Top News:
Keith Law / ESPN:
Brewers trade Lee to Rangers, get Cordero … The Milwaukee Brewers are trading slugger Carlos Lee to the Texas Rangers as part of a multiplayer deal, ESPN.com learned Friday. — The Brewers are sending Lee, minor league outfield prospect Nelson Cruz to the Rangers for relief pitcher Francisco Cordero …
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Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Will's Mill — Let the Deadline Drama Begin — It's that time of year again, so let's get into it... Friday, July 28, noon ET: The Carlos Lee trade immediately changes the market. No one caught on to Jon Daniels' interest as the Rangers worked under the radar with their former GM …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Lee, Tejada affect Sori state of affairs — The Yankees remain intrigued by the possibility of reuniting with old friend Alfonso Soriano. And two major league-wide trade developments yesterday gave them hope that their chances of landing Soriano might be improving.
Jeff Blair / Globe and Mail:
Expect a rotation makeover — OAKLAND, CALIF. — The Toronto Blue Jays' starting rotation appears to be heading for a makeover, even before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline. — Speaking before last night's first game of a four-game series at the McAfee Coliseum against the Oakland Athletics …
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Lowell putting up gold numbers with the glove — For the last five years, third baseman Eric Chavez of the Athletics has been an automatic choice as the American League's Gold Glove winner for defensive excellence. With five Gold Gloves, Chavez joins Brooks Robinson (16), Buddy Bell (6) …
Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Blanton righting himself — A's pitcher wins third straight, avenges earlier outing against Toronto — OAKLAND - Plenty has changed since the last time Joe Blanton faced the Toronto Blue Jays on May 10 at Rogers Centre. — One of them, apparently, is Blanton.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Maddux could be bound to N.Y. — Old pal Glavine trying to sway him to join Mets — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry finds himself in a somewhat unusual position: His team has nowhere to go and not much to trade as the interleague deadline approaches Monday.
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Vaughn McClure / Chicago Sun Times:
Dusty's in dugout for season — Dusty Baker's job is safe — for now. — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry made that clear before Thursday night's game against St. Louis, saying Baker will be retained until the end of the season. — "I felt like we should put that to bed,'' Hendry said. "
Discussion:
Cubbiepalooza
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hendry: Baker will finish season — Cubs players welcomed the pregame news Thursday from general manager Jim Hendry that Dusty Baker will manage at least the rest of the season. — While Baker's public demeanor is that of a laid-back Californian, his players know the incessant rumors about his job status were eating him up.
Discussion:
GROTA
Mark Healey / Gotham Baseball:
The Rumor Mill: A Little Less Conversation — Published reports today have the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets in discussions for A's left-hander Barry Zito. As Gotham Baseball Magazine reported Wednesday, reliever Duaner Sanchez is one of the names mentioned.
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Ludacrispat / Shea Faithful:Talking Trades With MLBTradeRumors.com — I recently spoek …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Wait of world on Cashman — There are 3-1/2 days remaining until the non-waiver trading deadline and the Yankees seem to be engaged in a large-scale game of chicken. — This is by design. GM Brian Cashman is continuing to work the phones - he put a conference call of reporters on hold …
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George King / New York Post:PHILS' LIDLE IN CENTER OF TRADE RADAR
Discussion:
Philadelphia Inquirer
New York Post:
BIG-TALKIN' BRAVES READY FOR 1ST-PLACE AMAZIN'S — July 28, 2006 — ATLANTA - They are an optimistic lot down here. Every fly ball is a just-miss home run if you believe the roars that spill from the grandstand. No deficit is too high if you chop your felt tomahawks hard enough and chant loud enough.
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians promote Marte to Majors — Club options utility infielder Vazquez to Triple-A Buffalo — CLEVELAND — The key cog in the controversial trade that sent Coco Crisp to the Red Sox has made it to the big leagues. — Third-base prospect Andy Marte was promoted to the Indians from Triple …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Jane McManus / The Journal News:
Blogs blurring the lines — It would have been so much easier if ESPN had just come out and announced why it fired "Baseball Tonight'' commentator Harold Reynolds. Instead, the sports cable giant stonewalled on Tuesday, which spawned rumors and speculation around the virtual water cooler.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Heilman may get fresh start elsewhere — Aaron Heilman was a dual major at Notre Dame, but it is the philosophy half of his education - and not the management information systems part - that is a greater help in these tension-filled hours before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline.
