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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Seven first-timers dot All-Star lineups — Red Sox place four AL starters; three Cubs to start for NL — The fans have voted. And this year's All-Star starters, now set to represent the National and American Leagues in the annual Midsummer Classic at Yankee Stadium on July 15 …
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ESPN.com:
Fans show Red Sox, Cubs love in All-Star voting — NEW YORK — Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and Cubs leadoff man Alfonso Soriano will see lots of familiar faces at the All-Star Game. — A record seven Chicago Cubs were joined by seven Boston stars when rosters were announced Sunday for the July 15 event at Yankee Stadium.
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Seven Sox named to All-Star team — The starters for the All-Star team have been announced, and four Red Sox are among the nine starters. — Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz have all been voted onto the team by fans. Ortiz has already said that he won't be able …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs send seven to All-Star Game — Soto, Soriano and Fukudome voted in as starters for NL — ST. LOUIS — One year ago, Geovany Soto was prepping for the All-Star Futures Game and Kosuke Fukudome was playing for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. One year ago, Ryan Dempster was the Cubs closer …
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phillies, Lidge agree to extension — Three-year deal comes after brilliant start to 2008 season — PHILADELPHIA — Brad Lidge will be saving games in Philadelphia through at least the 2011 season, after the pitcher agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension.
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The Good Phight, The700Level.com, crashburnalley.com, Phillies Nation, MLB Rumors, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff and Hot Foot
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Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Phillies give closer Lidge three-year, $37.5 million extension — Closer, 31, signs deal worth $37.5 million; he has converted all 19 save chances this season — PHILADELPHIA - Brad Lidge's perfect first half earned him a fat, new contract. — Lidge signed a $37.5 million …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Sabathia deal is close — The Brewers are closing in on a deal for Cleveland left-hander C.C. Sabathia, to the point that outfield prospect Matt LaPorta has been scratched from the Huntsville's lineup tonight to assure he does not get injured. — A reliable club source told me the Brewers …
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Jon Heyman: Brewers take lead in Sabathia sweepstakes … The pennant-starved Milwaukee Brewers appear to be a clear favorite in the sweepstakes for star Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia, as talks between those two teams are gaining momentum today. — The Brewers, who have a deep reservoir …
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Once again, fans to have the Final say — Vote for the last player on each roster at MLB.com — The Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote is under way now until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday exclusively at MLB.com, offering a decidedly different theme than last year and with the 100 millionth all-time Final Vote about to be cast.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tampa Bay ready to make run at Fuentes — Brian Fuentes sat at his locker in the Rockies' clubhouse Saturday when his mugshot popped up during Fox's telecast of the Yankees-Red Sox game. — Both teams have a need and interest in acquiring the reliever. But Tampa Bay is preparing …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins call up top prospect Volstad — Righty to initially pitch out of 'pen, could join rotation soon — DENVER — The Marlins top prospect is now ready to join the big leagues. — Chris Volstad, the 16th overall pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, had his contract selected …
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Associated Press
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Volquez moves to 11-3 as Reds sweep Nats — CINCINNATI (AP)—At the end of a frustrating performance, Edinson Volquez looked up at the scoreboard, saw the news and started celebrating with teammates in the Cincinnati Reds dugout. — He was headed to Yankee Stadium.
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Federal Baseball
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
For the Up-and-Down Mets, a Win Includes a Little of Both — PHILADELPHIA — The Mets have alternated losing and winning over their last eight games, giving up ground in the standings as quickly as they gained it back. So in keeping with the dominant theme of the season, it was fitting that …
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