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.
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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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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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 …
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
