Top News:
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Philadelphia Phillies GM hints about acquiring starting pitcher — There were indications Tuesday the Phillies were working on a major deal to acquire a starting pitcher in an attempt to save a season that has veered in the wrong direction this month. — The Phillies will need a starting pitcher …
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sources: Oswalt wants guarantee — Roy Oswalt is asking for the Phillies, or any team that acquires him, to guarantee his $16 million option in 2012 before he would approve a trade, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. — And the Phillies, for now at least, are balking at that request.
Ed Price / Fanhouse MLB Blog:
Sources: Phils in Talks for Roy Oswalt — The Phillies and Astros were said to be working on a trade that would send Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia, two major-league sources told FanHouse on Tuesday night, although the deal would then require Oswalt's approval. — One source described the talks as “heavy.”
Lou Piniella / Yahoo! Sports:
Mattingly causes a mound of trouble for Dodgers — LOS ANGELES - They call him Donny Baseball, not Donny Rulebook. — Filling in for an ejected Joe Torre on Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly fueled a ninth-inning comeback …
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Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: Mets close to Cordero deal — The Mets are close to signing reliever Chad Cordero to a minor league deal, a team source confirmed. The deal is not yet official. — Cordero declared himself a free agent when the Seattle Mariners wanted to send him to Triple-A Tacoma.
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Thomas Grillo / Boston Herald:
Red Sox eye $10M upgrade to Fenway scoreboards — The Boston Red Sox [team stats] are investing $10 million in dazzling new video screens at Fenway Park [map] and replacing the aging JumboTron above the bleacher section. — Team officials are seeking approval from the Boston Landmarks Commission …
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Associated Press:
Ramirez's 3 homers powers Cubs past Astros — CHICAGO—Aramis Ramirez hit three homers and drove in seven runs to help Chicago rally to beat the Houston Astros 14-7 on Tuesday night hours after Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced he will retire at the end of the season.
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Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
INTEGRITY STRIKES OUT — Commissioner Bud Selig was so adamant in his defense of his clubs that I was unable to get the word integrity into the conversation. Had I brought it up, he would have scoffed at the idea. But then, the commissioner has never acknowledged that the owners …
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baseballmusings.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Cora livid after Mets' latest lackluster ‘L’ — Mets on Twitter — PHOENIX — Alex Cora is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. — The veteran utilityman, miffed by the laughter inside the Mets' clubhouse after last night's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks, fired venom in the direction …
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Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank:
Florida Marlins designate Nate Robertson for assignment; call up catcher Brad Davis — The Marlins didn't waste much time with their decision on what to do with struggling lefty Nate Robertson: He was designated for assignment today. — The Marlins have 15 days to trade him, release him or send him to the minors.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
It's an ‘underwhelming’ bullpen market — With Matt Capps, Octavio Dotel and Kerry Wood, few quality relievers to trade for — Attentive baseball fans must have thought they were in a time warp when they saw a couple of recent maneuvers by Cincinnati general manager Walt Jocketty.
Fox Sports:
Angels might not get what they need — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on MLB on FOX. Follow him on Twitter. — NEW YORK — For the record, the Angels are not about to concede.
TSN.ca:
Carpenter solid as Cardinals add to Phillies woes — The Sports Network — St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Chris Carpenter allowed just one run in eight strong innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the struggling Philadelphia Phillies, 7-1, in the second of four games at Busch Stadium.
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Pete Kerzel / MLB.com:
Rays utilizing sports psychologist — BALTIMORE — Dr. Ken Ravizza has come and gone, leaving the Tampa Bay Rays with something to think about until the next time he pops into their clubhouse for a friendly chat. — “I observe, I interact, I check in with them,” said Ravizza, a Fullerton …
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Yahoo! Sports
Sam Dykstra / WEEI:
LUCCHINO ON D&C: LUXURY TAX NOT A WORRY — Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino talked to the Dennis & Callahan show Wednesday morning, and with the trade deadline fast approaching, one of the biggest topics of conversation was the Red Sox off-the-field plans as they gear up for the final stretch.
NESN.com:
Red Sox Color Analyst Jerry Remy Agrees to Multiyear Contract Extension — BOSTON, MA - NESN, New England's most-watched sports network, and the network's longtime Red Sox color analyst Jerry Remy have agreed to a multiyear contract extension. — “I am truly fortunate to have been part …