Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
All signs point to Soriano's D.C. departure — The Nationals say they intend to re-sign left fielder Alfonso Soriano, but their actions will speak louder than their words. — Three significant obstacles likely will prevent the Nats from keeping Soriano, who is a free agent at the end of the season:
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Sports Illustrated:
Mets' Wright gets 6-year extension — NEW YORK (SI.com) — Third baseman David Wright has signed a six-year extension with the New York Mets worth $55 million, SI.com's Jon Heyman has learned. — The contract also includes an option for 2013, although no further details were immediately available.
Discussion:
Chicks Dig The Pitchers' Duel, SportsWorldNY, Hot Foot, Can't Stop The Bleeding and Mike's Mets
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Wright's New Stats: 6 Years, $55 Million — David Wright and José Reyes achieved full-scale fame together this season and were named to their first All-Star Game together. So it seemed appropriate that only three days after the Mets locked up Reyes with a long-term contract extension …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets' Wright gets contract extension — All-Star third baseman signs six-year, $55 million deal — NEW YORK — For years, and even when he was a primary part of their present, the Mets have referred to David Wright as part of the future. And now they have put their money where the mouth is and made it official.
Discussion:
Take the "7" Train
TSN.ca:
HOMEMLBNEWS STORYMets sign Wright to six-year extension — Sports Ticker — FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - The New York Mets officially have locked up the left side of their infield through the remainder of the decade. — Three days after signing electric shortstop Jose Reyes to a long-term deal …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Club mark for errors threatened — MIAMI GARDENS - The young Marlins are making errors at a record pace. — Shortstop Hanley Ramirez muffed Rafael Furcal's grounder on the first play of the game in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Two outs later, Scott Olsen's pitch got away from catcher Paul Hoover.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Marlins at a loss on and off field — The Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of Florida, which now is six games back in the wild-card race and might have lost reliever Logan Kensing because of an injury. — kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com — Chalk it up as a lost weekend for the Marlins.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Frustrations come out after sweep by Dodgers — MIAMI GARDENS - The Marlins' 7-3 loss to the Dodgers, which capped a three-game sweep that dealt a serious blow to Florida's faint playoff hopes, resulted in two closed-door meetings inside the team clubhouse Sunday.
Discussion:
Fish Chunks
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats' Trip Hurt by Inability to Get Players Home — It's hard to blame Micah Bowie for this one, because the left-hander has been so effective for the Washington Nationals, and by the 10th inning Sunday, he was trying to retire his seventh and eighth batters of the day. — It's hard, too, to blame Ryan Church.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Nationals tab Traber for callup — Left-hander to work out of bullpen until likely Aug. 12 start — SAN DIEGO — The Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Billy Traber from Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday. He is expected to work out of the bullpen during the early part of the week …
Discussion:
Washington Post
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Nats focused on Wild Card run — Lopez, Kearns have club optimistic about postseason chances — SAN DIEGO — Despite having a 49-60 record entering Saturday's action, the Nationals find themselves only seven games behind the Reds in the Wild Card race, but Washington needs to get past 10 teams to get to the top spot.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Greg Wagner / MLB.com:
Full of mojo, Saunders baffles Rangers — Rookie now 3-0, aided by Anderson, Guerrero three-run belts — ANAHEIM — The Angels gave Joe Saunders plenty of support, though, it's not as if the rookie needed it. — Saunders was masterful, allowing three hits in seven scoreless innings …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Kent on tap for Monday — LA to make room for infielder to play first base vs. Rockies — MIAMI — Barring the unexpected, and because Grady Little doesn't want to be looking down the barrel of a shotgun, the plan is to activate second baseman Jeff Kent from the disabled list …
Discussion:
Dodger Hill
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hoping to re-sign Pierre — The Cubs are desperately hoping to re-sign center fielder Juan Pierre, who has rebounded from a slow start to become the team's most consistent leadoff man since Kenny Lofton in 2003. — Whether they can is a question no one can answer.
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Vargas grinds out win in series finale — Righty works past tough first inning to take down Astros — PHOENIX — Claudio Vargas didn't win any style points for his performance on Sunday, but his six-inning outing was good enough to win the game. — The right-hander battled through …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
ESPN:
Waiver deal fails, so Livan staying put in D.C. — Nationals pitcher Livan Hernandez — the subject of much trade speculation — will be staying in Washington for the rest of the season, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported Sunday night. — The reason?
Associated Press:
Francoeur sparks Braves; Wickman makes lead stick — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — CINCINNATI — Jeff Francoeur needed just one at-bat to salvage a dismal road trip. — Francoeur hit a two-run triple in the eighth inning to tie it and scored the go-ahead run on Adam LaRoche's sacrifice fly …
Discussion:
TwinsGeek.com
Associated Press:
Nationals-Padres Preview — The Washington Nationals have not won a series against the San Diego Padres in their last six attempts. Livan Hernandez may finally be the player who helps them get over that hurdle. — The Nationals right-hander looks to continue his strong play against the Padres …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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