Top News:
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Nats, Reds Make 8-Player Trade — With Eye on the Future, Washington Signals the Likelihood of More Deals — The Washington Nationals pulled off an eight-player trade with the Cincinnati Reds yesterday that exploded several of the most widespread assumptions about the franchise's direction under …
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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, Capitol Punishment, MLB Trade Rumors 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 …
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.
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 …
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 …
Associated Press:Junior hits No. 555; Reds hang on after big trade
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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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
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Sanchez to face legend — MIAMI GARDENS — Anibal Sanchez isn't the first pitcher to oppose Roger Clemens who grew up watching him on TV. Sanchez's first memories of The Rocket: Watching him pitch for the Yankees. — Clemens played 15 big-league seasons before taking the mound in pinstripes.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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
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 …
