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 …
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 …
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Sports Illustrated:
Yankees expect to sign Ponson on Friday — NEW YORK (AP) -Sidney Ponson is about to get another chance, this time with the New York Yankees. — Ponson was cut by the St. Louis Cardinals last week and the Yankees, desperate to find a fifth starter, expect to sign the talented-but-troubled pitcher on Friday.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Duff Wilson / New York Times:
Ruined Friendship Could Imperil Bonds — The former best friend and business partner of Barry Bonds has told federal investigators that Bonds was a heavy steroids user and flew into "roid rages," his lawyer, Michael Cardoza, said yesterday. — The man, Steve K. Hoskins, 44, of Redwood City …
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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
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.
Gregg Bell / Associated Press:
Mariners may have found new center fielder by promoting Jones — SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners will recall Adam Jones, their 2005 minor league player of the year, from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday to help fill their urgent need in center field. — The team announced the 20-year-old Jones …
MLB.com:
Indians activate outfielder Casey Blake from the 15-day disabled list — OF Franklin Gutierrez sent to AAA Buffalo — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has activated OF CASEY BLAKE from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster the Indians …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
On Letterman, Mets' David has Wright stuff — David Wright became a baseball star in the first half of this season. During the All-Star break he went supernova. — Wright capped his break, in which he finished second in the Home Run Derby, started in his first All-Star Game and hit …
Baseball America:
Roger Clemens Award Chat: July 12 — Moderator: The four finalists for the Roger Clemens award, given to the top college pitcher in the country, will be available to answer questions beginning at 4 p.m. ET. Ask your questions for Rice's Eddie Degerman, Washington's Tim Lincecum …
Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Notebook — Tigers, Nationals — DETROIT TIGERS — With rookie sensation Justin Verlander likely to set a career high in innings pitched this year, the Detroit Tigers know they need to do something to reduce his workload. This is not 2003 with Jeremy Bonderman …
Discussion:
The Detroit Tiger Weblog
