-Dexter Sports
10:27 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox

We have a lot for you in Around The Horn this Morning. Let's get right to it.

RUMORS:

• According to the Arizona Republic, since finding out that Eric Byrnes will be out for the most of the season the Diamondbacks have sparked interest in many free agents. Including slugger Barry Bonds. GM Josh Byrnes had this to say.
  

"He and maybe a couple of others are sort of sitting out there, I think it's a bit of
assessing any player's readiness, then knocking somebody out of the lineup, dollars,etc."

I would not be surprised to see this happening sometime soon. The Diamondbacks really
need some pop in the middle of their order. Bonds would be a better option than Kenny Lofton, and for the right price, could be a great addition without having to give up prospects. I really hope this deal happens soon, because I want to see Bonds in a uniform again.

• Geoff Baker of the Seattle times reports that Pitcher Erik Bedard went on Philadelphia Radio to talk about trade rumors. Baker tells about how rare he thinks this is. I have to agree completely. Bedard barely talks to his home team media. The interview wasn't to controversial, but he does say that he would be, "Happy to pitch for another team." He also blames the media for the characteristics that are floating around about him. I smell a deal happening soon. I'm not saying it is going to be to the Phillies, but the Mariners realized they made a mistake and they will try to patch it by dealing Bedard when they can.

• With Matt Treanor heading to the DL, it has to be evident yet again that the Marlins are close to bringing in catching help. The Marlins could deal for Miguel Olivo, David Ross, or Yorvit Torrealba. With a bunch of pitching starting to come around, and with a good catching staff, I think this team still has what it takes to win the East.
  

Draft Talk:

• The Oakland A's have signed first round pick Jemile Weeks with a 1.91 million dollar bonus. The signing was under the radar because of the Harden deal that went down yesterday. Weeks will report to the Athletics' A Midwest affiliate Kane County at a later date. Weeks hit 363 with 13 homers and 62 RBI in 63 games with the Miami Hurricanes last season.
  

Transactions:

• The Braves have signed veteran reliever Julian Tavarez after the Brewers let him go. The Braves can use all the bullpen help they can get. I will not be surprised if Tavarez will stay on the Braves roster all season. Bobby Cox stated that he doesn't know Tavarez's role yet, and that he was just looking for someone that could throw an inning.

• The Dodgers have decided to bring in Don Mattingly in to be the hitting coach after the all-star break. The Dodgers have continued to struggle offensively since losing catalyst Rafael Furcal. If you remember, Mattingly was Joe Torre's first choice, but Mattingly wanted to stay close to family.

Brewer Notes:

• C.C. Sabathia made his debut yesterday for the Brewers. You can catch post game audio with Sabathia right here. Tom Hauricourt reported today on ESPN that the club has been pumped up the last few days and said that catcher Jason Kendall stated the clubhouse has been really comfortable. CC has already been throwing praises to the organization in his short time there. Well, you think Sheets and Sabathia will be a good one two punch? How about adding Yovani Gallardo to the mix. Gallardo could return sometime in September. That would be scary to face in the playoffs.
  

The Death of a Legend:

• The Corner of Michigan and Trumbell will never be the same. Decontruction of Tiger stadium has started in Detroit Today. Ernie Harwell, Al Kaline and others among a protest group have pushed for the city of Detroit to keep a corner up to build a museum for the stadium.