Vegas Update - Day 3:10 EST

It looks like CC Sabathia won't be leaving Las Vegas with a contract. Sabathia's reps are scheduled to meet with the Giants this weekend. It also reenforces the notion that Sabathia doesn't want to pitch for the Yankees.

WFAN is reporting that the Braves are working hard on a deal with the White Sox to bring back their former outfielder, Jermaine Dye. If a deal does go through, it could open the door for a Jeff Francoeur to the Royals for Zack Greinke deal that has been rumored.

MLB.com is reporting that the Indians are close to a 1 year deal with free agent closer Kerry Wood.

The Baltimore Sun expects the Ramon Hernandez (Orioles) for Ryan Freel (Reds) trade to go down shortly.

According to Jayson Stark, the Rays are looking into bringing back Delmon Young, whom they dealt for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett prior to this past season.

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A Royal Pain

The Yankees have a quick three game homestand this weekend, against the equally slumping Kansas City Royals. The Royals won their last four games in July, but have dropped 8 of 12 to start August. They sit 54-67, 14.5 games back of Chicago in the AL Central cellar. It's become a far too familiar place for a team that at one time was one of the best franchises in major league baseball. But that was a long time ago.

The team that once produced George Brett, Hal McRae, Bret Saberhagen, and Willie Wilson, now mixes a squad of young promising players with useful veterans like Mark Grudzielanek. Fans are accustomed to seeing their best players, like Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye, be traded or leave as free agents. The small market tag has become a drain on KC baseball.

While the game and salary structure has changed over the years, Kansas City ownership has not wanted to budge to increase their payroll. Though they get a kickback when teams like the Yankees contribute heavily to the luxury tax, the Royals have been reticent to put the money back into the team.

The team has only finished above .500 three times in the last 18 seasons and has finished above third place only once in that time. The Royals haven't reached the post-season since they won it all back in 1985.

There have been recent attempts to raid the free agent pool, such as the signing of pitcher Gil Meche to a 5-year, $55 million contract, and payroll increased from $47 million to $67 million from 2006 to 2007. But generally, the Royals have been non-competitive due to their lack of resources and their lack of desire to spend.

Fans come out to see teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, but attendance is always second to last, with only Tampa Rays fans filling less seats. The fans that are there have to wonder how much longer they will be able to watch up and coming stars like Joakim Soria, Billy Butler, and Alex Gordon, before they come back as visiting players.

Ownership is spending $250 million to renovate the 35-yr old Kauffman Stadium for next season. Whether the team can put top players on the field and fans in the stands remains to be seen.

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Mustache Still Trails

The Yankees gave out mustaches to a packed house at the Stadium yesterday, but barring a last hour surge, it doesn't appear Jason Giambi will make the All-Star team.

As of this morning, Evan Longoria of the Rays and the White Sox Jermaine Dye were ahead of Giambi in a tight race for the "Final Vote".

Mike Mussina is backing the G though.

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Around the Horn - 5/22

The Cardinals beat the Padres 11-3 last night, but the Padres are less concerned about the game itself. Albert Pujols was literally a one man wrecking crew. No, Pujols didn't hit 3 home runs or drive in a 7 runs. He just injured the Padres starting pitcher and catcher within a matter of minutes.

The Padres had a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning when Pujols hit a line drive off of the face of Padres starter Chris Young. The 6'10" right hander was bleeding profusely and was obviously a bit dazed. He ended up with a broken nose and a cut. Pujols was visibly shaken and prayed with Padres 1st Baseman Adrian Gonzalez while Young was tended to. But Pujols wasn't done yet. Two batters later there was a play at the plate. Pujols slid into catcher Josh Bard who was blocking the plate with his left leg. Nowhere good to go, right? Bard was down for the count for several minutes and had to be helped off the feel with a badly sprained ankle. Thanks to the Big Lead for finding video of the Pads rough night.

The heat is getting hotter and hotter in the Mets dugout. While Willie Randolph continues to back track from his racially motivated comments from the other day, his team went out and lost to the Braves for the 3rd straight game. Atlanta clobbered Mike Pelfrey and the Mets 11-4 behind Jeff Francoeur's 4 RBI. Chipper Jones hit career home run number 398.

Ben Sheets (5-1, 2.92) pitched an 11-hit complete game. Not a stat that you see to often. He allowed only 1 run in the Brewers 4-1 win over the Pirates. Ryan Braun drove in his 19th run in 19 games in May.

The Giants were very happy to see Rockies starter Ubaldo Jiminez leave after 7 innings. The 2nd year man limited the Giants to 3 hits and no runs over 7 innings, but the Giants rallied for a pair in the 9th against closer Brian Fuentes and then won it in the 10th on Omar Vizquel's sacrifice fly, 3-2.

It took Shawn Chacon 10 starts, but he finally got a decision. He's now 1-0 after the Astros beat the Cubs 5-3. Carlos Lee's 3rd inning 3-run home run put the Astros ahead for good. Early MVP candidate Lance Berkman stole his 9th base, already tying his career high.

Ryan Howard homered twice and drove in 4 in the Phillies 12-2 rout of the Nationals. Jamie Moyer threw 6 shutout innings for his 234th career win. With the start in Nationals Park, Moyer has now pitched in 46 ball parks.

Brandon Webb is human after all. He got out pitched by Ricky Nolasco last night as the Marlins won their 2nd straight from the Diamondbacks, 3-1. No starter has begun the season 10-0 in 90 years and it will remain that way for now.

Hiroki Kuroda tossed 5-hit ball for the Dodgers in their 5-2 win over the Reds. Rookie sensation Johnny Cueto took the loss after allowed 4 runs, 2 earned, in 5 innings.

Vlad Guerrero was the Angels offense in their 4-3 win over the Blue Jays. Big Vladdy hit a pair of home runs, but just as his teammates are, he's below his norm - .266-6-27 - in offensive production.

Jack Cust homered twice and drove in 4 runs, and Dana Eveland threw his first career complete game in the A's 9-1 thumping of the Rays. Jonny Gomes spoiled Eveland's shut out bid with an 8th inning home run. Rays closer Troy Percival was unavailable and is day-to-day with a strained hamstring.

Bartolo Colon made a triumphant return to the big leagues, picking up the win after allowing 2 runs in 5 innings. The Red Sox topped the Royals 6-3 behind Jacob Ellsbury, who homered and scored 3 runs. The Royals announced the signing of pitcher Horacio Ramirez to a minor league deal.

Paul Byrd was breezing along with a 1-hitter into the 6th inning last night when he ran smack dab into Jermaine Dye. Moments later the White Sox had the lead on Dye's 3-run blast. The right fielder later added solo shot and the White Sox topped the Indians 7-2. Jim Thome also added his 516th career blast.

3-0, 2.95 ERA. Pretty good pitching stats, huh? Believe it or not they belong to Sidney Ponson. The portly right-hander threw a complete game last night in the Rangers 10-1 drubbing of the Twins. It was his first 9 inning performance in over 3 years.

Marcus Thames 5th career grand slam highlighted a 7-run 3rd inning as the Tigers beat up the Mariners 9-4. Kenny Rogers was ineffective, but picked up the win to even his record at 4-4.

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Yankees vs. White Sox - April 22

First off, congrats to Mrs. and Mrs. A-Rod on the birth of their, as yet, unnamed daughter. She was born in Miami last night. She was 7 lbs, 2 oz.. And more good news, Jorge Posada is back behind the dish tonight after testing out his arm earlier today.

Here's tonight's lineup courtesy of Peter Abraham:

Yankees
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Giambi 1B
Ensberg 3B
Cabrera CF
Wang RHP

News and Notes

Derek Jeter needs one more double to tie Joe DiMaggio for 5th place on the all-time Yankees list.

If the Wanger wins tonight, he'll be the fastest to 50 victories since Doc Gooden.

With A-Rod's baby birth and quad injury, no Yankee has now played in every single game this season.

No pitch counts - On this day in Yankees history, Whitey Ford went the distance in a 1-0, 14-inning shutout of the Washington Senators. He struck out 15, while issuing 7 hits and 7 walks.

Among those happy to be facing Contreras tonight are, Bobby Abreu .444 (4-19), Derek Jeter .294 (5-17), and Jorge Posada .333 (3-9). Conversely, the already slumping Jason Giambi is 0-6, though he has drawn 4 walks and has 4 RBI. Melky Cabrera is just 1-9.

Joe Crede .400 (2-5), Jim Thome .333 (2-6) and Juan Uribe .333 (2-6) have had the best success against Wang. Jermaine Dye .222 (2-9), Paul Konerko .143 (1-7) and A.J. Pierzynksi .000 (0-5) have struggled.

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Dye Another Day

The White Sox have reached agreement with right fielder Jermaine Dye on a two-year, $22 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned."--> The White Sox have reached agreement with right fielder Jermaine Dye on a two-year, $22 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned. The deal will include a mutual option for a third season.

Dye, 33, would be the second potential free agent to remain with the White Sox at a below-market rate, joining left-hander Mark Buerhle, who agreed to a four-year, $56 million extension at the All-Star break.

After batting only .214 before the All-Star Game, Dye has rebounded to hit .311 since the break with 12 homers in 122 at-bats.

The White Sox discussed trading Dye to the Red Sox before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, but the two sides could not come to an agreement.

Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP, had a career year in 2006, hitting .315 with 44 HRs and 120 RBIs. He was fifth in AL MVP voting.

Despite the dropoff in batting average in 2007, Dye is tied for fourth in the American League with 24 HRs.

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Red Sox Don't Dye, for Now

The Red Sox had a three-way deal in place to acquire White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye

earlier this week, but the trade fell through because of an unspecified issue with a player from the third club, according to an industry source.

Dye, who is a free agent at the end of the season, was willing to consider waiving his limited no-trade protection to join the Red Sox in exchange for guarantees about playing time and incentive bonuses, the source said.

The Sox told Dye that they were prepared to play him five days a week. It is unclear how they would have created the playing time, considering that they are set in all three outfield positions and the DH spot.

Read more from Ken Rosenthal

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