Top News:
Change for a Nickel:
Pirates close to landing W. Rodriguez — The Pirates are focusing their quest for pitching help on left-hander Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros, MLB.com has learned. — There is no confirmation from either side of a tentative deal having been struck, but the sides are close enough to an agreement …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America, Bucs Dugout, baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk, Yahoo! Sports and The Crawfish Boxes
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Fox Sports:
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 …
Discussion:
Crashburn Alley, Baseball Nation, The Good Phight, HardballTalk, Over the Monster, MLB Daily Dish and NESN.com
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Multiple Teams Interested In Hanley Ramirez
Discussion:
CBSSports.com Sports News … and Drunk Jays Fans
Associated Press:
Dunn hits 30th homer to lead White Sox past Twins — CHICAGO — Adam Dunn tied the game with his major league-leading 30th homer and Dayan Viciedo hit a bases-loaded single to cap a four-run seventh Tuesday night as the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 11-4.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Fox Sports:
White Sox could make bold move — At the height of trading season, teams often send confusing messages, making it difficult to decipher their intentions. — That said, the Chicago White Sox will be a team to watch in the next week, with the non-waiver deadline approaching at 4 p.m. ET July 31.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Mike Aviles' RBI single in 9th lifts Red Sox over Texas — ARLINGTON, Texas - Mike Aviles blooped a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox [team stats] beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 Tuesday night, ending a four-game losing streak. — Red Sox reliever Vicente Padilla …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, ESPN and Boston Herald
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Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Carl Crawford dropped to seventh — ARLINGTON, Texas — When Carl Crawford arrived in the visitor's clubhouse Tuesday afternoon at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, he read the lineup card and saw his name in the seventh spot of the batting order. — Crawford batted second in the first seven games …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Associated Press
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
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 …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Getting Blanked, Full Count and ESPN
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Scott Bordow / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks better off with Justin Upton
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Drunk Jays Fans, Getting Blanked, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Bryan Hoch / Bombers Beat:
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 …
Fox Sports:
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 …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com Sports News …, HardballTalk, Getting Blanked, Talking Chop, NESN.com, Baseball Nation and MLB Rumors
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
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 …
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Tim Kurkjian / MLB:
Source: Angels trying to get Shields from Rays — The Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays have discussed a deal involving pitcher James Shields, a source said Tuesday. — The trade would send Shields to the Angels in exchange for center fielder Peter Bourjos and catcher Hank Conger, according to the source.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Nation, DRaysBay, NESN.com and ESPN
Associated Press:
Hellickson Leads Rays Over Orioles 3-1 — BALTIMORE (AP) — Jeremy Hellickson took a three-hitter into the seventh inning to earn his first win in 10 starts, and the Tampa Bay Rays got a home run from light-hitting Brooks Conrad in a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Camden Chat
MLB.com:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Boston Globe
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Padres intend to keep Volquez, who had been a trade target — Edinson Volquez, who once looked like a prime trade candidate, now appears likely to stay in San Diego. — The Padres have gotten inquiries about Volquez but intend to keep him, said people familiar with their thinking.
Discussion:
Full Count and MLB Rumors
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Dan Lependorf / Hardball Times:
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.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and baseballmusings.com
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Geoff Young / Baseball Prospectus:
Walk-off Wins are the New Market Inefficiency
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
