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 …
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 …
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 …
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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
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano Trade Talk Continues to Swirl — Dodgers Rip O'Connor, Top Nats Again: Dodgers 7, Nationals 5 — Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden sat in the front row behind home plate Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, BlackBerry in his hand, fiancée at his side, the entire baseball world spread out before him.
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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.
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:With Soriano as bait, Bowden is big fish
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Dallas Star-Telegram:
Pitchers on block step into spotlight — It's possible that several big-name major leaguers played their final game for their respective teams Saturday, and most of them showed why they're on the trading block. — However, Barry Zito is so sure he'll still be with Oakland …
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Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:Time running out for Mets to move on Zito
Discussion:
insideBayArea
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.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Lee's a plus, but Rangers still need pitching — The Brewers didn't wait long to trade All-Star left fielder Carlos Lee. And they didn't accept minor leaguers for him, either. — In a blockbuster trade with major implications for both leagues, the Brewers sent Lee to the Rangers on Friday …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Dallas Star-Telegram, Dallas Morning News, Lone Star Ball and Beyond the Box Score
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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.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Manny does it with 'D' — Manny Ramirez wasn't needed to provide walkoff dramatics with his bat yesterday, but he again offered proof with his throwing arm that he's not to be trifled with by opposing baserunners. — Los Angeles' Mike Napoli found out the hard way in yesterday's 7-6 …
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 …

