Top News:
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
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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.
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
Associated Press:
Padres-Giants Preview — The San Francisco Giants look to win a third straight game as they open a four-game series against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres Thursday, but the game could be overshadowed by a possible indictment against Giants slugger Barry Bonds .
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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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:
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.
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.
Rob Gillies / Associated Press:
Hillenbrand cut after criticizing Blue Jays, refusing to sit in dugout — TORONTO (AP) — Shea Hillenbrand was cut by the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night after he was chastised during a team meeting and refused to sit in the dugout with his teammates. — Hours before, Hillenbrand criticized …
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:First Base Is Up for Grabs — The Angels are well into the second half …
Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Abreu gives Phillies a sunny outlook — SAN DIEGO - One swing, and it's sunny in Philadelphia. Not always, mind you, but for 2 days, at least. — When trade-bait rightfielder Bobby Abreu drove a fastball to right-centerfield off closer Trevor Hoffman in the top of the ninth inning yesterday, much changed.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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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 …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Beckett signs deal to remain through 2009 — As a ``by the way" moment, it will be hard to trump this one from Terry Francona during his usual postmortem in the Red Sox' interview room at Fenway Park. — Winding up an answer about Josh Beckett's performance in yesterday's 1- win …
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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.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Surgery May End Season For Patterson — MIAMI, July 19 — Washington Nationals right-hander John Patterson, the man the club hoped would inherit the role of staff ace this season, will have exploratory surgery on his right forearm Thursday, a development that could end his season.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Nats Left Wishing on a Star
Discussion:
The Curly W, Washington Times, District of Baseball, The Nationals Enquirer and Capitol Punishment
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.
