Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Indians, Dodgers close to deal sending Blake to L.A. … The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a trade that would send third baseman/outfielder Casey Blake and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.
Discussion:
The DiaTribe, MetsBlog.com, Mets Merized Online, The 'Ropolitans, Hot Foot, The Heater, True Blue LA and 24 Hours From Suicide
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Blake a possibility as help in outfield — The Mets have narrowed their trade focus to acquiring a corner outfielder, and one team insider expressed optimism that Cleveland's Casey Blake, Seattle's Raul Ibanez or Pittsburgh's Jason Bay could be obtained next week.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
At Hoffman house, ‘Hells Bells’ also marks arrival of Brody Time — PITTSBURGH - The passage of time in Trevor Hoffman's home can be marked by the sound of 11-year-old Brody Hoffman's guitar. The oldest of Hoffman's three sons, Brody has become competent at playing a song near and dear to Hoffman's heart: AC/DC's “Hells Bells.”
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Alejandro Leal / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Acquire Blake From Indians — By Alejandro Leal [July 26 at 11:18am CST] — Update 1:23 pm: The AP is reporting the deal is done pending approval by the commissioner's office. — A source close to the deal is telling Jayson Stark that the Dodgers are on the verge of acquiring Casey Blake from the Indians.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Alejandro Leal / MLB Rumors:
Mets Actively Looking For Corner Outfielder — By Alejandro Leal [July 26 at 10:36am CST] — Update 1:39 p.m.: Now that the Dodgers have acquired Blake, the Mets have turned their attention to Brian Giles. — Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Mets are one of three teams …
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Breaking news: Trade reconfigured — The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. — LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal. — Nady and Marte are on their way to Boston.
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Will Carroll / Unfiltered:
Breaking: Nady and Marte To Yankees. — Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte have been traded to the New York Yankees, per John Perrotto. (Guess that meeting in Tampa went well!) We'll have updates as soon as possible. — Update: Peter Abraham is reporting via his blog that Phil Coke …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays' Maddon puts deal chances at 50-50 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — OF Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte won't be coming to help the Rays' bid to reach the postseason. Instead, they may make it more difficult for the Rays. The two were traded Friday from the Pirates to the Yankees.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks acquire Nady, Marte from Bucs — Pending deal has Bombers sending Ohlendorf, three prospects — BOSTON — The Yankees moved on Friday to upgrade their club for a push at the postseason, acquiring outfielder Xavier Nady and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for four Minor Leaguers.
Buster Olney / ESPN:Yankees get Nady, Marte in trade with Pirates
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Amazin' Avenue, Scout.com, Big Apple Sports, Pinstripe Alley, Pittsburgh Lumber Co. and The MLB Source
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Boras cites Teixeira, others as cases for draft value
Discussion:
Honest Wagner, Associated Press, Mets Fever, Bucs Dugout, MLB Rumors and Where have you gone …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Now he's a guaranteed out — The Red Sox have had it with Manny Ramírez. — Manny has punched his ticket out of town. It's over. O-VA. Adios, amigo. Good night, Irene. Turn out the lights. Last night's 1-0 loss to the Yankees (think they could have used Manny?) was the proverbial last worthless evening.
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Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Chamerblain adds new buzz to Youkilis feud — BOSTON - The pitch was mid-90s and next to Kevin Youkilis' batting helmet. The message was clear: Take this Joba and shove it! — Yankees ace-in-the-making Joba Chamberlain and Boston's All-Star first baseman have some bad blood in their history …
Discussion:
Fenway West
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
YOUKILIS NEARLY KNOCKED OUT OF SOX ONCE AGAIN — BOSTON - It's always “duck” season when Kevin Youkilis is standing at the plate to face Joba Chamberlain. — In yet another late-inning confrontation with the Red Sox first baseman, the Yankee flame-thrower last night fired a head-high fastball …
Discussion:
New York Times, Yankee GM Blog, iYankees, New Jersey Online and Yankee Stadium Insider Blog
Associated Press:
Twins' Gomez suffers back injury on catch at wall — CLEVELAND — Carlos Gomez was shaken, sore and scared. — Minnesota's center fielder sustained a lower back injury when he crashed into the padded wall while making a spectacular catch in the first inning of Friday night's game against the Cleveland Indians.
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