Yanks add depth by acquiring Gaudin  —  Possible fifth starter excited about coming to New York  —  NEW YORK — Poll the Yankees, and they'll tell you the most significant difference between now and June, between winning and losing, has been their bullpen.

Minnesota Twins get Carl Pavano from Cleveland Indians, demote R.A. Dickey  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-hander Carl Pavano from the Cleveland Indians in an attempt to shore up their rotation.  —  Pavano  —  The deal was announced Friday.

It's time to say goodbye  —  The hammer fell today and it hurts like hell.  —  They're putting the ol' baseball scribe out to pasture and if there are teardrops on your screen, well, that's from me, just an old softie.  —  My run is over - 37 years of bliss, doing a job that wasn't a job.

Mets willing to waive bye to Billy?  —  SAN DIEGO - Billy Wagner could be on a contender in September.  —  As the former closer nears a return to the majors following Tommy John elbow surgery, a Mets insider suggested the organization would be open to dealing Wagner by the Aug. 31 postseason-roster deadline …

Phillies' Myers says he feels fine after simulated game  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brett Myers was supposed to be starting a long-toss program at this point of his recovery, 2 months after hip surgery.  —  Instead, the 28-year-old righthander pitched a simulated game yesterday.

D-Backs break away from Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH - For someone going on his ninth season of riding buses around exotic minor-league destinations, Trent Oeltjen's first night in the big leagues got off to an understandably fast start for the Diamondbacks rookie on Thursday.

Scherzer a student of the stats  —  Right-hander uses obscure numbers to analyze science of pitching  —  Not long after Diamondbacks pitcher Yusmeiro Petit nearly threw a no-hitter Tuesday night, Max Scherzer was on his iPhone in the visitor's clubhouse, bringing up a Web site with charts …

Wrapping it up from the Bronx  —  A few assorted things:  —  • Jorge Posada played with a No. 15 decal on his mask in honor of Thurman Munson, whose funeral was 30 years ago today.  “Just something I wanted to do,” he said.  “He means a lot to me.”  —  Posada is reading Marty Appel's new book on Munson.

You Always Fear What You Don't Understand  —  Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest is a blog dedicated to coverage of the Mets and Yankees.  The tone of the site is similar to sports talk radio.  There is an open and prominent aversion to statistical analysis, except for the occasional pieces by Howard Megdal.

Gladiator spirit to be kept in clubhouse  —  Relievers had been using helmets as a symbol of unity  —  KANSAS CITY — A symbol of unity among Mariners relievers must from now on stay inside the clubhouses at home and on the road.  —  Prior to Tuesday night's series opener against the Royals …

Prime draft choice Cain set to sign  —  Pending a physical examination Friday morning, Texas prep left-hander Colton Cain is expected to sign with the Pirates soon after and report to Bradenton Saturday to commence his professional career.  —  Cain, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound …