Top News:
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 …
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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 …
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.
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
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 …
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 …
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?
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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
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.
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.
Associated Press:
Padres release Branyan, call up Hairston — HOUSTON — The San Diego Padres released utilityman Russell Branyan on Saturday to open a roster spot for outfielder Scott Hairston, acquired Friday from Arizona. — The 31-year-old Branyan batted .197 with a home run and 19 RBIs in 67 games for the Padres this season.
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.
Lynn Henning / Detroit News:
Tigers' patience pays off at plate — Seeing more pitches this season has brought Detroit's lineup more walks and, in turn, more runs. — In a hotel suite outside Orlando, Fla., last December, a group of Tigers executives, coaches and former players, including manager Jim Leyland …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
postGame: Mets 3 Nationals 1 — The Mets (58-45) defeated the Nationals (44-59) by the score of 3 to 1 in Shea Stadium this afternoon. — For a recap and boxscore, go to Yahoo! Sports. — The two teams will meet again for the second game of a day-night double-header at 7 pm.
Discussion:
Associated Press
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins: The slide reaches five — Jhonny Peralta hit two homers to lift the Indians to victory over a Twins team that has lost five consecutive games and is looking more and more unlikely to make a playoff push. — CLEVELAND - After a third consecutive night of flat play led …
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 …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Iguchi trade makes room for Richar — White Sox want to see prospect play in the big leagues — CHICAGO — Friday's trade of Tadahito Iguchi to Philadelphia will be viewed by many as difficult to understand, with a valuable starting second baseman being moved out in exchange …
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