Top News:
Peter Gammons / MLB.com:
Trade picture will become clear for Rays, others — When you are the Tampa Bay Rays, this is your reality: you have the sixth-best record in the American League, you have the smallest payroll, and you are in third place in the East, eight games in the loss column behind the Yankees.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB.com's On the Beat
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New York Post:
Rays await major bids for Upton — Another reason the Mets could have trouble getting a good return on Carlos Beltran is that the market is flooded with outfielders, especially righty-hitting ones who would cost less to obtain, such as San Diego's Ryan Ludwick and Oakland's Josh Willingham.
Discussion:
Full Count, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors and Rays Index
Fox Sports:
Look for big moves from Rangers — Remember when the Texas Rangers had no money? Last July, for example? — Back then, in the final days of Tom Hicks' bankrupt ownership, the Rangers still were quite active, making five trades before July 31 and getting cash back in all of them.
Discussion:
Seattle Times and Full Count
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Sports Illustrated:
Giants may be favorites for Beltran, plus more trade week updates … The Giants look like a possible favorite for Carlos Beltran — at the moment, anyway. Beltran prefers the National League, the Mets might prefer a division other than the National League East and, according to sources …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Philly.com:
Montgomery on trade possibilities: Phillies will do whatever it takes — Roy Halladay is allowed a moment of selfishness. He came here to win, and there is an expiration date on the 34-year-old's chance to capture a championship. — “Knowing I'm only here for a certain amount of years,” Halladay said, “yeah, I'd sell the farm.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Daily Rumble: The Carlos Beltran market — It's very likely the Mets won't get the A-plus prospect they desire in any deadline deal … If life was one big fantasy baseball league, the Mets would have no trouble getting their price for Carlos Beltran. — He's the biggest difference-maker …
Discussion:
Bowman's Blog, Federal Baseball, MetsBlog.com, Talking Chop, Rays Index, MLB and Fox Sports
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New York Post:
BOX SCORE — The Mets have had particular interest in Minor. — The Mets hope the ticking clock toward the deadline will push a suitor to yield a top prospect, and last night a person involved in discussions described the Rangers as aggressively pursuing Beltran, with the Braves and Red Sox as the two other most interested teams.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, ESPN, NY Daily News, Philly.com and MLB Rumors
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Trade Talk: What if the Sox do nothing? — About 10 days ago, during two phone calls 10 minutes apart, a major league executive and an agent both predicted that the days leading up to the trade deadline would be wild ones. — “You're going to see a lot of players move that week,” the exec said.
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
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Globe and Mail:
Indians looking for big trade — General manager Chris Antonetti is willing to deal any player to help the Cleveland Indians win now. — Antonetti said Tuesday that the time is right for the Indians, one game behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central entering Tuesday, to add a player or two.
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Nationals Acquire Jonny Gomes — The Nationals announced that they have acquired Jonny Gomes and cash considerations from the Reds for outfielder Bill Rhinehart and left-hander Chris Manno (Twitter links). The Reds have confirmed the move and announced that they're calling up Yonder Alonso in a corresponding move.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Lincecum (flu) scratched from start against Phils — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies because of the flu. — The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner was replaced by left-hander Barry Zito …
Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Is this the most embarrassing point ever for Mariner franchise? — (Jason Vargas reacts after giving up five runs in the fourth inning to the Yankees on Monday as the Mariners lost their 16th consecutive game. Photo by Associated Press). — The fact that I even have to pose the question …
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Seattle Mariners blog, Sports Illustrated and New York Times
Associated Press:
White Sox beat Tigers, pull within 3 1/2 in AL Central — CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle pitched six innings and Carlos Quentin hit a bases-loaded double Monday night as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-3 to pull within 3 1-2 games of first in the AL Central.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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