Top News:
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Mets, Braves Swap Church For Francoeur — 6:07pm: Hubbuch clears up some confusion: the Braves are sending the Mets cash in the deal. That makes more sense given the difference in salaries. — 5:48pm: Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News reports that Braves also received cash in the deal.
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Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
Mets trade Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur — The Mets have traded Ryan Church to the Braves for OF Jeff Francoeur. — Update, 6:47 pm, by Matthew Cerrone: — Omar Minaya said the Mets will receive ‘cash considerations’ in the deal from the Braves with Francoeur.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Baseball America, We're the Team to Beat, Amazin' Avenue, umpbump.com and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
New York Mets swap Ryan Church for Atlanta Braves' struggling OF Jeff Francoeur, cash … NEW YORK — The Atlanta Braves traded Jeff Francoeur and cash to the New York Mets for Ryan Church on Friday in a swap of outfielders who had fallen out of favor with their teams. — The deal came with both NL East teams below .500.
Associated Press:
All-Star Game: Philadelphia Phillies OF Jayson Werth, Texas Rangers Nelson Cruz OF named as replacements — NEW YORK — Jayson Werth's power push paid off. — As did Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz's. — Fresh from homering for the fourth straight game, Philadelphia's Werth outfielder …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Phillies Nation, umpbump.com, Bats, Fox Sports and Yahoo! Sports
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Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Werth added to NL All-Star roster — Phillies outfielder replaces Mets' Beltran, who is injured — Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth has been added to the National League All-Star team as a replacement for the Mets' Carlos Beltran. — Werth joins the other two Philadelphia outfielders already …
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Royals Acquire Yuniesky Betancourt — The Royals acquired Yuniesky Betancourt and cash from the Mariners for a pair of minor league pitchers, according to Joe Hamrahi of Baseball Daily Digest. Betancourt makes at least $10MM before his current deal expires, so it'll be interesting to see how much the Mariners are contributing.
Discussion:
Mariners Insider, Royals Review, Baseball America, Beyond the Box Score, U.S.S. Mariner, Fox Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Hardball Times
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Bradford Doolittle / Kansas City Star:
Yuniesky Betancourt: A rather harsh analysis — This is discouraging. It really is. The press release just landed in my e-mail inbox and it really kind of took my breath away. The Royals have traded prospects Danny Cortes and Derrick Saito for Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
Rumors, rumors, rumors - all false??? — RUMOR OFF-CENTRAL: — No, the Cincinnati Reds are NOT going to sign pitcher Pedro Martinez, as one scout suggested. Martinez will undergo a physical, probably on Saturday, and if he passes the Philadelphia Phillies will announce he belongs to them.
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Tim Marchman / Sports Illustrated:Closer-by-committee is getting no complaints for Braves, Rays
Discussion:
ESPN
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Mauer accepts invitation to Derby — Catcher has hit a career-high 15 homers this season — Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer has officially accepted an invitation to compete in the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday night at Busch Stadium. — Mauer will be pitched …
Discussion:
Home Run Derby
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MLB.com:
Yankees to celebrate 63rd Old-Timer's Day - and first at Yankee Stadium - with Hall-of-Famers and first-time attendees — The New York Yankees announced today that four Hall-of-Famers and at least six rookie Old-Timers will be on hand at the 63rd annual Old-Timers' Day on Sunday, July 19 at Yankee Stadium.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Associated Press:
Sanchez makes most of opportunity, throws no-hitter in front of father — SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Sanchez pitched a no-hitter and that was amazing enough. — If not for an eighth-inning bobble, he could've been perfect. — The San Francisco Giants left-hander threw the majors …
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Joba Chamberlain struggles as New York Yankees fall 10-6 to Los Angeles Angels … ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joba Chamberlain continued his maddening string of inefficiency, the bullpen proved equally ineffective and the defense provided little help. Considering all that conspired against the Yankees …
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Angels place Hunter, Guerrero on DL — Center fielder will not participate in the All-Star Game — ANAHEIM — The Angels will face the Yankees this weekend without the heart of their lineup. — Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero, the third and fourth hitters in the Angels' lineup …
MLB.com:
Astros claim Coste off waivers from Phillies — Catcher to Report to Club Tomorrow — HOUSTON, TX—The Houston Astros announced today that the club has claimed catcher Chris Coste off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Ed Wade.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
TSN.ca:
FELDMAN AND YOUNG LEAD RANGERS OVER M'S — The Sports Network — Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Scott Feldman continued a nice run with 6 2/3 solid innings and Michael Young slugged a three-run homer, as Texas defeated Seattle, 6-4, in the second of four games from Safeco Field.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 86: Yankees at Angels (updated with Girardi pre-game audio and roster move) — YANKEES (51-34) — Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 4.04). — ANGELS (46-37) — Figgins 3B — Izturis 2B — Abreu RF — Rivera LF — Morales 1B — Napoli DH — Matthews CF — Mathis C
Canadian Press:
CECIL OUTPITCHES BERKEN AS BLUE JAYS BEAT THE ORIOLES — BALTIMORE - Brett Cecil outpitched Jason Berken in a duel between struggling rookies, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 Friday night to snap a three-game skid. — Alex Rios hit two doubles and scored a run for the Blue Jays …
Baseball America:
Prospect Hot Sheet: July 10 — It's unfortunate that only one player can rank No. 1 on the Hot Sheet, because this week two players are worthy of the honor. Choosing between Orioles Double-A lefty Brian Matusz and Nationals low Class A catcher Derek Norris was nearly impossible.
Ben Collins / Boston Globe:
Final: Red Sox 1, Royals 0 — Final: Red Sox 1, Royals 0 Papelbon strikes out Guillen and gets Teahen to fly out. An 11-pitch ninth nets his 23rd save. — 9:37, 1-0: Here are the final lines for the starters. A pitching duel looks like this: — Bannister: 7 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 7 K, 4 BB.
