MLB Confidential: The Financial Documents Baseball Doesn't Want You To See, Part 1  —  We've obtained financial statements for a number of baseball teams — containing perhaps some of the most closely guarded information in sports — and they offer a rare glimpse at how MLB franchises do brisk business in the modern era.

BoSox make waiver claim on Damon  —  The Boston Red Sox claimed Tigers designated hitter/outfielder Johnny Damon on waivers, which means Damon could be returning to Fenway Park.  —  The struggling Tigers need his approval before he could return to Boston.  Detroit is 61-63 …

What I care about more  —  Matt Cerrone mentioned Johan Santana's run of bad luck on MetsBlog earlier today, which is funny to me because earlier in the season, sabermetricians everywhere were rapping about Santana's run of good luck.  —  Remember when Santana was walking more batters …

Morrow gets the call for Jays' opener against Yankees  —  Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Ivan Nova makes his first major league start this evening, when the New York Yankees open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.  —  Nova, who pitched three scoreless innings …

Free Talent  —  Yesterday, the Giants were awarded Cody Ross on a waiver claim, likely made to keep the Marlins from being able to ship him to San Diego.  They didn't need another outfielder, but they got stuck with him when Florida just let him go, and so they had to clear a roster spot.

Brewers Release David Riske  —  The Brewers released reliever David Riske, according to the team's Twitter feed.  Riske has about $1MM remaining in 2010 salary, plus a $250K buyout for 2011.  The Brewers will be on the hook for that minus the prorated league minimum if Riske signs elsewhere.

Step right up and greet the Mess  —  Amid busted hopes and a hellish second half, the Mets' season has turned to sawdust  —  K-Rod's arrest was the most infamous in a string of revolting developments for Mets fans this season.  —  Three years ago, Tom Glavine and Paul Lo Duca distributed …

Does Good Pitching “Always” Beat Good Hitting?  —  I've attempted to prove or disprove a lot of theories on UFR over the last (almost) two years.  “Good pitching always beats good hitting” is one that is espoused as though it were the synonymous with “Cows eat grass.”  But, is it the truth?

Mets waive goodbye to Rod Barajas as Josh Thole becomes primary catcher  —  PITTSBURGH - It was spring at Citi Field, the Mets were storming to the front of the standings, and Rod Barajas was crushing home runs.  —  “Things started out great,” Barajas said.  “It was an exciting time for us.”