Top News:
MLB.com:
Nationals acquire outfielder Wily Mo Pena from Boston — The Washington Nationals today acquired 25 year-old outfielder Wily Mo Pena and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Bradford Files, Associated Press, Nats320, Fox Sports, Federal Baseball, Nats Triple Play and Natstastic
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Bye Wily Mo — Though it came a little late (like, say, after Clay Buchholz already had an inning under his belt), we finally have the official announcement on Wily Mo Pena. — Pena has been traded to the Washington Nationals, one of the teams frequently mentioned as a potential landing spot …
Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
BoSox deal Pena to Nats, Mirabelli on DL — BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox put backup catcher Doug Mirabelli on the 15-day disabled list after he injured himself in the first game of a doubleheader Friday, the biggest in a series of moves designed to bolster the team for the pennant race.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers call up top prospect Maybin — Monroe designated for assignment to make room for phenom — NEW YORK — Cameron Maybin will get his shot at the big leagues sooner than expected. The Tigers' top prospect had his contract purchased from Double-A Erie and will join the team in the Bronx …
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Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
In surprise move, Tigers call up Maybin — He'll join the team tonight at New York's Yankee Stadium — A little over one week ago, the Tigers promoted top prospect Cameron Maybin to Double-A Erie. At the time, club president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Maybin would not be a candidate for a September call-up.
Danny Knobler / Detroit Tigers Insider:
Maybin and Santiago called up, Monroe designated, Infante optioned — NEW YORK — Cameron Maybin is coming to the major leagues, and Craig Monroe's Tiger career appears to be over. — The Tigers are making a series of roster moves today, and the biggest is to promote the 20-year-old Maybin …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs, Zambrano agree to 5-year, $91.5M deal — FOXSports.com, Updated 10 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — The deal finally is done. — Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano has agreed to a five-year, $91.5 million contact extension, FOXSports.com has learned.
Discussion:
Hardball, True Blue LA, Baseball Musings, MLB Trade Rumors, 1060west.net, Foul Balls, FanHouse, Red Reporter and Knuckle Curve
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Associated Press:
Zambrano inks $91.5 million extension with Cubs — CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano's long wait paid off. The Chicago Cubs' talented and emotional ace agreed Friday to a $91.5 million, five-year contract extension that features a 2013 option that could make the deal worth $110.75 million over six seasons.
Newsday:
Pedro moved to Tuesday — Not sure why — yet — but Pedro Martinez's next rehab start in Port St. Lucie will be Tuesday, not Monday as the Mets originally planned. That pretty much nixes any chance of pitching coach Rick Peterson viewing him in person with the Mets playing that night against the Padres at Shea.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
SHEFF IS STILL STIRRING THE POT WITH HIS COMMENTS — The wounds between Gary Sheffield and Joe Torre haven't healed, and only became more pronounced yesterday when the disgruntled former Yankees slugger implied that Torre is a phony. — With the Tigers at Yankee Stadium for the start …
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Baseball America:
Yanks Prospects Tabata, Garcia Injured — Yankees outfielder Jose Tabata will miss the remainder of the season after surgery to remove the hamate bone in his right wrist. — The injury has bothered the 19-year-old outfielder since playing in the Venezuelan Winter League …
Diane M. Grassi / The Biz of Baseball:
The Donaghy Scandal, QuesTec, Umpires, and MLB Collide — Major League Baseball (MLB) fans over the past several years have not only been witness to those performances taking place on MLB baseball diamonds across America, but have also been privy to after-the- fact cover-ups, collusion …
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Feats of Clay — Buchholz gets the call as Red Sox Nation greets a new phenom — It was a 2006 Ford Expedition, with an in-dash navigation system, that caused Bubba Bell to acquire an impish sparkle in his eyes. He had a rooting interest in the success of his Pawtucket Red Sox teammate, Clay Buchholz, in more ways than one.
Associated Press:
Ray has Tommy John surgery — Injured Orioles closer expected to miss 2008 season — TORONTO (AP) — Baltimore Orioles closer Chris Ray is expected to miss the entire 2008 season after having major surgery on his right elbow. — Ray underwent the Tommy John procedure on Thursday …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Associated Press:
Jones powers Cubs past Cards — LIKE THIS STORY? — CHICAGO (AP) - Booed, benched and nearly traded during his time with the Cubs, Jacque Jones heard only cheers at Wrigley Field on Friday. — Jones hit a two-run homer and made an outstanding catch as Chicago beat St. Louis 2-1, ending the Cardinals' five-game winning streak.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue