A Trade About Money, Not Manpower  —  Francisco Rodriguez's recent change of agents helped hasten his trade to the Milwaukee Brewers, a critical deal that at least marginally enhances the Mets' ability to re-sign Jose Reyes.  —  Rodriguez hired Scott Boras to represent him this month …

Mistrial ruled in Roger Clemens case  —  WASHINGTON — The judge presiding over Roger Clemens' perjury trial declared a mistrial over inadmissible evidence shown to jurors.  —  U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said Clemens could not be assured a fair trial after prosecutors showed jurors evidence …

Deal means security for Garcia, family  —  The words Jaime Garcia used most often Wednesday to describe the benefits of his new, four-year extension with the Cardinals were the same words his agent heard repeatedly from the lefty as the motivation to pursue a contract.  —  He wanted “security.”

What went right, wrong and what's ahead for the Florida Marlins?  —  Marlins fans could be saying good-bye to Leo Nunez and hello to prospect Matt Dominguez before season's end.  —  Marlins Midseason report  —  Three things that went right  —  Bullish bullpen: The Achilles' heel for much of last season …

Does Ted Williams Own A More Impressive Streak Than Joe DiMaggio?  —  Ask even the most casual baseball fan to name the player who holds the record for longest hitting streak in Major League Baseball history, and odds are you'll hear the correct answer, Joe DiMaggio, and the correct number of games, 56.

Anderson has reconstructive surgery on elbow  —  Athletics pitcher Brett Anderson underwent successful reconstructive surgery to the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, the club announced Thursday.  —  The Tommy John surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews at the Andrews Institute in Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday morning.

Christian Lopez gets plenty of help  —  One good turn deserves another, and another, and another.  —  Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., decided to return Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball Saturday instead of trying to cash in.

KEVIN YOUKILIS REMAINS THE UNNOTICED ALL-STAR  —  PHOENIX - It has been easy to overlook the season of Kevin Youkilis.  —  Amidst the arrival of Adrian Gonzalez, the resurgence of David Ortiz and Josh Beckett and the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury, Youkilis has been the sometimes-obscure presence in the middle of the Red Sox lineup.

Exclusive: MLB Wants AEG LA Downtown Ballpark  —  On July 20, 2011, in a Delaware bankruptcy court, current Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball legal representatives will present competing plans for interim financing for the club.

FRANCONA CRITICIZES ASG ON BIG SHOW  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona joined The Big Show Wednesday, discussing Josh Beckett's knee, which kept him out of Tuesday's All-Star game.  He also offered his thoughts on the game, which many have criticized.  —  On the subject of Beckett …

Rays, Cards Had ‘Serious Talks’ About Rasmus In 2010  —  The Rays and Cardinals had serious talks about a trade that would have sent Colby Rasmus to Tampa Bay last year, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter).  The center fielder appeared to request a trade last summer, though he later denied doing so.

Go Big ... Or Don't Go At All  —  I've been thinking about quite a few things related to baseball over the last several days, but it's only in the last few hours that I've managed to synthesize them into a string of coherent thoughts.  You may not agree with everything I'm firing off here, and that's fine.