Top News:
Denver Post:
Colorado's trade price for Fuentes may be too high — The Rockies are playing an intriguing game of poker with closer Brian Fuentes. The price is high, causing most interested teams — the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees and Mets, the Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins — to consider other options.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, My Pinstripes, mass hysteria, Mets Fever, MLB Rumors and Rocky Mountain News
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Woody Paige / Denver Post:
Deliberate Dan must be man with plan — The general manager can live up to the nickname “Dealin' Dan” or down to the nom de plume “Dormant Dan.” — Here's the deal: — A. The Rockies can remain intact, pray to the mythical baseball gods and risk that they might win the National League West or finish with 90 losses.
Discussion:
The House That Dewey Built
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Market shifts as deadline nears … The word is that the asking price for Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady has “loosened” a tad, and that Pittsburgh seems more interested than before in trading him. — The Pirates were said a couple weeks ago by the New York Post to be seeking “two top prospects” …
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Will Carroll / Unfiltered:
Mill Grinding — We'll open up The Mill later this week, but the grind is already starting in the week-plus leading into the non-waiver trade deadline. Let's keep that part of the equation in play, since many teams are already talking about which guys might clear waivers and be available in August.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Reds Interested In Huston Street? — By Tim Dierkes [July 23 at 11:50am CST] — Up until today, the list of known Huston Street suitors included the Mets, White Sox, Dodgers, and Brewers (though the Dodgers and Brewers may be out). The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser tosses a new club into the mix: the Reds.
RELATED:
Jesse Baumgartner / MLB.com:
Different approach at DH — Seattle (38-62) vs. Boston (59-43), Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. PT — SEATTLE — Most American League teams use the designated hitter position to stick a little more pop in their lineup. David Ortiz of the visiting Boston Red Sox would be a prime example.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
First things first for Buchholz — Right-hander looking to improve on early struggles — SEATTLE — When Clay Buchholz goes to the bullpen in the minutes leading into Wednesday afternoon's start against the Mariners, he will do so with a little bit of simulation in mind.
RELATED:
Tim Smith / NY Daily News:
Smith: For Santana, it's complete game or total collapse — This was the Mets' opportunity to make a statement. They had their high-priced ace, Johan Santana, on the mound for an NL East first-place showdown with their rivals, the Phillies - a team that had crushed all their hopes last season …
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 101: Twins at Yankees — YANKEES (55-45) — Mike Mussina (12-6, 3.49) vs. the Minnesota hitters. — Glen Perkins (7-2, 3.84) vs. the New York hitters. — Notes: Thanks to Brian Heyman for calling in the lineup. ... The Yankees are trying for their third straight series sweep at home.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Note: I Don't Own Anything About It — As some of you know, my wife and I spent the last week traveling up the coast of California while on vacation. — While walking on a street in Beverly Hills, a man stepped in front of me, smoking a cigarette, pacing and swearing while ranting and raving on his cell phone.
Gregg Bell / Associated Press:
Red Sox's Ramirez sits due to sore knee — SEATTLE (AP)—Manny Ramirez was out of Boston's lineup Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners with what his manager said was a sore knee. — “Just showed up this morning. He just came in and said, ‘My right knee hurts,”’ manager Terry Francona …
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Is Sabathia California dreamin'? … CC Sabathia, who hails from Northern California and currently lives there, is building a home in Southern California. So it's obvious his heart is on the West Coast. — But will the rest of him follow as a free agent this winter? — Quite possibly.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Ramirez crossed the line — He got nabbed . . . jaywalking — SEATTLE - Terry Francona reacted decisively when told that Manny Ramírez had been apprehended jaywalking by one of Seattle's finest while leaving the ballpark after Monday night's game. — “That's the last straw,” the Red Sox manager declared.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres may not be finished trading — General manager remains receptive to negotiations — CINCINNATI — Now that the Padres have traded pitcher Randy Wolf and first baseman Tony Clark, does that mean the selling time is over for the team heading into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Arthur Staple / Newsday:
Mets' Aguayo has Chavez DOA twice at home — Endy Chavez couldn't remember the last time he was thrown out at home. As for getting thrown out twice in one game, both times by such a wide margin even Chavez thought to himself, “Wow, I'm really far away,” there wasn't a precedent.
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
