Top News:
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Tazawa replaces Smoltz; Woodward claimed on waivers — NEW YORK — Junichi Tazawa, the promising righthanded pitcher signed out of Japan's Industrial League in the offseason, was added to the Red Sox' roster tonight, replacing the ineffective John Smoltz, who was designated for assignment.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 109: Red Sox at Yankees — YANKEES (66-42) — Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (10-5, 3.89). — RED SOX (62-45) — Ellsbury CF — Pedroia 2B — Martinez 1B — Youkilis 3B — Ortiz DH — Drew RF — Varitek C — Reddick LF — Green SS — Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett (13-4, 3.27).
Amy K. Nelson / MLB:
Boston Red Sox's John Smoltz faces uncertainty after another rough outing — Another rough outing leaves question marks about right-hander's future … NEW YORK — About 30 minutes before first pitch on Thursday night, John Smoltz was in the depths of this new stadium, tossing a football, his spirals tight, his throws aggressive.
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Smoltz designated for assignment — After eight starts and few glimpses of the repertoire that made him one of the dominant pitchers of his generation, John Smoltz's Red Sox career has come to a crossroads, and possibly an end. — The Red Sox have designated the 42-year-old righthander …
Discussion:
YFSF
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
SMOLTZ DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT — NEW YORK — The Red Sox have designated John Smoltz for assignment. Smoltz was 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts for the Sox after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract. The Sox now have 10 days during which to either trade the right-hander or put him on release waivers.
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz may be nearing the end after another rough night
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Twins Acquire Carl Pavano — The Twins deepened their rotation today, acquiring Carl Pavano from the Indians for a player to be named later, according to a team press release. Pavano, 33, has allowed 150 hits in 125.2 innings, posting a respectable 88K/23BB ratio.
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Carl Pavano / Associated Press:
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.
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Twins add Pavano from Cleveland — Minnesota acquires veteran right-hander for stretch run — The Twins acquired veteran right-hander Carl Pavano on Friday from the Indians in exchange for a player to be named later. — Pavano, 33, in the midst of a somewhat revitalizing season following …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Jays face choices on Rios — A waiver claim has been placed on Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios, according to MLB sources. — At a time when most teams have very little financial flexibility, it could be within the realm of possibility that the Blue Jays will consider a trade of Rios …
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:Alex Rios Claimed On Waivers, Trade Next?
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
A's release struggling Jason Giambi; former MVP was hitting .193 in 2nd stint with Oakland — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jason Giambi's second stint with the Oakland Athletics didn't pan out as either side had hoped. — On Friday, they parted ways — most certainly for good this time.
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The Sporting Green / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giambi released — Jason Giambi has been released by the A's, ending his failed return to the team with which he started out a star-crossed career. Here is the team's press release: — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics have released Jason Giambi, the five-time American League …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
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 …
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Mets Today, ...gettingpaidtowatch, NBCSports.com and Twinkie Town
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
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.
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Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
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.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Chicago's Inside Pitch, ctrentrosecrans.com, The Unofficial Scorer, Redleg Nation, At Home Plate, The LoHud Yankees Blog, MLB FanHouse, Red Reporter, NBCSports.com, Blue Collar Baseball, Church of Baseball, The Big Lead, SportsJustice, Mark My Word, Basement Dwellers and It's About The Money
Rustin Dodd / MLB.com:
For Bannister, the secret is in the numbers — Right-hander finds success with Pitch f/x, sabermetrics — KANSAS CITY — Brian Bannister reaches into his locker and pulls out a baseball. — This is complicated stuff he's talking about, and he needs a prop.
