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 …

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 …

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.

Nationals acquire pitching prospect Shairon Martis from Giants in exchange for Mike Stanton  —  The Washington Nationals today acquired 19 year-old right-handed pitcher Shairon Martis from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for left-handed pitcher Mike Stanton.

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 …

Talking Trades With MLBTradeRumors.com  —  I recently spoek with Dierkes from MLBTradeRumors.com on the latest rumblings around baseball and with the Mets.  MLBTradeRumors has been all around baseball the past few seasons with links from RotoAuthority to Scout.com and others.

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.

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 …

Padres-Rockies Preview  —  The Colorado Rockies have been struggling, but their play against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres has given them some hope.  —  The Rockies look to follow up a comeback victory with a second straight win over the Padres when the teams continue a four-game series at Coors Field on Friday.

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.

The LoHud Mets blog  —  July 28: In-Game: Martinez ripped in first inning  —  Mets GM Omar Minaya said it was important to get a look at Pedro Martinez before the trade deadline.  He couldn't have liked what he saw in the first.  The Braves scored four and hit everything hard.