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 …
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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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 …
Discussion:
1060west
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.
Arshad Mohammed / Washington Post:
FCC Approves Adelphia Acquisition — Comcast Required to Submit to Arbitration on Nationals Games Broadcasting Dispute — As a condition for allowing Comcast Corp. to complete a major acquisition, federal regulators are requiring it to submit to arbitration to resolve a dispute …
