Top News:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Scott Kazmir could be first A's player dealt — Scott Kazmir is scheduled to pitch for the A's on Thursday against the Blue Jays, and with the trade deadline approaching, it might be his final outing with Oakland. Talks are heating up, according to sources, with division foe Houston among the top potential landing spots.
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ESPN:
Scott Kazmir traded to Astros — 8m - MLB SCOTT KAZMIR HOUSTON ASTROS OAKLAND ATHLETICS + more — Tim Kurkjian explains why the addition of Scott Kazmir to the Astros' rotation is important for them to make a charge to the playoffs.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Acquire Scott Kazmir — Athletics starter Scott Kazmir is headed to the Astros in the year's first major trade, Oakland has announced. Returning to the A's in the deal are righty Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham, per the release. — Trade talks were said to be …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Yahoo Sports, redsminorleagues.com, The Big Lead, The Crawfish Boxes and Al's Ramblings
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Notes: Don't expect Price to stay in Detroit if not dealt — FOX Sports — Don't expect the Tigers to try to sign left-hander David Price long term before deciding whether to trade him — or even after he reaches free agency. — The contract that Price will command is beyond the Tigers' comfort level …
Discussion:
Metsblog, Bleacher Nation and Talking Chop
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CBS Chicago:
Levine: Cubs, Tigers Have Talked About David Price — By Bruce Levine- — CHICAGO (CBS) — Will there be a sale in Detroit and a Price reduction? The Chicago Cubs wasted little time this week reacting to the sudden availability of left-handed ace David Price, according to multiple sources.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Bleacher Nation, MLB Daily Dish, Athletics Nation, Chicago, MLB Trade Rumors and Sporting News Feed RSS
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Acquire Aramis Ramirez — The Pirates and Brewers have announced a trade that will send third baseman Aramis Ramirez to Pittsburgh in exchange for minor league right-hander Yhonathan Barrios and cash considerations. The Pirates are reportedly taking on $3MM of the $5.74MM that remains on Ramirez's $14MM salary.
Discussion:
Metsblog, Yahoo Sports, JSOnline, Milwaukee, HardballTalk, Al's Ramblings and Bucs Dugout
John Wilcox / Boston Herald:
Buckley: Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval must go — Photo by: — If the Red Sox are serious about putting a winning team on the field for 2016 and beyond, they need to liberate themselves — and their fans — from Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. — It begins there, right?
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Surviving Grady and McCovey Chronicles
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
David Freese To Be Placed On DL With Fractured Finger — Angels third baseman David Freese was hit by a pitch from Minnesota's Mike Pelfrey tonight and will be placed on the disabled list with a fractured in his hand, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Gonzalez further clarifies that it's a fractured index finger for Freese.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Halos Heaven, MLB Daily Dish and Orange County Register
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Mike Digiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
David Freese breaks finger in Angels' win over Twins
David Freese breaks finger in Angels' win over Twins
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Ellsbury, Headley Lead Yankees to Sweep of Orioles — NEW YORK — Jacoby Ellsbury finished a triple shy of the cycle and drove in four runs and Chase Headley hit a three-run double in the first inning as the New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 Thursday to bolster their spot atop the AL East.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, baseballmusings.com and Camden Chat
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Wright will start baseball activity in NY this week — David Wright will resume baseball activity next week in New York, not St. Lucie, Mets GM Sandy Alderson told reporters at Citi Field on Thursday. — According to Alderson, money recouped this season from Wright's contract will not afford …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Designate Steve Lombardozzi For Assignment — The Pirates announced that they've designated infielder Steve Lombardozzi for assignment in order to clear space on the 40-man roster for third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who was acquired from the Brewers this afternoon.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks drop series to Miami Marlins — Recap: RHP Jose Fernandez struck out 11 in seven strong innings, helping the Miami Marlins beat the Diamondbacks 5-3 on Wednesday night and secure a series victory at Chase Field. — The Diamondbacks have lost five of six games …
Discussion:
The Big Lead, AZ Snake Pit, Fish Stripes and Yahoo Sports
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Late meltdown leaves Mets a battered bunch — WASHINGTON - The sense of regret and self-loathing was everywhere in the room. No one had to come out and say it, but it was obvious the Mets hated themselves for losing to the Nationals on Wednesday, unable to stomach how casually they threw away …
Discussion:
Metsblog, New York Post, Newsday and Mack's Mets
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Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Terry Collins says he is to blame for Wednesday's loss
Terry Collins says he is to blame for Wednesday's loss
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
Top 10 Fantasy Prospects: Conforto Coming? — Every Thursday, Baseball America will take a look at the top fantasy callup options among minor leaguers who retain prospect eligibility. — Update: Conforto raked at high Class A St. Lucie and has been even better since a promotion to Double-A Binghamton …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Vince Ellis / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Ausmus calls his bullpen usage ‘spot on’ — Manager says you can't manage relief pitchers for only one game, or 'you'll lose pitchers' — Brad Ausmus knows that armchair managers come with the job. — But the Detroit Tigers manager said today there is one quibble he has when it comes …