Manny says he won't block any trade from BoSox … Manny Ramirez is willing to help the Boston Red Sox if the team decides they are better off without him.  —  “If the Red Sox are a better team without Manny Ramirez, they should trade me; I will not object,” said Ramirez in a telephone interview with ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday.

GO 'WAY, JOSE  —  EXPERTS FEAR TABATA'S MORE FOOL THAN JEWEL  —  Boston - OF SIXTEEN scouts and executives polled, 12 thought the Yankees won their trade with Pittsburgh anywhere from mildly to a slam dunk, two viewed the deal as having equal value for both sides, and just two favored the Pirates' side of the transaction.

Gossage: Too much ‘loving’ in today's game  —  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - Goose Gossage never met a hitter he couldn't intimidate.  In part, he says, that's because he never got to know them.  —  On the day before his induction into baseball's Hall of Fame, the 57-year-old Gossage criticized modern players …

Rays still exploring all options in all areas  —  Soggy Saturday: A grounds crew worker tries to drain water from the field after a deluge halted play during the fifth inning.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After not landing either of the top available right-handed-hitting outfielders …

O's end Sunday slide at 15, beat Angels  —  BALTIMORE (AP)—Dave Trembley walked into the interview room puffing a cigar and wearing a mischievous smile.  —  The Baltimore Orioles had just ended a run of 15 straight losses in Sunday games, defeating Ervin Santana and the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 …

Rodney takes over closing duties  —  Leyland makes announcement prior to Sunday's game vs. Sox  —  DETROIT — While the Tigers continue to look for bullpen help, they made a major internal change in the relief corps on Sunday.  Fernando Rodney has replaced Todd Jones as Detroit's closer for the time being.

Yankees taking a hard look at Bannister as trade deadline nears  —  Should the Royals send pitcher Brian Bannister back to New York if offered outfielder Melky Cabrera or another run-production bat in return?  —  Such an offer might be forthcoming, because the Yankees appear determined …

Pujols HR lifts Cards in the 14th  —  Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols follows through on an RBI single against the Mets in the sixth inning of Saturday night's baseball game at Shea Stadium.  Mets catcher Robinson Cancel and home plate umpire Mark Wegner look on.  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Cubs regain NL Central lead, top Marlins  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Derrek Lee homered and Mike Fontenot had a pinch-hit, three-run double during a four-run seventh inning, helping the Chicago Cubs rally for a 9-6 victory over the Florida Marlins that put them back in the NL Central lead by themselves.

Washburn pitching, so no trade immediately at hand  —  Well, Jarrod Washburn's finished doing his warmups and the game is underway in Toronto.  —  So at least for the moment, talk about a trade to New York can be put on hold.  —  Not that talks aren't ongoing, but consider the logistics.

Morneau keys 2-run 9th, Twins top Tribe  —  CLEVELAND (AP)—Justin Morneau decided he needed to try something different if he was going to get a hit off Rafael Perez.  —  The former AL MVP, 1-for-8 in his career against the tough left-hander, hit an RBI double off Perez to spark …

Knight to Olympics, Pedro to pitch Friday?  —  Any thought about keeping Brandon Knight around as a long reliever went out the window when the Saturday night game lasted into Sunday morning.  Beause it went 14 innings and the entire bullpen was used—and Aaron Heilman was maybe a little overused—the Mets had to get an arm, fast.