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 …

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.

Phillies send 3B Bell to Brewers  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies began dismantling a disappointing team, trading third baseman David Bell to the Milwaukee Brewers for a minor league pitcher Friday night.  —  Bell, who will be a free agent after this season …

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.

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.

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 …

Hensley, Padres look to bounce back  —  San Diego (54-48) at Colorado (48-53), 6:05 p.m. PT  —  When it was pointed out to Padres manager Bruce Bochy before Thursday night's opener of a four-game series that Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was calling it his club's biggest series yet, Bochy had a ready response.

Pierre is not the center of trade speculation  —  · Their center field situation remains unresolved, but don't look for the Marlins to address it by bringing back a fan favorite.  —  The Cubs will listen to offers for Juan Pierre, but the Marlins have made no inquires, a National League source said.

Source: Crisp in trade talks  —  In order to add another starter to the rotation for the remainder of this season and possibly beyond, the Red Sox are making two-thirds of their starting outfield - center fielder Coco Crisp and right fielder Trot Nixon - available to other teams while also making …

Pirates Notebook: Littlefield rejects idea he is difficult dealer  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Two weeks ago, one New York tabloid described Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield as a difficult dealer.  He asks for too much in trade talks, the report said …

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 …

With Martínez Back, the Mets Feel Better Already  —  When the Mets need an offensive jolt, Pedro Martínez taps teammates with his trusty Wiffle ball bat.  When the Mets need comic relief, Martínez pulls practical jokes on unsuspecting club officials.

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.