Rockies swing pair of trades
The Colorado Rockies traded outfielder Preston Wilson and picked up outfielder Eric Byrnes in a pair of trades with Washington and Oakland on Wednesday.
The Rockies sent Wilson to the Nationals for right-hander Zach Day, outfielder J.J. Davis and a player to be named later or cash. Colorado also sent left-hander Joe Kennedy and right-handed reliever Jay Witasick to the Athletics for Byrnes and minor league prospect Omar Quintanilla.
“Oakland sent right-hander Chad Bradford to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Jay Payton and cash.
“Washington signed left-hander Mike Stanton and activated outfielder Ryan Church from the disabled list. The Nationals also placed infielders Junior Spivey and Tony Blanco on the 15-day DL and moved infielder Henry Mateo from the 15- to the 60-day DL.
Cuba doubts Classic participation
Cuba’s top sports official said he doubts the nation will compete in next year’s World Baseball Classic, calling it commercialization of the sport.
Baseball’s first World Cup-style tournament, an 18-day, 16-nation event organized by Major League Baseball and its players’ association, is scheduled to start March 3, will be played in the United States, Asia and Latin America.
“The International Olympic Committee said there are no conditions attached if baseball wants to return to the Olympic program, but the sport needs to consider why it was voted out of the 2012 Games.
Baseball and softball will be excluded from the 2012 London Games, but can reapply in 2009 for readmission at the 2016 Games.
All-Star ratings plummet again
Ratings for baseball’s All-Star game hit a new low for the second straight year. The American League’s 7-5 victory over the National League in Detroit received an 8.1 rating and 14 share on FOX, Nielsen Media Research said, down 8 percent from last year.
Clearing the bases
Boston activated right-hander Curt Schilling from the DL before its weekend series with the New York Yankees. The Red Sox also sent third baseman Kevin Youkilis and pitcher Scott Cassidy to Triple-A Pawtucket. … Boston signed former Oregon State star Jacoby Ellsbury, their top draft choice. … Mickey Owen, 89, whose infamous dropped third strike proved costly to the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1941 World Series against the Yankees, died after a long illness.