Top News:
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Wells may go to Dodgers — OAKLAND, Calif. - Left-hander David Wells, who is scheduled to start the first game of the homestand tomorrow against the Blue Jays, flew back to Boston yesterday to rest up for the outing. — General manager Theo Epstein refused to discuss a report that he is prepared …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Source: Sox appear likely to trade Wells … The Red Sox are shopping veteran pitcher David Wells, and a source familiar with the conversations has put the odds at "80-20 or 90-10" that Boston will trade him in the next 48 hours. — St. Louis, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego appear …
Los Angeles Times:
Boston's Wells May Be on Wish List — In one final effort to strengthen themselves for the season's final month and, perhaps, the postseason, the Dodgers are negotiating with the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher David Wells and the Chicago Cubs for left-handed hitter John Mabry, according to league sources.
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Yanks worry for Papi — Ortiz in Boston hospital — The Yankees enjoy seeing the rival Red Sox struggle, as they have for the past two weeks. Off the field it's a different story, which is why there was concern among the Yankees over Boston's latest major problem.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Contending teams may come after Wells — OAKLAND, Calif. — The days on the West Coast have been action-packed for the Red Sox — mostly in the trainer's room, but not on the field, where they are free-falling into oblivion. — Yesterday, there was talk of the Sox trying to get something for David Wells …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Who needs a big payroll? Not the Marlins — The Marlins — yes, the Marlins — are trying to add a veteran reliever before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting postseason rosters. — Gotta love it. — The Marlins' $14.3 million payroll is the lowest in the majors, yet the team …
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Ryan Mink / MLB.com:
Notes: Matsui cleared for BP — Yankees outfielder is expected to hit indoors on Wednesday — NEW YORK — Hideki Matsui was cleared to take full batting practice for the first time on Tuesday, a big step in his hopeful return to the Yankees' lineup this season. Matsui is scheduled to hit indoors on Wednesday.
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Matsui Ready to Take His Bat Out of Mothballs — While Carl Pavano twists in a seemingly endless injury cycle, another Yankee, Hideki Matsui, will take an important step in his recovery today. — Matsui, who broke his left wrist on May 11, was finally cleared to take batting practice.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Oswalt, Astros agree to $73 million, 5-year extension — HOUSTON (AP) — Roy Oswalt and the Houston Astros agreed to a $73 million, five-year contract extension on the ace's 29th birthday Tuesday, the biggest multiyear deal the team has ever given to a pitcher.
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Newsday:
Pavano rankles all involved — As Cashman looks to void his contract, rig driver considers suit — Carl Pavano got it from all sides yesterday. While his teammates pretty much threw him under the bus, and Joe Torre said he doesn't expect him to pitch this season, it was the Aug. 15 car accident …
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Skipper Hurdle pulls plug on Barmes — Character is admirable. But as the Rockies have proved the past few weeks, even the best of men can be on the worst of teams. Once on the verge of being a postseason threat, Colorado has plunged into the National League West basement, falling 10-5 to the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Offense is absent in 5th straight loss — OAKLAND, Calif. — The margin of error is so tiny that Josh Beckett was actually chiding himself for throwing a fastball high and away to Eric Chavez in the fourth inning that resulted in the A's first run. — ``That was a dumb pitch to Chavez," …
Baltimore Sun:
Like an old car, Orioles need more than recycled parts — I've got some sad news. My '92 Celica, which carried me to countless local sporting events over the past 15 years and provided regular fodder for the Kickoff page, announced its retirement yesterday on a lonely stretch of Highway 10 in Anne Arundel County.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Safety in numbers? Nope — Baker's inflated view of effect of Lee's loss likely won't save his job, writes Phil Rogers — Dusty Baker is a good man in an awful position—finishing out a very public job with the belief that his bosses don't want him around anymore.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Blalock sparks Rangers' 9-4 win — ARLINGTON - In the last month, Hank Blalock has been challenged, benched and nearly traded. — He has emerged a better hitter for it. — Continuing a second-half resurgence that bucks his career-long trend, Blalock had important hits to start …
