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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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.
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 …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Eischen to miss rest of season — Lefty to have surgery on muscle tear in torn rotator cuff — PHILADEPHIA — 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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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano backs Livan's effort in Philly — Left fielder hits 19th home run; Hernandez stifles Phillies — PHILADELPHIA — It was just on Tuesday night, after the Nationals lost to the Phillies, when manager Frank Robinson said that when Alfonso Soriano doesn't give Washington a spark, the offense is stagnant.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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 …
Discussion:
6-4-2
ESPN:
Rocket re-launch: Clemens rejoins Astros — HOUSTON — Roger Clemens is coming out of retirement for the third time, agreeing to a $22 million contract to pitch for the Houston Astros for the rest of 2006. — The 43-year-old Clemens, who will be entering his 23rd major league season …
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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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Guy Curtright / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:Braves' Moore to become Royals GM
Discussion:
Braves Journal
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Pauley to start as Wells goes on DL — TORONTO — One day in March, as David Wells pitched in a mock game at the Sox' minor league complex, Double A righthander David Pauley sat behind the backstop charting Wells's pitches as a favor to the coaches. Tonight, he will be taking Wells's turn in the rotation …
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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
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.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Edmonds has tests — Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds, his lower abdomen sore enough to keep him out of the starting lineup for four consecutive games, will see a specialist in sports hernias after Wednesday's game, Cardinals officials said Tuesday night.
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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
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Braves ready to break brooms — Los Angeles (30-22) at Atlanta (27-25), 7:35 p.m. ET — Atlanta will look to salvage a game in its three-game series against the Dodgers as Tim Hudson takes the mound on Wednesday night at Turner Field for the Braves — After losing four of their first six games …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Marc / Cincinnati Reds:
Fear the reaper — CHICAGO — The postgame atmosphere in the Reds' clubhouse was awfully tense. Those guys know at least one move has to be made tomorrow, and Rick White and Brian Shackelford in particular didn't do themselves any favors tonight. — Bob Castellini was at the game …
