Top News:
Baltimore Sun:
Soriano says he won't re-sign with Nationals if they trade him — Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano understands he could be the key chip for Washington to rebuild its depleted farm system, but he said he can't see himself back in the nation's capital next year if he is dealt this season.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Vidro hopes Soriano stays — Drese makes third rehab start; Robinson lauds basestealers — WASHINGTON — During his 10-year career, second baseman Jose Vidro has seen Nationals/Expos players come and go, from shortstop Orlando Cabrera to outfielder Brad Wilkerson.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals walk off with fifth straight win — Zimmerman, Kearns come up big in ninth-inning rally — WASHINGTON — Do you believe in second chances? Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and right fielder Austin Kearns sure do. They didn't come through with the big hit in the seventh inning …
NY Daily News:
Willie is heard 'round mound & Atlanta — The rest of the regular season for the Mets began with John Maine throwing more shutout innings and then a terrific bullpen picking up Maine until Jose Valentin knocked in Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 10th and the Mets walked off at Shea with another one.
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NY Daily News:
Sit tight? It's trade time, silly — About that Mets pitching crisis, we'll get a better idea of just how serious it is when Pedro Martinez makes his much-anticipated return to the rotation against the Braves in Atlanta tomorrow night - at which time Omar Minaya will have to decide …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Mark Healey / Gotham Baseball:
The Rumor Mill: The Maine Attraction. — As the trade deadline approaches, both New York clubs are still focused on their targets, but the cast of characters that are being discussed seem to be changing from hour to hour . That's the word that Gotham Baseball Magazine is getting as we make the rounds for this latest Rumor Mill.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Mariners acquire Broussard from Tribe — Club sends Minor League outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to Indians — SEATTLE — In a move to add offensive punch from the left side of the plate, the Mariners on Wednesday acquired left-handed-hitting first baseman Ben Broussard and cash considerations …
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Tim Booth / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:Mariners acquire Broussard from Indians
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
MLB.com:Mariners recall outfielder Chris Snelling from AAA Tacoma
Discussion:
Mariners Analysis, Mariner Optimist, Rubber Arm, Caffeinated Confines and U.S.S. Mariner
Joe Milicia / Associated Press:Seattle acquires 1B Broussard for prospect
Discussion:
The Catbird …
David Andriesen / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:Mariners cut Carl Everett
Discussion:
Nice Guys Finish Third
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Giambi Ends Seesaw Battle, and Yankees Gain Ground — ARLINGTON, Tex., July 26 — When it was over — after five Yankees relievers, four lead changes, two booming homers and one pivotal missed bunt — one fact stood out about the Yankees' wild 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
Discussion:
The700Level.com
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Brewers still considering trading Lee — The Brewers are still trying to decide whether to trade left fielder Carlos Lee, still weighing all the variables as the countdown to Monday's non-waiver deadline continues. — Lee, 30, is a free agent after this season, and the Brewers plan to make one last push to sign him.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
A's put hurting on Sox — Thomas belts two homers as Oakland salvages series finale — OAKLAND, Calif. — They are 100 games into the schedule, four days from the trading deadline, and nine weeks from the end of the season. — A good day to take the temperature of your Boston Red Sox?
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Idea Is to Get Kendrick's Bat in Lineup — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It's hard to think of your best position-playing prospect as a utility player, but if that's what it takes to get Howie Kendrick's potent bat in the lineup, the Angels will do it. — Kendrick, who came up through …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Mays designated for assignment — Pitcher's departure leaves Saturday's starter undetermined — HOUSTON — The Reds' attempted reclamation project of pitcher Joe Mays came to an end on Wednesday. — Mays was designated for assignment when the club needed roster space for the activation …
Discussion:
We Heart the Reds
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USA Today:
Older players make final bids for Hall of Fame — At age 39, shortstop Omar Vizquel has a .276 average, 2,408 career hits and 10 Gold Gloves for defensive excellence, but because he plays in a power-hitting age, he's not sure his resume will be impressive enough to make the Hall of Fame.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Some signs of optimism despite loss — Prior's no-hit form, Cubs' overall effort provide hope — NEW YORK — Mark Prior had no-hit stuff against the New York Mets Wednesday at Shea Stadium, looking at times like the pitcher once compared with Tom Seaver.
Discussion:
GROTA
Contra Costa Times:
A's hit jackpot with Thomas — A'S GENERAL MANAGER Billy Beane knew about designated hitter Frank Thomas' medical woes. He realized Thomas had fractured his left ankle twice and missed most of the past two seasons with the Chicago White Sox. — So when the possibility of signing Thomas …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Royals pick up arms; Yankees could surprise — No general manager wins Executive of the Year for stockpiling pitching prospects, but what else is new Royals GM Dayton Moore supposed to do? — Moore obtained five young pitchers this week in deals for right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal …
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Deal or no deal? — Since trade talk changes at the press of a cell phone's send button and names get tossed about like lawn darts at a kegger, we'll allow others to guess what will happen between now and the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. — Instead, we offer five deals that should happen …
