Top News:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Manuel, Minaya assured jobs are safe … NEW YORK — Mets general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel have been reassured by club higher-ups that their jobs are not in jeopardy, league sources told SI.com. — Minaya and Manuel have come under public scrutiny and even attack during …
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Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Minaya: Major trades doubtful — WASHINGTON — Jerry Manuel said before tonight's game that he didn't expect any outside help before the July 31 trade deadline, something that GM Omar Minaya confirmed in a later meeting with reporters. — Minaya essentially ruled out acquiring Athletics …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:Mets Are a Case Study In Squandered Fortunes
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Baseball Insider
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 92: Orioles at Yankees (updates with Wang setback, Hal Steinbrenner audio and Girardi audio) — YANKEES (54-37) — Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.85). — ORIOLES (41-50) — Roberts 2B — Markakis RF — Jones CF — Huff 1B — Mora 3B — Scott DH — Reimold LF
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Associated Press:
Hal Steinbrenner: New York Yankees capable of winning title — NEW YORK — Hal Steinbrenner was direct and to the point, much as his famous father always was. — “I think we've got a championship-caliber team,” he said. “I absolutely believe that we have the team that can win the championship.”
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Yahoo! Sports
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Matsui Lifts the Yankees on a Homer in the Ninth
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The Voice of Yankees Universe
MLB.com:
Yunel Escobar of the Atlanta Braves named the National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America — Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar, who led the National League with eight RBI and 16 total bases, has been named National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America for the period ending July 19th.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Mark Bowman / Bowman's Blog:Braves may have made all their significant moves
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Bottom9 Baseball
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Myers could return to Phillies in August — Righty to throw 'pen session Saturday, would pitch in relief — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies are considered favorites to land Roy Halladay before the July 31 Trade Deadline. — But even if they acquire Halladay, they could add a relief pitcher as early as mid-August.
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Ed Price / MLB FanHouse:
Phillies Eyeing Diamondbacks' Qualls — While the Phillies seem the best bet to grab Roy Halladay — if the Blue Jays decide to deal their ace — they are also looking at upgrades in the bullpen. — Philadelphia sent a scout to watch Arizona closer Chad Qualls over the weekend, perhaps signaling the teams were talking about a deal.
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Recalling momentous day on, above Earth — Moonwalk and a moonshot took place on July 20, 1969 — Forty years ago today, incredible things happened in space, creating indelible memories on Earth. — As the Apollo 11 command module Eagle touched down at 4:17 p.m. ET …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Lou Piniella has a new pupil: Milton Bradley — Cubs manager will try to get outfielder out of hitting funk — WASHINGTON — Milton Bradley has a new hitting instructor, and his name is Lou Piniella. — The Cubs manager said he plans to work with Bradley in the batting cage on Monday …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies take over wild-card lead — “This Week in Baseball” will arrive Tuesday to film a show devoted to the Rockies. Representatives of the program aren't the only ones who have noticed the team's amazing transformation from the National League West cellar to wild-card leader.
Associated Press:
K.C. manager Hillman given vote of confidence … KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — General manager Dayton Moore has given Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman a vote of confidence, saying he will return next season. — The Royals (37-54) went into Monday night's game against the Los Angeles …
Discussion:
Angels Unplugged
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Ten Pack — Drew Carpenter, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley) — Carpenter pitched seven innings of three-hit ball on Sunday, and that's really nothing new, as it was his ninth quality start in his last 11. He's hardly a stud prospect-wise, and is more of a strike-throwing speed-changer …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
2009 MLB Trade Value: Recap — The countdown is finally over - this afternoon, we unveiled the top five pieces in our annual Trade Value series. Since this is a recap post, here's the whole list in one convenient spot. — 1. Evan Longoria — 2. Hanley Ramirez — 3. Justin Upton
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Yankees Blog:
Wang has setback playing catch — Chien-Ming Wang had a setback in his recovery from a strained right shoulder, making it unlikely he will return to the Yankees anytime soon. — Wang's biceps felt tender when he played catch before Monday night's game against Baltimore and won't attempt to throw again until Friday.
Discussion:
The Yankees
Evan Brunell / Hardball Times:
Brewers one step closer to playoffs after Lopez deal — Yesterday, the Brewers struck a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sending LF Cole Gillespie and MR Roque Mercedes to Phoenix in exchange for second baseman Felipe Lopez. — Lopez, who can fill in across the diamond …
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Who's up first? — There's a hex on the Red Sox leadoff spot. That's one explanation. Consider these on-base percentages: — Jacoby Ellsbury — As a leadoff hitter: .320 — As a non-leadoff hitter: .388 — J.D. Drew — As a leadoff hitter: .299 — As a non-leadoff hitter: .381
