Top News:
Paul DePodesta / It Might Be Dangerous:
Wolf to Astros — Today we traded Randy Wolf to the Astros for RHP Chad Reineke. — As discussed a while back, given his contractual situation - free agent at the end of the year - Randy was a likely candidate to be traded before the deadline. The fact that the Astros had interest …
Discussion:
Trade Talk
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Richard Justice / Houston Chronicle:
Wolf trade shows reality has yet to sink in for Astros — If Drayton McLane keeps watching his Astros, he may finally see them for what they actually are instead of what he'd like them to be. — He's stubborn, not stupid. He'll eventually understand that his franchise is broken.
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.
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Jimenez digs for gem — The Rockies pitcher throws a four-hitter and receives plenty of run support to top L.A. — The Denver Post — As Ubaldo Jimenez walked to the plate in the eighth inning Tuesday night, the Coors Field crowd of 41,567 rose to its feet, serenading him with a rousing standing ovation.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Sean McAdam / Providence Journal:Red Sox may not reach for help in bullpen
Discussion:
Fox Sports, CBS SportsLine.com, MLB Rumors, The Joy of Sox, Baltimore Sun and SOX & Dawgs
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.
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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.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats trade Rauch for infielder — Speedy second baseman expected to be solid leadoff hitter — SAN FRANCISCO — The Nationals traded reliever Jon Rauch to the Diamondbacks for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, who was then optioned to Triple-A Columbus, on Tuesday.
RELATED:
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:Breaking news: Rauch traded, Guzman re-signed
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Distinguished Senators, William World News, Fox Sports, Baseball Musings and Federal Baseball
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 …
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Johnette Howard / Newsday:
Can the ace go a little longer? — Johan Santana pitched fine. That wasn't the problem. The rub was yet another game that left you somehow wanting more. The problem was with his closer, Billy Wagner, out of the game with shoulder spasms, with the surging Mets playing arch nemesis Philadelphia …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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.
Sports Illustrated:
Yanks, Mariners discussing swap for Washburn … The Yankees and Mariners have begun trade discussions that could land lefthanded pitcher Jarrod Washburn in the Bronx, if the finances can be worked out. — There is hope for a deal. But the talks could still be derailed by attempts …
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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
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.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards fall to Brewers — BREWERS 4, CARDINALS 3 • Up next: 7:15 tonight vs. Brewers, FSN Midwest — Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse pitched deep and dominantly into the night but didn't get the offensive support his manager has demanded nor the helping hand from a bullpen under siege.
