Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Braves trade prospect for Indians closer Wickman … The Atlanta Braves, looking for bullpen help as they make a run at the National League wild card, acquired closer Bob Wickman from Cleveland for minor league catcher Max Ramirez on Thursday. — Wickman, 37, is 1-4 with a 4.18 ERA and 15 saves this season.
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Associated Press:
Braves get relief — Indians trade closer Wickman for minor leaguer — ATLANTA (AP) — Since the start of spring training, Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz has called his bullpen "a work in progress." — No longer. — Sensing a playoff surge, the Braves traded …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Braves get Wickman from Indians — The Braves finally obtained a closer Thursday, acquiring right-hander Bob Wickman from the Indians for Class A catcher Max Ramirez, FOXSports.com has learned. — Wickman is 1-4 this season with a 4.18 ERA and 15 saves. — Wickman, 37, had to approve …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves acquire Wickman from Indians — Minor Leaguer Ramirez swapped in bid to bolster bullpen — ATLANTA — Just before he boarded his flight from St. Louis to Atlanta on Thursday morning, John Schuerholz made one final phone call, and ended it with a smile.
Discussion:
Tomahawk
MLB.com:
Indians and Braves complete trade — Closer RHP Bob Wickman sent to Atlanta; Indians receive C Max Ramirez from the Braves — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves, sending RHP Bob Wickman to Atlanta in exchange for C Max Ramirez.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Bob Elliott / torontosun.com:
Chalk-board message the last straw for furious Gibbons — Team Turmoil will be back in action at the Rogers Centre tonight. — Oh yeah, and the New York Yankees will be there, too. — With the Texas Rangers in town last night, the volatility of the Cito Gaston-David Wells mound clash …
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Associated Press:
New grand jury to investigate Bonds — SAN FRANCISCO — No indictment was returned Thursday against Barry Bonds, though a new grand jury will be convened to consider possible perjury and tax-evasion charges against the star slugger as part of the ongoing federal probe into steroids.
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Associated Press:
New grand jury to look at Bonds allegations — SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds will not be indicted immediately, but the ongoing federal investigation of steroids and possible perjury and tax-evasion charges against the San Francisco Giants star will continue, prosecutors said Thursday.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Associated Press:
No indictment for Bonds — Grand jury will continue to investigate charges — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal prosecutors said they would not seek an indictment Thursday against Barry Bonds, but that a grand jury investigating the baseball star for perjury and tax evasion charges would continue its work.
NY Daily News:
Yanks do trick, not trade — Until yesterday, and the wasted vintage pitching effort by Randy Johnson, there had been nothing but good tidings for Joe Torre's Yankees this second half of the season. And, more and more, there has been reason to believe the "scrub squadders" of Melky Cabrera …
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Bryan Tsao / Hardball Times:
Contending Holes: American League — On September 27 of last season, the A's took the field in Anaheim, Calif. with their season on the line. Having roared back from being over 10 games under .500 in the first half, the A's needed a win in the second game of their season-ending series …
Kevin Fiorenzo / MLB.com:
Notes: Schneider remains fixture — Despite drop in numbers, catcher to stay as everyday player — MIAMI — After reaching career highs in hits and runs scored, Brian Schneider's production has dropped steadily this season. — "He's better than this," manager Frank Robinson said.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Nats Left Wishing on a Star
Discussion:
Washington Times, The Curly W, William F. Yurasko's …, The Nationals Enquirer and Capitol Punishment
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rainout will make for one crazy day — TORONTO — The Rangers were supposed to have an off day today in Chicago, high on many players' lists of favorite cities. A pair of rainouts during a scheduled three-game series in Boston in May scratched that, though.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Associated Press:
Oneonta beats Brooklyn 6-1 in 26 innings — NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly after Oneonta beat Brooklyn 6-1 in 26 innings Thursday, Mark Wright could hardly believe he had played in the longest game in New York-Penn League history. — "It kind of gets to the point where you get in a rhythm …
Washington Post:
MLB: D.C. Government in Default of Lease Agreement — Major League Baseball has declared the District government in default of the lease agreement for the new stadium, charging that the city has failed to meet several deadlines for turning over critical documents.
Associated Press:
Pierzynski, Monroe have different stories on bump — DETROIT — A bit of bumping at home plate, and once again A.J. Pierzynski was in the middle. Who else? — The Chicago White Sox catcher was involved in yet another dustup, this time tangling with Detroit's Craig Monroe after the Tigers DH hit …
