Top News:
MLB.com:
Nationals acquire Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner as part of eight-player deal with Cincinnati — The Washington Nationals today acquired outfielder Austin Kearns, shortstop Felipe Lopez and right-handed pitcher Ryan Wagner from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats land Kearns, Lopez from Reds — Washington parts with Majewski, Clayton, three others — PITTSBURGH — The Nationals began what could be an eventful run-up to the July 31 trade deadline with an eight-player deal on Thursday, acquiring outfielder Austin Kearns, shortstop Felipe Lopez …
Associated Press:
Reds swap Kearns to Nats for Clayton, pitchers — CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds overhauled their rickety bullpen Thursday, getting Gary Majewski and Bill Bray in an eight-player trade that sent outfielder Austin Kearns and shortstop Felipe Lopez to the Washington Nationals.
Chris Needham / Capitol Punishment:
Trade #1: Bye Clayton, Tex, and Bray! Hello Kearns and Lopez! — Brian from NFA got the press release: … Snap judgment, it's a good deal! — Kearns is a legit outfielder with decent power. He's played good to great defense in RF. He's a low-average slugger, who walks a lot …
MLB.com:
Reds get Majewski, Bray, Clayton, Harris, Thompson from Nationals — Send Kearns, Lopez, Wagner to Washington in eight-player deal — CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds today acquired from the Washington Nationals RHP Gary Majewski, LHP Bill Bray, SS Royce Clayton, IF Brendan Harris …
Discussion:
Purple Row
William S. Hupp / MLB.com:
Reds acquire Majewski, Bray — Kearns, Lopez and Wagner sent to Nats in eight-player deal — CINCINNATI — The Reds made a move that they hope will bolster their struggling bullpen and solve their defensive problems. — Cincinnati completed an eight-player trade with the Nationals …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Yankees add Ponson to help fill out rotation … Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who became a free agent when he was released by the St. Louis Cardinals, has reached agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees, ESPN.com has learned. — Ponson, 4-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 14 appearances with St. Louis this season …
Discussion:
Crosstown Rivals, Off the Facade, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and www.transplantedmetsfan.com
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Roster moves in the works — With Ledee returning from DL, Little weighing several options — ST. LOUIS — Ready or not, second baseman Jeff Kent was back in the Dodgers' lineup on Thursday night for the first game after the All-Star break. — But the decision was made only one hour …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Pelfrey Will Make Another Start — CHICAGO, July 13 — Mike Pelfrey expected to hear over the All-Star Game break whether he would be granted another start, but the phone call never came. He was speaking while standing in the visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field, so that was a good sign, he thought.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs will not dismantle team with trades — Hendry isn't looking to dump players to prepare for 2007 — CHICAGO — There will be no fire sale at Wrigley Field. No white-flag deal. — The Chicago Cubs may be double-digits under .500, but general manager Jim Hendry said he won't be dumping players …
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Notes: Johnson to be sent down — Bradley activated from DL; Swisher now full-time first baseman — BOSTON — A's outfielder Milton Bradley will be activated off the disabled list on Friday, and MLB.com has learned that the corresponding roster move will be to send first baseman Dan Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Ryan Crawford / MLB.com:
Reyes to sit out Friday's game — Shortstop still dealing with stitches in left pinky — CHICAGO — Jose Reyes is not expected to return to the Mets' lineup on Friday. — The shortstop still had stitches in his left pinky finger when he arrived at Wrigley Field on Thursday.
Dan Levitt / The Baseball Analysts:
Empirical Analysis of Bunting — Baseball analysts have been near universal in their condemnation of the overuse of the sacrifice bunt. While acknowledging it as the correct strategy in a small number of cases, most feel that any gain in moving players around the bases is more than offset by giving up an out, the "clock" in baseball.
