Winds of change after Chicago series  —  In the end, there was no lack of pizzazz in the Wrigley get-together between the Cubs and White Sox.  —  Funny how dueling no-hit bids can turn a game between two disappointing teams — combined record: 56-69 — into riveting baseball theatre.

Alex Gordon is apparently too good for the Royals  —  Alex Gordon has been destroying Triple-A pitching since his demotion last month, hitting .359 with 10 homers and a 1.128 OPS in 38 games.  He ranks second among Pacific Coast League hitters in batting average (.359), on-base percentage …

BOX SCORE  —  Much can change between now and the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, but manager Jerry Manuel indicated he isn't campaigning for the Mets to add a starting pitcher.  —  Manuel pointed to the fact Nos. 4 and 5 starters, R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi, are a combined 9-2.

The Rangers are working hard to get Roy Oswalt  —  UPDATE: Now the Fort Worth Star-Telegrams is calling applesauce on my report.  GM Jon Dainels didn't directly deny it, but he did say “you can probably figure this one out,” suggesting that it's not happening.

Game Changers: Picking up the game's pace  —  Focus, some say, should be on changing on-field habits  —  Much of baseball's essence is wrapped in its timelessness.  The game has stood through three centuries, two world wars, an ever-changing society, and, unlike most other major sports …

A Rendezvous with Destiny  —  As Abe Lincoln said many years before becoming the 16th President of the United States, “I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.”  Today, for me, that moment is here.  —  Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the General Manager of the New York Mets.

Former New York Yankees, San Diego Padres outfielder Oscar Azocar dies  —  CARACAS — Former major leaguer Oscar Azocar, a free-swinging outfielder when he debuted for the New York Yankees in 1990, died Monday.  He was 45.  —  The native Venezuelan died at a hospital in Valencia …

Mets sign fourth-round pick Cory Vaughn, 24 other picks  —  Before we get to Monday's draft news - because the Mets signed 25 of their picks - here's your daily dose of Carlos Beltran news:  —  He played five more outfield innings in Port St. Lucie.  He made six plate appearances.

La Russa moves slumping Holliday to second in batting order  —  A long flight back to St. Louis after a heartbreaking end to a 1-5 road trip Sunday evening allowed manager Tony La Russa time to think about what might get his struggling offense going.  —  His decision: move Matt Holliday to second in the batting order.

Huff recalls stint with Orioles  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Aubrey Huff has experienced his share of losing during his 11-year Major League career.  —  The Giants outfielder/first baseman spent five-plus seasons in Tampa Bay, where the team finished in last place every year but one.

See you soon: Pedro Alvarez  —  I missed some big call ups last week while moving from Minnesota to Washington D.C. I did stop by my ancestral home near Philadelphia long enough to drop by Citizen's Bank Park and watch Roy Halladay dominate the Marlins (and lose, kudos Josh Johnson).