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.
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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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 …
Discussion:
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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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William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
A Vote for Steinbrenner Is a Vote for Flood — A push to have George Steinbrenner quickly inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame has begun in earnest, and it will most likely escalate this weekend with the enshrinement on Sunday of new members into the Hall in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Michael Silverman / Clubhouse Insider:
Pedro says no to return this season but '11 still a possibility — Pedro Martinez has decided he will not pitch this season but he has not closed the door to pitching again in 2011, said a source close to Martinez today. — Several teams expressed interest in making Martinez a second-half addition …
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.
Associated Press:
Liriano, Twins snap Indians' winning streak at six — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Francisco Liriano worked out of trouble while throwing seven effective innings and the Minnesota Twins salvaged the final game of a frustrating series against Cleveland, winning 6-0 on Wednesday to end the Indians' six-game winning streak.
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.
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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