Top News:
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Union to file grievance regarding Alvarez; status of contract in dispute — The Major League Baseball Players Assocation today will file a grievance against the commissioner's office regarding the Pirates' signing of first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez, according to two sources.
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John Manuel / Baseball America:
Signing Deadline Didn't End Draft Intrigue — Alvarez goes on restricted list as union files grievance — The Pirates thought they had Pedro Alvarez signed and sealed, but he's yet to be delivered by agent Scott Boras. And the saga of his signing apparently will drag into the fall.
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Boras challenges Pirates to ‘come clean’ — The one down below looks to be getting overwhelmed with comments, which will make it tough to load. So reload up here. — I will put updates here, too, but I can tell you now that actual reporting has taken up almost all of my time and probably will continue to do so through the evening.
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Associated Press:
No. 2 pick Alvarez claims Pirates deal not valid … PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pedro Alvarez, the No. 2 pick in June amateur draft, was placed on Major League Baseball's restricted list Wednesday after his agent claimed the contract Alvarez agreed to with the Pittsburgh Pirates minutes before the Aug. 15 signing deadline is not valid.
ESPN:
Pirates' signing of top prospect Alvarez on hold — The Pittsburgh Pirates' signing of Pedro Alvarez, the No. 2 pick in the baseball's amateur draft, may be in jeopardy. — The Pirates on Wednesday announced that at the team's request, Major League Baseball has placed Alvarez …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Red Sox land Kotsay from Braves — Veteran adds depth to Boston's outfield with Drew on DL — ATLANTA — Mark Kotsay awoke on Wednesday morning and suddenly found himself in the thick of a pennant race. — The Braves have traded Kotsay to the Red Sox in exchange for Minor League outfielder Luis Sumoza.
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Sean McAdam / Providence Journal:
Red Sox will help open the Mets' new Citi Field — NEW YORK — Last night the Red Sox began their final series in an historic soon-to-close New York ballpark. Next spring, they'll help open a new New York ballpark one borough over. — On the final weekend of exhibition play …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves acquire prospect for Kotsay — Atlanta deals veteran for Boston outfielder it's had eye on — ATLANTA — During his time with the Braves, Mark Kotsay influenced the future of the organization. His presence provided a positive influence on the club's younger players …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Mike Puma / New York Post:
GIAMBI IS A NO-GO ON THROW — You snooze, you lose. — Or maybe Jason Giambi really was awake and just afraid a throw home might produce an uglier result than holding the ball. — Whatever the case, Giambi helped gift-wrap a run for the Red Sox in the fifth inning last night …
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Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:Lupica: Blame lands on A-Rod
Discussion:
Boston Globe, New York Post, Providence Journal, NJ.com, Projo Sox Blog and The Joy of Sox
Daulerio / Deadspin:
So, Yankee Stadium Takes This No Moving During “God Bless America"-Thing Rather Seriously — Remember a little over a year ago when George Steinbrenner, inflated with patriotic fervor, imposed a laughable rule that instructed security officials to ban anyone from “excessive movement” …
New York Post:
ALEX PERSONIFIES TEAM'S FAILURES — THE crowd stood, cheering and chanting. “Let's Go A-Rod” morphing into “Let's Go Yankees.” It was the seventh inning. But it was more than the seventh inning. It felt like a whole season was on the line. — And like a flyball that will find …
Discussion:
Hardball, iYankees, My Pinstripes, The LoHud Yankees Blog, NY Daily News, New Jersey Online and Bugs & Cranks
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George A. King III / New York Post:YANKEES RUN INTO A-WAD OF TROUBLE
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Deadspin, Boston Globe, Newsday, NY Daily News, New Jersey Online, The Soxaholix and Yankee Stadium Insider Blog
Baseball America:
Arizona Fall League Rosters — Quick analysis of who has the most to prove this fall — Rosters for the Arizona Fall League have been announced. To get you ready for the Fall League, we've singled out some players who are using their trip as a last tune-up for the big leagues …
Discussion:
Cubs f/x
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Holliday now in running to achieve 30-30 season — SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Holliday has great vision, but even he never saw 30-30 in his future. — With a month remaining in the season, the Rockies outfielder possesses a legitimate shot at becoming only the 32nd player in major-league history …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Struggling reliever Pinto rehabbing in Jupiter — ATLANTA — Left-handed reliever Renyel Pinto has pitched in 122 games with the Marlins the past two seasons but he will spend the next week trying to help Class A Jupiter make it to the Florida State League playoffs.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Sam Borden / The Journal News:
Torre might have made a difference — NEW YORK - Joe Torre wouldn't have made a difference in how this Yankees season has gone, would he? — Would he? — Alex Rodriguez would still have missed 20 games. Hideki Matsui would still have missed 50. Jorge Posada and Chien-Ming Wang would still have been gone even longer.
The Big Lead:
Why Do the Sabermetric Teams Stink in 2008? — Intern Bill investigates. — David Pinto up at the terrific Baseball Musings had a post up a few days ago pointing out that the “Sabermetric Teams,” the clubs that feature statistical baseball analysis for their front office decisions, are not doing too well this year.
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Tonight's lineup vs. Phillies — Few additions to the earlier post: — Argenis Reyes was indeed the player sent to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for Nelson Figueroa, who was summoned to help out a weary bullpen after Tuesday's 13-inning loss. — The Mets have Ricardo Rincon back after loaning him to the Mexican League.
Philly.com:
Phillies make roster move — First baseman Andy Tracy's stay with the Phillies was short-lived. — The Phillies designated him for assignment today and purchased the contract of pitcher Andrew Carpenter from Double A Reading. — Carpenter is being called up largely because the length of last night's game leaves the bullpen thin.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Most players, skippers in favor of replay — Those on the field agree use should be limited to home runs — HOUSTON — For most of the season, instant replay was accepted by most baseball people as an inevitable part of the sport's future, but few could have guessed it would be implemented this quickly.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets blow 7-0 lead, fall to Philly in 13 — Pedro Martinez and the Mets built a 7-0 lead by the middle of the fourth inning, but it the Phillies made up the difference and more in an 8-7 win. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek / August 26, 2008) — PHILADELPHIA - Oh no. This is starting to feel a little too familiar.
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