Top News:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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 …
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards are set to add Smoltz — LOS ANGELES — Free agent pitcher John Smoltz will accept the Cardinals' offer to join the club as its fifth starter after clearing waivers at noon (St. Louis time) today, barring an unforeseen waiver claim, multiple sources said Tuesday.
Discussion:
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Sporting News:
Cardinals, Smoltz reach deal — ST. LOUIS — John Smoltz agreed to a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, giving the 42-year-old former ace a chance to rejuvenate his career in the middle of a pennant race. — Smoltz joined the NL Central leaders shortly after he cleared waivers, following his release by Boston.
Jayson Stark / MLB:Sources: John Smoltz ‘strongly leaning’ toward signing with St. Louis Cardinals
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:Florida Marlins: Bid for John Smoltz kaput?
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Fox Sports
Eddie Schmid / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Acquire Bill Hall — According to the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker, the Mariners have acquired Bill Hall from the Brewers. There's an announcement expected before game time. According to Baker's sources, the Brewers will receive minor-league pitcher Ruben “Buddy” Flores in return.
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Sports Illustrated:
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 …
Yahoo! Sports:
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 …
Discussion:
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John Tomase / Boston Herald:
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.
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Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
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 …
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New York Post:
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.
Associated Press:
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.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
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.
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John Schlegel / MLB.com:
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.
Joe Posnanski / Sports Illustrated:
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 …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com, ESPN, Sliding Into Home, It's Just Sports, The Yankee Universe and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Jayson Stark / MLB:
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.
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
First baseman Aubrey recalled from Norfolk — Left-handed hitter assumes Huff's roster spot — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Michael Aubrey's 2009 was already a whirlwind. — Now it could become a season of redemption, with a second chance for the former first-rounder to play in the majors.
Discussion:
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