Top News:
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
The Strasburg & Ackley Deals — Stephen Strasburg: — Four-year major league deal, $7.5 million bonus, $7.6 million in salaries (including pro-rated $400,000 salary for remainder of 2009), $15.1 million total guaranteed. Also various incentives based on big league award voting. — Dustin Ackley:
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Nationals Sign Stephen Strasburg — 11:39pm: BA's Jim Callis has the contract breakdown. Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times have even further detail. — 11:06pm: Baseball America's Aaron Fitt says Strasburg signed a Major League deal worth $15.67MM over four years.
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
It's Done: Strasburg Agrees
It's Done: Strasburg Agrees
Discussion:
MLB.com, Federal Baseball, The washington times Blogs, Oleanders and Morning Glories and ESPN
Tracy Ringolsby / Inside the Colorado Rockies:
Rockies Agree with Matzek - Updated — The Colorado Rockies came up to the deadline, and then got the deal done with their top draft pick, high school lefthander Tyler Matzek. — The Rockies agreed to a signing bonus of $3.9 million, insidetherockies.com learned, more than double …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers acquire infielder Huff from O's — Veteran brings left-hand bat to lineup and versatility in the field — DETROIT — Finally, the Tigers found help at the plate on the trade market. In turn, Aubrey Huff found arguably his best chance to finally get to the postseason.
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Associated Press:
Wright back with Mets, says head's feeling better … NEW YORK (AP) — The most frightening moment for David Wright came an instant before he got hit in the head. It was the moment he braced for impact, knowing he had no time to dodge that 94 mph fastball. — “For the most part I remember everything,” Wright said.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
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Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Wright feels fine, just ‘embarrassed’ to land on DL
Wright feels fine, just ‘embarrassed’ to land on DL
Discussion:
NESN.com
Chris Hine / New York Times:
Hernandez Continues to Struggle, and So Do the Mets
Hernandez Continues to Struggle, and So Do the Mets
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign Heathcott For $2.2 Million — The Yankees have signed first-round pick Slade Heathcott for $2.2 million. He was drafted 27th overall, and the MLB recommendation for his slot was $1,107,000. — A two-way star at Texas High (Texarkana, Texas), Heathcott will be an outfielder in pro ball.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com, Fack Youk, Hardball Times, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, Pinstripe Alley, NESN.com and River Avenue Blues
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees sign first two Draft picks — Outfielder Heathcott, catcher Murphy reportedly agree to terms — SAN FRANCISCO — The Yankees have secured their first-round selection in the First-Year Player Draft, agreeing to terms on Monday with outfielder Slade Heathcott.
David Ely / MLB.com:
Two homers sink Dodgers, Haeger — Knuckleballer delivers seven innings in debut for LA — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers got just about everything they could have hoped for Monday night. — Well, everything short of a win. — Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger lasted seven innings and only gave …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Sports Illustrated:
Ankiel's HR helps sizzling Cardinals sink Dodgers … LOS ANGELES(AP) Although Ryan Franklin graciously accepted his teammates' congratulations in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse for his 30th save, the St. Louis closer thought the spotlight should be on Chris Carpenter 's setup work.
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves not interested in Smoltz — The Boston Red Sox severed ties with John Smoltz on Monday, announcing they were releasing the former Brave, which made him available to other teams at a pro-rated major league minimum salary. The Braves are not among the teams interested in signing him though …
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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Smoltz released — John Smoltz's brief and disappointing stay with the Red Sox has come to its official end. — The Red Sox have confirmed this afternoon that, as expected, they have released the 42-year-old righthander, who won just two of eight starts with the Sox while posting an 8.33 ERA.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 119: Yankees at Athletics (with draft signing updates) — YANKEES (74-44) — Pitching: RHP AJ Burnett (10-5, 3.71). — ATHLETICS (52-65) — Kennedy 3B — Davis CF — Suzuki C — Hairston LF — Sweeney RF — Ellis 2B — Cust DH — Crosby 1B — Pennington SS
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign Mitchell For $800,000 — The Yankees have signed 16th-round pick Bryan Mitchell for $800,000. It's the third-highest bonus after the 10th round this year, following Orioles signees Michael Ohlman ($995,000, 11th round) and Cameron Coffey ($990,000, 22nd round).
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
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Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Tigers Sign Turner — The Tigers have signed No. 9 overall pick Jacob Turner to a major league contract with a $4.7 million bonus (payable over six years, with $1.6 million paid in 2014) and a guaranteed value of $5.5 million. Depending on how quickly he reaches the majors, he could push the total value to nearly $7 million.
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John Manuel / Baseball America:
Phillies Nab Colvin for $900,000 — Baseball America has confirmed that Louisiana State signee Brody Colvin has spurned the defending national champions to sign with the Phillies, who drafted him in the seventh round. Colvin signed for $900,000, the second-highest bonus in the seventh round …
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Nathan Rode / Baseball America:
Rays Break Off Talks With Top Picks — The Tampa Bay Rays, who have already signed several of their top picks to above-slot deals, have released a statement saying they don't expect to sign their top two picks, outfielder LeVon Washington and shortstop Kenny Diekroger.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
O's rally but come undone in 13th frame — Bullpen allows nine runs in fateful extra inning vs. Halos — BALTIMORE — They bent and then they broke. The Orioles played from behind for most of Sunday's game and tied things up in the ninth inning, only to see the Angels pull away in extras.
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Red Sox Sign Volz For $550,000 — The Red Sox have signed Baylor righthander Kendal Volz for $550,000. That's the second-highest bonus in the ninth round this year.
Associated Press:
Hanson hurls Braves past Diamondbacks 9-4 — ATLANTA (AP) — Tommy Hanson (FSY) isn't worried about how many innings he pitches as long as he can keep helping the Atlanta Braves win. — Hanson gave up two runs in six innings for his third consecutive win and Ryan Church (FSY) …