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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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.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:Cards are set to add Smoltz
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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 …
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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.
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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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CBSSports.com Sports News, Fantasy Scores …:
DiPoto expected to be named new Nats GM — The Nationals appear to have chosen Diamondbacks executive Jerry DiPoto as their new general manager. — DiPoto has told friends in Arizona that he plans to accept the job, which opened when Jim Bowden resigned under pressure this spring.
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Yahoo! Sports:Walking papers for Nats GM?
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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.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Red-hot Yanks trio up for Aaron Award — Cano, Jeter, Teixeira finalists to be Bombers' nominee — The Yankees have looked to Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira to help lead their potent offense all season, and now the trio of pinstriped sluggers have been nominated for the prestigious Hank Aaron Award.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Mets looking to unload Wagner — If Billy Wagner's return to New York this weekend is nothing more than a glorified audition, the Mets are already pushing the paperwork that will enable them to trade him. — According to a major league source, the Mets placed Wagner on trade waivers Wednesday.
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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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.
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.
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 …
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Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Selig: Nats ‘Did What They Had to Do’ to Sign Strasburg — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig characterized the Nationals' signing of pitcher Stephen Strasburg as “fair,” though he appeared to do so grudgingly and acknowledged management's intention to pursue a hard “slotting” …
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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.
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