Top News:
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.
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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 …
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority, MLB Trade Rumors, Capitol Punishment and Roto Authority Fantasy …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Associated Press:
Junior hits No. 555; Reds hang on after big trade — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — CINCINNATI — So, this is why the Reds made that blockbuster trade. — Adam Dunn drove home two runs with a single shortly after close friend Austin Kearns was traded in a major revamp of Cincinnati's bullpen …
Discussion:
On Baseball and the Reds
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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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Yankees set to sign Ponson — Cashman says bringing in right-hander is 'shot worth taking' — NEW YORK — The Yankees are on the verge of signing Sidney Ponson for the remainder of the season, hoping that the veteran right-hander can fill the fifth spot in the team's starting rotation.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Notes: White Sox, Carlos Lee and more — White Sox general manager Ken Williams might be aggressive, but he isn't reckless. So, discount any reports that he's willing to trade right-hander Brandon McCarthy and center fielder Brian Anderson to the Giants for right-hander Jason Schmidt.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox in great shape coming off break — "Our record's what it is. That's what matters. I do think this is the most comfortable I've been with a team since I've been here." —Terry Francona, Red Sox manager. (AP Photo) — The immutable truth is this: For all the sound and fury …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
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R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Left-hander distraught after latest setback — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Odalis Perez, who surrendered a game-winning home run to the Cardinals' Albert Pujols in the 14th inning on Thursday night, accused his team of treating him like "trash."
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.
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
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 …
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 …
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.
