San Francisco Giants acquire Jose Guillen from Kansas City Royals for player, cash  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have traded outfielder Jose Guillen to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations.  —  Guillen

Mariners should seriously consider pulling trigger on any Chone Figgins deal with Atlanta  —  Going to try to write this without ticking everybody off.  By now, most of you know that Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is out for the season.  We discussed, prior to the trade deadline …

Mets organization shows a lack of backbone  —  Only the most naïve among us believed the Mets would finish their season in quiet desperation.  That would've been too much to ask of this broken franchise.  Instead, Francisco Rodriguez spent Wednesday night in jail after allegedly pummeling …

Prospect Hot Sheet: Aug. 13  —  Team: Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (International)  —  Why He's Here: .520/.556/1.000 (13-for-25), 6 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 SO  —  The Scoop: When Montero was hitting under .220 early in June, many worried that he had suddenly regressed at the plate.

San Diego Padres ace Mat Latos learns to trust his teammates — and himself  —  Once-brash 22-year-old ace has learned to trust his Padres teammates, himself  —  SAN DIEGO — On a late July day in Cincinnati last season, a grouchy Heath Bell headed toward his locker when he heard Padres …

Marlins, Uggla discussing extension  —  Club's all-time home run leader enjoying best season  —  MIAMI — A couple weeks ago, Dan Uggla established himself as the Marlins' all-time home run leader.  —  It appears the slugger will have a few more seasons to pad his numbers with the organization.

Cueto will not appeal suspension  —  Bailey will start in Sunday's series finale against Marlins  —  CINCINNATI — Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto chose not to appeal a seven-game suspension for his role in Tuesday's scuffle vs. the Cardinals and will begin serving his punishment on Friday.

Yankees Sign Gumbs For $750,000  —  The Yankees have signed second-round pick Angelo Gumbs for $750,000, the largest bonus below the supplemental first round so far this year.  MLB's recommendation for Gumbs' No. 82 draft slot is $436,500.  —  An outfielder from Torrance (Calif.) High …

Texas Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg plans to ‘step up’ to keep Cliff Lee  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — New Texas Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg declined to say if next season's payroll might reach as high as the mercury during these triple-digit days, but with a wry smile said the franchise …

Brewers Release Jody Gerut  —  The Brewers released Jody Gerut, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (Twitter link).  Lorenzo Cain's strong play (.933 OPS in ten games) meant the Brewers didn't need Gerut, even though he has recovered from the heel injury that sidelined him.

Baldelli headed to Durham  —  Word from Port Charlotte tonight is that OF/DH Rocco Baldelli is taking his comeback attempt to Triple-A Durham.  —  Baldelli hit .283 for the Class A Stone Crabs in 12 games, and finished strong, going 3-for-4 on Thursday, and drawing his first walk.

Phillies shock Dodgers with 4 runs in 8th and 9th  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The biggest challenge for Carlos Ruiz was escaping a Philadelphia Phillies barrage.  —  His game-winning, two-run double in the ninth inning capped a frantic rally from seven runs down and topple the Los Angeles Dodgers , 10-9, on Thursday night.

Papelbon, Sox suffer tough loss to Jays  —  Closer allows three runs in ninth for sixth blown save of season  —  TORONTO — When Jonathan Papelbon walks off the mound in the ninth inning of a tie game, you know it has been an exceedingly tough day for the star reliever.