Trade Ichiro?  It's a bold but sensible proposition  —  During last month's news conference announcing the firing of general manager Bill Bavasi, Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said he was open to trading anyone on the team.  —  If that's the case, the Mariners should deal Ichiro Suzuki by the July 31 deadline.

Manny Ramirez must play for pay  —  Sox wise to ignore contract ploy  —  Manny Ramirez isn't masking his feelings: He wants to know when, or if, the Red Sox [team stats] plan to keep him around beyond the 2008 season.  —  But even the most steadfastly loyal of Manny's many admirers …

All-Star ties aren't so bad, Bud  —  Selig's overreaction to '02 tie creates poor situation for teams, fans  —  All right, everybody, let's say it together.  Bud Selig, we are so, so sorry.  —  Maybe ties in the All-Star Game aren't so bad, after all.  —  Now, six years after what we …

National League second-half preview  —  • A look at the National League, team-by-team.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  •Schedule: Arizona is 21-10 against NL West rivals and plays 41 of its 67 second-half games inside the division, including three beginning Friday against the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hampton tweaks groin in rehab start  —  Injury prone starter suffers another setback  —  Mike Hampton left his minor-league rehabilitation start with Class AA Mississippi on Wednesday night after only two innings, having tweaked his groin.  —  “He didn't want to take any chances with it …

Wainwright finds comfort in latest step  —  On the eve of the second half, one of the Cardinals' healing aces took to the field with his teammates for a simple, but telling, game of catch.  The other pitcher on the mend could learn today what field he's headed to next.

Billy Wagner is a major worry, but starting pitching will carry Mets  —  For Mets fans, the All-Star break was a time to bask in the glory of a nine-game winning streak that wiped away much of the anger and exasperation that came with watching this team for three months.

U.S. Olympic Roster Announced  —  USA Baseball announced its roster for the Olympics this afternoon.  We'll have plenty of analysis as the day goes along, but here's a quick look at the 23-man roster that was announced.  Team USA will be prospect-laden behind the plate and in the outfield …

MacPhail stays the course  —  O's president keeps focus on rebuilding despite surprising first half, but players still hopeful  —  About 2 1/2 weeks ago, Orioles president Andy MacPhail appeared headed for a dilemma that he would have been perfectly happy to confront.

Shea is no place for a teenager  —  Inexpensive veterans would fit team better than F-Mart  —  A nine-game winning streak is a very good thing for any team.  Totally awesome.  Whether the credit goes to Jerry Manuel, the contributions from reserve players, offensive upgrades at catcher and second base …

Yankees midterm report  —  Bombers have dealt with first-half adversity the best they can  —  NEW YORK — Joe Girardi is a long way from the environment that he took on as the Marlins' manager in 2006, piloting a clubhouse filled with fresh-faced rookies and a shoestring payroll.

Francona discusses his, Ortiz' ailments  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona confirmed a report by the Globe's Gordon Edes today that said he would have an injection to alleviate numbness and pain on his left side today at Massachusetts General Hospital.  Francona told WEEI's Dale and Holley show …