Mike Rizzo on the trade deadline  —  Apologies for the slap-dash nature of the Journal today.  Lots to get to.  Here are the highlights of General Manager Mike Rizzo's brief meeting with reporters, which happened before he met Miss Iowa:  —  *The Nationals will receive Class AA right …

Sources: White Sox tried to get Manny  —  Fox Sports  —  Leave it to the White Sox to try to pull off a deadline shocker.  —  The White Sox, frustrated by their inability to land Adam Dunn, made a recent run at Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez, but their overtures were rejected, major-league sources say.

Cardinals Close To Jake Westbrook Trade  —  11:13am: Westbrook has agreed to lower the $2MM trade bonus, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  It's currently unclear whether the Padres are involved in this as part of a three-team deal, though Sherman thinks they may have dropped out.

Some players aren't meant for New York  —  And Lance Berkman is one of them.  —  I profiled Lance for SI years ago, and truly enjoyed him.  He's an off-the-charts right-winger, which isn't my cup.  But the guy also has authenticity, and decency, and—I feel 100% confident in saying—never used steroids.

Rockies' 17-2 rout of Cubs one for record books  —  First came the motivational, Jason Giambi and Todd Helton addressing the team Wednesday.  Next, came the lyrical.  —  In an attempt to connect with the past, the Rockies turned to Madonna.  Hey, if you don't have a Hot Tub Time Machine, apparently an iPod is the next best thing.

D-backs send Qualls to Tampa for PTBNL  —  NEW YORK — The D-backs are on the verge of completing a deal that would send reliever Chad Qualls to the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later, according to a baseball source.  —  The D-backs will not have to include any cash in the deal …

Do the Wilpons have money to spend?  —  Former investor sues Mets' owners for their connection to Bernie Madoff scandal  —  NEW YORK — While the New York Yankees play big games and add another couple of veterans for a pennant run, the big news with the New York Mets is: The Wilpons got served.

Fox Sports working to bid on Rangers, source says  —  palfano@star-telegram.com, bshlachter@star-telegram.com  —  U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Lynn ruled Friday that the auction of the Texas Rangers will go forward on Wednesday as scheduled, and it could do so with a new bidder — Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

Damon: Sox would have won one more if stayed  —  Talking prior to the Tigers series opening game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park Friday night, Johnny Damon said that if he would have remained a member of the Sox following the 2005 season the team might have won more than just the 2007 world championship.

Dodgers eyeing Lilly; more trade buzz … In addition to the relief market, the Yankees are still looking at third base, as they want someone who can back up Alex Rodriguez.  —  The Dodgers and Cubs are still discussing a deal for Ted Lilly but have work to do.  The Tigers and Twins have been mentioned as possibilities.

Bucs dealing Church, Crosby, Carrasco; Diaz, Clement called up  —  UPDATE: 10:52 AM: The Pirates will also be getting a Minor League player in addition to Snyder.  No name yet.  —  UPDATE: 10:39 AM: One source confirmed a report that the D-backs will be getting Ryan Church and Bobby Crosby in exchange for Snyder.

Pirates wanted Robert Carson for Octavio Dotel  —  Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Pirates asked the Mets for Double-A LHP Robert Carson in exchange for Octavio Dotel, 'but the Mets like Carson and said, 'No."  —  Are you catching on to the trend?  Prospect?  No. Prospect, please?  I said, ‘No.’

Giants hold on in ninth to edge Dodgers  —  Sports Network  —  San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Aubrey Huff went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI, and Tim Lincecum lasted seven innings after a slow start to pace San Francisco to a tight 6-5 triumph over the Dodgers …