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 …

Rookies' play leaves Baker in awkward place  —  GM Hendry wants to see youngsters  —  When general manager Jim Hendry handed Dusty Baker the keys to the Cubs' car for the rest of this season, he warned that all the cylinders might not work all the time.  —  In other words the Cubs' manager …

Braves acquire another reliever for playoff run, give up Betemit  —  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves made another trade to bulk up their bullpen Friday night, acquiring reliever Danys Baez and infielder Willy Aybar from the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit.

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.

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.

THERE'S A TOUGH ROAD AHEAD FOR REYNOLDS  —  July 28, 2006 — IF HAROLD Reynolds is going to work as a baseball television analyst again, he is going to have to convince broadcasting executives that he is not delusional.  —  Reynolds cannot go into future job interviews and tell potential employers …

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 …

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 …

Phillies Trade Bell to Milwaukee For Young Pitcher  —  Club receives Minor League pitcher Wilfrido Laureano  —  Veteran third baseman David Bell was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for 22-year-old right-handed pitcher Wilfrido Laureano, Vice President & General Manager Pat Gillick announced after tonight's game.

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) …

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 …

Efficiency test — Lester aims to cut down pitch counts  —  Jon Lester became frustrated earlier this season by the number of pitches he was being limited to by the Red Sox.  The team strictly monitored his workload at Triple-A Pawtucket in order to conserve his strength for the big league pennant race …