Top News:

Latest trade talk on Washburn, Halladay, Lee, Martinez and others … Knowing their chances remain slim for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay and even slimmer for star pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees called the pitching-strong Mariners on Saturday to inquire about their status as buyer or seller.
Discussion:
Pinstriped Bible, Yankees N More, bronxbanterblog.com, iYankees, Sliding Into Home and A Die Hard Yankees Fan
RELATED:

LATEST ON HALLADAY, LEE AND V.MARTINEZ — Stuff I have heard today so far: —The Rays and Red Sox are both talking to the Indians about deals that would bring them both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. Tampa is willing to part with touted pitching prospect Wade Davis.

Heyman On Washburn, Halladay, Red Sox — 1:21pm: Heyman hears that Adrian Gonzalez may be Boston's top target now, especially since discussions about Victor Martinez aren't progressing. — 11:51am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on Roy Halladay and the next-best options for pitching-starved teams.

Source: Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies trade talks over Roy Halladay ‘not going well’ — The Toronto Blue Jays and Phillies continue to talk about a deal that would send Roy Halladay to Philadelphia. But those talks are “not going well,” one source with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com.


Phillies Notebook: Source: Blue Jays turned down Phillies' offer for Halladay — The past few days concerning the Phillies and their quest to land Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay have been a lot like summer weather in the Delaware Valley - a lot of thunder and lightning. But no rain. Yet.

Phillies also have an eye on Indians' Cliff Lee
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com


Selig mulling pardon for Rose — Rickey Henderson (second from left) accepts his Cooperstown plaque with (from l.) Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson, HOF chairperson Jane Forbes Clark and Bud Selig. — COOPERSTOWN - Thanks to the behind-the-scenes lobbying from some of the most influential Hall …
RELATED:

Report: Bug Selig said to reconsidering Pete Rose's status for reinstatement — MLB commissioner Bud Selig appears to be “seriously considering” reinstatement for Pete Rose nearly 20 years after the hit king was banned from baseball for gambling on the sport, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

BERNAZARD FIRED — The Mets haved fired Tony Bernazard, the Post has learned. GM Omar Minaya will make that official this afternoon at a press conference. — Reached by phone, Bernazard did not want to comment on the situation. But a second source has now also confirmed his removal to me
RELATED:

Tony Bernazard, New York Mets executive, reportedly fired by New York Mets
Discussion:
NESN.com


Mets fire Tony Bernazard, hot-headed VP for player development
Discussion:
Hardball Times


A Computer Cracks the Cooperstown Code — Now that Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, fans the country over can return to the only thing they like as much as watching games: Arguing over who should join them in Cooperstown.
RELATED:


This straight from the top — Werner says big deal still possible
Discussion:
NESN.com


Tazawa gets a promotion — The Sea Dogs leave on a road trip after learning their top starting pitcher is headed to Triple-A. — PORTLAND — The Sea Dogs knew they were not going to hold on to pitcher Junichi Tazawa much longer. — Word finally arrived Sunday. Tazawa, 23, has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:

Not appearing in Rumor Central — We present the majors leaguers with the least trade value — As we all wait and maybe hope for a Roy Halladay trade, let's take a pause and generate a list of the anti-Halladays: the players no team would want to trade for.


Vultures are circling to pick up the veteran Mariners pieces of this ruined weekend — OK, so maybe that photo above does show a bunch of seagulls. But they might as well be vultures. This Mariners team just left its 2009 season dead and buried where the 2009 playoffs are concerned.
RELATED:

Redding's spot saved by injuries — HOUSTON - Tim Redding, who was on the verge of being released as the Mets started a 10-game trip to open the second half, is off the chopping block, a team insider told the Daily News. — The Mets privately had resolved to eat the remainder …
Discussion:
Mets Fans Forever


Firmly Sellers, Reds ‘Close’ to a Deal — The Reds are “sellers” and top club officials spoke on a special conference call Monday morning, an indication to a major league source that the team is “close to doing something,” most likely involving one of its big-money pitchers: Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang or Francisco Cordero.


HALL INDUCTEE SAYS REYES NEEDS TO GET BACK ON FEET — COOPERSTOWN — Even dur ing Hall of Fame weekend the Mets are Team Chaos. Rickey Henderson, who was inducted into the Hall yesterday, said Jose Reyes has struggled with leg injuries this season because he has gotten away …

Pirates still scouting Tigers — Larry Corrigan, one of GM Neal Huntington's special assistants, stayed to scout the Tigers through Detroit's weekend series with the White Sox. Corrigan has been watching the Tigers every day since last Tuesday. — Detroit is mulling a couple different directions …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Mack Avenue Tigers, PBC Blog, Raise the Jolly Roger and Where Have You Gone …
RELATED: