Source: Indians agree to acquire Bruce from Mets
NEW YORK » A person familiar with the deal says the Cleveland Indians have agreed to acquire outfielder Jay Bruce from the New York Mets.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the trade had not been announced.
Bruce is hitting .256 with 29 homers and 75 RBIs for the Mets, who at 50-61 are 11 games under .500 for the first time in three years. New York is 16½ games behind Washington in the NL East.
Bruce was acquired from Cincinnati at last year’s trade deadline. He has a $13 million salary this year and can become a free the World Series.
Cleveland, seeking its first World Series title since 1948, lost Game 7 of last year’s World Series to the Chicago Cubs and leads the AL Central.
While Major League Baseball’s trade deadline was July 31, a player can be dealt if he goes through waivers unclaimed. agent after
Source: Bush-Rothbaum group halts bid for Marlins
MIAMI » A group led by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Quogue Capital investment fund founder Wayne Rothbaum has halted its bid to buy the Miami Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday.
The person confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the groups that have been involved in negotiations aren’t commenting publicly. Massachusetts businessman Tagg Romney was part of the Bush-Rothbaum group before pulling out more than a month ago, the person said.
The latest twists in the Marlins sale saga leave groups led by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and by South Florida businessman Jorge Mas still in contention to buy the franchise.
Marlins president David Samson declined to comment on the status of sale efforts, which became in February.
Jeter’s group bid about $1.3 billion to buy the team from Jeffrey Loria but has not yet raised the money needed. Loria bought the Marlins for $158.5 million in 2002 from John Henry. public
MRI shows no new Sabathia knee damage, status unclear
TORONTO » A scan showed no new damage to CC Sabathia’s arthritic right knee, but the status of the Yankees left-hander for Sunday’s start against Boston remains unclear.
Forced from Tuesday’s loss to Toronto after three innings, Sabathia returned to New York for an MRI on Wednesday. Manager Joe Girardi says the team was happy with the results, but he will wait until returning home Friday before making a decision on Sabathia’s next turn.
“When you have a guy that has a banged-up knee, you worry that there’s more damage,” Girardi said.
Eligible for free agency at the end of the World Series, the 17-year veteran is 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 19 starts.
Girardi said rookie Jordan Montgomery is “probably the leading choice” to return from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if Sabathia is unavailable. Montgomery is 7-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts.