Top News:
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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Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Trade talk getting louder for Tejada as deadline nears — The Orioles still contend that they aren't shopping Miguel Tejada , but they are listening to offers and one club source acknowledged that the front office received calls from "multiple teams" yesterday about the star shortstop.
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
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
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Dodgers end Nationals' streak with rout — LOS ANGELES — Alfonso Soriano says he's happy in Washington and wants to remain with the Nationals. — A few more nights like this, and he might change his mind. — The Nationals were pounded by the Los Angeles Dodgers last night …
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Good Fielding Has Quieted Soriano Critics — With all the discussion surrounding Alfonso Soriano's future, there has been surprisingly little talk about his destination on a nightly basis — left field. — In the offseason, after the Washington Nationals acquired Soriano from Texas in a four-player deal …
Steve Springer / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers Deal for Braves' Betemit — Baez and Aybar go to Atlanta for touted prospect, who is expected to play third. — When it was mentioned to reliever Danys Baez earlier this week that, in order to activate pitcher Brett Tomko, the Dodgers were going to have to put someone on the disabled list …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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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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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.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
After Shaky Start, Martínez Turns in a Strong Effort — Pedro Martínez and José Reyes were greeted by David Wright after they scored in the second inning to tie the score at 4-4 on a single by Carlos Beltrán. — The last time we saw Pedro Martínez was 31 days ago …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:With Martínez Back, the Mets Feel Better Already
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
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
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Scratch Lee from Cards' list — CHICAGO — The Milwaukee Brewers traded left fielder Carlos Lee to the Texas Rangers Friday, striking another player from the Cardinals' checklist of potential matches. Though rumored to be the leading candidate for Lee, one Cardinals official described the club as …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
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 …
Discussion:
GROTA
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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:
MLB Trade Rumors
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
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
Associated Press:
Scott first Astros' rookie to hit for cycle — HOUSTON (AP) - Luke Scott's big game wasn't enough to save the Houston Astros against Arizona on Friday night. — The 28-year-old rookie hit for the cycle and drove in five runs, but Luis Gonzalez doubled in the 11th inning off Andy Pettitte …
