David Ortiz ‘humiliated’ and ‘embarrassed’ by offseason  —  OAKLAND - Next offseason is going to be different.  David Ortiz is certain about that.  No more arbitration process.  No more one-year deal.  And possibly no more Boston Red Sox.  —  The longtime Boston favorite …

Bullpen could use work, but righthanded bat would be a bigger relief for NY Mets  —  What do the Mets really want before the July 31 trading deadline?  ‘A righthanded bat,’ one prominent player said, voicing a desire felt elsewhere in the room.  'We can't hit lefties.'

Marlins Acquire Carlos Lee  —  The Marlins have played to a 38-42 record since changing their name and logo, moving to a new stadium and spending aggressively on free agents, but the slow start will not stop them from adding midseason reinforcements before this year's trade deadline.

Midseason Top 50 Prospects List  —  For non-subscribers, here's the list of the Top 50 Prospects at the midseason.  Subscribers can read further analysis of these players, as well as looks at breakout prospects of the first half, prospects who have disappointed and those who are stuck on the disabled list.

Harang plays well against former team, Dodgers beat Reds  —  LOS ANGELES — Aaron Harang pitched seven strong innings against his former team and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 on Wednesday night to win consecutive games for the first time since June 9-10.

Plan won't hinder Nats' playoff bid  —  WASHINGTON  —  On the Fourth of July, I'm prepared to make a patriotic proclamation.  —  The Washington Nationals will win the National League East.  —  The statement sounds bolder than it actually is.  The Nationals have the best record, lowest team ERA and largest division lead in the NL.

Paul Maholm's pitching leads Cubs to 7th win in 9 games  —  ATLANTA — Manager Dale Sveum stated the obvious before Wednesday night's game at Turner Field when he said the Cubs have “underachieved” in the first half.  —  But the outlook is a little brighter as the offense continues to show a pulse.

Cabrera blasts 2 HRs in Verlander's CG win  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Miguel Cabrera homers twice as Justin Verlander baffles Twins … DETROIT — The Tigers' All-Star trio led took care of the Twins.

Blue Jays may part ways with golden oldie Jamie Moyer as they welcome first-round pick Marcus Stroman  —  The same day the Blue Jays may have said goodbye to the oldest player in their organization, they also welcomed the newest.  —  Forty-nine-year-old Jamie Moyer pitched his second …

Justin Upton on boos: 'I don't care' … PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks' second sellout crowd of the season let Justin Upton have it.  —  The Diamondbacks' former All-Star went 0-for-5 and stranded four runners in scoring position in Arizona's 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

Villanueva brings the July 4 fireworks as Blue Jays beat Royals 4-1  —  Carlos Villanueva pitched six shutout innings and Yunel Escobar drove in two runs as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Wednesday.  —  Rajai Davis had a triple and a sacrifice fly …

Ailing Haren makes Halos vulnerable with depth  —  CLEVELAND — One back ailment to Dan Haren, and suddenly the Angels — a team that has led the American League in staff ERA for most of the year — don't appear to have much starting pitching depth.  —  With Haren likely missing …