Top News:
ESPN:
Alfonso Soriano traded to Yankees … The trade of Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees was finalized Friday after he officially waived his no-trade clause, sources told ESPN. — Of the estimated $24.5 million Soriano is owed through the end of next season …
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TSN.ca, SI Wire, Washington Post, Red Reporter and MLB
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Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Acquire Alfonso Soriano — Alfonso Soriano is heading back to the same team with which he began his Major League career. After stops in Texas and Washington and an extended stay in Chicago, Soriano has come full circle by officially waiving his no-trade rights to approve a trade to the Yankees.
Discussion:
whygavs.com, Red Sox Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Soriano back in pinstripes after trade with Cubs — The New York Yankees, desperately trying to stay in the playoff race, completed a trade Friday morning for Chicago Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano that's expected to be approved by Major League Baseball. — The Yankees, according …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, River Avenue Blues and MLB Rumors
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs give emotional goodbye to veteran Soriano
Cubs give emotional goodbye to veteran Soriano
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Morse closing in on return to Mariners lineup — SEATTLE — Michael Morse was scheduled to play nine innings in right field for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday night in his fourth rehab game, and a decision could come soon on when he'll rejoin the Mariners, according to interim manager Robby Thompson.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mets Add International Slot Value From Angels — The Mets have added to their international bonus pool by acquiring an international slot value from the Angels in exchange for outfielder Julio Concepcion and righthander Andres Perez. — The Mets will receive the Angels' No. 2 slot value …
Discussion:
Metsblog, MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
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Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Mets Acquire Angels' No. 2 International Bonus Slot
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Jake Peavy Rumors: Friday — Jake Peavy made what could have been his last start as a member of the White Sox yesterday, beating the Tigers after he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings. He was done in by a trio of homers, but Peavy also fired 118 pitches …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, Talking Chop and CBSSports.com
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves will consider trade options after Hudson injury
Braves will consider trade options after Hudson injury
Discussion:
Trade Deadline 2013, Talking Chop and MLB Rumors
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Stiffening PED penalties — Would players consider lifetime bans or voiding of contracts? — Let's have a warm hand, ladies and gentlemen, for Jared Michael “Skip” Schumaker. He spoke the two words this week we never thought we'd hear a baseball player utter: — “Lifetime ... ban.”
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Outfield is the main focus, but Rangers mull Michael Young return — Seen as the most likely Phillies player dealt, Michael Young is a Texas clubhouse favorite (USATSI) — The Rangers are focused on outfielders at the moment, but they've talked at least internally about the possibility …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, SI Wire, The Good Phight and Lone Star Ball
MLB.com:
Phillies place Brown on seven-day concussion DL — ST. LOUIS — Domonic Brown sounded pretty optimistic he would be back in the Phillies' lineup Friday in Detroit. — But he will not be back until next Wednesday at the earliest. — The Phillies placed Brown on the seven …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Ted Berg / USA Today:
Pete Rose to cheaters: Baseball will catch you — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — All-time major league hits leader Pete Rose has been banned from baseball since 1989, but no one can stop him from keeping a close eye on the game. And Rose, who says he watches two or three games a day …
Discussion:
SI Wire and HardballTalk
NY Daily News:
Mets playing better than Yankees right now - and without the drama — The Mets are just the Mets. They aren't very good and won't be very good in the near future, but they aren't performing terribly at the moment. Their biggest stars, David Wright and Matt Harvey, actually make it onto the field.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
George Brett resigns as Royals' hitting coach — Hall of Fame icon George Brett promised the Royals on May 30 that he'd commit for one month as their interim hitting coach. On Thursday, after eight weeks in the role, he stepped away from that duty. — “I just felt it was time for me to move on …
Discussion:
SI Wire, CBSSports.com and Royals Review
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Mike Gavin / Newsday:
Zack Wheeler still working on throwing first-pitch strikes — It was a day of firsts for Zack Wheeler . . . somewhat. — He earned his first Citi Field win in the Mets' 7-4 victory over the Braves; his three previous wins came on the road. — And for the first time …
Discussion:
Metsblog and Wall Street Journal
Tony Paul / detroitnews.com:
Tigers' Omar Infante suffers a setback; Darin Downs likely to return Friday — One took a step back, the other a step forward. — But the step back could be a big one. — Tigers second baseman Omar Infante left early in his rehab game with the Single A West Michigan Whitecaps …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Bless You Boys and HardballTalk
ESPN.com:
Fan forced to cover up Braun ‘Fraud’ jersey — MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee Brewers fan says she was asked to leave Miller Park because she had made some changes to her Ryan Braun shirt. — Karen Eidem says security tapped her on the shoulder while she was standing with friends at the ballpark Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Canadian Press, HardballTalk and MLB