In desperate need of power, Yankees close to deal for Soriano  —  ARLINGTON — In dire need of a bat with thump and an indication the Yankees may believe that Alex Rodriguez isn't going to play this season, the toothless Bombers are close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs, The Post has learned.

Red Sox, Pedroia Agree On Extension  —  The Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia have agreed in principle on an extension worth approximately $100MM over seven years, tweets Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.  Bradford adds that the new contract is set to start in the 2015 season and run through 2021 …

MLB Suspends Ryan Braun For Remainder Of Season  —  Major League Baseball has suspended Ryan Braun for the rest of the season due to his involvement in the Biogenesis PED scandal, and he has accepted the deal, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Marquis out for season due to elbow injury  —  MILWAUKEE — Padres pitcher Jason Marquis will miss the remainder of the season after it was determined on Monday that he has significant damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.  —  Manager Bud Black said Marquis met earlier Monday …

Rangers acquire coveted right-hander Garza  —  Three prospects plus one or two players to be named dealt to Cubs  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers had been trying to trade for right-hander Matt Gaza for 2 1/2 years.  On Monday, after two weeks of trade talks and another near-miss, Texas finally achieved its goal.

Red Sox, Cardinals emerge among potential Jake Peavy suitors  —  The Red Sox and Cardinals appear to be emerging as two of the potential players for White Sox star right-hander Jake Peavy, according to sources.  —  Several other teams could be in the mix, and the Diamondbacks …

Mets Request Release Waivers On Shaun Marcum  —  The Mets announced today that they have placed right-hander Shaun Marcum on unconditional release waivers after it was confirmed that he is unlikely to pitch again this season (Twitter links).  —  Marcum, 31, pitched to a 5.29 ERA in 78 1/3 innings …

Indians Agree To $950,000 Deal With Leandro Linares  —  Cuban righthander Leandro Linares has agreed to sign with the Indians for a $950,000 bonus.  —  Linares, 19, has been one of the top pitching prospects on the international market who is subject to the international bonus pools.

Nationals dismiss Eckstein, name Schu hitting coach  —  Former roving hitting instructor for Washington takes over to lead slumping offense  —  WASHINGTON — On Sunday morning, according to Rick Eckstein, Nationals manager Davey Johnson assured him that he was doing a good job as the team's hitting coach.

Marlins To Promote Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick  —  The Marlins have announced that they will select the contracts of top outfield prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick tomorrow and demote Derek Dietrich and Marcell Ozuna to Double-A Jacksonville.

Monk, Green weigh in on team-name controversy  —  WASHINGTON - Redskins training camp opens on Thursday, and as the team prepares for the 2013 season, controversy grinds on over the team's name: Should it be changed?  —  Two Redskins Hall of Famers have weighed in.

It's Time To Move The Trade Deadline  —  The trade deadline is in eight days.  Thus far, we've seen the Cubs trade away Scott Feldman, the Cubs trade away Scott Hairston, the Cubs trade away Matt Garza, and most recently, the Cubs getting close to trading away Alfonso Soriano.

Key 9th inning helps Braves rally against Mets  —  NEW YORK — Jason Heyward made a diving catch with runners on first and second and two outs in the ninth inning after pinch-hitter Reed Johnson hit a go-ahead single with two outs in a two-run top half, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 …