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The Houston Cubs Alfonso Soriano Jersey Astros enter the week 33 games under .500 and 19 1/2 games back of the National League Central lead. This qualifies, as one scout put it, as "very, very not good."But in "very, very not goodness" lies opportunity. And in a year in which an overwhelming number of teams still, at this late juncture, have no idea whether they're Cubs Starlin Castro Jersey legitimate contenders, the opportunity exists for an obvious seller such as the Astros Alfonso Soriano Jersey to take advantage of what looks to be a seller's market.General manager Ed Wade has already made it clear that's just what he intends to do. Sounding very much like our forefathers touting the Michael Cuddyer Jersey American dream, he has called the Astros "a land of opportunity" for clubs looking for talent Authentic Johan Santana Jersey to aid their playoff push."At the very least," Wade said, "we'll be good listeners and see where it all leads."It's hard to know exactly what direction the Astros are headed in, given their pending ownership transition. A group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane has signed a sales-purchase agreement to buy the club from Drayton McLane, and it is awaiting MLB approval, which should come within the next month. Wade, then, is in the difficult position of trying to make the right decisions for the Astros' future without knowing his own future with the club.This much, however, seems certain: It's time for the Astros, who are Authentic Starlin Castro Jersey in line to finish under .500 for the fourth time in five years, to blow it up in order to build it up. Because the old model isn't working and hasn't worked for some time. Unfortunately for Wade and Co., you can't repair the franchise by moving the likes of Brett Myers (who will make $12 million next season) or Carlos Lee (who will make $18.5 million and has a no-trade clause, anyway), though the Astros are certainly expected to try. Myers and Lee have provided too little value on the field this season and are cashing too-big paychecks off it to reap any prospects of the blue-chip variety.#pollContainer{display:none}.twoColumnPoll{width:49%;float:left}.twoColumnPoll div{float:left;margin-left:2px;}.twoColumnPoll .pollResultText{width:68%;}.twoColumnDivider{border-right:1px solid #a5a5a5;}.noResults {text-align:center; padding:8px}.submitButton{cursor:pointer}.waitCursor{cursor:wait}It's also questionable how much the Astros could get for left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, who is having a solid season, given that he's due to make $10.5 million next year and $13.5 million in 2013. If the Astros explore trades for Rodriguez, they might have to Authentic Michael Cuddyer Jersey absorb a decent percentage of his salary in order to improve the return.But the one guy whose present value is at its peak and the one guy who could, therefore, get the Astros' rebuilding off to an efficient start is the one guy who represented the club at last week's All-Star Game. The face of the franchise Starlin Castro Jersey and the heart of the lineup: Hunter Pence.Pence is 28 and is having by far his best season in the big leagues. His batting average (.321) and on-base percentage (.363) are both career highs, and his slugging percentage (.489) is his best since his rookie year in 2007. And he's put up these numbers with virtually no lineup protection.To trade Pence now would be to punt not only on this lost season but likely on the next one, too.But that doesn't mean it's the wrong move.Look at the Astros' roster, as the scout did, and ask yourself how far Johan Santana Jersey this team is away from contention. J.A. Happ, Clint Barmes, Jason Michaels, Jeff Keppinger, Carlos Corporan and Humberto Quintero aren't part of the future solution any more than Bill Hall was.Look at the Triple-A Oklahoma City roster, and ask yourself the question again. The RedHawks and the Astros share the common bond of last place. The highest levels of the Houston farm system are basically barren after a series of unproductive Drafts. The organization's top prospect yet to reach the big leagues is Delino DeShields Jr. He's 18.Jordan Lyles has the poise and ability to become an Opening Day fixture, and Bud Norris and Mark Melancon join him as young, cheap pitchers with upside to build around. The man of many trades, first baseman Brett Wallace, is only 24 and an intriguing talent. But beyond them, nobody on this club should be deemed untouchable in trade talks, including Pence and speedy center fielder Michael Bourn, who can be a free agent after 2012 and is represented by Scott Boras.Pence might be viewed as the club's cornerstone, but the question must be asked: Cornerstone of what? It's going to be a couple years before the Astros can be taken seriously as contenders, and only then if they make the right moves now.The right move now is to explore offers for Pence, because he's going to be both costly and on the wrong side of 30 by the time the Astros are ready to contend again. Furthermore, he could be an attractive piece in this seller's market, which is loaded with clubs (the Phillies spring to mind) looking for offensive assistance, particularly in the outfield. The right-handed power Pence provides is at such a premium that the offers might be overwhelming enough to get a deal done. If not, well, so be it.But the Astros need to remember that Pence, who is making a tolerable $6.9 million, is due two more rounds of arbitration before he becomes eligible for free agency after 2013. His Mets Johan Santana Jersey cost is about Twins Michael Cuddyer Jersey to skyrocket at a time when this Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey team ought to be going young and cheap."It's up to us," Wade said, "to do what's in the best interest of the franchise, and sometimes that's having a longer view of things."A rebuild is the best decision, and sometimes that means parting with your best player.
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"One day Matt Garza Jersey after Ryan Braun left the game early because of recurring soreness in his left calf, Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum was forced to do the same after jarring his neck while making a play in the field Sunday afternoon.The play Justin Morneau Jersey ended the fifth inning in what turned out to be a 4-3 Brewers win Cubs Matt Garza Jersey over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.With a runner on, speedy Dexter Fowler Mets Ike Davis Jersey dropped a bunt down the third-base line. Marcum fielded the ball, turned and fired in one continuous motion. The throw to Prince Fielder was just in time to get Fowler at first but ultimately ended Marcum's afternoon two batters into the sixth.Jason Giambi hit a towering 452-foot home run to right to pull the Rockies to within 4-2 to lead off the sixth. Marcum then threw one pitch to Ike Davis Jersey Troy Tulowitzki before having to Authentic Matt Garza Jersey be examined by Milwaukee's medical staff.After throwing a couple of practice pitches, the decision was made to pull Marcum from the game. LaTroy Hawkins replaced him."I think I landed a Authentic Justin Morneau Jersey little awkward," Marcum said. "It's a little stiff right now, but I don't think it's anything to be too alarmed about. Keep doing our treatment and be ready to go next time out."Marcum, who allowed four hits, two Rangers Josh Hamilton Jersey earned runs and walked three while striking out four, earned the win to improve to 8-3. He reiterated that at this point, there doesn't Authentic Ike Davis Jersey appear to be any reason to think he won't make his next start, which is scheduled for Friday in San Francisco."I don't see any problems," he Josh Hamilton Jersey said. "Just doing precautionary stuff right now. But we've still got five days to wait. So I think everything will be all right."Milwaukee snapped a five-game streak of losing in Marcum starts that Authentic Josh Hamilton Jersey dated to June 17, the same day he suffered a hip Twins Justin Morneau Jersey injury in Boston."
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DETROIT -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland knows about the rumblings from fans about another second-half collapse.That's partly why he knew Sunday's 4-3 comeback win over the White Sox was so important. Although he won't buy into the Kosuke Fukudome Jersey negativity, Leyland said the win was good for the atmosphere. It was also good for the standings, as the win moved the Tigers back into a first-place tie with the Indians in the American League Central."Let's face it, everybody's been talking about the second half, and I said I'm talking about the positive," Leyland Lan Kinsler Jersey said. "We're not hiding from that. ... The only way you quiet that down is to do what we did today: go win games. It's a great win for us inside the clubhouse, it's a great win for our fans today, really, because of everything."The Tigers haven't posted a winning record after the All-Star break since 2000. Last season, the team lost six straight games after the Rangers Lan Kinsler Jersey break en route to a 33-43 second-half record.The Tigers lost the first two games of the series to the White Sox, scoring two runs combined, and some fans were beginning to feel déjà vu when Chicago put up three runs in the second inning on Sunday.Adam Dunn led off the inning with a double, Carlos Quentin walked and Alex Rios doubled to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. A sacrifice fly from A.J. Pierzynski scored another run and a single from Gordon Beckham gave the White Sox a 3-0 lead."I was terrible in the second inning, but you've just got to go out there and try to locate, focus and go as long as you can," Tigers starter Brad Penny said.Penny struggled early, but was able to recover for the second straight start. Against the Angels on July 6, Penny gave up three runs in the first inning and didn't allow any more for the rest of his time.Penny said he stopped throwing his breaking ball after the early struggles. He threw just one curveball after the third inning and focused on his fastball and sinker. After the second inning, Penny scattered just five hits. He left after 6 2/3 innings."You know what you have working for you and the catcher knows, so you're going to be on the same page. ... It's nice when [Alex Avila] switches with me without having to talk about it," Penny said. "We did it last Mets David Wright Jersey game and we did it today."But for the second straight game, the offense wasn't giving any support to a quality start.Brennan Boesch hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 3-1, but White Sox starter Philip Humber held the Tigers to just four hits in five innings and had tied a career high with seven strikeouts through five.But the Tigers finally strung together some hits in the sixth. A leadoff double by Andy Dirks was followed by a strikeout by Boesch. Magglio Ordonez earned a walk to put runners and David Wright Jersey first and second with one out. With Miguel Cabrera at the plate, Leyland sent the runners on a full count. The decision turned out to be crucial, as Cabrera grounded to the shortstop, but there was no double-play attempt."You know if he hits a ground ball, it's a double play if you don't send them," Leyland said. "But sometimes you're leery, too, as a manager, [if] he thinks, all of a sudden, he's got to swing because they're running, and maybe he swings out of the strike zone because they're running. That's a tough one, but Authentic David Wright Jersey Miggy's pretty good. A more undisciplined hitter, I probably wouldn't have sent them."Victor Martinez came up, hitting .357 with runners in scoring position this season, but the Tigers were 0-for-14 in that situation in the series. Martinez hit a ground ball through the right side to score two runs and tie the game."You know what? I made a good pitch and he put a good swing on it," Humber said. "It kind of seems how that inning was going. I wouldn't really change anything I did as far as what pitches I threw. I actually thought I threw the ball Twins Joe Mauer Jersey better the last two innings than I did earlier in the game. Results were totally different."A bloop single by Jhonny Peralta ended Humber's day, and Carlos Guillen, in his second Major League game after 11 months of rehab, drilled a line drive into right field to score Martinez and give the Tigers a 4-3 lead."That's how we play this game," Martinez said. "We go out there and give our best effort and see what happens."Al Alburquerque, appearing in his second straight game since coming off the disabled list on Saturday, stranded two inherited Authentic Lan Kinsler Jersey runners to end the seventh inning. Joaquin Benoit pitched a perfect eighth inning and Jose Valverde picked up his 25th save, despite allowing the leadoff hitter to reach second base.The 25 straight saves this season for Valverde mark the third-longest streak in a single season in Tigers history.The Tigers fought back to move into first place and stave off any negativity of the fans -- for Authentic Kosuke Fukudome Jersey now. The biggest key for success in the second half likely will be Tigers starting pitching, which struggled Joe Mauer Jersey in the first half. On Sunday, Penny gave the Tigers exactly what they needed, and the offense did the rest."Those three guys that threw today, that's how good we can be," Penny said of the bullpen. "If you look how Joaquin's throwing Authentic Joe Mauer Jersey now, Alburquerque's back and Valverde. You can make it a seven-inning game, Cubs Kosuke Fukudome Jersey a six-inning game sometimes."
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ST. PETERSBURG -- David Ortiz was right back in Michael Young Jersey the fifth spot in Boston's batting order for Sunday night's game against the Rays, but he was well aware he might not Authentic Denard Span Jersey be so lucky by the time the Red Sox get to Baltimore on Monday night.Ortiz is still waiting to hear back from Major League Baseball regarding the appeal of his four-game suspension for his actions on July 8 in a bench-clearing melee with the Orioles and right-hander Kevin Gregg.With the Red Sox and Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey Orioles set to meet Monday for the first time since that eventful series, Ortiz seemed to have an expectation that his appeal would be ruled on before the game starts."I'll probably hear something today," Ortiz said. "Probably, I'm not sure. It's 5 o'clock and I haven't heard anything. I'll probably hear something later on tonight or probably tomorrow morning."Whether Ortiz plays in the three-game series against the Orioles, he hopes that there will be Mets Carlos Beltran Jersey no more incidents between the two teams."Hopefully not," Ortiz said. "MLB is paying attention to all that stuff. I'm not a pitcher. I can't tell you anything about that. I don't throw the ball. Hopefully they'll be smart and put Twins Denard Span Jersey that away and play the game the way it's supposed to be played." Red Sox schedule Lester for July 26 return ST. PETERSBURG -- The Red Sox have a return date for Jon Lester. The power lefty will be activated from the disabled list and start the game on July 26 at Fenway Park against the Royals.Lester injured his lower left lat muscle during his start against theBlue Jays on July 5.There will be a steady progression for Lester between now and his start, which will take away the need for a Minor League rehab assignment."He'll throw a side [session] tomorrow," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He'll come back Wednesday and throw a pretty significant side and Cubs Carlos Zambrano Jersey then Friday or Saturday, he'll throw a smaller side. Then he'll pitch Tuesday."Lester, being the competitor he is, was hoping he could have pitched the first day he was activated, which is Friday night."I think he was actually aggravated," Francona said. "He wanted to pitch Friday. So I think that's good Authentic Carlos Beltran Jersey news for us that he must feel good. But we need to give him a chance where he can go out and not be stuck on 60 pitches in his first game back." Red Sox to welcome Crawford Authentic Michael Young Jersey back on Monday ST. PETERSBURG -- While the Red Sox were wrapping up a three-game series on Sunday night in Carl Crawford's old haunt of Tropicana Field, the speedy left fielder was arriving in Baltimore for a night of rest before rejoining Boston's lineup on Monday night at Camden Yards.Crawford has been out since June 18 with a left hamstring strain. He went 1-for-5 in a two-game rehab stint for Triple-A Pawtucket."He didn't swing the bat great, but he was real healthy, which is perfect," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He got Denard Span Jersey some at-bats out of the way. The timing at the plate, hopefully it will come quick. He'll be ready to go tomorrow. There are no issues physically. He felt really good, so that's great."After a nightmarish start offensively, Crawford was just starting to show the Red Sox what he could do before he got injured. He is hitting .243 with six homers, 31 RBIs and eight stolen bases."His batting Rangers Michael Young Jersey average might be lower this year than we're used to," Francona said. "But if he comes back for the last couple of months and is kind of that terror, a guy that causes havoc and stuff, what a lift that would give us." Red-hot Reddick could create outfield logjam ST. PETERSBURG -- The red-hot hitting of Josh Reddick has provided a big boost for the Red Sox the last few weeks. But with Carl Crawford set to return to the lineup on Monday night, manager Terry Francona could be dealing with a big logjam in the coming days.While Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury figure to be mainstays in the lineup, Reddick could reduce some of J.D. Drew's playing time in right field.Drew has struggled nearly Carlos Zambrano Jersey all season, hitting .228 with four Carlos Beltran Jersey homers and 22 RBIs in 224 at-bats. Reddick, meanwhile, is hitting .379 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 66 at-bats.It could be similar to earlier in the season, when a younger player -- Jed Lowrie -- got red-hot and veteran shortstop Marco Scutaro switched to a backup role."If that's considered a dilemma, I'd like to have a lot of them," Francona said. "I understand your point. At some point, when he's hot like that, the kid's got to play. It's kind of like Lowrie earlier in the year. You're not doing your team a service. He's been terrific. And to be honest with you, until we're there, I don't know how to make that work perfectly, but we're just going to try to win. Whoever we think can help us win, we'll play."
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DETROIT -- When Carlos Quentin is on a hot streak at the plate, White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker believes the right fielder is as dangerous as any multi-faceted slugger in the game.And with back-to-back three-hit games against the Tigers to start this nine-game American League Central road trip, Quentin appears to be in the neighborhood of one of Authentic Jose Reyes Jersey those runs that can carry the White Sox."He's getting there," said Walker of Quentin. "The All-Star break was good for him. He had actually started working on some things before the All-Star break that have led to him swinging the bat better."The main focus for Carlos is when he starts going good, he swings at balls on the plate. When you see him making good decisions on what pitches he's Nelson Cruz Jersey swinging at, he's seeing the ball well and becomes extremely dangerous. Right now, he's very solid in his mechanics. So, he's not tinkering."A look at Quentin's body of work since the 2009 season would leave the intense competitor classified as the proverbial streak hitter. Quentin posted a .182 average over the last 22 games leading into the Midsummer Classic, but has been on everything offered up by Detroit pitching.His second career All-Star appearance was earned behind a Cubs Carlos Pena Jersey .294 April average and 13 home runs and 36 RBIs over the first two months. But Walker believes Quentin has the talent and knowledge to Rangers Nelson Cruz Jersey shed that "streaky" label."In 2008, there was nothing streaky about that year. He was lights-out from Day 1," Walker said. "He's definitely capable of being consistent."I think the longer he plays this game, I view him like Paul [Konerko]. The longer he plays this game, the less Cubs Ryne Sandberg Jersey he's going to Jose Reyes Jersey think about mechanics, and he's going to come up with an approach that probably doesn't include covering all pitches at all times. "If he does that, he'll just get better and better," Walker said. "He's a tremendous talent. He gets after it every day, a heck of a competitor. At times, he has some thoughts that beat him a little bit, trying to cover all speeds at all quadrants of the plate all the time. When he comes off of that, it will lead to more consistency." White Sox holding strength in numbers DETROIT -- The six-man rotation employed by the White Sox certainly will keep Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Philip Humber, Gavin Floyd, Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson fresh for the team's September stretch run. And even though that extra starter will cost innings and starts for workhorses such as Danks and Ryne Sandberg Jersey Buehrle, the six starters are fine with the alignment."More than anything, we are a pretty tight group," Danks said. "Maybe starting pitching is just our strength and our depth. Obviously, with that said, starting pitching is at a premium."There will be talks. But we would hate to lose Edwin. We would hate to lose Gavin, Buehrle, or whoever it is. We are all so tight that I think more than anything, it would be just not having him around."Jackson threw his third career shutout in Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Tigers, but Jackson also could be a pitcher on the trading block in the final year of his contract. Danks' name also could pop up because the White Sox might not be confident in inking the southpaw to a long-term extension prior to free agency after the 2012 season.Danks basically speaks for all of the starters when stating that he's not worried about anything off of the field."I'm not Mets Jose Reyes Jersey a general manager, but if it makes sense, you know [White Sox general manager] Kenny [Williams] is going to do what he has to do," Danks said. "That's just the nature of the game."I haven't thought about it. Like I said all along, I try not to worry about things I can't control." Pena may be close to rehab assignment DETROIT -- Tony Pena threw two innings in a simulated game on Saturday, working 17 pitches in each frame, as the right-handed reliever tries to work his way back from right elbow tendinitis. Pena has been on the disabled list since May 28.His health will be evaluated on Monday. If Pena feels good, the White Sox will send him to Triple-A Charlotte for more game work. Pena's injury rehab was halted due to soreness in that elbow."As long as he's sore, we can't do anything now," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.John Danks' return on Wednesday in Kansas City will lead to a roster move. Left-handed reliever Hector Santiago figures to be going back to the Minors, despite making a positive impressive during his short Major League stint. Teahen starts at third for third straight game DETROIT -- Mark Teahen made his third straight start for the White Sox at third base during the weekend series at Comerica Park, with the Tigers starting right-handers in all three games."Managers don't change lineups when the team is winning," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Right now, we are desperate to win as much as we can. That's the reason. I think I have the feeling right now we are on a roll, and I want to keep the guys as much as I can Authentic Carlos Pena Jersey out there. I expect it to work out."Guillen felt there was no need to talk about the change with rookie Brent Morel, who has not lost his starting job and will be back in the lineup at some point during the upcoming Kansas City series, with the Royals throwing two lefties. Morel took some extra batting practice on Friday and makes sure to be stretched out and ready as a late-inning defensive replacement.Otherwise, Morel understands the move. He also won't try to get three hits in one at-bat upon returning to the lineup."I don't want to put pressure on myself even Authentic Ryne Sandberg Jersey if I play once a week, twice a week, five times a week," Morel said. "Just go out there and play the way I can and do Authentic Nelson Cruz Jersey what I'm supposed to do. I'm just rooting for those guys, and as long as we're winning, why change anything?" Third to first • Gordon Beckham extended his hitting streak to eight games with two hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Detroit. Beckham is hitting .404 in his last 14 games, raising his average to .255.• Alex Rios' two hits on Sunday marked his first multihit game since June 20 against the Cubs.• Jeff Szynal was inducted into the Information and Entertainment Association Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony on July 13 in Kansas City. Szynal, Carlos Pena Jersey the senior manager of scoreboard operations and production, has been with the White Sox for 28 years.
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