Nationals Are Ready For Their Makeover  —  Team Weighing Moves Before Trade Deadline  —  The group of Washington Nationals who leave tonight for Pittsburgh and the post-all-star break portion of their season are little more than a ragtag bunch who have, by their manager's estimation, underachieved.

Astros fire Gaetti, promote Berry from minors  —  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros shook up their slumping offense Wednesday night by firing hitting coach Gary Gaetti.  —  The Astros have the second-worst batting average in the National League and their run totals (408) ranks 23rd in the majors.

Sox knee-d to keep Manny happy  —  If you are the Red Sox, you ultimately have one decision.  Either you tick off Manny Ramirez or you tick off Major League Baseball, and we all know that it has been quite some time since Bud Selig knocked in a run.  —  The Red Sox will open the second half …

Reds Bloggers Roundtable (July 2006 edition) Part I  —  It's time once again for that most celebrated of blogging traditions, the Reds bloggers roundtable.  Eight of us got together in a virtual setting on Monday night, to discuss the state of the Reds.  The parts of the discussion …

Fenway for free  —  A sneak peek into how teens find the cheapest way to see Sox  —  There was a little blood spilled sneaking into Fenway Park to see the great Pedro Martínez pitch against his old pals last month.  —  ``It was worth it," says Josh Earle, a 16-year-old from Roslindale …

Ponson will be cut loose  —  Rebuffed in attempts to trade Sidney Ponson, the Cardinals are expected to officially part ways today with the pitcher.  —  Ponson, designated for assignment Friday hours after making a quality start in a loss against the Houston Astros, is due to clear release waivers this afternoon, according to sources.

TRADE WINDS  —  Moore is playing it cool, but a seller's market and a host of veterans could lead to some wheeling and dealing.  —  DETROIT |  - DETROIT |  The Royals and their fans are about to learn a lot about Dayton Moore, their new general manager, as baseball's rumor season hits its midsummer bloom after the All-Star break.

Canseco pumped for steroid probe  —  Jose Canseco, baseball's most famous whistleblower, took his turn before Mitchell investigation attorneys on Tuesday, giving up more names and making an offer the inquisitors probably didn't expect: He wants to go to work for them.

Report: Bonds friend is key witness against him  —  One of Barry Bonds' longtime friends is a key witness against him as the federal government ponders perjury or tax-evasion charges against the San Francisco Giants slugger, Bonds' lawyer told The New York Times.

Quite a catch  —  Second baseman Jamey Carroll playing significant role in revival of Rockies … Jamey Carroll didn't go to the All-Star Game, but a case can be made that he was the Rockies' most valuable player in the first half.  —  At the very least, the 32-year-old second baseman …

O's glass half-empty … Set to start the second half of the baseball season tonight, the Orioles are where most prognosticators expected them to be - in fourth place in the American League East, far removed from the playoff picture and on pace for a ninth straight losing season.

Man-sized mission for Sox  —  Health of pitchers, Thome will be key to 2nd-half success  —  PITTSBURGH — Now it's on to the second half, which Ozzie Guillen says "separates the kids from the men."  —  For the White Sox, defending World Series champions but two games behind the Detroit Tigers …

Changes coming, but not at top  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  With just 30 wins through 90 games, the Pirates obviously have proven a disappointment.  Ownership expected the club to end a 13-season streak of losing baseball.  Instead, the Pirates limped to baseball's poorest record at the All-Star break.