Smoltz, Cardinals reach a deal  —  LOS ANGELES — The Cardinals and free agent pitcher John Smoltz have reached agreement on a deal that will bring the former NL Cy Young Award winner to St. Louis as a potentially valuable swing man.  —  Smoltz, released by the Boston Red Sox on Monday …

Walking papers for Nats GM?  —  Buzz up!  —  So, what does Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo do for an encore after playing a key role in the signing of designated franchise savior Stephen Strasburg?  —  Would you believe lose his job?  —  Multiple sources insisted Tuesday that the Nationals …

No discounting Varitek's value  —  TORONTO — If nothing else, the Red Sox [team stats] need Jason Varitek [stats] just to catch Josh Beckett [stats].  —  The Red Sox captain was a late scratch last night, forcing Victor Martinez to move behind the plate to catch Beckett for the first time.

One does it right, one does it wrong  —  Many of his teammates think he's goofy with some of the stuff he does, but if more were as dedicated and innovative as Adam Rosales the Cincinnati Reds might be better off.  Probably a whole lot better off.  —  While some are in the clubhouse laughing …

Brewers trade underperforming Hall to Mariners  —  The Seattle Mariners acquired Bill Hall from the Milwaukee Brewers today in exchange for minor league pitcher Ruben Flores, SI.com has learned.  A source said that the Brewers will pay the remainder of Hall's $6.8 million salary for this season …

GARY DOESN'T EXPECT TO END YEAR WITH METS  —  THE Mets pulled Gary Sheffield off waivers last week when he was claimed by an unidentified team.  This means Sheffield cannot be traded for the remainder of the season.  He can be placed on waivers again, but this time, the Mets would not be able to negate a claim.

New York Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy headed for instructional league game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy likely will pitch next month in the instructional league, his first game action since having surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.

The evolution of the “valuable” in “Most Valuable Player”  —  Gotta love baseball's Most Valuable Player award.  Does any similar honor generate even one-tenth of the debate as this one?  This past week, there has ben a free-for-all in the yakosphere (copyright Neil Best) on this topic.

Pedro, Moyer combine to stifle D-backs  —  After rain delay, lefty tosses six scoreless innings in relief  —  PHILADELPHIA — Pedro Martinez thought about his night Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park and still smiled.  —  He hoped to take another step forward after pitching five innings Wednesday in his season debut against the Cubs.

Wright leads Mets' trio of Aaron nominees  —  Castillo, Pagan also in the mix for prestigious annual award  —  Through the travails that have marked the Mets' 2009 season, All-Star third baseman David Wright, second baseman Luis Castillo and outfielder Angel Pagan have delivered some good news with their bats.

Ryan Church fires back at NY Mets manager Jerry Manuel for taking ‘cheap shot’ at him … NEW YORK — Former Mets outfielder Ryan Church shot back at manager Jerry Manuel on Tuesday for what he called a “cheap shot” remark last week.  —  After David Wright suffered a concussion Saturday …

Derek Jeter actually has become underrated … Not too long ago, I achieved a brief burst of infamy for inventing a new word: Jeterate.  The official definition of the word — which has not yet, as far as I know, been picked up by the Webster's or New Oxford people — is …

Los Angeles Dodgers sign Vicente Padilla for rotation  —  With right-hander Hiroki Kuroda's future uncertain, the Dodgers have reversed course and agreed to a minor league contract with Vicente Padilla.  —  Padilla is expected to make at least one minor league start for the Dodgers before joining the big league rotation.

Sheffield, Mets light up Lowe and beat Braves  —  NEW YORK(AP) When the Atlanta Braves handed Derek Lowe a four-run lead against an injury-depleted team, they figured they were in pretty good shape.  —  Turns out, those New York Mets backups had a big surprise in store.

Pedroia back tomorrow  —  Kelli Pedroia, the wife of Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, checked out of the hospital at roughly 1:30 p.m. today with the Pedroias' new baby boy, Dylan.  Dustin Pedroia is scheduled to return to the Sox for tomorrow night's game here in Toronto.