Top News:
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
‘Bran-Torino’ takes a ride to All-Star Game — Inge, Victorino win epic contest in Sprint Final Vote — “Bran-Torino” is now a joy ride. — Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino are your choices in the dramatic 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote …
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Time running out for LA fans to help Kemp — Balloting for Final Vote ends at 1 p.m. PT on Thursday — NEW YORK — Only one day remains for Matt Kemp fans to show their support and vote for the Dodgers outfielder, who is one of five finalists in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote.
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Midseason Top 25 Prospects — While subscribers can see a more in-depth look at the top 25 prospects and will get a listing of the organizations who have improved their stock and which teams have slipped, we do want everyone to be able to see the listing of the Top 25 Prospects at the midseason.
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Phillies and Martinez Getting Close? — There is a very real chance Pedro Martinez will be in the Phillies rotation after the All-Star break. — The Phillies said today they had not signed the free-agent right-hander to a contract, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had no comment …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Blog, Fox Sports, Yahoo! Sports, We're the Team to Beat and Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
RELATED:
MLB:
Pedro Martinez says his agent is negotiating with Philadelphia Phillies — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pedro Martinez says his agent is negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies, trying to get the pitcher back into the major leagues. — Martinez said the Phillies have been scouting him in his native Dominican Republic.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates ‘pushing’ trade of All-Star Sanchez — The Pirates are “pushing hard” to trade All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, according to a National League executive this morning. — The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies are two of the teams with which the Pirates have spoken …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Raise the Jolly Roger, MLB Daily Dish, MLB FanHouse, MetsBlog.com and Where Have You Gone …
RELATED:
Zach Schonbrun / MLB.com:
Price outduels Halladay in Rays win — Rookie southpaw allows one run in six innings vs. Jays — ST. PETERSBURG — David Price outpitched Roy Halladay and the Rays completed their midweek turnaround by sweeping Toronto with a 3-2 win Thursday afternoon. — Price rebounded from the worst outing …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
TSN.ca:
SHOPPACH HITS GRAND SLAM AS INDIANS EDGE WHITE SOX — The Sports Network — Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Kelly Shoppach hit a grand slam and finished with a career-high five runs driven in as the Cleveland Indians outslugged the Chicago White Sox, 10-8, in the finale of a three-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.
Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Lots of money, mystery in international signings — A White Sox official was arrested last summer for bringing cash into the United States in his shoes, and cash has been rifled out of the pockets of Dominican teenagers. The Washington Nationals had to fire their Dominican scouting coordinator …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tom Gage / Detroit News:
Magglio Ordonez, Clete Thomas to platoon in right for Tigers — Detroit — The Tigers will platoon Magglio Ordonez in right field from now on. — Manager Jim Leyland said before Wednesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals that Clete Thomas — newly recalled from Toledo …
Conor Glassey / Baseball America:
Mariners Sign Baron — The Mariners have signed their highest draft pick so far, supplemental first rounder Steven Baron, a catcher from Ferguson High in Miami. Baron, the 33rd-overall selection, received a $980,000 signing bonus. That's $44,000 more than the estimated slot for that spot.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
With enough from Burnett, Yanks roll on — Opportunistic offense sets up club's 12th win in 14 games — MINNEAPOLIS — Only a few pitches into Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Twins, it became apparent to Yankees catcher Jorge Posada that his starting pitcher, A.J. Burnett, had virtually no control over his curveball.
Associated Press:
Nats sink 'Stros 11-10 in finish from May 5 game — HOUSTON (AP) — An error by Miguel Tejada in the 11th inning made former Nationals reliever Joel Hanrahan a winner Thursday night in the completion of a suspended game as Washington beat the Houston Astros 11-10.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Marc Graser / Variety:
Sony still game for ‘Moneyball’ — Soderbergh out as director; Pitt still attached — Sony is still game on making the baseball pic “Moneyball,” tapping Aaron Sorkin to polish an early script by Steve Zaillian. — Brad Pitt is still attached to star in Columbia Pictures' adaptation …
Associated Press:
Orioles take advantage of two Lopez errors, rally past Mariners — SEATTLE — The Baltimore Orioles wasted a big opportunity in the seventh inning. Not in the ninth. — The Orioles took advantage of two errors by Seattle Mariners second baseman Jose Lopez for five ninth-inning runs and went on for a 5-3 victory Wednesday night.
Associated Press:
Late rally lifts Cards over Brewers — MILWAUKEE — Joel Pineiro trusts his sinking fastball again, and that's making all the difference this season. — A year after injuries left him shaken with an ugly ERA, the veteran righthander scattered three hits in his third complete game this year …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
A's to retire Henderson's jersey after HOF event — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is getting his due from the Oakland Athletics. — The A's will retire Henderson's No. 24 jersey during a pregame ceremony Aug. 1, deemed “Rickey Henderson Day” by the club in tribute …
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Playing his heart out — Dmitri Young had a dream about a week ago, one of those clear-as-day dreams that become imprinted in your mind long after you've awoken and returned to reality. He was back home in California, standing in the kitchen, when suddenly his mother approached him with some advice.