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Cubs land A's pitcher Harden in six-player trade — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia. — The Cubs will receive the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin …
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Cubs acquire Harden from Oakland — The Cubs answered the Brewers acquisition of CC Sabathia, picking up Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from Oakland on Tuesday for Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton and Josh Donaldson. — The right-handed Harden is 5-1 with an 2.34 earned-run average …

Cubs acquire right-handed pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from Oakland — Send pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson to Athletics — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin …
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Cubs acquire major pitching help in Harden — The Cubs have traded for Oakland A's pitcher Rich Harden in a multi-player deal that counters the move of Central-division foe Milwaukee, which acquired CC Sabathia on Monday. — “We're really happy about it,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

Mets' Church on the DL again — For the second time this season, Mets outfielder Ryan Church was placed on the 15-day disabled list with head-related injuries. — After coming out of Saturday's game against Philadelphia with a migraine, Church, who went on the DL in June with post-concussion syndrome …
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Prospectus Today — Sabathia for LaPorta — Tonight in Milwaukee, Brewers fans will pack Miller Park for what they hope will be the start of a run that ends sometime in October. Despite some dalliances with the wild card in 2006 and 2007, the Brewers haven't been relevant …
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As Brewers play for present, Dodgers wait for future to arrive
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Starting Rivera in Midsummer Classic would be ultimate tribute — NEW YORK — In a world of crazy, outside-the-box thinking, here's one idea that has gained some traction in the Yankees' clubhouse lately: Why not give Mariano Rivera, this generation's greatest closer, a chance to be really appreciated at the All-Star Game?
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Masterson sent down to become reliever; Ortiz takes BP
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Braves sign right-hander Tavarez — Los Angeles — The Braves signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Julian Tavarez Tuesday to a contract through the remainder of the 2008 season. Tavarez is expected to be in Los Angeles in time for the Braves' game versus the Dodgers at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Beltran's Throw — During the ninth inning of last night's game against the Phillies, Carlos Beltran made a throw to third base in attempt to nail Eric Bruntlett going from first to third on a single by Pedro Feliz. The ball got away from third baseman David Wright, allowing Bruntlett to score and Feliz to take second base.
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Records being set with 2008 Final Vote — Hart, Longoria lead the way midway through furious balloting — At the halfway point of the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote, Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria were holding slim leads while baseball fans …
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White Sox reinstate Paul Konerko from disabled list; Designate Pablo Ozuna for assignment — CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have returned Paul Konerko from his injury rehabilitation assignment to Class AAA Charlotte and have reinstated the first baseman from the 15-day disabled list.

Giants aren't expected to trade pitchers — N.L. West contender won't trade pitchers — The fans were incensed, the players felt betrayed and the organization suffered at the gate for the next two seasons. — The year was 1997, the executive under fire was Chicago White Sox General Manager Ron Schueler …
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Nats Striking Out on TV — MASN Programming Ranks Last Among U.S. Major League Markets — The Washington Nationals are drawing the smallest U.S. regional television audience in baseball this season, attracting less than one-third the average number of households of any other team …

A's agree to terms with first round pick Jemile Weeks — Sixth round pick Tyreace House also signs — OAKLAND — The Oakland A's today announced that they have agreed to terms with Jemile Weeks, their first round selection from the 2008 First-Year Player Draft held on June 5 and 6.

Ballard likely Wednesday starter — It appears that LHP Michael Ballard will get the start Wednesday against the Angels. That isn't set it stone yet, but that's probably the direction the club is going. — Eric Hurley is getting better, but he's expected to pitch at some point this weekend against the Angels.