Not the Marlins fire sale we're used to  —  Give the Miami Marlins credit for one thing — they're at least willing to admit their mistake.  —  But boy, what a mistake.  —  The Marlins proudly and loudly shed their low-revenue skin last offseason, jumping their Opening Day payroll from $56.9 million …

Sources: Dempster prefers to be in LA  —  Chicago Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster does not want to be traded to the Atlanta Braves, according to major-league sources.  —  At least not right now.  —  Dempster, as a player with 10 years of major-league service, the last five with the same team …

Justin Upton won't be dealt in-season  —  It's officially time to put an end to Justin Upton trade talk.  For now, at least.  —  After several weeks of speculation and rumors surrounding the Arizona Diamondbacks' star right fielder, team president Derrick Hall said Tuesday that there's …

The rebuild that wasn't: Oakland's past, present and future  —  This isn't how rebuilds are supposed to work.  You trade away a bunch of talent, you play poorly for a few years, and if everything goes right, the players you got in the trade blossom into a core of talent that you can build around.

GM: Ichiro made concessions to join Yankees … Ichiro Suzuki apparently wanted the New York Yankees even more than the Yankees wanted him.  —  Before completing a trade to acquire the Japanese star, the Yankees spelled out a list of conditions to Ichiro, a former American League MVP and two-time batting champion.

Tribe acquires Lillibridge from Red Sox  —  The Cleveland Indians announced on Monday that they've acquired infielder/outfielder Brent Lillibridge from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-hander Jose De La Torre.  —  The versatile Lillibridge, 28, has spent most of his Major League career …

Cashman: Mariano isn't coming back this year  —  Yankees GM Brian Cashman was on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio channel this morning, where hosts Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin asked about reports that closer Mariano Rivera may be able to play this season.  —  Cashman again splashed cold water on the idea …

Harper HR, Key Single in 10th Lift Nats Over Mets  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Bryce Harper homered his first time up in New York, then hit a tiebreaking single to key a six-run burst in the 10th inning Monday night that sent the Washington Nationals over the Mets 8-2.

Mets option Lucas Duda to Triple-A Buffalo  —  The Mets announced they have optioned Lucas Duda to Triple-A Buffalo.  —  Duda was hitting just .241 with a .335 on-base percentage, 12 home runs and 44 RBI with 42 walks and 94 strikeouts in 307 at-bats over 89 games this season.

Red Sox Drop 4th Straight, 9-1 to Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With his team having lost four straight and 12 of its last 18, Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said the formula for their success is simple.  —  “Good pitching and timely hitting,” Valentine said after his team's 9-1 loss …

Phillies rally to beat Brewers  —  PHILADELPHIA—Ty Wigginton hit a sacrifice fly to cap a four-run rally in the ninth inning against Francisco Rodriguez and lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.  —  The Phillies were 0-42 when trailing …

Orioles have had talks about corner infielders  —  Team has had at least preliminary discussions about Headley, Polanco, LaHair, among others  —  Chase Headley, Placido Polanco, Bryan LaHair (July 23, 2012)  —  CLEVELAND — With roughly a week left before Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline …

Billingsley returns from DL to lead Dodgers past Cardinals  —  ST. LOUIS — Chad Billingsley returned from the disabled list with a strong outing that ended a five-start losing streak and Luis Cruz hit a three-run homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 Monday night …