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, Walkoff Walk, SPORTSbyBROOKS, Mariners Blog, MLB FanHouse, Baseball & The Boogie Down, BOSTON IRISH, Pinstripes, Pa., Sliding Into Home, It is about the money, stupid, New Jersey Online, Yankees Chick, Hot Foot, The Transaction Guy, River Ave. Blues, IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS, Scott Proctor's Arm, MLB Rumors and Pinstripe Alley
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Source: Yankees reach deal with Sexson — NEW YORK (AP)—First baseman Richie Sexson and the New York Yankees reached a deal Thursday, a week after the Seattle Mariners cut the slumping slugger. — A person familiar with the contract said Sexson would be paid a prorated share of the $390,000 minimum salary.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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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Matt P / The700Level.com:
Olney: Phils Trade Cardenas, Outman, and Spencer for Joe Blanton — Appearing on ESPN 950, Buster Olney has reported that the Phillies have traded a package of SS/2B Adrian Cardenas, P Josh Outman, and OF Matt Spencer to the A's for pitcher Joe Blanton. — Despite not being anywhere near …
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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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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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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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 …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Tigers hit 3 homers, beat Orioles 6-5 — BALTIMORE (AP)—A few words of advice went a long way for Gary Sheffield—say, around 750 feet. — Sheffield hit one home run and was robbed of another, and the Detroit Tigers also got homers from Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames in a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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
Keeli Garza / Foul Territory:
Blalock back to third base — Rangers manager Ron Washington said Hank Blalock will be the team's starting third baseman when the second half of the season resumes Friday in Minnesota. Washington and general manager Jon Daniels talked with Blalock about the move while they were in Frisco Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
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.
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Sox sign draft pick Casey Kelly — The Red Sox have announced the signing of shortstop Casey Kelly, the 30th overall pick in the June draft. The 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound Kelly is also a pitcher, and was ranked as the No. 31 quarterback prospect in 2008 by ESPN.com.
Discussion:
Empyreal Environs
