Baker, Girardi, Joyner suspended for various actions against umpires  —  NEW YORK — Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker was suspended for two games and New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and San Diego hitting coach Wally Joyner were penalized one game Friday after recent arguments with umpires.

Who's getting the better end of last winter's biggest trades? … The winter of 2007-08 brought us some honest-to-goodness blockbuster trades.  Hitting prodigy Miguel Cabrera, star starters Johan Santana, Dan Haren, Erik Bedard and Dontrelle Willis plus standout shortstops Miguel Tejada …

Mets swept by Braves in Atlanta  —  ATLANTA - Willie Randolph's job wasn't considered in imminent danger Thursday afternoon, but the manager will be in trouble if the Mets don't salvage the remainder of their seven-game trip that continues tonight in Colorado, the Daily News has learned.

Report: Angels will host All-Star Game in 2010  —  The Los Angeles Angels have been awarded the 2010 All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing three sources not authorized to speak publicly ahead of an official announcement by Major League Baseball.

LOTS of Moves  —  The Columbus Clippers break the news of the upcoming moves by the Nationals  — OF Ryan Langerhans purchased by Washington  — RHP Brian Sanches purchased by Washington  — LHP Charlie Manning purchased by Washington  — RHP Chris Schroder optioned from Washington

Prospect Hot Sheet: May 23  —  Usually if a player gets traded three times before he reaches Double-A, it's a sign that he's unwanted.  In Max Ramirez's case, that's not the case.  —  Who wouldn't want a catcher who can hit in the middle of the order?  And while there remain some questions …

Jekyll and Hyde Pitching Staff  —  The Cincinnati Reds lost to the San Diego Padres Thursday night 8-2.  It's another example of a very strange season for the Reds pitchers.  Look at the home/road splits for the team:  —  Reds 2008HomeRoad Runs per Game  —  4.5  —  Runs Allowed per Game

Ramirez tops order, but who'll bat third?  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Hanley Ramirez was back atop the lineup for Thursday's game.  His statistical history suggests he'll dominate there, so while the Marlins have solved their need for a dynamic presence in that spot, now they're faced with remedying a deficiency in another key position.

Baseball's Nerd Machine  —  The baseball box score, bless its little numerical heart, is dead.  It lived a nice, long life — about 140 years — but it has outlived its usefulness.  Its archaic statistics, pilloried for years by serious statisticians, tell you only what players have done, not what they're capable of doing.

Players ratify tougher drug policy … NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players approved a toughened drug agreement Friday — the last possible day for ratification.  —  The sides announced the agreement April 11 and owners ratified it on May 14.  The deal increases the frequency of tests …

The Dud-ville Nine: There's no joy in watching these dull players  —  I have spent the past 10 days of my baseball life awash in excitement.  —  Not the kind of excitement that resonates on a personal level as my chosen team has forgotten how to make contact with pitches.