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
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
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 …
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
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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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers rotation spins awry — Eaton ejected early in Sunday loss; Wells scratched Monday — ANAHEIM — The Rangers starting rotation, beginning to look so good a few days ago, ran into another mess on Sunday at Angel Stadium. — Turns out that Adam Eaton getting ejected after throwing 18 pitches …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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
Carol Slezak / Chicago Sun Times:
In a dayze — Is day baseball responsible for the Cubs' long history of losing? It's an issue that just won't die. Infielder Todd Walker became the latest player to revive the debate with his comments last week upon being traded to the San Diego Padres.
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Computers Are a Good Bet on Figuring Playoff Odds — One game a week left. Ten games in two months. Ballplayers' theories of what deficits can be overcome in August and September to reach the postseason vary almost as widely as their batting stances. But they usually boil …
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.
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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Seth Mnookin / The Feeding the Monster Blog:
David Ortiz is not a clutch hitter: A primer in how to lie with statistics — In a blog entry posted yesterday, Matt Sussman — columnist for the Toledo Free Press and editor of The Futon Report — attemtps to show that David Ortiz is not a clutch hitter. Sussman's piece is for a site …
Discussion:
Statistically Speaking
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