday's 5-2 Mets win over the Reds that Alou …
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
'Tek takes seat to lick wounds — Jason Varitek hopes to return to the Red Sox [team stats] lineup tonight after sitting out yesterday following an adventurous Saturday night that saw him serve as a pinata with shin pads. — Varitek bit his tongue after he was struck by a deflected pitch …
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:Absent from drama class: These Sox lack theatrics
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Today — Grab Bag — Working through some of the stories listed on this page, word-that-rhymes-with-slog style... - Dodgers recall D.J. Houlton. I note this only because Houlton is a pitcher I've liked for some time, going back to when he was taken by the Dodgers in the 2005 Rule 5 draft.
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Morning Ten Pack — Matt Antonelli, 2B, Double-A San Antonio (Padres) — Antonelli was the Padres' first-round pick last year, and despite putting up a .412 on-base percentage in his pro debut, he was rarely mentioned as anybody's top prospect in a weak San Diego system, nor was he on anyone's Top 100 list.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Brewers place Sheets on disabled list … MILWAUKEE // The Milwaukee Brewers placed pitcher Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a sprained finger on his pitching hand. — The right-hander was injured Saturday during his start against Colorado. Sheets, who turns 29 on Wednesday, said he "felt something pop, snap."
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Millar doesn't want to be dealt from O's — BALTIMORE (AP) — Kevin Millar would rather help the Baltimore Orioles become a winner than join a club that already is one. — As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears, it's a sure bet the Orioles will be fielding offers for Millar …
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Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
On James — Bill James will be inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals on Sunday, July 22, in Pasadena, California. James, Yogi Berra, and Jim Brosnan comprise the ninth class of electees in voting conducted by the membership of the Baseball Reliquary. All three honorees …
Discussion:
Long Beach Press-Telegram
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USA Today:
Comeback trail painfully slow for Nats' Johnson — WASHINGTON — At 2 p.m. on a rainy Wednesday, Nick Johnson cuts a lonely figure inside RFK Stadium. It is still 5 1/2 hours before his Washington Nationals play the Chicago Cubs. As he runs the ramps toward the upper deck he dodges carts bringing …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Notes: Mitchell getting Sheff special — LIKE THIS STORY? — When former Sen. George Mitchell interviews Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield, he should take two aspirin and keep stronger medication handy. — Sheff is going to give Mitchell and the rest of Major League Baseball's steroids investigators a headache.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Henson / Yahoo! Sports:
Five and Fly: Youth served — SAN FRANCISCO-This time, it seems for keeps. This time, rookies James Loney and Matt Kemp are getting more than a cursory look and are viewed as more than fill-ins until a high-priced veteran gets hot or comes off the disabled list. — And the Los Angeles Dodgers are better for it.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
President Bush Likes "Zumala" of the Tigers — The White House hosted the 17th annual "Tee Ball on the South Lawn" event yesterday. The event was hosted by President George W. Bush in honor of Jackie Robinson 's 60th anniversary of breaking the color barrier.
Stephen Hart / Staten Island Advance:
Elbow knocks out Betances in loss to Vermont — Prized righty leaves after three innings in 7-2 loss — STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Losing a game was bad enough. Losing a prized prospect would be a lot worse for the Staten Island Yankees. — Right-hander Dellin Betances left after three innings …
