Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
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 …
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Kelsie Smith / Boston Globe:
Weaver's Monster challenge — The chin-length, sun-bleached blond hair flipping out from under Jered Weaver's bright-red cap hints at the young pitcher's roots — born in Northridge, Calif., he went to Long Beach State University, and was the Angels' first pick (12th overall) in the 2004 draft.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Beckett shoots for 14th vs. phenom — Los Angeles (53-49) at Boston (61-40), 1:20 p.m. ET — On their road to October, the Red Sox have been cruising for most of the season in first place of the American League East. However, a shaky start to the second half of the season has the Sox looking …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Trade Stanton, Then Get Routed by Dodgers — Alfonso Soriano showed up, put on his uniform, and started in left field Friday night. By midway through the 13-1 shellacking the Los Angeles Dodgers dealt to the Washington Nationals, he was out of the game, relaxing in the visitors' dugout …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Pedro's happy return — Baffles Braves after slow start — ATLANTA - Pedro Martinez surrendered four first-inning runs in his return from a one-month absence. But by the end of the night, the Mets had their ace back, and an even cozier lead in the NL East standings.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
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Carter Gaddis / TBO.com:
Prospects Blast Organization — Skip directly to the full story. — Roto Cooker — Should the Rays sign Julio Lugo to a long-term contract? — Yes - he's a key part of the future — No - his trade value will never be higher — More from this channel: — This feature requires the Macromedia Flash Plugin.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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USA Today:
D-Rays' kids set for major promotions — DURHAM, N.C. — It's late morning at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and already 92 degrees. There is no breeze. No clouds. Just stifling humidity. — "I don't know whose idea this was to play a day game," says Class AAA Bulls third baseman B.J. Upton …
David Lennon / Newsday:
Could be Zito or nobody — ATLANTA - While the Mets mull the value of second-tier options such as Jon Lieber, Livan Hernandez and Kip Wells, what they seem to really want is the big prize, and he takes the mound Saturday in Oakland. — That would be Barry Zito, and it's a subject …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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New York Post:
HEILMAN MAY BE TICKET TO LANDING ZITO — TRADE DEADLINE — CONFIDENTIAL — OMAR Minaya and his Oakland GM counterpart, Billy Beane, have not exchanged a phone call in nearly two months and have been far less active with one another than usual, even through e-mail.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Will's Mill — Saturday Love — Saturday, July 29, noon ET: The Astros and Angels have made their final offers on Miguel Tejada. The Orioles now have to decide if it's enough to give up their star shortstop. The Astros have a backup plan in Julio Lugo, but need to act quickly …
Discussion:
Reverend Redbird, El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …, MLB Trade Rumors and ...getting paid to watch
Associated Press:
Padres-Rockies Preview — The Colorado Rockies have won two vastly different games to start their four-game set against the San Diego Padres . — They'll try to make it three straight over the NL West leaders Saturday when the teams meet at Coors Field. — Colorado (49-53) …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Road warrior battles the elements — San Diego (54-49) at Colorado (49-53), 5:05 p.m. PT — Road warrior Chris Young gets the call on Saturday night for the Padres in a marquee matchup against the Rockies' splendid left-hander, Jeff Francis. — Young is 4- in unfriendly environs …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Stoneman's Bid for Tejada Undeterred — BOSTON — Bartolo Colon's elbow injury and Kelvim Escobar's balky elbow could put a crimp in the Angels' efforts to add an impact bat before Monday's trade deadline, but General Manager Bill Stoneman remains in serious negotiations with the Baltimore Orioles …
Discussion:
Halo Herald
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Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:Trade talk getting louder for Tejada as deadline nears
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
Steve Patterson / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs may scalp own tickets, court rules — The Chicago Cubs did not violate state ticket-scalping laws and did nothing to deceive their fans in setting up a brokerage firm to sell some of the team's tickets, the Appellate Court ruled Friday. — The ruling supports a lower-court decision issued …
Discussion:
The Sports Economist
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Torres' nightmare is becoming a Giant again — (07-29) 04:00 PDT Pittsburgh — Salomon Torres back to the Giants? Maybe not a hot idea. — In an interview before Friday night's game, the Pirates reliever said he shuddered when he heard San Francisco had asked about him because he has such bad memories …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Dunn hitting well in second half — Slugger leads the club with 31 homers and 71 RBIs — MILWAUKEE — Reds slugger Adam Dunn figured his consecutive hits streak would end in Milwaukee anyway, so he wasn't afraid to talk about it before Friday's game.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
