Top News:
Associated Press:
Lee isn't concerned about impending free agency — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — ARLINGTON, Texas — Carlos Lee is focused on helping the Texas Rangers now. The All-Star slugger isn't thinking about what might happen after this season when he can become a free agent.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers add Bell to help out infield — Milwaukee sends Minor League pitcher to Philadelphia — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers may be slumping since the All-Star break, but they're apparently not willing to cash in 2006 just yet. — Hours after announcing a blockbuster deal with the Rangers …
Yahoo! Sports:
Brewers acquire 3B Bell from Phillies — MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - Several hours after trading away All-Star slugger Carlos Lee, the Milwaukee Brewers made another move Friday, acquiring third baseman David Bell from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league righthander Wilfrido Laureano.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Chipper to go on disabled list — Third baseman's strained oblique will need time to heal — ATLANTA — When Willy Aybar arrives in Atlanta in time for Sunday afternoon's game, he'll find himself beginning at least a two-week stint as the Braves starting third baseman.
Discussion:
Braves Journal
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Associated Press:
Players pack their favorites for road trips — SAN FRANCISCO — Shawn Green brings his own soap on every road trip. Mike Cameron never forgets his lavender linen spray and orange-scented spray for the room. Ichiro Suzuki depends on an electric massager that takes up nearly half his suitcase.
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:Torres' nightmare is becoming a Giant again
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Nationals Trade Stanton, Then Get Routed by Dodgers
Discussion:
Washington Times, MLB.com, The Nationals Enquirer, District of Baseball and William F. Yurasko
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 …
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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 …
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Source: Crisp in trade talks
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Hartford Courant, MLB Trade Rumors, Tribe Report and El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
MLB.com:
Indians promote infielder Andy Marte from Triple-A Buffalo — Infielder Ramon Vazquez optioned to Triple-A Buffalo — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has recalled INF ANDY MARTE from the AAA Buffalo Bisons. To make room on the 25-man roster for Marte …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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Andrew Bare / MLB.com:
Indians promote Marte to Majors — Club wants to get prospect at-bats before September — CLEVELAND — The key piece to one of the winter's most buzz-worthy trades has finally been fitted into the Indians' Major League puzzle. — Andy Marte, the big prize in the Coco Crisp trade …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
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 …
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Handle with care — Yankees developing young pitchers, not trading them. — Besides Andy Pettitte, no drafted-and-developed Yankees pitcher has made more than 10 starts in a major league season since 1995. — That was the year Sterling Hitchcock and Scott Kamieniecki joined Pettitte in the same rotation for Buck Showalter.
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 …
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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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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Hall of Fame class ready for induction — Four living members share memories at luncheon — CLEVELAND — Late-night games of poker didn't entice Rocky Colavito and Herb Score the way they did their respective roommates during the Indians' Spring Training in 1953.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Barfield is putting up the numbers — DENVER - Josh Barfield is a big fan of the logic-based number game Sudoku. — As teammates play cards, work crossword puzzles or read to pass the time before games in the Padres clubhouse, Barfield wrestles with the lines of numbers.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Late homers sinking Kensing — ATLANTA - The Misadventures of Logan and J.J., Fox Sports Net Florida's popular pre-game show, chronicles pitchers Logan Kensing and Josh Johnson as they tour landmarks in cities where the Marlins play. — But Kensing has been having a few more misadventures …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Maddux mows down Cardinals for win — Amidst trade rumors, veteran secures 327th career victory — CHICAGO — If Saturday was Greg Maddux's last game for the Cubs, he left with a tip of his cap and a "W." — Angel Pagan stole home for the tie-breaking run to help Maddux win …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors


