Top News:
Michael Ko / Seattle Times:
Notebook | McLaren shuffles up M's batting order — Trying to snap his team out of its seven-game nosedive, Mariners manager John McLaren again shuffled the batting order before Friday night's game against Oakland. — The most notable changes were Jose Vidro moving back to second …
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Kei to Triple-A — BALTIMORE - With his team in a pennant race and just two months to go in the regular season, Joe Torre decided he no longer could afford to send Kei Igawa to the mound. — Igawa was optioned to Triple-A Scranton before last night's game, where the Yankees hope the lefthander …
New Jersey Online:
Yankees in pursuit of Wigginton, bullpen arm — PLAYER OF THE DAY TY WIGGINTON, INF/OF Tampa Bay Devil Rays — The Yankees have been trying to get Wigginton from Tampa Bay for at least a week, and have spoken about using relief pitcher Scott Proctor as the bait.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Considering Kei Igawa, Al Reyes, Jason Jennings? — Apparently the Mariners have some interest in twice-demoted Yankees starter Kei Igawa, according to an uncited TV report. The report pleased Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima. — Igawa is locked up through 2011, which may or may not be a positive.
Discussion:
Rays of Light
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Rangers may take Teixeira trade to wire — Chipper finds potential in having 'formidable' lineup — Phoenix — Chipper Jones learned long ago not to get too excited about trade rumors, but he couldn't help himself Friday as he envisioned Atlanta's lineup should the Braves finalize …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
ON YOUR MARK — TEIXEIRA-TO-BRAVES WOULD MAKE THE METS SWEAT IN NL EAST RACE — TO some degree, the Mets' path to the NL East title became less arduous Thursday when the Phillies lost Chase Utley for around a month with a broken right hand. — But what if the Braves complete a trade for Mark Teixeira?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Los Angeles Times:
Deal for Teixeira appears unlikely — Rangers' asking price for a third player in deal is said to be too steep. — The Angels essentially abandoned their pursuit of Texas slugger Mark Teixeira because of the Rangers' steep asking price Friday, leaving them very few options to bolster …
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Dye, Garland shine in Sox victory — Most marketable players stand out — Jon Garland and Jermaine Dye gave potential suitors a good showing Friday night in the White Sox's 4-3 victory over Toronto. — In what may have been his last White Sox start, Garland lasted 7 1/3 innings and allowed three runs.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers acquire McClung from Rays — Right-handed reliver will report to Triple-A Nashville — ST. LOUIS — A few hours after they designated him for assignment, the Brewers traded right-handed reliever Grant Balfour to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Friday for Seth McClung …
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays trade McClung to Brewers — ST. PETERSBURG - The Seth McClung era is over. — The Devil Rays traded the talented but inconsistent reliever to Milwaukee late Friday for RHP Grant Balfour, who joins their beleaguered bullpen today. — McClung spent parts of three seasons with the Rays …
Associated Press:
Bonds hits 754th HR to pull within one of Aaron — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hammerin' Hank, he's right behind you now. — Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run Friday night, and needed just one more to tie Hank Aaron's record. — The Giants star sent a 2-1 pitch from rookie Rick Vanden Hurk …
Sports Illustrated:
Shea Hillenbrand signs minor league contract with Padres, will report to Triple-A Portland — SAN DIEGO (AP) -The Padres signed two-time All-Star Shea Hillenbrand to a minor league contract on Friday, and he will report to Triple-A Portland. — The right-handed hitting Hillenbrand …
Associated Press:
Unit out for season, intends to return — PHOENIX (AP) — Randy Johnson will have season-ending back surgery and intends to be back for the Arizona Diamondbacks at spring training next year. — "I have no intention at this time of retiring," he said at a news conference Friday.
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Baseball Prospectus:
Saturday Update — The Braves aren't willing to up their offer for Mark Teixeira unless they get more back. While sources tell me that the initial discussion was based on which pitcher the Rangers got back, it's now moved to what else they might give up.
MLB.com:
Notes: Lee optioned to Triple-A — Lofton in Friday night's lineup; Tribe takes a risk in deal — CLEVELAND — A year ago, he was signing his name to a multiyear and multimillion dollar contract extension. — Now, Cliff Lee is eastbound on Interstate 90.
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Indians acquire Lofton from Rangers
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington, Babes Love Baseball, Baseball America, The DiaTribe and MLB.com
Sports Illustrated:
From slappies to sluggers — Ripken was 'tipping point' in evolution of shortstops — The abundance of good-hitting shortstops is one of the most compelling storylines in baseball, but it's not exactly new. — The trend began in earnest a decade ago with Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra and Edgar Renteria.
Brian Costello / New York Post:
BARRY: A-ROD NOT IN MY LEAGUE — For most of the last month, Barry Bonds has been tossing verbal bouquets toward Alex Rodriguez, but the praise stops at a point. — "Is he as good as me? Hell, no," Bonds told The Post when asked if Rodriguez was the best player of this generation.
Discussion:
FanHouse
