RED SOX, RANGERS TALKED BLOCKBUSTER  —  According to multiple major league sources, one potential deal discussed by the Red Sox and Rangers prior to the non-waiver trade deadline included a package that would have sent Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kelly Shoppach to the Rangers.

Rockies' Dan O'Dowd remains GM; Geivett to work more closely with big-league team  —  The Rockies are expected to announce a restructuring of responsibilities in their front office Wednesday, with general manager Dan O'Dowd staying in his position but focusing more on the minor leagues …

Peavy Pitches White Sox to 3-2 Win Over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Peavy struck out eight over eight smooth innings, Alejandro De Aza gave Chicago the lead in the eighth with an infield single off Scott Diamond's leg, and the White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Wednesday.

Pirates score 5 runs in 8th inning to put away Cubs … CHICAGO — Michael McKenry and Starling Marte homered to back a strong start by Jeff Karstens, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 8-4 on Wednesday.  —  Garrett Jones added two hits and drove in three runs after entering in the eighth as a pinch hitter.

Best trades that didn't happen  —  Sometimes the most interesting trades are the ones that don't happen.  —  Consider this fascinating change-of-scenery exchange that the Miami Marlins and New York Mets kicked around, according to major league sources:  —  Outfielder Jason Bay to the Marlins …

Phillips on calf: ‘No bueno’  —  Brandon Phillips won the game for the Reds, with a seventh-inning solo homer in a 7-6 win over the Padres.  But it wasn't all good news for Phillips, who left the game with a strained left calf — the same one that cramped up on him in Colorado Sunday.

Blue Jays Void Contract Of Venezuelan Shortstop Luis Castro Over Physical  —  The Blue Jays have voided the contract of Luis Castro after the Venezuelan shortstop did not pass his physical, according to a source familiar with the contract.  —  Castro, 16, had agreed to terms with the Blue Jays …

Lincecum leads Giants past Mets to end losing streak  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum struck out seven in seven innings and the San Francisco Giants took advantage of a two-run error by shortstop Ruben Tejada to beat the New York Mets 4-1 on Tuesday night and snap a season-long five-game losing streak.

Bryce Harper on his slump: “I'm trying to find some mellowness”  —  July has been the toughest month for Bryce Harper so far.  He's in the longest slump — and that's in relative terms — of his young major league career.  With his for 4 game on Tuesday, the Nationals 19-year-old rookie drifted deeper …

The Midseason Top 50 Prospects  —  Doing a midseason prospect list is an exercise in managing hype and dealing with insufficient information.  Half-seasons mean small sample sizes, and while I'm speaking to scouts on a daily basis, I'm often dealing with two or three looks instead of four or six.

Joba Shaky in Return as Yanks Rout O's, Stop Skid  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The bullpen door swung open, and Joba Chamberlain stopped to take in the scene.  For the first time in 14 months, he was headed back to a major league mound.  —  “You're heart gets racing again, just to know that door's opening …

Cubs GM: Still a chance Soriano will be traded  —  CHICAGO — After efforts to deal Alfonso Soriano never materialized before Tuesday's trade deadline, Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said there is still a chance the outfielder will be moved through the waiver process this month.