Top News:
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Yankees near a Bobby prize — Close to bringing Phils' RF to Bronx — The Yankees moved closer last night to landing Bobby Abreu, according to sources, as the field for the Phillies outfielder was narrowed to just three teams - with the Bombers believed to have the best chance of landing him.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Phillies expected to deal Abreu to Yanks — The Bobby Abreu trade is likely to happen Sunday, and the Phillies are expected to send the right fielder to the Yankees — even though the Red Sox are still in the mix — FOXSports.com has learned. — The Yankees would get Abreu and right-hander Cory Lidle …
NY Daily News:
Scout on Zito watch, deal Barry unlikely — ATLANTA - The Mets dispatched top scout Russ Bove to Oakland to watch Barry Zito's outing yesterday, but team insiders have continued to express pessimism that a deal will be made before tomorrow's 4 p.m. nonwaiver trading deadline.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Cards Insider: Jocketty still looking for help before deadline
Jack Curry / New York Times:As Deadline Nears, Yankees Consider Abreu and Pitchers
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
For moment, the tension is broken — David Ortiz stepped to the plate in the 11th inning on a hot summer day before a packed Fenway Park and saw the shift he often sees. — He's mumbled about it under his breath. Called it every name in the book. And once claimed it was costing him 30-40 points on his batting average.
Discussion:
Fire Brand of the …
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Tejada happy with O's … On a day when Miguel Tejada affirmed his desire to stay in Baltimore, the Orioles worked late into last night, mulling offers for their star shortstop. — The Los Angeles Angels, once considered the front-runner to land Tejada if he is moved …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Could Soriano end up in California? — The Alfonso Soriano talks remain fluid, but the Angels could be the front-runner by process of elimination if they are unable to land Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada. — FOX Bite — Videos — Rosenthal on trade rumors
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals still trying to lock up Soriano — Team officials hoping to secure extension for franchise player — LOS ANGELES — With a little more than two days before the trade deadline, the Nationals are still trying to sign Alfonso Soriano to a contract extension, MLB.com has learned.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
They'd be double trouble — Santana and Liriano make Twins tough — We asked five major league baseball experts (three general managers, one special assignment scout, and one manager) to list the teams they wouldn't want to face in the playoffs in each league, in order of toughness.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Raymond Doswell / Kansas City Star:
'Bingo' is special to Jones — Actor thinks movie about black ballplayers was misunderstood. — With his signature baritone voice, James Earl Jones has compiled an award-winning acting career that spans decades and several unique roles. — For sports fans, however, Jones is a central figure in a number of baseball films.
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs wait for calls on Maddux — Greg Maddux never has changed teams unless it was his choice. That will be the case again should the starting pitcher leave the Cubs by Monday. — Maddux, who never has been traded, might be the most attractive commodity the Cubs have as the non-waiver …
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Jennifer Floyd Engel / Dallas Star-Telegram:
This time, don't blame Hart — ARLINGTON — When Rangers manager Buck Showalter finally exited The Ballpark on Friday, it was Saturday. — He had a lot on his mind, namely: Why had his players responded to a blockbuster deal that brought slugger Carlos Lee to Arlington …
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Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Confused Lee Smith still waiting — Lee Smith will watch today's presentation and all the replays with pride, of course, because Bruce Sutter's a bud and a brother of sorts. Smith will be happy that somebody, anybody, of his ninth-inning ilk made it to Cooperstown.
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John Michael Lauinger / NY Daily News:
The bell of the ballpark — The New York Mets were down seven runs by the seventh-inning stretch to the worst team in the National League one recent night, and it seemed the only thing keeping fans inside steamy-hot Shea Stadium was the promise of post-game pyrotechnics.
NY Daily News:
Here's the deal — Teams getting ready to bust a move — COOPERSTOWN - Let's be perfectly frank here. As much as fans, talk-radio hosts and the rumor-a-minute mongers at ESPN have desperately sought to keep alive the notion of a Dontrelle Willis or a Barry Zito suddenly becoming available …
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Take Me Out to the Ballpark: 189 of Them — The Curemobile, Cass Sapir's nickname for his exhausted but feisty Honda, rumbled down a Maryland interstate Tuesday on the way to field of dreams No. 126. Only 63 more ballparks after that. In 45 days. — In the car were a summer's supply …
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Old-school handiwork — Nothing against Gary Matthews' catch, but he was wearing a glove. The defensive play of the year was made last Sunday by San Diego catcher Rob Bowen, who caught a ball barehanded to tag out Steve Finley at the end of a rundown. His glove had been knocked off …
