Top News:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN.com:
Source: Ramirez, Marlins agree to $70 million deal … ORLANDO, Florida — The Florida Marlins and shortstop Hanley Ramírez agreed on a contract extension for six years and $70 million, according to a source who spoke with ESPNdeportes.com. — “It's a very convenient agreement for both parties …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Florida Marlins working on $70 million deal with Hanley Ramirez — Lambasted for their major league-low $21 million payroll and perpetual trading of star players, the Marlins are finally keeping one in the fold. — Shortstop Hanley Ramirez told an acquaintance he has agreed to the framework of a six-year, $70 million extension.
MiamiHerald.com:
Reports: Ramirez to sign long-term deal with Marlins — WASHINGTON — Members of the Marlins ownership group, front office and players partied with more than 100 sponsors and season ticket holders at a hotel in the Nation's Capital on Friday night. — Some wanted photos with players like Luis Gonzalez, Matt Treanor and Cody Ross.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Source: Hanley to sign six-year deal — Shortstop set to receive richest contract in Marlins history — WASHINGTON — Hanley Ramirez is widely regarded as a franchise player. — The Marlins certainly believe so, and they're making the 24-year-old shortstop the foundation of their future.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Redbirds let a win flutter away — MILWAUKEE — Conversations become whispers. Confidence transforms into doubt. And, of course, wins become losses. — The Cardinals' clubhouse Friday night had the funereal atmosphere of a team that no longer can see the end of its bullpen.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Associated Press:
Cardinals yank Isringhausen from closer's role … MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jason Isringhausen got his wish. — After blowing his major league leading fifth save on Friday night in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals' embattled reliever will no longer close games, manager Tony La Russa said Saturday.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Albaladejo to DL with elbow injury — Yankees righty reliever will head to New York for MRI exam — DETROIT — Yankees right-hander Jonathan Albaladejo is headed to the 15-day disabled list after suffering an injury to his pitching elbow in Friday night's 6-5 loss to the Tigers.
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Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Notes: Headhunters no surprise to Yost — Manager says his focus remains on club — Ned Yost expressed no surprise that it only took a six-game losing streak for some people to start calling for his skin. — “It doesn't surprise me a bit,” the Milwaukee Brewers' manager …
Discussion:
Brewers Blog
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Brian Joseph / seamheads.com/blog:
Talkin' Baseball, Steroids and “The Code” With Author Ross Bernstein — “The Code” in baseball is an interesting but seldom discussed aspect of the game. Just this past week, both Richie Sexson and Joba Chamberlain have caused ripples in the game because of it.
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
Lamb lifts Twins past Red Sox 7-6 with 2-run single — MINNEAPOLIS—Struggling Mike Lamb lifted the Minnesota Twins past the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night with a two-run single in the ninth inning against Jonathan Papelbon, who blew his second consecutive save opportunity.
Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
Twins reliever Neshek has partial tear in elbow — MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Pat Neshek was bracing for bad news about his right elbow, and that's what he got. — The Minnesota Twins placed their right-handed setup man on the 15-day disabled list Friday, after an MRI test revealed an acute partial tear …
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
WILLIE . . . OR NOT — David Wright has heard all the criticism of Willie Randolph - and he's not happy about it. There's no doubt that the pressure is on the Mets to win and Randolph is on the hot seat, but Wright said his manager does not deserve to be bashed.
Discussion:
Mets Blog, Kranepool Society, Baseball Digest Daily, It's Mets For Me, FanHouse and New Jersey Online
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies win third straight game — SAN DIEGO — Potential became promise. And promise has now evolved into consistent performance. — It's pretty simple: when Aaron Cook pitches, the Rockies expect to win. It doesn't matter who they face or where they play. Cook is their ace, a burden he couldn't handle last season.
Discussion:
Purple Row
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Games of the Day — The Mets play a split admission double header to make up for last night's rain out. Those going out to game one get to see Johan Santana face Matt Belisle. Belisle may be one of those pitchers with too much control. He's given up 25 hits in 14 1/3 innings, but just two walks.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Roch Kubatko / Roch Around the Clock:
Updating Wieters — Matt Wieters homered twice tonight, drove in three runs and scored three more for Single-A Frederick, He has an eight-game hitting streak. — I still don't see him rising above Double-A Bowie this year, but the temptation to reward him with a September call-up will be awfully strong.