Dan Connelly (Baltimore Sun) is reporting that Miguel Tejada has been scratched from tonight's lineup and has been traded to the Padres.  Others are confirming the same report via twitter pages.  No report on what is coming to Baltimore and I have no knowledge of their farm system.  Can't imagine it's going to be anything to get excited over, other than watching Josh Bell (and a host of others) play third base for the rest of 2010.

http://masnsports.com/2009/08/os-withdraw-contract-offer-to.html

The Orioles have officially withdrawn the contract offer to their 2nd round pick, Florida high school shortstop Mychal Givens.  From the article, this does not look like a negotiating ploy, but a complete withdrawal.  Of course, the Orioles are trying to spin this as a positive as it will "free up some money to sign "other drafted players who have 2nd round talent".  I have to admit this is disappointing.  I realize players not signing happens, but if we knew about his increased demands prior to drafting him, why would we potentially waste the pick?

The Diamondbacks have confirmed Brandon Webb will undergo shoulder surgery today to repair what is believed to be a torn labrum.  Although speculative, due to the surgery Arizona may decline his 8.5M option for the 2010 season, making him a Free Agent.  He'll turn 31 in May of 2010 and has averaged a little over 220 innings and 180 strike outs per season over his career.  With surgery today, he could be ready to pitch in games shortly into the 2010 season.    A proven All-Star with a hard, heavy sinker is what we need at the top of the rotation for the 2011 season and beyond.  The problem is very few (if any?) pitchers have returned from labrum surgery (if that's what it turns out to be) and been the same.  I've read other posts discussing Ben Sheets.  All things being equal, I'd take Webb over Sheets.  I'm guessing that 6 years/$66M may be a starting point for Webb.  Webb/Tillman/Matusz/Bergesen/Arietta(?) looks like a nice rotation to get us back to October baseball.  I know we've had no luck signing a front-of-the-rotation starter through Free Agency.  If available, is this the one we break the bank on?