Blowing It Up - Wayne Krivsky takes on the Power of Tradition  —  So much for the Power of Tradition.  —  To the fan and analyst a trade is a talent swap first and foremost, stats for stats, needs for needs, but beneath all of the rate stats and percentage stats are nuances that get passed over by those of us on the outside.

In reversal, Pedro up & throwing  —  CHICAGO - Pedro Martinez figured his boldest move yesterday would be drinking coffee for the first time since experiencing food poisoning.  "Wish me luck, because I really feel like I want a cup," the ace said as he rested the drink in his locker.

Phillies-Padres Preview  —  The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to turn around their season.  It would be a big help if Cole Hamels does.  —  The surging Phillies hand the ball to the rookie left-hander on Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres .

Nats designate LeCroy for assignment  —  GM Bowden will try to trade him to AL team, activates Armas  —  WASHINGTON — Catcher/first baseman Matthew LeCroy knew this past weekend that his days with the Nationals were numbered.  After the team made the eight-player trade …

YA GOTTA BELIEVE  —  WRIGHT STARS IN AD FOR FAITH HEALER  —  July 17, 2006 — TO LIFT a line from The Doors, strange days have found us.  —  So it's Saturday afternoon and we're watching the Mets on Ch. 11.  They're playing the Cubs in Wrigley, when, during a commercial break, David Wright …

Gammons out of hospital, heads to rehab center  —  BOSTON — Longtime ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons was released from a Boston hospital Monday — nearly three weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm.  —  Gammons was moved to an undisclosed rehabilitation center, his wife, Gloria said in a statement.

Angels back rookie, win seventh straight  —  Halos amass 17 hits to support Moseley in debut vs. Tribe  —  ANAHEIM — The kid was game.  —  Handed the ball to make his first Major League start, Dustin Moseley pitched well enough with a lead Monday night, and let the suddenly surging offense …

Japan baseball great Oh has stomach operation  —  TOKYO (AP) -Japan home run king Sadaharu Oh had successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his stomach, his doctor said Tuesday  —  Masaki Kitajima, a surgeon at Tokyo's prestigious Keio University Hospital, told a televised news conference Tuesday …

'It was the right thing to do' (cont.)  —  Around the majors  —  • The White Sox asked the Mets for Duaner Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey for Freddy Garcia.  No go.  The Sox have spoken to several clubs about Garcia and Javier Vazquez but prefer to keep Vazquez since he's contractually tied to the team for three more years.

Most moves to come from within organization  —  TORONTO — Pitcher C.J. Wilson, after throwing two scoreless innings for Triple-A Oklahoma on Sunday, will be called up for Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  He is expected to replace one of the rookie right-handed relievers, either Scott Feldman or Wes Littleton.

Notes: Rumors fly around Lopez  —  Right-hander has struggled but could still be coveted  —  BALTIMORE — One day after discussing trade rumors in general terms, Baltimore starter Rodrigo Lopez learned Monday that he may have a new specific destination.  Buster Olney, a senior columnist for ESPN.com …

'It was the right thing to do'  —  Giambi speaks about testimony; Yankees' wish list  —  While Barry Bonds awaits word as to whether he'll be indicted for perjury and possibly other charges (such as tax evasion), the Yankees' Jason Giambi is enjoying life again.

Dejan Kovacevic Pirates' chat transcript  —  PensFan: Now that the All-Star festivities are over, do the Nuttings finally sell this team??  —  Dejan Kovacevic: Welcome one and all again.  No, there are no indications whatsoever that the team is for sale.  —  SDWC: Hi Dejan.

The Man With The Indestructible Arm  —  We love it when other countries play American sports in a way that points out the way we do it might be wrong.  It happened in the NBA a few years ago  —  Today's example is Daisuke Matsuzaka, currently the best pitcher in Japan.

Mariners have strong interest in Soriano  —  The Mariners see an opportunity.  Few teams can afford to rent Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano, a potential free agent, for the final two months of the season.  And the Angels, the team for whom Soriano represents perhaps the best fit …

Myers Makes a Quiet Return to the Mound for the Phillies  —  SAN FRANCISCO, July 16 — Brett Myers walked from the dugout toward the mound in the first inning at AT&T Park on Sunday, looked around and waited for the venom.  The last time he made this walk, on June 24, the fans at Fenway Park lambasted him.

AL teams take NL pitchers at their own risk  —  The countdown to the non-waiver trading deadline is 14 days and already, there is the sense of resignation in the air.  —  For the second consecutive year, few expect many important deals to be struck.  Talk?  Yes, plenty.  Proposals?  Sure.