Top News:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Braves Acquire Scott Downs — The Braves found their left-handed reliever, acquiring veteran Scott Downs from the Angels for righty reliever Cory Rasmus, according to Halos communications director Eric Kay. — Downs, 37, has a 1.84 ERA, 6.8 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 0.31 HR/9, and 63.1% groundball rate in 29 1/3 innings this year.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Halos Heaven, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Talking Chop
RELATED:
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
MLB trade deadline blog — Source: Dodgers, Phillies quiet on a Lee deal — The Dodgers and Phillies have not discussed a trade involving pitcher Cliff Lee recently, according to a source. — The Braves have acquired left-handed pitcher Scott Downs from the Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cory Rasmus.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Tigers Acquire Jose Veras — The first-place Tigers augmented their bullpen, at a time the back end finally seemed to have stabilized. Detroit acquired reliever Jose Veras today from the Astros for outfield prospect Danry Vasquez and a player to be named later, which will be decided on or before September 15th.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, Tag's Lines, Bless You Boys, The Crawfish Boxes and SI Wire
MLB:
White Sox trade All-Star RHP Crain to Tampa — The Chicago White Sox have traded All-Star reliever Jesse Crain and cash considerations to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the White Sox announced. — Crain is currently on the disabled list …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, baseballmusings.com and ESPN
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Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Jesse Crain trade close — The Chicago White Sox are close to trading All-Star reliever Jesse Crain in a “complicated” deal involving two teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. — The complicated part could center on the fact …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB, South Side Sox and DRaysBay
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Jake Peavy trade clock keeps ticking — As the deadline approaches, the White Sox appear closer to dealing him — Last week, it was the Cubs who were racing feverishly to trade Matt Garza before he headed for the mound to make his next start. This week, it's the White Sox and Jake Peavy's turn to re-enact that drama.
Discussion:
Metsblog, whygavs.com, South Side Sox, Boston Globe, ESPN and HardballTalk
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Fred Mitchell / Chicago Tribune:
Peavy's bags are packed in case he's traded
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Giants' price high on Lincecum, Pence with qualifying offers planned — The Giants are listening on potential trades for outfielder Hunter Pence, starter Tim Lincecum and reliever Javier Lopez, their three major free agents, but a person connected to the organization Giants pegged the price as “very strong” on Pence and Lincecum.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, McCovey Chronicles and MLB Rumors
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Fox Sports:
Giant change of fortune for champs — They played 15 postseason games in 2010 and 16 in 2012. They sent nine players to the World Baseball Classic last spring, and six of them later suffered injuries. No one should be surprised that for the San Francisco Giants, the bill finally is coming due.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Camden Chat, Red Sox Monster, Purple Row, MLB Rumors, McCovey Chronicles and MLB Daily Dish
KVIA-TV:
Family confirms former MLB pitcher, El Paso native Frank Castillo drowned in Ariz. lake — Frank Castillo on his Upper Deck baseball card. — Frank Castillo, a former standout pitcher for Eastwood High School who played in the major leagues for 13 years, has died. — He was 44.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Bluebird Banter, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
MLB.com:
Fans eat free for all August games at Miller Park — Fans should plan to bring their appetite for baseball, food and drinks to upcoming games at Miller Park because for the month of August, the Brewers are treating. — Milwaukee Brewers Chairman and Principal Owner Mark Attanasio today announced …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Cliff Lee is on the market, but price is said to be enormous — Cliff Lee's name is definitely out there in trade talks, and the free-falling Phillies appear to at least be considering trading one of their aces. — However, the price tag on the veteran left-hander is exteremely high …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Baseball Nation
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ddtonline.com:
Current print subscribers — Already a Print or E-Edition Subscriber? — No additional cost. — Print Subscribers will need to register for free access to the Online Edition. You will need your subscription account number and the name in which the account was established (Case sensitive …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, baseballmusings.com, CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and Brew Crew Ball
Scott Miller / CBSSports.com:
Brian Wilson moves closer to signing — Brian Wilson appears close to signing soon, and maybe a club that strikes out in the trade market will find satisfaction in the rare July free-agent market. — Maybe that club will be the Pittsburgh Pirates or San Francisco Giants.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, True Blue LA and MLB Rumors
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Ask BA: 2013 Draftees & Midseason Top 50 — If you have a question, send it to askba@baseballamerica.com. Please include your full name and hometown if you'd like your letter to be considered for use in an upcoming column. Also, please understand that we can't respond to every question.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball