Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Hairston acquired from Cubs for Nevin — Second baseman brought in from Chicago — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have traded right-handed power for a little speed, some versatility and the ability to get Jason Botts and/or Mark DeRosa into their lineup on a more regular basis.
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Associated Press:
Rangers deal Nevin to Cubs for Hairston — ARLINGTON, Texas — Struggling designated hitter Phil Nevin was traded Wednesday by the Texas Rangers to the Chicago Cubs, desperately seeking a bopper to help replace injured slugger Derrek Lee. — The Rangers, who will pay a portion …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Final touches being placed on Nevin trade — ARLINGTON — Just shy of the season's one-third mark, the Rangers ended the Phil Nevin experiment Wednesday afternoon. — A week after Nevin lost his job to rookie Jason Botts, the club was putting the final touches on a deal with the Chicago Cubs, a pair of Rangers sources said.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Eischen to miss rest of season — Lefty to have surgery on muscle tear in torn rotator cuff — PHILADELPHIA — The Nationals have placed left-hander Joey Eischen on the 60-day disabled list with a muscle tear in his torn left rotator cuff, and the lefty will miss the rest of the season.
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Zachary Levine / MLB.com:
Missed opportunities cost Phillies — Rowand, Dellucci go deep; Lidle takes loss in finale — PHILADELPHIA — David Bell came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on second and third. — It was the Phillies' sixth at-bat with runners in scoring position …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
All-Star voters bypass Cabrera — MIAMI GARDENS — Miguel Cabrera is either first or among the top five National League hitters in batting average, RBI, hits, doubles, multi-hit games, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. — But he is not among the top five vote-getters …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Cabrera shedding weight — Miguel Cabrera has fattened his stats by slimming his waistline. The Marlins' third baseman credits better eating habits and work in the gym with helping him shed 10 pounds. — ''I'm eating a little during the day and nothing at night,'' he said in Spanish.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
What planet is Rocket on? — What planet is Rocket on? — Roger Clemens, wearing a pinstriped suit, a purple tie and a Houston Astros cap that signified his return to baseball Wednesday, looked the picture of polish. — Then he opened his mouth. — "Here we go again," Clemens said.
Discussion:
The GYS Network
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Ian Harrison / MLB.com:
Red Sox slug four homers, avoid sweep — Papelbon notches record 19th consecutive save — TORONTO — A barrage of long balls and some brilliant bullpen work ensured the Boston Red Sox kept the brooms in the closet. — Manny Ramirez and Mark Loretta each hit two-run homers …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Braves exploit Tomko for seven runs — Starter allowed two two-run homers to Chipper, Andruw Jones — ATLANTA — This trip didn't end pretty for the Dodgers, 9-3 losers to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, but they returned home as they left, one-half game out of first place.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Baseball's top 10 'records' ... without the home runs … If the biggest name in baseball can hit his 715th home run and nobody outside the 415 area code even claps, that should tell us something. — And not just about the man hitting the home run. — It should tell us something about what has become of the mighty home run itself.
Kit Stier / MLB.com:
Pedro taking on Webb — Arizona (30-21) at New York (31-20), Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. ET — Mets manager Willie Randolph figures Tuesday is as good a night as any for Brandon Webb's perfect season to take on a blemish. — Webb, the 8-0 Arizona right-hander, matches up with Mets ace Pedro Martinez …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
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Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Gagne to Serve Suspension Again — ATLANTA — Remember the Dodgers playing short-handed for two games during the first series of the season because Eric Gagne served a suspension? — Turns out he has to do it over again. Gagne was activated Tuesday and began serving the suspension …
Fox Sports:
These five execs are in most trouble — Considering his staggering record of failure in Kansas City, Allan Baird's ouster on Wednesday was hardly a surprise. But the upheaval in KC also calls to mind the other GMs who are in danger of being canned before the 2007 season begins.
Steve Treder / Hardball Times:
Review: Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Blunders — Baseball books come in four basic categories: — 1) References. These are the ones chock full o' dry facts, tables, and stats. These are your encyclopedias and annual guidebooks and such. They don't make for the most captivating reading …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals name Moore new GM — Baird dismissed; Jackson interim GM until after draft — OAKLAND — After weeks of speculation, the Royals replaced general manager Allard Baird with Dayton Moore of the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. — Baird, the team's general manager since 2000 …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Baseball America:
1. Jeremy Sowers, lhp, Indians (Triple-A Buffalo) … IN THE TEAM PHOTO … THE NOT-SO-HOT SHEET … BLAST FROM THE PAST … HELIUM WATCH
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards expect Edmonds to land on DL — Center fielder has mild to moderate abdominal wall strain — ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals still aren't entirely sure what's bothering Jim Edmonds, but they are preparing to do without him for a while. — Manager Tony La Russa said after Wednesday's win …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Giants return to first round of the draft — San Francisco picking in opening round for first time since '03 — SAN FRANCISCO — Every draft has its moments of tension and intrigue, but for the Giants, the 2006 version starting June 6 will be more pressure-filled than it has been for years.
