TRICKS OF THE TRADE  —  How do you restore a once-proud franchise?  Glad you asked.  —  The Reds haven't made the playoffs in 13 years, and a slow start this season cost GM Wayne Krivsky his job.  So how can new boss Walt Jocketty build a new Big Red Machine?

Julio Lugo lets it go  —  Questions about errors spark a Lugo outburst … DETROIT - Julio Lugo [stats] has been around the big leagues long enough to know how it works: When you make a ninth-inning error that sets up the winning rally for the opposing team, you're going to find …

To THE Stadium and Back  —  I'm planning on putting up a follow-up post regarding our second day in Cooperstown, complete with photos and a few personal stories.  However, for purposes of timeliness, I want to skip ahead to Wednesday night when Joe and I attended our first game at Yankee Stadium …

Buehrle's shelled ... then ballistic  —  Buehrle takes out frustration on dugout heater  —  Mark Buehrle didn't wait for Ozzie Guillen to complete his walk to the mound, marching out to meet the White Sox manager and handing him the game ball.  And that was just the beginning of one of Buehrle's …

Pirates acquire Michaels, demote Morgan  —  The Pirates today acquired outfielder Jason Michaels and cash from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named.  —  Michaels will take the roster spot of outfielder Nyjer Morgan, who was optioned this afternoon to Class AAA Indianapolis.

Source: Reynolds to make Rockies debut Sunday  —  Greg Reynolds will make his major league debut Sunday at San Diego, according to a source close to the situation, replacing struggling Mark Redman as the Rockies seek to rectify their sagging rotation.  —  Reynolds started for Triple …

Lo Duca reaggravates right hand injury  —  Catcher has to leave game prior to finishing at-bat, will have MRI  —  HOUSTON — Washington catcher Paul Lo Duca reinjured his right hand swinging at a pitch in the seventh inning during Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Astros.

Bynum recalled, in lineup vs. Royals  —  INF says he's fully healthy after rehab for knee injury; Torres optioned to Norfolk  —  KANSAS CITY - Orioles infielder Freddie Bynum was recalled today from his injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie and was immediately inserted into tonight's lineup against the Kansas City Royals.

SS issues: Jays place Eckstein, McDonald on DL … TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays placed shortstops David Eckstein and John McDonald on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, two days after both were injured in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.  —  Utilityman Joe Inglett was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse …

A-Rod needs another MRI before returning to play  —  New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi wants third baseman Alex Rodriguez to have another MRI before he comes off the disabled list.  —  “He will not play a rehab game before he has the MRI,” Girardi told reporters, according to the New York Post.

Yankees power their way past Tribe  —  Cano, Giambi break out of slump, hit two of team's four homers  —  NEW YORK — Robinson Cano and Jason Giambi, a couple of Yankees who have been struggling at the plate, found some life in their bats on Thursday and helped their team get out of town …

Offseason trades with plenty of teeth … Is there anything America loves more than a good old-fashioned baseball trade (OK, with the possible exception of a nationally televised Paula Abdul meltdown)?  —  Of course not.  And never in recent memory have so many offseason trades left such a monumental imprint on a season.