Cashman finding a way to make things work in new era  —  In a bygone era, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would have pushed the trade button by now, and Washington left fielder Alfonso Soriano would be back in pinstripes.  Or Philadelphia right fielder Bobby Abreu might be wearing them for the first time.

Graffanino back on the block  —  Trade rumors swirl around KC second baseman, but not to Boston.  The Red Sox are solid at that position.  —  It was a year ago this week that he arrived here, in a trade from the Royals to the Red Sox.  On Monday, he returned to Fenway Park, back with the Royals but again on the trading block.

Rockies recall three players from Triple-A  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Colorado Rockies recalled infielders Jason Smith and Ryan Shealy and right-hander Manuel Corpas from Triple-A Colorado Springs after their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night, their eighth consecutive defeat.

Rangers GM looking for pitchers  —  Market tricky for starters; GM won't mortgage the future  —  TORONTO - A weekend's worth of dreary offense did not dampen the sunny optimism general manager Jon Daniels has about his lineup.  —  He is still making the acquisition of pitching the Rangers …

Dodgers lose and may lose Kent to DL  —  Sele allows five runs, nine hits in five-plus innings to D-Backs  —  PHOENIX — Jeff Kent said Monday was "not a good day," and he wasn't talking about the Dodgers' fifth consecutive loss that dropped them below .500 for the first time since May 11.

GM not eyeing trades yet  —  PHOENIX - Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Monday that with the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline looming, he has yet to find an available player that would justify giving up one of the club's many celebrated prospects.  —  "But that said, we're still two weeks away," Colletti said.

Krukow adds color to Giants broadcasts — and how  —  In 1976, early in his pitching days with the Cubs, Mike Krukow had dinner with his wife's relatives in Chicago.  One of the other guests that night was Raul Smith, a linguistics professor from Northwestern, who couldn't believe his ears.

CITGO sign makes Hall of Fame  —  To be located in the Museum's Grandstand Theater  —  There is a famous image emblazoned in the mind of any baseball fan who has seen a replay of Carlton Fisk's famous home run in Game Six of the 1975 World Series.  But it's a more subtle …

MLB Transactions  —  Activated outfielder Wily Mo Pena from the 15-day disabled list; recalled pitcher Jermaine Van Buren from Pawtucket of the International League (AAA); optioned pitcher Javier Lopez to Pawtucket; designated infielder Willie Harris for assignment.

Indians acquire RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has acquired RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Mike Adams.  Sikorski will join the Indians in Anaheim prior to tonight's game.

Mid-Season Blockbusters: July (Part One: 1896-1996)  —  We've looked at the biggest trades ever made in April, as well as May, and the long list of June deals.  Now it's time for the first of our two-installment survey of July transactions.  —  July 25, 1896: The New York Giants traded outfielder …

Ortiz is hoping 3rd time charm … Russ Ortiz will make his third start for the Orioles tonight, and if it's not better than the first two, his future in the rotation may be uncertain.  —  When asked if Ortiz must pitch well to earn another start, manager Sam Perlozzo did not say yes …

Under The Knife  —  Muse  —  Let's get right to this today.  Powered by Muse's "Revelations and Black Holes," on to the injuries:  — Mets fans like to see Pedro Martinez on the mound, even if it's just a side session.  Despite his problematic hip and a severe case of what the team thinks …

2 more years for Baker isn't crazy  —  Actually, there's no better alternative to manage the Cubs  —  More than two months ago, on the subject of the Cubs, I wrote that "firings appear almost inevitable, if not imminent."  Two weeks ago, the view here was the sacking of manager Dusty Baker had become imminent, as well as inevitable.

Notes: Clark likely on his way to DL  —  Diamondbacks have several options at Triple-A Tucson  —  PHOENIX — Nobody really wanted to come out and say it, but it sure looks like first baseman Tony Clark is headed to the disabled list.  —  There are a range of options at Triple-A Tucson for the D-Backs if they do put Clark on the DL.