Top News:
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
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 …
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Sports Illustrated:
Yankees eye Washburn … The Mariners, Yankees and pitcher Jarrod Washburn are all working on a possible agreement to move Washburn from Seattle and New York, and there now appears to be optimism something can be worked out fairly quickly, perhaps even in the next day or so.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Breaking news: Trade reconfigured — The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. — LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal. — Nady and Marte are on their way to Boston.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Indians, Dodgers close to deal sending Blake to L.A. … The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a trade that would send third baseman/outfielder Casey Blake and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.
Discussion:
Unfiltered, Washington Post, Associated Press, On the Mets beat, Yahoo! Sports, Nationals Journal, Let's Go Tribe!:, The MLB Source, Tribe Report, MLB Rumors, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, The DiaTribe, The 'Ropolitans, wrigleyville23, Bucs Dugout, Mets Merized Online, The Heater, MetsBlog.com, 24 Hours From Suicide, Hot Foot and True Blue LA
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers acquire Blake from Indians — LA sends two prospects to Cleveland for veteran infielder — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers landed the bat they've been seeking on Saturday, acquiring Cleveland Indians infielder Casey Blake for Triple-A pitcher Jon Meloan and Class A catcher Carlos Santana.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:At Hoffman house, ‘Hells Bells’ also marks arrival of Brody Time
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Alejandro Leal / MLB Rumors:Mets Actively Looking For Corner Outfielder
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets won't trade for unhappy Manny … NEW YORK — The Mets are seeking a corner outfielder as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, and Mets GM Omar Minaya has long been an admirer of embattled Red Sox star Manny Ramirez. But even the Mets are saying “no” to Ramirez now.
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Sean McAdam / Providence Journal:
Ramirez faces penalty from Sox if he sits today — BOSTON — The Red Sox' long, sometimes contentious relationship with Manny Ramirez appears to have reached the tipping point. — After Ramirez yesterday informed the club that he was unavailable for the second time in as many games …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Hot Stove New York, Boston Dirt Dogs, SOX & Dawgs, River Ave. Blues, MLB Rumors and The Joy of Sox
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:Latest episode means it's time to get rid of Manny Ramirez
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:Now he's a guaranteed out — The Red Sox have had it with Manny Ramírez.
Mike Puma / New York Post:YOUKILIS NEARLY KNOCKED OUT OF SOX ONCE AGAIN
Discussion:
Yankee GM Blog, New York Times, iYankees, New Jersey Online and Yankee Stadium Insider Blog
Dave Skretta / Associated Press:
Pujols' HR in 14th lifts Cards over Mets — NEW YORK (AP)—Albert Pujols snapped out of a funk with one big night. Tony La Russa hopes the Cardinals have done the same thing. — Pujols hit a two-run homer in the 14th inning to match a career high with five hits, Skip Schumaker added …
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BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Ethier left out of starting lineup — Pierre returns and Torre goes with Jones despite .166 average — LOS ANGELES — Juan Pierre was back in the Dodgers' lineup Friday night, but so was Andruw Jones, which got the media asking pointed questions about Andre Ethier being the odd man out, which got manager Joe Torre a little testy.
Associated Press:
D'backs' Webb reaches milestone while outdueling Giants' Lincecum — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brandon Webb enjoys matching up with other major league aces, especially when Arizona gets the win. — Webb struck out eight to pass 1,000 for his career and got the win in a matchup with fellow …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Associated Press:
ChiSox top Tigers, win fourth straight — DETROIT (AP)—Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye hit back-to-back homers and drove in two runs each and the Chicago White Sox held off the Detroit Tigers 7-6 on Saturday night. — First-place Chicago won its fourth straight game and stretched its lead …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Cards favorites for Fuentes — • The Rockies want Anibal Sanchez and a prospect for Brian Fuentes. The Marlins will not give up Sanchez and are likely to pursue Seattle's Arthur Rhodes instead. The Cardinals, Angels and Rays are also in on Fuentes, and the feeling is that the Cardinals are the favorites.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Phils edge Braves, ruin Hampton's first start in nearly three years — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mike Hampton waited 1,072 days to return to the major leagues, so he won't dwell on wasting a six-run lead. — Pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs delivered a three-run homer in a seven-run fifth inning …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays' Maddon puts deal chances at 50-50 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — OF Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte won't be coming to help the Rays' bid to reach the postseason. Instead, they may make it more difficult for the Rays. The two were traded Friday from the Pirates to the Yankees.
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