Top News:
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
‘Empire’ and ‘Nation’ set to meet again — Long-time rivals face off in AL East showdown — Everyone out there who doubted, deep down, that it would come to this, raise your voice. — Hear that? Deathly silence. — Late July. Fenway Park. The Yankees and the Red Sox …
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Ortiz will bring punch to the party — The most telling aspect of David Ortiz's absence from the Red Sox lineup is that by any meaningful measure, the team's offense did not lose any of its potency. — To a man, of course, the Sox are thrilled at the timing of the return of Ortiz …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees hierarchy discusses Bonds — Club officials meet as Trade Deadline looms next week — BOSTON — Vowing to leave no stone unturned in upgrading the Yankees for a playoff push, the addition of Barry Bonds was discussed during organizational meetings on Thursday, Hank Steinbrenner confirmed to the Associated Press.
Discussion:
yankeesdaily.com
New Jersey Online:
Dan Graziano's Trade Winds — Talk about a turnaround. This wasn't even the top guy Baltimore got in the Erik Bedard trade, but here he is, atop the wish lists of several teams looking for left-handed relief help. Teams connected to Sherrill include the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, Red Sox and others.
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Dodgers unable to pull the trigger (cont.) — Plenty of relief in sight — Scouts are following around Orioles closer George Sherrill like paparazzi follow Brangelina, a reflection of the need for relief by contenders. At least four relievers with closing capabilities …
Portfolio:
Clock Ticks on Manny Moments — I once asked a prominent relief pitcher to describe the most idiotic thing he had witnessed in the big leagues. “That's easy,” he said, and launched into the story of a former teammate—an All-Star outfielder—who refused to use toilet paper.
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Ashley Fox / Philly.com:
Why doesn't Rollins get Manuel's rules? — NEW YORK - Charlie Manuel has two rules. Two. Hustle, and be on time. — You don't have to be an MVP or an all-star, a Gold Glove winner or a home-run king. You don't have to put the seat down, or chew with your mouth closed, or say “excuse me” when you spit.
RELATED:
Rich Hofmann / Philly.com:Rollins has to set better example if he wants to be leader for Phillies
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Samardzija gets the call, may get start this weekend — CUBS IN BRIEF — A Cubs team fiercely trying to focus on the present could get its first glimpse of a big part of its future today with the arrival of top pitching prospect Jeff Samardzija. — The hard-throwing right-hander from Valparaiso …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB FanHouse and GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
Associated Press:
17 ejected in Class A brawl — DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Umpires ejected 15 players and the two managers following a bench-clearing brawl during a tense game between the Midwest League's Dayton Dragons and Peoria Chiefs. — Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo threw a ball toward the Dayton dugout during …
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Jim Baker / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Matchups — I'll Get 'Em Next Time … On Wednesday, Greg Maddux started his 14th consecutive game without being credited with—if you'll pardon the expression—a win. Normally, I pay very little attention to a pitcher's won-loss record. I actually hope that at some point …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Rauch deal has implications — Like most Diamondbacks trades, Tuesday's deal for reliever Jon Rauch seemed to address both a current question mark (a struggling bullpen) and an upcoming one (next year's closer). — And by sending second-base prospect Emilio Bonifacio to the Washington Nationals …
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Texas' Rangers' 1-2 punch appears to be a hit again — Kinsler, Young end mini-slumps — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — One positive to come out of Wednesday's 10-8 loss to the White Sox: Ian Kinsler and Michael Young appeared to have ended mini-slumps. — Young had a solo home run …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Anthony Andro / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:Playoffs grasp may exceed Texas Rangers' reach this season
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Juan Pierre can't wait to get back to Dodgers — Minor league rehab assignment makes him appreciate the majors that much more. — LAS VEGAS — Few Little Leaguers, never mind nine-year major league veterans, enjoy being on a baseball field as much as Juan Pierre.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Front office infighting hampers Dodgers' trade talks … The Dodgers are diving into the middle of a lot of trade talks, but skepticism remains steep about whether they'll actually pull anything off. “They're a mess,” one NL executive says, flatly. — Several baseball people say there was a deal …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Baldelli's minor step may raise Rays' bat options — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As executive vice president Andrew Friedman looks to acquire a right-handed-hitting outfielder, the Rays might yet have another intriguing option. — Rocco Baldelli played rightfield for Double-A Montgomery on Wednesday …
Steve Kornacki / MLive.com:
DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL — Dombrowski: Tigers not sellers at trade deadline — DETROIT — Dave Dombrowski watched his Detroit Tigers take batting practice earlier this week from the dugout at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. He was well aware that the first-place Chicago White Sox …
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
