Top News:
Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
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.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Upton moved to third in Triple-A — Touted prospect could be called up within weeks — ST. PETERSBURG — B.J. Upton is making what the Devil Rays are calling a "short-term move" to third base and could be seen at the hot corner at Tropicana Field within the coming weeks.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Gaetti relieved of duties by Astros — Houston hires Berry to serve as interim hitting coach — HOUSTON — The Astros' shakeup continued on Wednesday evening, when the club announced hitting coach Gary Gaetti was relieved of his duties. Former Houston third baseman Sean Berry …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
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.
Discussion:
William F. Yurasko's …
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
These Yanks, Mets ideas not half-bad — We're more than halfway through the baseball schedule, but more than half the fun remains. — For teams like the Yankees, fighting for their lives, each game takes on greater importance, as time to gain ground runs out.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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.
Jin Az / On Baseball and the Reds:
Reds Blogger Roundtable, July '06 — I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to attend the Reds' Bloggers' Mid-Season Roundtable discussion on Monday night. There were eight participants, and each of us has been allocated one section of the chat log to post on our blogs. I got section VII.
ESPN:
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.
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
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.
David Briggs / MLB.com:
Zambrano hit by bat, misses ASG — X-rays negative after freak injury during batting practice — PITTSBURGH — What could be worse for Cubs fans than ace right-hander Carlos Zambrano not being used in Tuesday's All-Star Game? The reason why. — In a bizarre accident …
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NY Daily News:
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.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
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.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
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 …
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
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 …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Rob Rossi / PittsburghLIVE.com:
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.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Boston Globe:
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 …
Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins: It's now or never — Despite their winning record, the Twins have a lot of catching up to do in the American League Central and little time to do it. That leaves almost no room for error when the second half begins tonight at the Metrodome. — The Twins have the leading hitter …
Associated Press:
Fox, TBS have seven-year, $3 billion TV deal with MLB — PITTSBURGH — First-round playoff games will be shown only on cable starting next season as part of baseball's new seven-year television deal with Fox and TBS, a total package worth almost $3 billion.
