Swisher learning the ropes in outfield  —  New York (80-48) vs. Chicago (64-65), 1:05 p.m. ET  —  NEW YORK — Long before Robinson Cano launched a game-winning pellet into the sky over Yankee Stadium on Friday night, Nick Swisher made it possible by unloading a slippery seed to home plate with deadly accuracy.

A setback for Wakefield  —  Tim Wakefield has been scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Rays because his back is acting up.  He will be evaluated on Monday.  —  Wakefield went on the disabled list in July when he woke up in Texas feeling pains in his back …

Scattered thoughts  —  In another move, the Orioles announced that they've traded Ryan Freel, and he wasn't in the organization anymore.  They just couldn't resist.  —  Seriously though, I wouldn't get too shook up about the Orioles surrendering the player they obtained from the Cubs for Freel.

Rays send message with trade  —  Golly, I sure didn't see this one coming:  —  The Los Angeles Angels, looking to bolster their rotation for the last five weeks of the season and in October, acquired leftt-hander Scott Kazmir of the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.  —  “This is a surprise.

The reason isn't clear, but Manny Ramirez isn't right  —  (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images / August 27)  —  The Dodgers slugger is missing in action again in a loss at Cincinnati.  —  He used to own this kind of moment, circling it with his giant swing, swarming it with his giant smile.

Talkin' Pirates Baseball  —  We all know about the nearly two decades worth of futility.  The Pirates haven't cracked the .500 plateau since 1992 and it's all but certain that streak will not come to an end this season.  However, after years of the previous regime filling out the roster …

Wilpon Addresses Doubts Over Madoff Losses and Mets  —  Fred Wilpon, the Mets' principal owner, tried Friday to temper concerns that he and his team had been scarred financially by the losses caused by a vast Ponzi scheme run by his former friend Bernard L. Madoff.  He said he had no intention of selling the team.

Yankees win 10-0, move 33 over .500  —  As I blogged earlier, thanks to a heads up from Pete, the Yankees are now 81-48, putting them 33 games over .500 for the first times since Sept. 26, 2006.  That isn't all that is of interest from today.  Here's the rest:

Jake Fox's grand slam lifts Cubs over Mets  —  Jake Fox hit his first career grand slam, Milton Bradley extended his hitting tear and the Cubs beat the New York Mets 11-4 on Saturday.  —  Fox finished with a career-high five RBIs.  His bases-loaded homer finished Mets starter Bobby Parnell …

Twins Designate R.A. Dickey For Assignment  —  According LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have designated right-hander R.A. Dickey for assignment in order to clear roster space for newly acquired reliever Ron Mahay.  —  Dickey, a knuckleballer who turns 35 in October …

Hanson, Braves no match for Phillies' Howard  —  Philadelphia — When Tommy Hanson and Kris Medlen return to their Buckhead apartment next week, the Braves rookies will have one more thing to talk about.  —  How to pitch to Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.  Or, how not to.

Rosenthal's Full Count Video: Penny, Harden, Lidge  —  Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count Video up at FoxSports.com.  Let's dive on in...  - The outcome of this weekend's games could determine which team the recently released Brad Penny signs with.

No deal yet on contract extension for Royals GM Moore  —  The Royals privately confirm talks are under way regarding a contract extension for general manager Dayton Moore, but multiple club sources — including Moore — dismissed online reports that a deal is done.  —  Moore's current contract runs through the 2010 season.

Wright antsy but cautious  —  CHICAGO — Given two weeks to mull it over, David Wright now says the Mets were right to be so cautious with him.  —  The All-Star third baseman looked none the worse from his Aug. 15 concussion as he rejoined the Mets here this morning for batting practice …