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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Cano Hits Slam, Yankees Rout Orioles to Stop Skid  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Robinson Cano hit a grand slam in a seven-run third inning, and New York sent Zach Britton to another shellacking at Yankee Stadium in a 12-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday that stopped a four-game losing streak.

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.

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 …

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.

Diamondbacks top Dodgers on homers from Goldschmidt, Montero  —  LOS ANGELES — Paul Goldschmidt homered in the first inning for the second straight game, Miguel Montero added a three-run shot and rookie Wade Miley pitched eight dominant innings for the Arizona Diamondbacks in an 8-2 victory …

Rangers Acquire Ryan Dempster  —  The Rangers acquired Ryan Dempster from the Cubs for minor league third baseman Christian Villanueva and minor league right-hander Kyle Hendricks.  The Braves and Dodgers were favored at various points for Dempster, but the Rangers jumped in and made the move and the 35-year-old approved the deal.