Top News:
MLB:
Billy Wagner to Boston Red Sox: Nix option to seal deal … NEW YORK — Billy Wagner wants to be a closer next season, regardless of the team. — That's why the New York Mets reliever says Boston must guarantee it will decline his contract option for 2010 before he would approve a potential trade …
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John Schlegel / MLB.com:
Deal for Wagner hits potential roadblock — Red Sox, veteran closer must resolve issues, agent says — The Red Sox and Billy Wagner reportedly need to resolve some issues in order for the veteran reliever to waive his no-trade clause and clear the way for a deal with the Mets.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
George A. King III / New York Post:
GIRARDI SAYS HE WON'T SPLIT UP A.J. AND POSADA — BOSTON — Despite communication problems between A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada during the three most recent games they worked, Joe Girardi doesn't plan to split them on purpose. — “The way that I have caught Jorge and [Jose] …
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
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Yahoo! Sports:
Damon's contribution typifies Yankees' surge — BOSTON - The bruise on his left knee, the result of a foul ball that ricocheted off his bat two nights earlier, had yet to complete its natural cycle of discoloration - fire-engine red, a touch of magenta, indigo blue. But because Johnny Damon
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Rumors: Damon, Pettitte, Matsui — Last year it was Mussina, Abreu and Giambi. This year we've got another set of free agents-to-be in the Bronx, so let's take a look at the latest rumors surrounding them: — Johnny Damon doesn't expect to negotiate with the Yankees before the season's over …
Tim Britton / MLB.com:
Mets seek relief for 'pen from Parnell — New York (57-67) vs. Philadelphia (71-50), 1:10 p.m. ET — NEW YORK — Oliver Perez lost one game for the Mets on Sunday. The Mets hope Perez's inability to get out of the first inning doesn't also cost them the series finale with the Phillies on Monday afternoon at Citi Field.
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Ted Berg / MetsBlog.com:
Francoeur getting MRI — According to SNY, Jeff Francoeur's thumb swelled up overnight and he is now in the Hospital for Special Surgery getting an MRI. — Last night, MLB.com reported that x-rays on Francoeur's thumb taken after the game were negative.
Discussion:
Celebrating …
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: CC shows he's a big winner — BOSTON - Strictly by the numbers, CC Sabathia's start didn't meet the standards for an ace vs. ace matchup. But then again, he did meet the only standard that really matters, outpitching the other ace, Josh Beckett, and beating the Red Sox Sunday night.
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Celebrate Bad Day for Beckett — BOSTON — The Yankees have seen Josh Beckett at his best, and now they have seen him at his worst. In their final game at Fenway Park this season — until a possible playoff date, anyway — the Yankees stung their nemesis for five home runs Sunday night.
Ben Bolch / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez hears the boos in Dodgers' 3-1 loss to Cubs — He makes two shaky plays in the outfield and is 0 for 4, dropping his average to .200 over the last seven games. Dodgers' lead over Colorado in the National League West shrinks to 31/2 games. — On The Dodgers
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Gary Armida / fullcountpitch.com:
Mariners Get Defensive — The Seattle Mariners are in the midst of a fine rebound season from their 101 loss 2008 season. The organization has changed the culture in so many ways. First year General Manager Jack Zduriencik had quite a challenge in rebuilding the once proud franchise.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Nick Steiner / Hardball Times:
Huh, so that Smoltz guy is still pretty good... A little while ago, I wrote that the Dfa'd Smoltz still had some stuff in the tank and would be a good pick up for a contending team. The basis behind that was that a lot of his terrible performance in Boston was attributable to luck, and his stuff still looked pretty good.
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Dave Krieger / Denver Post:
Krieger: At last, Rox can play an ace — For 17 years, the Rockies have been searching for the rarest, most valuable commodity in baseball. They once spent $121 million trying to buy one on the open market, a disaster that set them back years. — Call off the search party.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Will Rangers re-sign Byrd? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions — I love to watch Marlon Byrd play. This guy reminds me of a throw-back player.... no flash, just good, hard-nose baseball. Now to my question: Will the Rangers re-sign him for next year?
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Time for Tampa Bay Rays to dress up for success — The Rays pose in their black Ring of Fire attire before leaving Tropicana Field for Toronto to begin a key seven-game road trip. — ST. PETERSBURG — The bus was parked outside, and the charter was waiting at the airport.
