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 …

Arizona Diamondbacks better off with Justin Upton  —  Outfielder not likely to be traded this season, Kendrick says  —  PHOENIX — The trade rumors surrounding Justin Upton won't officially die until the July 31 trading deadline passes, but they were all but put to rest by Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick on Monday.

Duda demoted to Triple-A to make way for Harvey  —  NEW YORK — Needing to clear roster space for top pitching prospect Matt Harvey, the Mets optioned slumping outfielder Lucas Duda to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.  —  Duda, 26, broke camp as the team's starting right fielder and jumped …

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 …

Tuesday's pitching preview: R.A. Dickey vs. Gio Gonzalez  —  R.A. Dickey (13-1, 2.84 ERA) will start for the Mets tonight.  —  Dickey owns the only win for the Mets since the All-Star Break after he allowed three runs in seven innings against the Nationals last Thursday.

Source: Nationals' top trade deadline concern is improving middle infield depth  —  With the trade deadline one week away, the Nationals' most urgent concern is improving their middle infield depth in the wake of shortstop Ian Desmond landing on the disabled list with a strained left oblique …

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.

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 …