Top News:
ESPN.com:
New York Mets reliever Billy Wagner traded to the Boston Red Sox … Billy Wagner will pitch for the Red Sox this season, after all. — Wagner agreed to waive his no-trade clause in the final minutes before Tuesday's deadline and the fireballing left-handed reliever was traded from the Mets …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Full Count, MLB, The Bronx View Podcast …, Mets Merized Online, The Bronx Block and Sox vs. Stripes
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Buster Olney / MLB:
New York Mets hope pitcher Johan Santana's injury won't require major surgery, sources say … The New York Mets won't know for sure about the status of star pitcher Johan Santana until sometime after he undergoes tests on Tuesday afternoon, but the expectation within the organization …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Mets Merized Online, MLB Rumors, Projo Sox Blog, MetsBlog.com and Celebrating …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Wagner coming to Boston — 2:04 p.m. update: Mets reliever Billy Wagner has changed his mind about coming to Boston, waiving his no-trade clause after the Red Sox and Mets worked out a trade before today's deadline. A major league source said the Red Sox will send two players to be named later …
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Wagner changes mind, accepts trade to Red Sox … The Mets have traded Billy Wagner to the Red Sox, SI.com has learned. — The Mets receive two players to be named later, according to an SNY report. Boston agreed to cover the $2 million-plus left on Wagner's contract.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Done deal: Wagner coming to Red Sox — Whether it was a chance to pitch in a pennant race, a factor based on finances and his future, or simply the assurance that the Red Sox won't overuse his repaired left arm, this much is certain: Billy Wagner had a change of heart, and he's coming to Boston after all.
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Sources: Penny was claimed on waivers — According to multiple sources, pitcher Brad Penny was claimed off waivers earlier this month, and then subsequently pulled back by the Red Sox. With the 48-hour window in which a deal could be worked out by the Red Sox and the claiming team already passed …
Tim Smith / NY Daily News:
Smith: Santana should rest and rehab … The final nail in the hopes and dreams of the Mets' 2009 season was driven home when Jerry Manuel announced Monday that Johan Santana would miss his start Tuesday against the Marlins because of “discomfort” in his elbow.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
How the Yankees saved their season — Manager Joe Girardi gets tossed by first-base ump during June 24 game in Atlanta. Many feel ejection was turning point in Yankees' season. … The night everything changed for the Yankees started out like any other night in what was rapidly turning into a lost season.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rox jolt Giants with slam in 14th — Spilborghs' blast delivers an improbable victory that adds to wild-card lead — These are the types of games you expect in October, not August. — For three straight days, the Rockies and Giants played as if there was bunting hanging from the rafters and frost on the grass.
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Dave Allen / FanGraphs Baseball:
Phil Hughes as Shutdown Reliever — Since June Phil Hughes has been recast from disappointing former top starting pitching prospect to shut down reliever. He started off as a sixth/seventh inning guy, but by mid-July had established himself as the 8th inning setup man to Mariano Rivera.
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Strasburg, top picks highlight AFL — 2009 Arizona Fall League rosters dotted with future stars — The important numbers are: 1, 5, 12 and 18. — That's the No. 1 player taken in the 2009 Draft, five of the top 10 from the first round of said Draft and 12 of the Top 50 …
New York Post:
THE SPOILING POINT — YANKS SO HOT, PROBLEMS MUST BE HUNTED DOWN — DURING the Yankees dynasty years, I once was doing a TV show in which we were talking calls. One of the first people to phone in complained that he simply could not watch Luis Sojo any longer. — SHERMAN ON TWITTER
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Riggleman's Future — I'm in Chicago right now. I adore Chicago. I love running along Lake Michigan in the mornings. I love the food and the ballpark. Also, my last name isn't Bartman, so it's a bit easier to feel okay about friendly citizens here. — The Nats begin their three-city …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Kansas City Royals' season goes from good to horrible — After a good April, Kansas City's season hit the skids because of several key factors — The 2009 Royals have committed a sin that transcends poor pitching, hitting and defense: They're bad and they're nondescript.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
The Alex Gordon Problem — It wasn't that long ago, but Royals third baseman Alex Gordon used to be the next big thing. In 2005, he won nearly every individual award handed out in college baseball, batting .372/.518/.715 during his junior year at Nebraska while showing enough athleticism to add 23 stolen bases in 26 attempts.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Rich Harden's contract an off-season challenge for Chicago Cubs — Starter in line for long-term deal approaching $60 million — Rich Harden throws to the Marlins in the second inning. (J Pat Carter, Associated Press / July 31, 2009) — While Carlos Zambrano takes the spotlight Tuesday night …
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