Top News:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Quotes: Jeff Francoeur's Best Years Ahead of Him — Prior to today's game, Jeff Francoeur told reporters he hopes he can help out, and once guys like Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado get back, ‘hopefully we can make a run.’ — He said, “If you look at it, 6.5 games is not that tough …
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Sam Page / Amazin' Avenue:
More Thoughts On The Jeff Francoeur Trade — After reflecting more on the Jeff Francoeur trade and considering the perspectives of the defenders of the move, I'm more convinced it makes no sense. The main arguments for the trade seem to be following: — Jeff Francoeur is a rangier defender, which suits Citi Field.
Ted Berg / SNY.tv:An egging most baffling — Francoeur acquisition difficult to explain
Discussion:
Mack's Mets, Mets Minor League Blog, MLB.com, New Jersey Online, MetsBlog.com, Hot Foot, metsgrrl.com, NY Daily News and Mets Geek
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Mets sign Angel Berroa — The Mets have signed infielder Angel Berroa and assigned him to Buffalo. — Lefthander Arturo Lopez has been placed on the temporary inactive list. — Berroa hit .136 (3-for-22) with a double and one RBI in 21 games with the Yankees this season.
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Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
One and done: Evans sent down — Nick Evans could only stave off demotion for one day. He's in the lineup at first base on Saturday for Triple-A Buffalo against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Evans had been told he was headed to the minors before Friday's Mets-Reds game, but the trade of Ryan Church …
Kevin Goldstein / Unfiltered:
Defending Angel Berroa . . . . . . Believe it or not. — Let's face it, there have been some highly questionable moves of late, especially the Royals deciding that Yuni Betancourt is some kind of answer at shortstop. That said, the Mets picked up Angel Berroa today and assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo.
Joe Posnanski:
Gimme a U! A Knee! An S! A Key! — So here's the deal: I had absolutely no intention of writing about the Kansas City Royals this weekend. None. I'm pretty sure everyone who would care knows exactly where I stand on the Royals. — They're in a death spiral.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
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Rany / Rany on the Royals:
The Breaking Point. — Oh, how I long for the halcyon days when Nick Swartz was my greatest concern. — 5...6...7... When the Royals were mad at me instead of the other way around. — 8...9...10... Look, I could count all the stars in the sky and all the fish in the sea, and I still don't think I will have calmed down.
Christina Kahrl / Baseball Prospectus:
Transaction of the Day — Double Deals — American League National League … This is supposed to be the solution to their shortstop problem? They acquire the most grandly disappointing Cuban import at short since Rey Ordonez? Perhaps the Royals aren't quite clear on the standards in play here.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Angels strike back to beat Yankees in Anaheim 10-6 — ANAHEIM - Before Friday night's game, Joe Girardi expressed his frustration with the constant criticism aimed at Joba Chamberlain. It's hard to imagine the manager felt the same way after watching the pitcher labor through yet another unwatchable outing.
Discussion:
A Red Sox Fan …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' Gonzalez has elbow checked in Atlanta — Denver — Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez was diagnosed with tendinitis in his surgically repaired pitching elbow on Saturday after returning to Atlanta to have it examined. — Braves general manager Frank Wren said Gonzalez …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
A most unlikely no-hitter — (07-10) 23:21 PDT — As long as bats and balls connect on warm summer evenings, baseball never will cease to amaze. — The Giants' 33-year no-hitter drought ended at China Basin on Friday night, and the pitcher who threw the nine innings of brilliance …
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Associated Press:
Dodgers' Broxton (toe) might skip All-Star game — MILWAUKEE (AP) — Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton likely will have to skip the All-Star game Tuesday because of an ailing big toe on his right foot. — Dodgers manager Joe Torre says they noticed Broxton limping after giving up two runs …
Keith Law / ESPN:
Scouting the Futures Game — A look at 16 of the game's best prospects who'll be playing St. Louis — STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Become an Insider Today — This year's Futures Game returns to the pre-2008 format, where there's at least an attempt to get the best prospects in the minors together in one stadium for a showcase game.
Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Kemp, Dodgers slam Brewers in extras — Slugger connects on granny in 10th after Blake's RBI triple — MILWAUKEE — On a night when Manny Ramirez tied Mickey Mantle on the all-time home run list, Matt Kemp was part Willie Mays Hayes and Pedro Cerrano as the Dodgers beat the Brewers, 12-8 …
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Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:Holy Kemp! Dodgers survive, conquer, survive, 12-8
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Lilly earns 100th win, leads Cubs over Cardinals — Ted Lilly allowed four hits and a run in eight strong innings to earn his 100th career victory as the Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 Saturday. — Lilly (9-6), the Cubs' lone selection to the All-Star game, walked one and struck …
Associated Press:
Hanson sent down to get start during ASG break — DENVER (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have sent undefeated rookie Tommy Hanson to Class-A Myrtle Beach and called up right-hander Luis Valdez from Triple-A Gwinnett. — The Braves said the move was made to add bullpen depth for their weekend series …
