Top News:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
New skipper? Look to rivals' farm system — White Sox Triple-A manager Shines razor-sharp, could be answer to Cubs' woes, writes Phil Rogers — Evaluating? — Jim Hendry has seen this, and he's still evaluating? That's what the Cubs' general manager said on Tuesday in Houston …
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Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker may be lost cause — HOUSTON — "Day-to-day'' is no longer a boring cliche with the Cubs. It's the tense reality of manager Dusty Baker's increasingly precarious position. — Baker could be in his final days as the disheveled Cubs dived to 4-17 in their last 21 games with a 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday.
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Maddux hot commodity as contenders seek help — HOUSTON — Major-league sources acknowledged Tuesday that the Cubs have been contacted by multiple teams interested in trading for pitcher Greg Maddux. — No discussions have gotten serious between general manager Jim Hendry and any of those clubs …
Discussion:
Ben Maller
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Millwood: Side work a must — Sore right-hander says bullpen session crucial to making Friday start — ARLINGTON - Kevin Millwood's status for Friday's start remains in question. — The right-hander continues to feel better but is still experiencing an ache in his right biceps muscle.
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Trade a plus for Hairston — ARLINGTON - Jerry Hairston Jr. had no grand expectations of how much playing time he would get when he was traded by the Cubs to the Rangers for Phil Nevin on May 31. — But he figured the situation would have to be an upgrade over Chicago.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Sox taken deep Schilling is lit up for three homers — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Walk into the Devil Rays' clubhouse, canvass the room, and you will walk out with this conclusion: Personal feelings aside, there remains immense respect for 39-year-old Curt Schilling.
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Midpoint Is Rock Bottom for Yanks — CLEVELAND, July 4 — The Yankees had better not believe in omens, because their first half of the season could not have ended worse. — In their most lopsided defeat in almost two years, the Yankees were humiliated Tuesday night by the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field, 19-1.
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Torre says offense is bigger need — Manager sees outfield help as more important than pitching — CLEVELAND — With the trade deadline less than four weeks away, Joe Torre knows that a move or two could be made to bolster the Yankees for the second half.
Discussion:
Atheists are not doing things …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:If Trade Is Made, Torre Will Take Hitter Over Pitcher
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers Bruise to Victory — Garciaparra ties record by getting hit by pitches three times as L.A. moves to within a game of first place with 10-4 win over Arizona. — This was retaliation of the finest order, accomplished with civility and an absence of broken bones, though maybe a minor bruise.
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Associated Press:
Canseco seeks trade for personal reasons — RENO, Nev. — Jose Canseco, making his return to professional baseball in the minor leagues, has asked to be traded from the San Diego Surf Dawgs after playing one game. — Golden Baseball League commissioner Kevin Outcalt said negotiations …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Come Back to Win and Wagner Saves 300th — On days like yesterday, the Mets' huge lead in the National League East does not seem as insurmountable. Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the worst road record in baseball, the Mets assumed the personality of their opponent.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:Endypendence Day for Mets — Prevail on fireworks in eighth
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
NY Daily News:
Pelfrey should be next on Omar's list — If it's possible to be in a crisis state with a double-digit lead in the division, well, the Mets were on the verge. You knew things were a little tense at Shea yesterday when Pedro Martinez tried to lighten the pregame mood by donning his Yoda mask …
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Fireworks in Hargrove's office — DH Everett, manager exchange unpleasantries after loss to Angels — It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without fireworks, and so it was for the Mariners on Tuesday. — About 45 minutes after the game, designated hitter Carl Everett went …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Angels need another slugger — The Angels are showing life, averaging more than eight runs per game during their four-game winning streak. — In other words, they might delude themselves again. — The Angels, 11th in the American League in runs scored, need to acquire a big-time run producer to complement Vladimir Guerrero.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Divided, conquered — Ramirez speaks out; wild pitch scores two as Prior falls to 0-4 — HOUSTON — Is the Cubs offense taking too much of the blame for the team's collapse? — After the Cubs stranded 10 runners and went 1-for-9 with men in scoring position in a 7-2 loss to Houston on Tuesday …
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Sean Webby / Contra Costa Times:
Bonds' trainer is facing another court date today — BALCO — A federal judge in San Francisco is expected to decide today whether he will put Barry Bonds' personal trainer back behind bars to force him to testify. — Greg Anderson, who was imprisoned last year for his role …
