July 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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Yunel Escobar is, shall we say, a different sort of Brave. He has blond highlights in his hair. He doesn't always pay attention. He has a temper and is given to the sulks. He has yet to respond to the gentle urgings of Bobby Cox, which have become less gentle over time. According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Braves "are willing to trade Escobar for a good hitter right now." (Link requires registration.) But I don't think they will. Nor do I believe they should. Because Yunel Escobar is a different sort of Brave in another way: He can really hit. And he can really play. The Braves have become so skilled at siphoning off higher-maintenance types that they have lesser tolerance for one ..."
June 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed Sunday that the Milwaukee Brewers had interest in Cleveland second baseman Mark DeRosa, who was traded to St. Louis the previous day in a move that should help the Cardinals greatly in the National League Central race. Ash said general manager Doug Melvin contacted the Indians about DeRosa but didn't have available what Cleveland wanted: young, major league-ready pitching. St. Louis sent young reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named to the Indians in the trade. "They didn't feel like we had the type of players they were looking for," Ash said. "The big thing will be who the second player is. I would imagine it's a pretty good player. "(The ..."
June 28
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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One way to tell a player has reached household-name status is when his name starts popping up in trade rumors. Welcome to the show, Nyjer Morgan. Friday night, a report surfaced that the Pirates might send Morgan to the Washington Nationals for outfielder Lastings Milledge. Talks hit a snag when the Pirates asked for right-hander Craig Stammen. The Pirates would prefer to add a starting pitcher or middle infielder rather than another outfielder. Pitcher Ian Snell's future with the club is murky, at best, after his demotion last week to Triple-A. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez and/or shortstop Jack Wilson could be moved by the July 31 trade deadline. Morgan first heard the trade talk on ..."
June 28
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed Sunday that the Brewers had interest in Cleveland second baseman Mark DeRosa, who was traded to St. Louis in a move that should help the Cardinals greatly in the NL Central race. Ash said general manager Doug Melvin contacted the Indians about DeRosa but didn't have what Cleveland wanted – young, major league-ready pitching. St. Louis sent young reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named to the Indians in the trade. "They didn't feel like we had the type of players they were looking for," said Ash. "The big thing will be who the second player is. I would imagine it's a pretty good player. "(The Cardinals') interest in him is similar to ours – ..."
June 26
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Jarrod Washburn might not be the most popular of Mariners players with his current 4-5 record and a four-year mark of 27-48 in Seattle, but he's easily been the biggest surprise of a patchwork starting rotation that keeps getting the job done for the new regime. Washburn hasn't had a lot to show for it in the win column, thanks to the worst run support in the American League, but the 34-year-old is having by far his best season since signing a four-year, $37 million deal with Seattle in 2006. In fact, Washburn has been good enough that the Mariners should be growing increasingly reluctant to part with him at the trading deadline if they remain in contention in the AL West. Barring a ..."