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2:40 AM ET, August 18, 2009

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 Top News: 
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
The Strasburg & Ackley Deals  —  Stephen Strasburg:  —  Four-year major league deal, $7.5 million bonus, $7.6 million in salaries (including pro-rated $400,000 salary for remainder of 2009), $15.1 million total guaranteed.  Also various incentives based on big league award voting.  —  Dustin Ackley:
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Nationals increase offer for Strasburg … As the midnight deadline approaches, there are strong signals the Nationals will raise their initial offer of $12.5 million for No. 1 pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg.  —  Although, with less than hour remaining before the deadline …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Nationals Sign Stephen Strasburg
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Red Sox in a surprise fight to make the playoffs and more (cont.)
Tracy Ringolsby / Inside the Colorado Rockies:
Rockies Agree with Matzek - Updated  —  The Colorado Rockies came up to the deadline, and then got the deal done with their top draft pick, high school lefthander Tyler Matzek.  —  The Rockies agreed to a signing bonus of $3.9 million, insidetherockies.com learned, more than double …
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Rockies reach agreement with first-round selection in 2009 Draft LHP Tyler Matzek  —  DENVER — The Rockies announced tonight that the club has reached an agreement with the club's first selection, 11th overall, in the 2009 first year player draft, left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek …
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Talks ongoing with Matzek as deadline nears
Discussion: Behind The Ducks Beat
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers acquire infielder Huff from O's  —  Veteran brings left-hand bat to lineup and versatility in the field  —  DETROIT — Finally, the Tigers found help at the plate on the trade market.  In turn, Aubrey Huff found arguably his best chance to finally get to the postseason.
RELATED:
Billfer / The Detroit Tiger Weblog:
Tigers acquire Aubrey Huff
Associated Press:
Tigers get Huff from Orioles for pitching prospect
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign Heathcott For $2.2 Million  —  The Yankees have signed first-round pick Slade Heathcott for $2.2 million.  He was drafted 27th overall, and the MLB recommendation for his slot was $1,107,000.  —  A two-way star at Texas High (Texarkana, Texas), Heathcott will be an outfielder in pro ball.
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees sign first two Draft picks  —  Outfielder Heathcott, catcher Murphy reportedly agree to terms  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Yankees have secured their first-round selection in the First-Year Player Draft, agreeing to terms on Monday with outfielder Slade Heathcott.
Discussion: New Jersey Online and Bombers Beat
Associated Press:
Wright back with Mets, says head's feeling better … NEW YORK (AP) — The most frightening moment for David Wright came an instant before he got hit in the head.  It was the moment he braced for impact, knowing he had no time to dodge that 94 mph fastball.  —  “For the most part I remember everything,” Wright said.
Discussion: NBCSports.com
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Wright feels fine, just ‘embarrassed’ to land on DL
Discussion: NESN.com
Chris Hine / New York Times:
Hernandez Continues to Struggle, and So Do the Mets
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Smoltz released  —  John Smoltz's brief and disappointing stay with the Red Sox has come to its official end.  —  The Red Sox have confirmed this afternoon that, as expected, they have released the 42-year-old righthander, who won just two of eight starts with the Sox while posting an 8.33 ERA.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves not interested in Smoltz  —  The Boston Red Sox severed ties with John Smoltz on Monday, announcing they were releasing the former Brave, which made him available to other teams at a pro-rated major league minimum salary.  The Braves are not among the teams interested in signing him though …
Discussion: MLB Rumors and Bottom9 Baseball
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 119: Yankees at Athletics (with draft signing updates)  —  YANKEES (74-44)  —  Pitching: RHP AJ Burnett (10-5, 3.71).  —  ATHLETICS (52-65)  —  Kennedy 3B  —  Davis CF  —  Suzuki C  —  Hairston LF  —  Sweeney RF  —  Ellis 2B  —  Cust DH  —  Crosby 1B  —  Pennington SS
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign Mitchell For $800,000  —  The Yankees have signed 16th-round pick Bryan Mitchell for $800,000.  It's the third-highest bonus after the 10th round this year, following Orioles signees Michael Ohlman ($995,000, 11th round) and Cameron Coffey ($990,000, 22nd round).
Discussion: Sliding Into Home
RELATED:
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Orioles Sign Ohlman For $995,000
Discussion: MLB Rumors and MASNsports.com
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Tigers Sign Turner  —  The Tigers have signed No. 9 overall pick Jacob Turner to a major league contract with a $4.7 million bonus (payable over six years, with $1.6 million paid in 2014) and a guaranteed value of $5.5 million.  Depending on how quickly he reaches the majors, he could push the total value to nearly $7 million.
RELATED:
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
A's Sign Stassi For $1.5 Million
Discussion: MLB Rumors
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Phillies Nab Colvin for $900,000  —  Baseball America has confirmed that Louisiana State signee Brody Colvin has spurned the defending national champions to sign with the Phillies, who drafted him in the seventh round.  Colvin signed for $900,000, the second-highest bonus in the seventh round …
RELATED:
Nathan Rode / Baseball America:
Rays Break Off Talks With Top Picks  —  The Tampa Bay Rays, who have already signed several of their top picks to above-slot deals, have released a statement saying they don't expect to sign their top two picks, outfielder LeVon Washington and shortstop Kenny Diekroger.
Discussion: The Heater, DRaysBay and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
The Heater:
Tampa Bay Rays don't expect to sign their top two draft picks
Sports Illustrated:
Ankiel's HR helps sizzling Cardinals sink Dodgers … LOS ANGELES(AP) Although Ryan Franklin graciously accepted his teammates' congratulations in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse for his 30th save, the St. Louis closer thought the spotlight should be on Chris Carpenter 's setup work.
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
O's rally but come undone in 13th frame  —  Bullpen allows nine runs in fateful extra inning vs. Halos  —  BALTIMORE — They bent and then they broke.  The Orioles played from behind for most of Sunday's game and tied things up in the ninth inning, only to see the Angels pull away in extras.
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Red Sox Sign Volz For $550,000  —  The Red Sox have signed Baylor righthander Kendal Volz for $550,000.  That's the second-highest bonus in the ninth round this year.
Discussion: Full Count and Projo Sox Blog
Associated Press:
Hanson hurls Braves past Diamondbacks 9-4  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Tommy Hanson (FSY) isn't worried about how many innings he pitches as long as he can keep helping the Atlanta Braves win.  —  Hanson gave up two runs in six innings for his third consecutive win and Ryan Church (FSY) …
Discussion: AZ Snakepit and Yahoo! Sports
 
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 More News: 
Associated Press:
Rangers hold off Twins 8-5, increase wild-card lead
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Cardinals Sign Miller For $2,875,000
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Tribe negotiations with White at standstill
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Padres Getting Closer On Tate
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
A little housekeeping  —  While looking for warning signs …
Discussion: Oriole Magic and Oriole Post
Globe and Mail:
Jeff Blair  —  Put aside the world citizen stuff and Usain Bolt matters …
Discussion: MLB Rumors and Drunk Jays Fans
NY Daily News:
Old Yankee Stadium's Gate 2 focus of debate as part of new Heritage Park
 Earlier Picks: 
Andy Marks / Local News from Star-Banner:
Forest grad completes deal with San Diego Padres
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Brewers Ink Hall For $700,000
Discussion: JSOnline
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign Murphy For $1.25 Million
Discussion: MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
 

 
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“Shall I Tell You What I've Always Thought Of You?” Renée And Hugh Reunite For British Vogue's February Issue

TMZ.com:
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