Top News:
George King / New York Post:
SCOUTS FLOCK INTO STADIUM — The Yankees continue to talk to the Dodgers about utilityman Wilson Betemit, but the Dodgers are also chatting with the Royals about reliever Octavio Dotel, whom they like a little bit better than Scott Proctor. — The Dodgers had scout Mark Weidemaier at Yankee Stadium yesterday.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Reinforcement for Rotation May Be a Few Starts Away — Phil Hughes has made only two starts for the Yankees, but he is considered a major leaguer. While the Yankees are not officially saying it, they are making plans to give Kei Igawa's spot in the rotation to Hughes as soon as Hughes is ready.
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
Bob Dutton / www.kansascity.com:
Dotel and others wait out storm as trade winds blow — Another day dawns on July's diminishing calendar, and veteran closer Octavio Dotel again wonders if he will still be with the Royals when tomorrow comes. — This is life on the trading block. Dotel accepts that …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Stranded in quicksand: Sox sinking as lost chances mount — Four batters painted an all too familiar picture for the Red Sox [team stats] last night. — The frustration of the Sox' recent rough patch reached a crescendo during the seventh inning of the 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park [map].
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Beckett looks to bounce back — Chicago (43-51) at Boston (56-39), Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET — Josh Beckett doesn't have much experience coming off a loss this season. But on both previous occasions, the right-hander bounced back with a win. — The Red Sox hope that will be the case again Friday night …
Discussion:
Union-News
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Red Sox can't plug up leaks — Offense remains all wet after delay — Red Sox fan and Brookline native Conan O'Brien was in the on-deck circle by the time last night's game lurched into the bottom of the ninth, rain having delayed the start until 9:01. — But a half-hour after midnight, the Sox needed a home run, not a one-liner.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets Insider: A second look at Sammy Sosa? — LOS ANGELES — Back in December 2004, which was the last time the Mets seriously considered trading for Sammy Sosa, they were prepared to take on nearly $35 million for the two-year commitment. Or at least general manager Omar Minaya was willing to.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Anderson glad to be back — Newly promoted veteran filling Franco's bench role — LOS ANGELES — Marlon Anderson signed with the Mets before the 2005 season for one reason: "Because I wanted to play for Willie Randolph." Now he's back with the Mets for two reasons …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Season ends for Carpenter — ATLANTA — The Cardinals on Thursday announced Chris Carpenter's season is over. — Carpenter, who has not made a major-league start since opening day, will undergo additional elbow surgery next week that will end his season and cost him a significant portion …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Anthony Andro / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers put reliever Akinori Otsuka on the disabled list — ARLINGTON — The Rangers stellar bullpen took a hit Thursday when they put Akinori Otsuka on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right forearm. — The right-hander, 35, hasn't pitched since July 1 when he pitched 2/3 of an inning against Boston.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
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Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:Rangers put reliever Otsuka on 15-day DL
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Jeré Longman / New York Times:
Fit Young Pitchers See Elbow Repair as Cure-All — While examining a 17-year-old pitcher for a knee injury last year in Nashville, Dr. Damon H. Petty was asked a chilling question by the teenager and his father: If reconstructive elbow surgery were performed on his healthy throwing arm, might he gain some speed on his fastball?
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Lester willing, able: Ready to answer call — PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Considering he was a bit preoccupied by pitching seven strong innings in Triple-A Pawtucket's 9-4 victory against Ottawa on Wednesday night, Jon Lester [stats] can be excused for being unaware that the topic …
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Analysis: Pirates set stage to sell off Wilson, others — Acquire shortstop Izturis from Cubs for cash, minor-leaguer — Has the sale begun? — The Pirates apparently have started the process of trading shortstop Jack Wilson, their most tenured and highest-paid player …
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Joe Posnanski / The Soul of Baseball:
Don't Forget the Motor City ... The lesson with Barry Bonds is clear: Don't get comfortable. You might recall that about a week ago, I had braced myself for the Bonds chase. I did my Barry calisthenics. I studied some baseball history. I bought some flaxseed oil. And then things began to change.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Trade Cordero? It's an Issue of Getting Value — Chad Cordero spent much of the offseason reading about how the Washington Nationals, the franchise that drafted him and gave him a chance to lead the majors with 47 saves in 2005, might trade him. Now, less than two weeks …
MLB.com:
Tigers surpass all-time attendance record — Sales for 2007 top 1984 world championship season — DETROIT — Through the close of business on Wednesday, sales of Tigers tickets for the 2007 season surpassed the previous club record total, which was set in the 1984 World Championship season at Tiger Stadium.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Welcome to Dullsville … Once, there was a time when it was possible to trade for Randy Johnson at the trading deadline. Or Bartolo Colon. Or, at the very least, Brad Penny. — Boy, those were the days. — But now those days seem as long gone as legalized spitballs …
Discussion:
the metropolitans
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