Wow ...

Quoted: The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia. The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson. - Major League Baseball news

The long soap opera is finally finished -- now we can refocus on the Bedard edition.

Quoted: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Ugh.

Quoted: Not really the worst signing in the world, since he was sadly one of the most valuable starting pitchers in the FA market and Nintendo's awash in Wii-cash, but something just seems perverse about signing a player for $11 million a year and have him not even be good enough to crack the starting rotation of your primary competition the upcoming season.

The list ... mostly underwhelming, Clemens and Tejada are the biggest names, but neither is terribly surprising. Brendan Donnelly is not just a cheater with the glove.

Quoted: Here are some new active players brought to light as users of performance-enhancing drugs by the Mitchell Report.

Start the drum rolls.

Quoted: The Biz of Baseball - The all inclusive location for the business of baseball

Now, instead of saying "the Devil Rays suck", you would say "the Rays suck". Much easier. Very good.

Quoted: The Rays have a new image. Embracing the Sunshine State's warmth, the club ushered in a new era on Thursday, unveiling a new name, color scheme and icon. "We want the Rays to reflect the best our region has to offer," principal owner Stuart Sternberg said.

Texas scored 30 runs today. That is a lot of runs. This site updates quickly.

Quoted: Most runs by one team in a game, "Modern Era" (after 1900): 30, Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, August 22, 2007

It may sound easy, but nobody has beat it yet (all time streak is 43 games, this season's high is 37).

Quoted: 1) Pick one player every day who you think will get at least one hit.
2) Get a hit, your streak continues. Get no hits, your streak ends and you can start a new one.
3) Your goal is to break Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak and to put together the longest hitting streak of the season.
4) Be the first eligible person on either MLB.com or CBS SportsLine.com to reach 57 and win $100,000. If no one reaches 57 games, the MLB.com participant with the top streak wins $5,000 in cash.

"Sweet" Lou ...

Quoted: Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was suspended indefinitely and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Sunday for his latest dirt-kicking tirade against an umpire. Piniella was ejected in the eighth inning of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. After Angel Pagan was thrown out trying to steal third, Piniella stormed out of the dugout and kicked dirt as he argued and tossed... - Major League Baseball news