Mets, Braves Swap Church For Francoeur  —  6:07pm: Hubbuch clears up some confusion: the Braves are sending the Mets cash in the deal.  That makes more sense given the difference in salaries.  —  5:48pm: Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News reports that Braves also received cash in the deal.

All-Star Game: Philadelphia Phillies OF Jayson Werth, Texas Rangers Nelson Cruz OF named as replacements  —  NEW YORK — Jayson Werth's power push paid off.  —  As did Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz's.  —  Fresh from homering for the fourth straight game, Philadelphia's Werth outfielder …

Rumors, rumors, rumors - all false???  —  RUMOR OFF-CENTRAL:  —  No, the Cincinnati Reds are NOT going to sign pitcher Pedro Martinez, as one scout suggested.  Martinez will undergo a physical, probably on Saturday, and if he passes the Philadelphia Phillies will announce he belongs to them.

Digital Eyes Will Chart Baseball's Unseen Skills  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As baseball's statistical revolution marches on, the last refuge for the baseball aesthete has been the sport's less quantifiable skills: outfielders' arm strength, base-running efficiency and other you-won't-find-that-in-the-box- score esoterica.

Twins C Mauer set to compete in home run derby … MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joe Mauer's power has earned him a place in baseball's home run derby.  —  Mauer on Friday accepted an invitation to participate in the popular All-Star week event, this Monday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Royals Acquire Yuniesky Betancourt  —  The Royals acquired Yuniesky Betancourt and cash from the Mariners for a pair of minor league pitchers, according to Joe Hamrahi of Baseball Daily Digest.  Betancourt makes at least $10MM before his current deal expires, so it'll be interesting to see how much the Mariners are contributing.

Melancon called to New York  —  No word on a corresponding move, but Mark Melancon has been called back to the big leagues and will join the New York Yankees in Los Angeles.  —  Melancon has not allowed a run in his past two outings, going a total of 5.2 innings with only one hit.

Dustin Pedroia could miss All-Star Game  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  Doubt has arisen about Dustin Pedroia [stats]'s attendance at next week's All-Star Game, with the second baseman's wife still in the hospital after going into early labor.

Astros claim Coste off waivers from Phillies  —  Catcher to Report to Club Tomorrow  —  HOUSTON, TX—The Houston Astros announced today that the club has claimed catcher Chris Coste off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.  The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Ed Wade.

Angels place Hunter, Guerrero on DL  —  Center fielder will not participate in the All-Star Game  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels will face the Yankees this weekend without the heart of their lineup.  —  Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero, the third and fourth hitters in the Angels' lineup …

Prospect Hot Sheet: July 10  —  It's unfortunate that only one player can rank No. 1 on the Hot Sheet, because this week two players are worthy of the honor.  Choosing between Orioles Double-A lefty Brian Matusz and Nationals low Class A catcher Derek Norris was nearly impossible.

Meet the all-time NL All-Stars  —  With the 80th Midsummer Classic approaching next Tuesday in St. Louis, I have chosen my all-time All-Star teams, starting with the National League today and continuing with the American League on Friday.  But here's the catch — I had to do the following:

Pirates Notebook: Sanchez trade not imminent  —  The Pirates are “pushing hard” to trade All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, according to a National League executive yesterday, but no deal with any team looked imminent as of last night, according to multiple other sources.

Rob Dibble on the Nats: “It's Pathetic”  —  Rob Dibble keeps talking, and I keep typing.  —  You won't often hear the home team's official broadcaster say things like this: “This isn't a Major League baseball team I'm watching out here....It's pathetic.  I've never seen a team that is ok with losing. …

Pirates sign six Latin players  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Pirates today signed their first six Latin American players of the international signing period for 16-year-olds that began July 2: Outfielder Pedro Lara, third baseman Roberson Valdez and second baseman Alen Hanson of the Dominican Republic …

ORIOLES MANAGER TREMBLEY SUSPENDED TWO-GAMES  —  The Sports Network  —  New York, NY (Sports Network) - Baltimore manager Dave Trembley has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his actions during Tuesday's 12-4 win in Seattle.  —  Trembley was ejected in the first inning …