Top News:
Bill Chastain / Trade Talk:
Rays to Acquire Bay — With the three-way deal between the Pirates, Red Sox, and Marlins falling through, an MLB.com source says that the Rays are going to acquire right-handed hitting outfielder Jason Bay for Minor League prospects including shortstop Reid Brignac and right-hander Jeff Niemann.
Discussion:
PBC Blog, DRaysBay, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Walkoff Walk, ESPN, Outs Per Swing and Projo Sox Blog
RELATED:
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Schilling: Keeping Manny could be a problem — (7.11.04: Jim Davis / Boston Globe File Photo) — Rehabbing Red Sox righthander Curt Schilling this morning said he thought the Manny Ramirez situation has affected the team and keeping him in Boston for the stretch run could present a problem.
Sports Illustrated:
Heyman: Surprise blockbuster of the century brewing … The Los Angels Dodgers have re-entered the Manny Ramirez Sweepstakes, SI.com has learned. The much-discussed deal to send the embattled superstar to the Marlins has hit a slight snag, leading the Red Sox to pursue other possibilities.
ESPN:
Sources: Ramirez deal to Marlins all but dead — Two sources have told ESPN that the complicated three-team deal what would send Manny Ramirez from Boston to Florida is all but dead. — The deal, which exploded in the baseball rumor mill Wednesday night, would have sent Ramirez from the Red Sox …
Discussion:
Projo Sox Blog
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Sox still in need of relief — While the Manny Ramirez [stats] negotiations remain on the front burner for the Red Sox [team stats] today, the fact that they are still interested in bulking up their bullpen cannot be forgotten. — To that end, they remain busy.
Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Manny deal ‘close to dead’ — A source close to the three-way negotiations involving Manny Ramirez says the deal is close to dead. Florida has reportedly asked Boston for a cash outlay beyond the $7 million to cover Ramirez's contract, in addition to two prospects.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Jason Bay Traded To Rays? — 2:43pm: MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo says there is no done deal - the Rays might not make Brignac available. — 2:11pm: MLB.com's Bill Chastain with the scoop - the Rays have acquired Jason Bay for Reid Brignac and Jeff Niemann. The Rays haven't confirmed it yet though …
Will Carroll / Unfiltered:We Have A Deal But ... The Commissioner's Office has been informed …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Palm Beach Post, ESPN, The Heater, Blue Collar Baseball, Deadspin, Fire Brand of the …, PBC Blog, Trade Talk, ESPN, ShysterBall, MLB.com, Batter's Box Interactive …, Over the Monster, Where have you gone …, Beaver County Times …, SOX1FAN, Big Apple Sports, Replacement Level …, Bucs Dugout, U.S.S. Mariner, Lookout Landing and Red Sox Monster
Jayson Stark / ESPN:Blue Jays in the mix for Bay
Discussion:
The Globe and Mail, Globe and Mail, MLB Rumors, Drunk Jays Fans, Baseball Digest Daily Blog and Bucs Dugout
Fox Sports:
Griffey accepts trade to White Sox — Deadline day is off to a big start. The Reds are dealing Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox, says Ken Rosenthal.
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Griffey trade from Reds to White Sox made official — Ken Griffey Jr. approved a trade from the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, paving the way for the future Hall of Famer to pursue a spot in the World Series for the first time in his career.
Fox Sports:
Reds, ChiSox agree on Griffey trade, await approval — Deadline day is heating up. The Reds are dealing Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox, pending his approval, says Ken Rosenthal.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Redleg Nation, My Pinstripes, Projo Sox Blog and Baseball Digest Daily Blog
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Source: Griffey OKs deal to White Sox — Reds to acquire righty Masset, second baseman Richar — CINCINNATI — Ken Griffey Jr.'s days with the Reds appear to be over. — Griffey has approved a trade that will send him to the White Sox on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the deal.
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
ESPN.com:
Marlins add bullpen help, deal for M's lefty Rhodes — Arthur Rhodes' last game with the Mariners resulted in an ejection. Now the left-handed reliever has been thrown into a pennant race with the Florida Marlins. — ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that Rhodes has been traded …
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
News: Rhodes traded to the Marlins — According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, on ESPN Radio, the Marlins have acquired LHP Arthur Rhodes in exchange for 22-year-old RHP Gaby Hernandez. — If you recall, Hernandez was traded to the Marlins by the Mets in 2005 for Paul Lo Duca.
Jonathan Mayo / B3: Big, Bald and Beautiful:
Yo, Gaby Gaby! — Just what kind of pitcher did the Mariners get in return for Arthur Rhodes? Here's a closer look at Gaby Hernandez: — The 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round o the 2004 draft out of a Miami-area high school.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
TRADE CONFIDENTIAL: The Yanks — The Yankees were very quiet at 1 p.m. They had nothing going on the starting pitching front, though many in their organization still feel that the No. 4-5 combo of Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner was the greatest threat to the team's playoff chances.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Sore shoulder forces ex-Tigers closer Jones to DL — CLEVELAND — Detroit reliever Todd Jones was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday as the Tigers waited for Kyle Farnsworth to join them. — Jones, who recently lost his closer's job, has inflammation in his right shoulder.
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Cardinals could trade Lohse — Here's one of the most surprising names to pop up on the “available” list in the past 24 hours — Kyle Lohse. Officials of two teams that spoke with the Cardinals report that they've been offering to deal Lohse if they can get back the right package.
