After Carlos Beltran trade, Mike Pelfrey goes the distance, Mets pound Bronson Arroyo and Reds 8-2  —  CINCINNATI - Nearly every Met gathered at a local steakhouse Tuesday night.  Carlos Beltran invited them and paid the tab.  The next evening, he made a brief pregame stop in the clubhouse, then left to become a San Francisco Giant.

Bell talks continue, Rangers balk at high price  —  What we know right now is that the Rangers and Padres have spent significant time on the telephone over the past 24 hours with Texas taking a hard run at acquiring closer Heath Bell.  —  But while talks have been significant, substantive …

Tribe acquires Fukudome in deal with Cubs  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians reeled in some help for their depleted outfield on Thursday, acquiring Kosuke Fokudome from the Cubs.  —  The two sides were close to finalizing a deal with only minor details still being worked out.

Red Sox bats take care of Royals  —  Like a runaway train, or partisan bickering in Washington, the Red Sox [team stats]' bats just don't stop.  —  For the third time in four games and the seventh time this month, they produced a double-digit run total last night at Fenway Park [map] — and that was before the fifth inning.

Cards may come to regret Rasmus deal  —  Well, I've finally identified the most difficult-to-find commodity in baseball.  —  Not a catcher.  Not a shortstop.  Not a third baseman.  —  Someone who likes the Cardinals' return for outfielder Colby Rasmus.