Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yankees have tentative deal with first baseman Sexson … The New York Yankees have reached a tentative agreement with Richie Sexson, who was released by the Seattle Mariners a week ago. — Sexson fits in New York because the Yankees needed a right-handed slugger to match up against left-handed pitching …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Big Apple Sports, The Bronx Stop, MLB Rumors, Mariners Blog, Walkoff Walk, SPORTSbyBROOKS, MLB FanHouse, Baseball & The Boogie Down, BOSTON IRISH, yankeesdaily.com, The Transaction Guy, New Jersey Online, Sliding Into Home, It is about the money, stupid, River Ave. Blues, Yankees Chick, Pinstripe Alley, Hot Foot, IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS and Scott Proctor's Arm
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Fox Sports:
Sources: Yanks on verge of signing Sexson — The New York Yankees aren't interested in signing Barry Bonds. But they are on the verge of adding another hitter — Richie Sexson.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
The Bronx Bomber / MLB Rumors:
Source: Bonds-Yankees Deal Imminent — (Update: See this important publisher's note) — Embattled former Giants slugger Barry Bonds has entered into formal contract negotiations with the Yankees, and a consummation of the deal is anticipated forthwith, a confidential clubhouse source told MLBNewsOnline.com.
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Phils acquire Blanton, send 3 minor leaguers to A's … The Phillies have reached an agreement with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton. Blanton is 5-12 this season after going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA last season. — The Athletics get second baseman Adrian Cardenas …
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Acquire Joe Blanton — According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Phillies have acquired Joe Blanton for minor leaguers Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matthew Spencer. — Blanton, 27, has a 4.96 ERA in 127 innings. Compared to '07, his strikeout rate has fallen while walks have risen.
ESPN.com:
Diamondbacks, in need of bat, trade for Clark — First baseman Tony Clark has been traded from the San Diego Padres to the Arizona Diamondbacks, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported. — Under his contract with the Padres, Clark would have received $500,000 from the Padres if traded …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
D-Backs close to Clark deal — The Diamondbacks appear to be closing in on a trade with the San Diego Padres that will bring first baseman Tony Clark back to Arizona. — After significant discussions in recent days, a deal could be final as soon as today, according to a major league source …
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
John Henry fires back at slugger's comments — Manny Ramirez might get his meeting with John Henry, but the Red Sox [team stats]' principal owner will have a hard time giving his slugger any sympathy. — Henry responded via e-mail to Ramirez' statement in The Herald yesterday saying …
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Richie Rich / Home Run Derby:
Jersey of the Week - All Star Yankee Hair — Okay, I really shouldn't have even titled this a Jersey of the Week post. I was looking for a good All-Star related jersey and simply couldn't find one. — But it needed to be shared. And since JotW is Home Run Derby's showcase …
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Agence France Presse:
Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo retires — TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese right-handed pitcher Hideo Nomo, who won National League Rookie of the Year honours in 1995, on Thursday announced his retirement from baseball. — The 39-year-old Nomo, who pitched two no-hitters in the US Major Leagues …
Clay Travis / Deadspin:
Jason Giambi Eschews Your Petty Shot Glasses — The 'Stache must be sated. And sated ain't coming from a glass. Seriously though, does Giambi not have a buddy with him to point out that a night never ends well that begins with swilling straight from the bottle of JD? Guess not.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Joe Posnanski:
Autographs and Mays — When I was still a kid in this crazy sportswriting racket, I drove several hours with a friend to see Mickey Mantle sign autographs at a baseball card show. My friend actually wanted to buy Mantle's autograph — he was a photographer and as I recall he really wanted some photo he took signed.
The Biz of Baseball:
White Sox to Unveil Sculpture of Harold Baines on Sunday — The Chicago White Sox announced today that a life-sized sculpture of franchise legend Harold Baines will be unveiled by the club prior to the game vs. Kansas City this Sunday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Brian Costello / Mets Blog:
Beltran shows some class — While Bart Hubbuch is off gettting married, I'll be manning the Mets beat and blog for the next few days. That duty led me to Newark Airport this morning where I was joined by Carlos Beltran for a 9:15 flight... What was eye-opening was how gracious Beltran …
