Top News:
Deadspin:
So ... We've Got Some Affidavit Names — Everyone's guessing about who the blacked-out names in the Jason Grimsley report are, and it has been a fun parlor game so far. But we all knew eventually the names would get out. And we've been digging around ... and some sources have given us some names.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Drug revelations a grim situation for baseball — NEW YORK — So much for the idea that baseball's drug problem would go away when Barry Bonds does, or that the tougher steroid-testing program adopted by Major League Baseball under intense pressure from Congress would clean up the game.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Sheffield likely out until September — Yankees right fielder to undergo surgery on left wrist — NEW YORK — With Hideki Matsui out until September with a fractured wrist, the Yankees were hopeful that therapy would be enough to get Gary Sheffield and his ailing wrist back on the field before too long.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Associated Press:
Sheffield to have surgery; out until at least September — NEW YORK — Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield will undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist but is not expected to miss the rest of the season, general manager Brian Cashman said on Thursday.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards trade talks have intensified — WHAT THEY WANT — A strong hitter - and the players want an impact player. — The day after his replacement first baseman detected a "flat" aftertaste to the Cardinals' three-game sweep by the Cincinnati Reds, general manager Walt Jocketty confirmed Thursday …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Injuries dim A's victory Harden back on DL, Crosby hurt — Cleveland — Oakland's optimism as players began to trickle back from the disabled list is over. Thursday, before the team's 4-1 victory over the Indians, the A's placed one of their most important players back onto the DL …
Discussion:
At Home Plate
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Robert Falkoff / MLB.com:
Moore looks to model KC around Atlanta — GM aims to turn Royals into contender like Braves of early '90s — KANSAS CITY — John Schuerholz once got it done in Kansas City. Now it's up to Dayton Moore, a Schuerholz protégé, to show he can do it, too.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Errors don't mean Valentin's a mistake at 2B — LOS ANGELES — The Mets knew it would be a calculated risk to use Jose Valentin as their everyday second baseman, so the two costly errors he made during the sixth inning of Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Dodgers didn't come as a surprise.
Discussion:
the metropolitans
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Chris Haft / Contra Costa Times:
Giants accept gift-wrapped win, thank you — San Francisco prevails in the bottom of the ninth inning on a two-out, bases-loaded wild pitch — SAN FRANCISCO - Anybody suspecting that the Giants might be leading a charmed life should refer to their charmless 5-4 victory Thursday night over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Agent has vested interest — Agent Matt Sosnick represents several key Marlins players, including four-fifths of the rotation. — cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — SAN FRANCISCO - It's nothing personal. — ''I love Brian Moehler,'' Matt Sosnick said. ``He's a great guy.''
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Soriano seeing stars in outfield — Left fielder excited about possibly making All-Star team — WASHINGTON — Nationals slugger Alfonso Soriano said that making the National League All-Star team as an outfielder in July would be even sweeter than winning the game's Ted Williams Award …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals put on rally caps — KC overcomes seven-run deficit in its 16-12 victory over the Rangers. — Sure, Dayton Moore probably ought to wait a few more games before drawing any immediate conclusions. — But, admit it, the Royals welcomed their new general manager …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Uggla doubles as a power hitter — SAN DIEGO — Hitters with power generally don't hit home runs by accident. Dan Uggla is among the exceptions. — He put two in the AT&T Park left-field bleachers Wednesday without even trying. The same can be said for the other seven he has hit …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano Keeps Nats Running — There is a generations-old image of what a leadoff man should look like, how he should hit, what pitches he should take and at which ones he should swing. At various points, the Washington Nationals wanted men named Endy Chavez and Brandon Watson …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers sign top pick Jeffress — Club's 16th overall selection agrees to Minor League contract — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers did not waste any time in funneling their top pick into the professional ranks. — A day after making him the 16th overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Willis kicks off Marlins' chat series — Florida ace to field fans' questions online Tuesday — MIAMI — Since breaking in with a bang as a rookie in 2003, Dontrelle Willis has won over teammates, the league and baseball fans worldwide with his boundless energy and unending enthusiasm.
