Top News:
Associated Press:
A's likely cutting ties with Bradley, activate Harden — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics designated outfielder Milton Bradley for assignment Thursday, cutting ties with a player who was expected to play an important role on the team this season. — The move was made to avoid …
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MLB.com:
A's designate Milton Bradley for assignment — A's select Kevin Melillo From Triple-A Sacramento — OAKLAND — The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has designated outfielder Milton Bradley for assignment and has selected infielder Kevin Melillo from Triple-A Sacramento.
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
A's designate Bradley for assignment — Harden activated from DL for weekend series with Mets — OAKLAND — In a move that general manager Billy Beane characterized as an attempt to limit any potential clubhouse displeasure about playing time, the A's on Thursday designated oft-injured outfielder Milton Bradley for assignment.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's dumping Milton Bradley — trade is possibility — (06-21) 12:01 PDT New York — Milton Bradley's career in Oakland - a fairly tranquil time, compared with some his more contentious stops in Cleveland and Los Angeles - has ended, and unexpectedly early. — The A's designated the outfielder …
ESPN:
Not for the Birds: Girardi turns down Orioles job — BALTIMORE — Joe Girardi declined an offer Thursday to become the new manager of the Baltimore Orioles, saying the timing wasn't right "for the Girardi family." — "Baltimore is a fine organization, a fine team, and I'm flattered …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Oriole Magic, FanHouse, Camden Chat, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, Oriole Post, The Biz of Baseball and MetsBlog.com
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Girardi turns down Orioles … SAN DIEGO // Saying that the timing just wasn't right, Joe Girardi this morning turned down the Orioles' offer to be their next manager. — "I was flattered that the Orioles called me," Girardi said. "It's a great city, a great organization.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Girardi turns down O's managerial job — FOXSports.com, Updated 54 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Former Marlins manager Joe Girardi turned down the Orioles' managing position on Thursday, saying, "At this point in time, it's not right for me and my family." — "It's a great organization.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Win-loss records don't tell the whole story … How often have you heard this question asked this season: — What's wrong with Johan Santana? — Uh, how about nothing? — Yeah, his win-loss record is "only" 7-6. Yeah, that's exactly the same record as Miguel Batista.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
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RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:
Stark's Latest — ESPN's Jayson Stark has his latest Rumblings and Grumblings column up, and it's chock full o' rumors. — Stark speaks to one NL exec who thinks any Barry Bonds trade rumor is hogwash. That source believes that there would be no market for him. Personally, I don't buy it.
Discussion:
Chop-n-Change
Jonathan Mayo / Minor League Baseball:
Futures Game rosters announced — Cleveland prospect Lofgren excited to play near hometown — It doesn't matter what language you say it in — Japanese, Spanish, Dutch or English — the only correct way to say "future" to the 50 prospects chosen to participate in the 2007 XM Satelitte All-Star Futures Game is "big leagues."
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MLB.com:
XM All-Star Futures Game rosters announced — Rosters for the ninth annual XM All-Star Futures Game were announced today by Major League Baseball, MLB.com, Minor League Baseball and Baseball America. — The XM All-Star Futures Game will feature the top Minor League prospects competing …
Discussion:
Rays of Light
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Ellsbury, Buchholz tabbed — A couple of future Sox hopefuls are heading to San Francisco for the All-Star festivities. Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and pitcher Clay Buchholz will represent the Sox in the 2007 XM All-Star Futures Game, the team announced today.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Giambi agrees to meet with Mitchell investigation — NEW YORK — Jason Giambi agreed Thursday to meet with baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell and apologized for his actions, becoming the first active player known to cooperate with the former Senate majority leader.
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ESPN:
Evaluating Sosa's Hall of Fame candidacy … Last winter ESPN surveyed Hall of Fame voters and found that only 20.4 percent would have voted for Sammy Sosa if he'd been eligible. — Now that Sosa has become the fifth player in major league history to reach 600 home runs …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Rangers interested in Jones — Michael Barrett on Wednesday doesn't have any direct bearing on the Cubs' philosophy or intentions heading toward next month's trade deadline. But that doesn't mean they're done dealing. — The Cubs have talked with the Texas Rangers and several other teams …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:Rangers Interested In Jacque Jones
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
ESPN:
Chat with Scouts Inc.'s Keith Law — Welcome to The Show! On Thursday, Scouts, Inc. senior baseball analyst, Keith Law, will stop by to talk some baseball. — Keith was formerly the special assistant to the general manager with the Toronto Blue Jays and has a wealth of knowledge for you to tap into.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Five Sox homers back Tavarez's gem — Righty stymies Braves; Papi, Manny go deep in blowout — ATLANTA — A batting barrage and a pitching masterpiece. It isn't often that a team can combine both of those forces in one night, but the Red Sox had all of that going for them and more in Wednesday's 11-0 romp over the Braves.
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