Astros trade Lee to

Miami for 2 players

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Houston Astros traded slugger Carlos Lee to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in exchange for a pair of prospects.

The Astros acquired third baseman Matt Dominguez and left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen in the deal.

The 36-year-old Lee spent five-plus seasons with the Astros and is hitting .287 with five homers and 29 RBI in 65 games this year.

Houston manager Brad Mills removed Lee in the seventh inning of a 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. Lee’s locker was already empty by the time the clubhouse opened after the game.

The right-hander gives the Marlins a veteran hitter as they try to get back into the race in the NL East. First base has been a problem for Miami this season, where regular Gaby Sanchez came into Wednesday’s game hitting .194 with two homers and 16 RBIs.

 

Arkansas’ Smith

files bankruptcy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas coach John L. Smith says he is making plans to declare bankruptcy as a result of several land developments gone bust in Kentucky.

Smith was hired by the Razorbacks in April to replace Bobby Petrino, who was fired after revelations that he had hired his mistress in the football department and given her $20,000 in gifts.

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long says Smith told him of his financial problems during the hiring process. Long says he is comfortable the issue will not affect Smith’s ability to coach Arkansas in the wake of the Petrino scandal.

Smith, also a former head coach at Michigan State and Louisville, says he was a partner in the land deals and that total money involved is in the “multimillions.”

 

Report: Suns land

Gordon, Beasley

PHOENIX (AP) — A person familiar with the talks says restricted free agent guard Eric Gordon has agreed to a four-year deal with the Phoenix Suns worth about $58 million and that forward Michael Beasley has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal.

The New Orleans Hornets have the right to match the deal and keep Gordon.

Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Kansas State, averaged 15.1 points per game in his four NBA seasons, two with Miami and the past two with Minnesota.