MARINERS OFFER ROCKIES DEAL FOR DREW STUBBS; CAPUANO DEALT TO YANKEES  —  The Denver Post  —  Chris Capuano, pitching here for the Los Angeles Dodgers, during a game against the Rockies at Coors Field on June 1, 2012.  (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)  —  As trade talk swirled around …

How a Bartolo Colon trade would go down (and how much money the NY Mets would eat); What about a big trade for a Colorado hitter?  —  The Bartolo Colon trade market is not yet scorching, but it is far too early to say that it won't get there.  When you zoom out and look around the league …

Ruben Amaro shoots down Ryan Howard release talk  —  Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. emphatically shot down reports that the organization is considering releasing struggling slugger Ryan Howard after the season.  —  “That is not something we are contemplating,” Amaro said Friday morning.

Giants Designate Nick Noonan, Jose De Paula  —  The Giants have designated infielder Nick Noonan and lefty Jose De Paula for assignment, the club announced.  In corresponding moves, the club purchased the contracts of Dan Uggla and Tony Abreu.  (To create active roster space, Marco Scutaro and Ehire Adrianza were DL'ed.)

Union files grievance against Astros over draft, Brady Aiken  —  OAKLAND — The MLB Players Association has filed a grievance against the Astros for their handling of first-round draft pick Brady Aiken and two players selected later in the draft, a person familiar with the filing told the Chronicle.

(USATSI)  —  The Dodgers, after somehow fitting five players into three outfield spots for more than a year now, are trying to alleviate a numbers crunch that's become a problem for Matt Kemp (and could become one for manager Don Mattingly and the team, too), by finally seeking a new team for Kemp.

Latest On Rusney Castillo  —  5:33pm: The Reds, too, will join the party, according to a tweet from C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  Likewise, the Padres will be on hand, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com.  The brings the current tally of teams reportedly planning to have a look at Castillo to 17.

A's Acquire RHP Deck McGuire from Toronto for Cash Considerations  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Athletics have acquired right-handed pitcher Deck McGuire from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations, the team announced today.  McGuire will be optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

ON RASMUS-LEWIS BUNT CONTROVERSY, DARVISH AND MORE  —  TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips answers several questions each week.  This week's topics include the Colby Rasmus-Colby Lewis bunting controversy, Yu Darvish suggesting a six-man rotation and the difficulties faced by the Colorado Rockies.

Chen allows five hits in eight innings, Orioles beat Mariners  —  SEATTLE — Wie-Yin Chen allowed five hits over eight innings and Delmon Young hit a three-run homer to give the Baltimore Orioles a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.  —  Chen (11-3), who has won …

Jeter receives a ‘Terrific’ endorsement  —  Seaver expects Yanks captain to become first unanimous Hall of Fame inductee  —  NEW YORK — The pride that flows through the body of Tom Seaver these days defies measurement.  He is a rightfully proud man, but he doesn't beat his chest.

FREE GIANCARLO STANTON  —  C'mon Marlins, get on with it already.  —  You are not signing Giancarlo Stanton long term.  Repeat: You are not keeping Stanton.  The only question, then, is when you trade him.  And you know how this works, having done it, oh, a few times before: The earlier you jump, the better the deal.

Garza rebounds from poor outing, Brewers win 9-1  —  MILWAUKEE — Matt Garza was fuming after his previous start, the shortest of his career when he recorded just one out and allowed five runs.  —  What a difference five days make.  —  Garza allowed two hits in eight innings …