Top News:
Boston Globe:
Padres appear to have edge in Wells talks — OAKLAND, Calif. — David Wells is still scheduled to face Toronto's Roy Halladay tonight at Fenway Park when the Red Sox begins a 10-game homestand, but barring a last-minute change of heart by general manager Theo Epstein, it's likely …
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres will add Seanez, Cassidy — PHOENIX - Relievers Rudy Seanez and Scott Cassidy soon will rejoin the Padres. — Seanez, cut by Boston last week, cleared waivers and has reached an oral agreement with San Diego, which plans to activate him before tomorrow's game against the Reds.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
BoSox close in on Wells trade; Padres likely buyer … The Red Sox moved steadily toward the completion of a trade of veteran left-hander David Wells, identifying Triple-A catcher George Kottaras as the player they want if they complete a deal with the Padres.
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
White Flag: Wells Deal Done? — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Red Sox are not going to admit that they are conceding any chance to make the playoffs. Still, their actions might speak for them. — ESPN reported the Red Sox are close to completing a trade that would send lefthander David Wells …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers owner looks ahead to winter — Owner not conceding AL West, but hot A's are pulling away — ARLINGTON - Rangers owner Tom Hicks won't concede the AL West race. But he sure did come close Wednesday. — Returning to Ameriquest Field after watching his team lose two of three …
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Ken Daley / MLB.com:
Notes: Owner pleased with Daniels — GM was busy with a series of transactions last winter — ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks admittedly is disappointed with what appears to be his seventh consecutive year without a playoff team. But one thing that has pleased him has been the performance …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Owner gives his take on team — ARLINGTON - Despite a contract that could pay Kevin Millwood $60 million over five years, Rangers owner Tom Hicks said Wednesday he would be willing to make a similar commitment to the right free-agent pitcher. — He probably won't get the chance …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Lester tested for cancer — OAKLAND, Calif. - Not long after the Red Sox sent 22-year-old left-hander Jon Lester back to Boston to be evaluated by club medical officials, sources indicated that one of the club's most promising players is dealing with more than just a bad back.
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Boston Globe:
Reports: Lester has enlarged lymph nodes — Among the things he is being tested for is cancer — While it's still unclear how serious the situation is, unidentified Red Sox sources early this morning told NESN that rookie pitcher Jon Lester has enlarged lymph nodes, and that among the things he is being tested for is cancer.
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets' Offense Stands Out, but Defense Is Overlooked — For the last 11 games, the Mets have fielded every ground ball cleanly, caught every fly ball without incident and thrown every ball on target. And yet over the same span, the most prominent story lines have centered on David Wright's slump …
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
After Winning by a Mile, Mets Reach the Highest Ground — The achievement is only cosmetic. It cannot give the Mets home-field advantage in the World Series or endow them with any special powers or privileges. But it is sweet just the same. — A mile above sea level, the Mets are looking down on the other 29 teams in baseball.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Associated Press:
Wang steps up again for Yankees, shuts down Tigers — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — NEW YORK — Chien-Ming Wang has overtaken Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina to become the New York Yankees' ace. — Wang tied Toronto's Roy Halladay and Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox …
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StarTribune.com:
Twins lose Castillo, game to the Royals — Kansas City made it two victories in a row, and Minnesota's troubles were compounded when its second baseman got hurt. — Hitless in his past 15 at-bats, Joe Mauer is struggling through his biggest slump of the season, with his major league-leading average down to .350.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Francona: Reports on Ortiz are encouraging — OAKLAND, Calif. — Try as he might, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he was unable to reach David Ortiz yesterday on his cellphone. — ``His [message] box was full," Francona said. ``And I have the hot line."
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:Repeat sweep — Sox limp home after dropping sixth in a row
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
David Lennon / Greenwich Time:
David's grand slam leads another rout, dispels talk of slump — DENVER - Maybe now the questions will stop for David Wright. For weeks, Wright heard that his deepening slump was caused by everything from the home-run derby to his new $55-million contract to using the wrong toothbrush.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Boston Globe:
Sox tickets? Suddenly, they're not so hot — As team slides, demand cools and deals abound — Just a few weeks ago, it was a nearly impossible ticket to get — the Red Sox at home. Now, tickets to Sox games are not only available, they can be had for face value or less.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rivera and Giambi Taking Medical Tests — Mariano Rivera and Jason Giambi played in yesterday's doubleheader, so their health status is not alarming to the Yankees. But the team was concerned enough about them to schedule magnetic resonance imaging exams.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards' Bennett leaves with back sprain — Cleared to play, Molina takes over despite strained right elbow — ST. LOUIS — Bad news collided with good news for the Cardinals catchers on Wednesday night. — Yadier Molina was cleared to play on Wednesday afternoon after missing five games with a muscle strain in his right elbow.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
For the Books, Nationals Face History Questions — Records by Senators, Expos Are at Issue — Over the final month of the season, Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano will almost certainly hit at least two more home runs. When he does, he'll establish a franchise record — most homers in a season.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tulowitzki gives glimpse of future … Troy Tulowitzki stood outside the Rockies' clubhouse at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, searching for a cellphone signal. Through his eyes, it was easy to see the excitement over what the 21-year-old called the greatest day of his life.
