FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Teams can start signing international free agents Friday, but more so than in most baseball transactions, it's a business where the buyer must beware. Last year, the Indians spent $575,000 on a 17-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic named Jose Ozoria. Less than a week ago, they were informed by Major League Baseball that Ozoria wasn't who he said he was. Mirabelli said the Indians are prepared to make offers onfour to seven players. Three players the Indians have shown interest in are Dominican Republic shortstop Miguel Angel Santo and Cuban defectors left-hander Noel Arguellez and shortstop Jose Iglesias. Arguellez and Iglesias, both 19, defected last year in Canada during the World Junior Championships.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

> Comment

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has maintained a good relationship with the Chicago media, though it has been strained by recent events. The Chicago Sun-Times recently published an off-hand remark Piniella made to a coach about Milton Bradley while venting in his office in San Diego in May, after one of its reporters overhead the remark in the adjoining clubhouse. General manager Jim Hendry was livid about what he considers an ethical violation. Hendry said whatever Piniella says in his office should be off-limits, unless the reporter has been invited in. "If you are not meeting directly with the press, you have to let a man go in [his office] and vent to his coaches. Those are ... private matters in the sanctity of the clubhouse." Piniella realizes dealing with the media is part of his job.

Chicago Tribune

> Comment

The negotiations to acquire Eric Hinske won't go down as particularly prolific for Brian Cashman. They took just a few days, and with all due respect to Hinske, who appears to be a good fit, this ain't quite David Wells for Roger Clemens on the "Wow!" scale. But this trade should be filed away as a time capsule. As a sign of its times. "It's indicative of the reality of the economy," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told Newsday yesterday. "Brian's position from the get-go was that, if he were to get Eric, he wouldn't pay the full freight." And so, as Huntington said, "It's maybe the first time ever when the Pirates have sent the Yankees money." For every dollar that Hinske receives in a Yankees uniform, 50 cents will come from the small-market, low-payroll, haven't-posted-a-winning-season-since 1992 Pirates.

New York Newsday

> Comment

After weighing the opinions of three orthopedic specialists, Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb will not undergo surgery on his balky right shoulder. Surgery to repair his labrum was recommended by Diamondbacks team physician Dr. Michael Lee last week, but all three doctors Webb visited in the past several days told him a procedure is not needed. Rather than having surgery, Webb will go through a strengthening and exercise program. He will not throw for four to six weeks - he hasn't thrown since June 18 - and he hopes to return to game action in September.

Arizona Republic

> Comment

Longtime Mets closer John Franco blasted his struggling former team in a radio interview this week, saying there is no leadership in the clubhouse and "too much individuality." Franco, who became the Mets' all-time saves leader during his 1990-2004 stint, was a guest instructor with the team in spring training this year. It's safe to say he won't be invited back after his withering criticism in an interview Tuesday with Sirius XM.

New York Post

> Comment