Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Garcia to sign with Tigers … Freddy Garcia has agreed to a contract with the Tigers, SI.com has learned. Garcia had been a free agent, and has not pitched since June of 2007 with the Philadelphia Phillies, when shoulder problems limited him to just 11 starts.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox get Byrd — Both the Red Sox and Indians have issued press releases announcing the deal ... here's an Associated Press story on the trade ... BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have acquired pitcher Paul Byrd in a trade with Cleveland. — The Red Sox will send either a player to be named or cash to the Indians.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, MLB Rumors, SOX1FAN, ShysterBall, Center Field, Associated Press and Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Red Sox, with pitching concerns, acquire Byrd from Indians — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Paul Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. — The Red Sox will send either a player to be named or cash to the Indians.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, SOX & Dawgs, Keep Your Sox On, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, YFSF and Projo Sox Blog
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Byrd flies from Cleveland to Boston — Red Sox acquire experienced starter for player to be named — CLEVELAND — Paul Byrd is going to have to reschedule his book signings. Perhaps a store in the Boston area will take him in. — The Indians traded the veteran Byrd to the Red Sox for a player to be named or cash on Tuesday.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Damon Sits, and Rest of Yanks Might as Well Have — MINNEAPOLIS — The Yankees have been hopeless lately with runners in scoring position. Yet when Manager Joe Girardi filled out his lineup Monday, he decided to rest the American League's leading hitter, Johnny Damon.
Discussion:
New York Post, NY Daily News, NJ.com, Twinkie Town, New Jersey Online, Lady At The Bat and iYankees
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets' loss prompts changes in bullpen — Kunz to get chance to close; Maine could later fill role — NEW YORK — The disabled list and the turn of the pitching rotation stand in the way of what Jerry Manuel now swears he would do if those obstacles didn't exist — use John Maine as the Mets' closer until Billy Wagner returns.
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Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Maine, Perez or Pelfrey to bullpen? — We're not sure how truly serious he is about this, but Jerry Manuel said today he is considering making one of three starters — John Maine (pictured), Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey — the closer until Billy Wagner comes...
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Tigers put disgruntled Sheffield on waivers … One day after Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was “flabbergasted” by Gary Sheffield's complaints about playing time, Sheffield was among several Tigers placed on waivers by the club Tuesday, according to a major league source.
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Associated Press:
Steinbrenner not writing off season, says Yanks ‘going to win it next year’ — TAMPA, Fla. — Hank Steinbrenner blames injuries for the New York Yankees' slide from contention. — The Yankees are in danger of missing of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
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Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Matsui to play in New York Yankees minor-league game Thursday — Hideki Matsui's last-ditch effort to come back without surgery on his left knee will take a major step forward Thursday. — General manager Brian Cashman said Matsui will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Thursday either …
Los Angeles Times:
These could be the unkindest cuts of all for Dodgers — Brad Penny gets a Mohawk, Manny Ramirez is about to lose his dreadlocks, and the Dodgers can't seem to stay above .500. Coincidence? — T.J. Simers — Twenty-two home games remaining, the Phillies are in town, and these are hairy times for the Dodgers.
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Joel Sherman / Hardball:
3 UP: Melky, Kunz and Dunn — 1. The Yankees were held scorleess against the Twins to open a three-game series. It marked the 38th time that the Yanks scored two or fewer runs. That is the second most in the AL. This was the team that... Cabrera began the game with a .221 average against southpaws.
Jonah / JonahKeri.com:
14 Years Ago Today, My Heart Was Ripped Out... ...by the start of the 1994 baseball strike. That labor stoppage would ultimately wipe out the rest of the regular season, as well as the entire playoffs. — For a Montreal Expos fan like me, it was especially painful.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays' Kazmir says mechanical tweak should improve performance — OAKLAND, Calif. — LHP Scott Kazmir said a small adjustment in his stride should result in a big improvement in his pitching tonight. — Kazmir has been a mess lately, struggling to throw strikes due to problems with mechanics.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
David Laurila / Unfiltered:
Five Minutes with Ike Davis — The 18th- overall pick in this year's draft, Ike Davis is waiting for his power to emerge in Brooklyn. The left-handed-hitting first sacker has yet to go deep in 151 professional at-bats, but there's little doubt that the son of former Twins and Yankees reliever Ron Davis …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
