Around The Majors- Friday

Thank God It's Friday! I've got a recap of last night's action, the curent standings, news and notes, a weekend preview, and the latest rumors from Jayson Stark and MLB.com.

Thursday Recap
Kelvim Escobar continues his fantastic '07 campaign with a 3-0 shutout win of Tampa Bay. Toronto scored 3 in the 7th to snap the Yankees' 5 game winning streak 3-2. Detroit finished off a sweep of Minnesota with a run in the 10th to win it 4-3. The White Sox doubled up Boston 4-2, and CC Sabathia won his 13th as the Indians defeated Texas 7-5. Yovani Gallardo and Milwaukee cruised to a 10-1 win over Arizona, Barry Bonds hit homers 752 and 753 in a losing cause as the Cubs edged the Giants 9-8, and D'Angelo Jimenez won it in the 10th as Washington outlasted Colorado 5-4. 4 in the 8th off of Armando Benitez, including a 3 run jack from Ryan Freel won it 7-5 as the Reds bested the Marlins. Atlanta crushed the Cards 10-1, and Chris Young outdueled Cole Hamels as San Diego shut out Philadelphia 1-0. Both Tom Glavine and Derek Lowe both got lit, and the Mets outscored the Dodgers 13-9 in a battle of division leaders at Chavez Ravine.

Standings
Boston has lost 7 of 10 and the Yankees have won 7 of 10, bringing them to 7 games out of first place in the AL East. The Red Sox have lost 3 straight. Detroit has won 4 in a row and 8 of 10 and take a 2 game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central. Minnesota has lost 3 straight to fall 9 back of first. Seattle has won 7 of 10 and remain 2 games back of the Angels in the AL West. Oakland has lost 9 of 10 to fall 11.5 behind. The Mets are 2.5 clear of Atlanta in the NL East, and they're 6 up on fast falling Philly. The Cubs have won 7 of 10 to get to 3.5 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Reds have won 4 in a row and 7 of 10, Pittsburgh has lost 6 straight and 7 of 10, and Houston has lost 7 of 10. San Diego and Los Angeles are tied atop the NL West, with the Padres percentage points ahead. Arizona has dropped 7 of 10 to go 4.5 back. Cleveland leads the AL Wild Card by 1.5 over Seattle, and by 7 over the Yankees and Twins. The Padres and Dodgers are also tied atop the NL Wild Card, 3 games ahead of the Cubs and Braves, 4.5 over Arizona, 5.5 over Colorado, and 6.5 clear of the Phillies.

News and Notes
- Barry Bonds needs 2 more homers to tie Hank Aaron, someone needs to do something before Bonds makes history. Any MLB Mafia anywhere???
- The news is terrible for Cardinals fans. Ace Chris Carpenter needs Tommy John Surgery, and may miss all of next season. The recovery time after surgery will be 10 to 12 months.
- I wrote this yesterday on blogspot, but It'll be written again for those who didn't see it. Pittsburgh acquired Cesar Izturis from the Cubs for a player to be named later. This could allow the Pirates to deal starting SS Jack Wilson. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Toronto, St Louis, San Francisco, and Boston would be interested.
- Colorado designated Tom Martin for assignment, he'll probably be picked up by a big league club. The Giants activated Johnathan Sanchez from the DL. Atlanta finally activated Wilfredo Ledezma and added Julio Franco to the 25 man roster. Kyle Davies was optioned to AAA Richmond. Garrett Olson was sent down by Baltimore, and Jon Leicester was designated for assignment. Aaron Harang was placed on the bereavement list, and Eric Milton was moved to the 60 day DL. Detroit placed Marcus Thames on the DL and brought up Timo Perez to replace him. Florida activated Cody Ross from the DL and sent down Eric Reed. Tampa Bay recalled Jae Kuk Ryu, sent down Jorge Cantu, and designated Dustan Mohr for assignment. Texas placed Akinori Otsuka on the DL and brought up Scott Feldman.

Weekend Preview
Friday
Contreras faces Beckett in Boston, Meche-Rogers, and Lackey-Silva in Minnesota. Carmona goes in Texas, and Bedard faces Blanton in Oakland. Webb and Marquis battle in day action at Wrigley, Oswalt-Gorzelanny in Pittsburgh, and Chuck James against the Cardinals. Lowry-Suppan in Milwaukee, and Oliver Perez in LA.
Saturday
Shields faces the Yankees in the first game of a doubleheader in The Bronx. The Sox battle on FOX (4pm), Verlander faces the Royals, and Weaver battles Bonser in Minnesota. Haren takes the hill against Baltimore, and Hill faces Arizona in NL action. Lincecum battles Bush, Sosa-Penny, and Rockies-Nationals (4pm FOX). Moyer faces Wells in San Diego.
Sunday
Pettitte faces the Rays, Halladay faces Seattle, and Garland battles Wakefield in Boston, and Paul Byrd goes in Texas. Bronson Arroyo faces Florida, Zito-Vargas in Milwaukee, and Petit-Marshall in Chicago. Peavy pitches against Philly, El Duque goes in LA, and Braves-Cards (8pm ESPN)

Jayson Stark Rumors
- The White Sox won't move Garland or Vazquez, maybe Contreras.
- Matt Morris would be a good fit for the Dodgers, Padres, Braves, and Mariners.
- If Dontrelle Willis is put on the market, the Mets and Tigers would be at the front of the line.
- Kansas City is working hard to deal Odalis Perez and Scott Elarton, not Zach Greinke.
- One team official thinks that the Rangers won't make any trades. There's a limited market for Eric Gagne. Maybe the Cubs, Phillies, Braves, or Tigers.
- Atlanta will not deal Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Yunel Escobar, but may be willing to part with top prospect SS Elvis Andrus, and hard throwinf lefty Dan Smith. They don't like what the Nats wanted for Dmitri Young, so they're looking elsewhere.
- The Mets have sent signals that they may be open to dealing Mike Pelfrey in a big trade.
- The Phillies have no interest in Perez or Elarton, and they have their sights set on Lohse, Joe Kennedy, and Steve Trachsel. Texas wanted a package starting with Shane Victorino for Akinori Otsuka, but the Phils can't afford that with Aaron Rowand likely to leave after the season. Victorino is the heir apparent in CF.
- Just like Houston won't deal Brad Lidge, Cincy won't trade David Weathers.
- Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, Luis Vizcaino, Octavio Dotel, and Al Reyes are on the Dodgers' wish list for a reliever.

Additional Rumors
- Scouts from the Angels, Braves, Cubs Diamondbacks, Indians, Mets, Padres, Phillies, Tigers and Twins are watching Nationals players. Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch are players that most teams are asking for. There's still interest in Young anf Ronnie Belliard. (Bill Ladson, MLB.com)
- If the Yankees take a lot of Kyle Farnsworth's contract, the Rockies may be interested. Joba Chamberlain would go into the Yanks 'pen if any reliever is dealt. The Braves could deal Andrus, one of several power arms, Scott Thorman, or outfielders Jordan Scafer and Brandon Jones for Teixeira. The Twins have the biggest need for Adam Dunn, but can't afford his contract. The Tigers could probably get Dunn for Marcus Thames and 2 pitching prospects. The Astros are most likely to deal Dan Wheeler out of all their players. The Red Sox, Indians and Dodgers are interested in Dotel, the latter two teams have the most to offer. KC is interested in LA infielder Tony Abreu. Reggie Sanders will probably be moved at some point. Troy Glaus is a fit for the Yankees, Angels, and White Sox. The Reds are saying that Lohse is available, Arroyo and Harang are not. The Braves and other teams are interested in Texas reliever CJ Wilson, but Ron Mahay is a more realistic option. (Ken Rosenthal)