Top News:
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
A Different Message From Ramirez — As Trade Deadline Nears, Manny Wants To Stay — BOSTON — With the nonwaiver trade deadline a month away, Manny Ramirez has let his intentions be known to Red Sox management. This time, he's not going anywhere. — Ramirez, through his agent Greg Genske …
RELATED ITEMS:
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Other side of Pedro — Computer geeks 1, Pedro 0. — That will make sense in a second. It cuts to the heart of the untruths masquerading as fact that Pedro Martinez has attempted to perpetrate on the people of Boston over the last two days. — Pedro: — At best, he was disingenuous.
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
'Geeks' happy to hammer Pedro — BOSTON - Moments after the final out last night, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein sailed through the interview room, where manager Terry Francona gives his postgame news conferences. He was whistling a happy tune, stopping only to utter five words before resuming the song: "Computer geeks one, Pedro nothing."
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Weaver Could Come Cheap — Derek Lowe and Jeff Weaver, friends and teammates on the Dodgers last season, catch up every so often. — "We can talk about our last games and compare notes," Lowe said. — Lowe got pounded by the Minnesota Twins, giving up nine runs in five innings, an atypical start in a fine season.
RELATED ITEMS:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals' Kasten Will Keep Bowden — Stan Kasten, the incoming president of the Washington Nationals, yesterday announced he would keep Jim Bowden as the team's general manager when new ownership takes over later this month, providing stability to the front office during a period that could bring significant upheaval on the field.
RELATED ITEMS:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Bowden will remain with Nationals — Impending sale of team means money at GM's disposal — WASHINGTON — With the Lerner Group getting close to purchasing the Nationals before the grand reopening at RFK Stadium on July 21, incoming president Stan Kasten announced that general manager Jim Bowden …
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Padres add former Dodgers GM DePodesta to front office — Padres add former Dodgers GM DePodesta to front office — SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres hired Paul DePodesta as special assistant for baseball operations on Friday, giving them five former general managers on their payroll.
RELATED ITEMS:
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres hire ex-Dodgers exec DePodesta — Paul DePodesta, a former general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has joined the Padres as a special assistant for baseball operations. He will report to CEO Sandy Alderson, the club said Friday. — DePodesta, 33, was fired by Dodgers owner Frank McCourt …
Lewis Abraham Leader / Los Angeles Times:All-Time Dodgers-Angels Team Is Quite the Cast
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — No lasting impression — Lastings Milledge came to his farewell party dressed in all the trappings of a major-league ballplayer. Sterling silver diamond wristwatch. Rectangular diamond stud in his left earlobe. French cuff pinstriped shirt, diamond cuff links.
RELATED ITEMS:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Hughes Will Probably Stay, but Two Prospects May Go — With each game he pitches, it seems, Phil Hughes cements his case to stay with the Yankees past the July 31 trading deadline. Hughes, 20, has allowed just one hit in each of his last two starts for Class AA Trenton.
Lboros / Viva El Birdos:
Game 78 Open Thread: June 30, 2006 — the angels DFA 'd jeff weaver today; i wouldn't mind seeing the cardinals take a flyer. not if it's going to cost any worthwhile talent, mind you, but the angels don't have a whole lot of trade leverage here. if the cardinals can get him for, say …
NY Daily News:
Yanks do A-Rod an in-Justice — David Justice's pointed critique of Alex Rodriguez Tuesday night on the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network was not a solo act. — A variety of moles, some embedded inside YES, said Justice, the network's pre- and postgame studio analyst, was strongly encouraged …
RELATED ITEMS:
Benjamin Kabak / Off the Facade:Defining clutch: A closer look at Alex Rodriguez
Discussion:
The Journal News
Marcus Hayes / Philadelphia Daily News:
Phillies land lefty Castro — BALTIMORE - A week ago, the Phillies proudly pointed to their bullpen's earned run average, which was the best in baseball. — After a rough week, it was fifth before yesterday's action. — In an effort to bolster the flagging bullpen …
RELATED ITEMS:
Associated Press:
Hamilton cleared to play in minors — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Troubled Tampa Bay prospect Josh Hamilton, on the restricted list the last two seasons, received permission from Major League Baseball on Friday to play in minor league games the rest of the year.
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Padres open series vs. Giants — San Francisco (40-38) at San Diego (41-37), 7:05 p.m. PT — The Padres switch from Interleague Play and turn their eyes to divisional matchups, facing the Giants in a four-game set, beginning on Friday. — The series with San Francisco features …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
At 32, Jeter Has Experienced It All in This Crosstown Rivalry — Nobody would call Derek Jeter old. But consider what he has seen in the last seven days, a week that included his 32nd birthday. — Former teammates showed up for Old-Timers Day. Another sat across the field as a visiting team's manager.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Guillen finalizes AL All-Star roster — Participants to be announced Sunday — CHICAGO — Preparing to face the Chicago Cubs in this highly-charged weekend series at Wrigley Field apparently was not nearly as tough of a task as picking the American League All-Star team, according to Ozzie Guillen.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Indians send Perez to Mariners — Indians send Perez to Mariners — CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians traded first baseman Eduardo Perez to the Seattle Mariners on Friday for minor league infielder Asbrudal Cabrera. — Dealing Perez could be the first of many upcoming moves by the Indians …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
