Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Mets seriously considering changes … Willie Randolph's status as Mets manager is extremely tenuous now. General manager Omar Minaya is seriously considering changing managers and at least a couple of the team's coaches, sources told SI.com. — A Mets official indicated that nothing …
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Newsday:
Willie has the weekend to save his job — Source confirms Mets manager has until the end of this weekend's series against Texas to turn team around — A source confirms Mets manager Willie Randolph has until the end of this weekend's series against Texas to turn the team around.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sources: MLB working to start replay this season … Major League Baseball is attempting to institute instant replay on home run calls before the end of this season, according to two sources familiar with those discussions. However, in order to accomplish that, MLB still needs to settle …
Discussion:
Associated Press, FanHouse, THE BOOK, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and It is about the money, stupid
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Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Nixon acquired in trade — Hoping to inject some fire into a sleepy clubhouse, the Mets acquired veteran outfielder Trot Nixon from the Diamondbacks tonight. — Nixon, 34 and a key member of Boston's 2004 World Series winner, had spent all of this season with the D'backs' Triple-A affiliate in Tucson.
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Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
News: Mets Acquire Trot Nixon — Following tonight's game, Omar Minaya announced the Mets have acquired OF Trot Nixon from the Diamondbacks for cash or a player to be named later. — Nixon was batting .309 with a .437 OBP, 15 2B, 10 HR and 31 RBI in 181 at-bats for the D-backs Triple-A Tucson affiliate.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Baseball a big part of Russert's life — ‘Meet the Press’ host was board member of Hall of Fame — Tim Russert, the host of NBC's “Meet the Press” and a board member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, collapsed and died at work on Friday after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was 58.
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball, SOX1FAN, SPORTSbyBROOKS, Federal Baseball, Hot Foot, MSNBC and River Ave. Blues
Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
ChiSox rally, win ninth straight at home — CHICAGO (AP)—Juan Uribe could be excused for feeling like a forgotten man. He has struggled at the plate and had not played since being reinstated from the disabled list two weeks ago. — He got a chance on Friday and made his case for a few more opportunities.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
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Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Jeter's HR in 8th lifts Yanks by Astros — HOUSTON (AP)—Little by little, Joba Chamberlain is getting more comfortable as a starting pitcher. — Derek Jeter hit a solo homer in the eighth inning off Doug Brocail and Chamberlain pitched six strong innings in his first career road start …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
ESPN:
Papelbon: Red Sox not finished paying back Rays — Over? Did you say over? — The Red Sox-Rays rivalry has turned into one of Major League Baseball's nastier feuds. And even after multiple suspensions for the teams' last dust-up, in which brushback pitches and punches were thrown …
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Would Griffey consider being dealt to surprising Rays? … Those who know Ken Griffey Jr. know that nothing is more important than family to the newest member of baseball's 600-home run club. Now Griffey, a longtime resident of the Orlando, Fla. area, is telling friends he's monitoring …
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Rincon rejects assignment to Triple-A — Twins have 10 days to trade or release righty reliever — MILWAUKEE — Right-hander Juan Rincon has rejected the Twins' offer to assign him outright to Triple-A Rochester. — Rincon's agent, Ed Setlik, confirmed the news early Friday evening.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees make some roster moves — The Yankees have made some moves to improve their bench in advance of the interleague series against Houston. — Shelley Duncan has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton and replaced on the roster by infielder Alberto Gonzalez.
Associated Press:
Blue Jays snap Cubs' 4-game win streak — TORONTO (AP)—Booed off the mound in his last start, A.J. Burnett left to a much warmer reception Friday. — Burnett struck out seven over five innings to win for the first time in four starts, Scott Rolen and Matt Stairs hit back-to-back home runs …
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yanks Would Have Interest in Sabathia — OAKLAND, Calif. — A painful swing by the Cleveland Indians' Víctor Martínez on Wednesday could have significant ramifications for the Yankees. An elbow injury to Martínez all but ended the Indians' flickering playoff hopes …
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