Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
D-backs looking to upgrade offense — FOXSports.com, Updated 48 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — *The Diamondbacks have shown "some" interest in Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to one industry source, but their offer is not as strong as those of the Braves and Angels, according to another.
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays beef up bullpen … ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays had to do something about the majors' worst bullpen. After deciding the relievers they had weren't necessarily going to get better, they went out and got what they hope are better relievers. — They acquired four pitchers …
John Harper / NY Daily News:
To Keith, as to fans, something feels wrong — Just when you think the Mets are shifting into a higher gear for the stretch run, they lose three out of four to the Pirates and Nationals, the dregs of the National League. August is only a couple of days away now and you wonder if it is ever …
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Bill Konigsberg / Associated Press:
Mets blank Nats in rain-shortened game — NEW YORK (AP) — John Maine shut down Washington, David Wright drove in two runs and the New York Mets salvaged a four-game split with a 5-0 victory over the Nationals on Sunday that was shortened to 4 1/2 innings by rain.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets laid lo in twin bill split — Paul hurt in nightcap after Gotay delivers opener — Who needs Houston's Mark Loretta, Minnesota's Luis Castillo or K.C.'s Mark Grudzielanek? Prayers for Paul Lo Duca's right hamstring are more warranted as Tuesday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline looms.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:After Failing to Sweep, the Mets May Face a Bigger Loss
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Ed Price / NJ.com:
Chamberlain moved to AAA bullpen — The Yankees today took a significant step toward making Joba Chamberlain a part of their bullpen down the stretch when they took him out of the rotation at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. — Chamberlain, who struck out 10 over five innings Wednesday …
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George King / New York Post:
FARNSWORTH, PROCTOR ARE LIKELY CHIPS — If the Yankees make a trade before Tuesday afternoon's deadline it's highly likely that Kyle Farnsworth and or Scott Proctor will be in it. And even if they aren't moved, neophyte Joba Chamberlain is a solid bet to be added to the bullpen mix as early as Tuesday.
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Young Signs A Two-Year Extension — The Washington Nationals announced the signing of first baseman Dmitri Young, the team's lone all-star, to a $10-million, two-year contract extension on Saturday. The move reinforces Young's remarkable turnaround, removes a possible trade chip …
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Teixeira's new Brave world? — Atlanta seems the front-runner to acquire Rangers' slugger, which would shore up its weakest position and mean another run at the playoffs. — On July 18, 1993, Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz acquired San Diego's Fred McGriff, a power-hitting …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:If Tex arrives, will Elvis leave building?
Discussion:
Rain Delay
Scott Lauber / Phillies/baseball:
July 29 — REYES OF HOPE? — Heard an interesting rumor last night after our final deadline for the 50-cent edition. The Phillies dispatched major-league scouting director Gordon Lakey to St. Louis to watch Anthony Reyes, the Cardinals' down-on-his-luck right-hander who was making …
Bob Dutton / www.kansascity.com:
Royals notes: Dotel main focus of trade talk — Scouts continue to flood into Kauffman Stadium as Tuesday's non-waiver trading deadline draws closer. — Most of the interest remains centered on veteran closer Octavio Dotel, with Seattle believed to be making a renewed push.
Discussion:
seattlepi.com Mariners blog, Associated Press, NJ.com, Royals Review and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Whirlwind days ahead — FOLD 'EM? Trade of Iguchi signals start of busy period; expect Dye to go, Jose to stay — It seems almost everyone is tired of talking about it at this point. — General manager Ken Williams, outfielder Jermaine Dye, first baseman Paul Konerko, everyone.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
The Vision Thing — The Washington Nationals, last in the National League East, in dire need of an influx of younger talent at every level of the organization, have taken one of their top trade chips—a player having a fluke season at age 33—off of the market.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Dan Rosenheck / New York Times:
Opponents Pay a Painful Price in Walking Bonds — Barry Bonds may not have had to overcome the obstacles that Hank Aaron did in trying to become baseball's career home run leader, but Aaron did enjoy one advantage Bonds would dearly appreciate: He rarely lacked for a pitch to hit.
Discussion:
ESPN
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Chuck Finder / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Starting rotation changes in works — PHILADELPHIA — The Pirates yesterday made the following changes: — Removed pitcher John Van Benschoten from their rotation, sending him to Class AAA Indianapolis for more work. — Delayed Tom Gorzelanny, skipping his turn early …
ESPN:
Canseco says he has 'stuff' on A-Rod in new book — When Jose Canseco wrote "Juiced" in 2005, he brought the issue of steroids in Major League Baseball to the forefront. Now, Canseco has another book due this fall and he promises some juicy info on Alex Rodriguez.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
