Top News:
Phil Sheridan / Philly.com:
Braves force Phillies' hand on making a move — On the day major-league teams reassembled in the cities where they will resume their seasons, the Atlanta Braves made a bold statement that should resonate with the Phillies and their fans. — The Braves, back atop the division they owned for a decade, plan to stay there.
Discussion:
Chicago Breaking Sports
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Globe and Mail:
Jeff Blair — A shortstop. Of course it would have to be a shortstop. In his eight years as the Blue Jays' general manager, J.P. Ricciardi had 19 different shortstops who started games. Nineteen. You can make the case it all went south for Ricciardi when he made Russ Adams - a shortstop - his first first-round draft choice.
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
AL West Race — I'm having trouble deciding if this is a two-team race or a three-team race. The Rangers lead the Angels by 4 1/2 games and Oakland by 7 1/2 games. The A's, however, are below .500 despite having outscored their opponents, and the Angels are above .500 despite having been outscored by their opponents.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels might not overcome Texas this time — Rangers are just going out and winning, not mouthing off as they did last season, and just upped the ante on the Angels by acquiring left-handed ace Cliff Lee from Seattle. — Rangers starting pitcher Cliff Lee delivers a pitch during the All-Star game on Tuesday and Angel Stadium.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Texas has biggest division lead despite bankruptcy
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Source: Dodgers put Sherrill on waivers — ST. LOUIS — Los Angeles Dodgers reliever George Sherrill, who was an All-Star closer for the Baltimore Orioles just a year ago, has been put on waivers by the club, a major league source confirmed Wednesday on the condition of anonymity.
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Quinn Roberts / MLB.com:
Buchholz has Pawtucket start awaiting him — BOSTON — Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz will make his first start since straining his left hamstring while running the bases on June 26 in San Francisco for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday. — While Red Sox manager Terry Francona weighed the option …
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Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Theo Epstein not thinking big — Red Sox GM may do some tweaking — With two weeks until the trade deadline, general manager Theo Epstein would love to make a big splash that will have a profound effect on pushing the Red Sox [team stats] into the playoffs. — In reality, though, he may only be able to make subtle tweaks.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Judge in McCourts' divorce case talks of Dodgers sale — As Frank and Jamie McCourt both claim to be low on cash, L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon says one resolution would be to sell ‘the asset which is being fought over.’ — Frank and Jamie McCourt take in a July 4th game at Dodger Stadium.
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New York Post:
Hal and Steinbrenner family won't sell Yankees — Come closer. I want to tell you a secret: That championship the Yankees won last year was for George Steinbrenner, but it was by Hal Steinbrenner. — Do you get it? — It means that in all significant ways when it comes to running the Yankees …
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Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
New York Yankees will stay in Steinbrenner family forever, consultant says
Discussion:
It's About The Money
R.B. Fallstrom / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
McGwire confident Cards' offense will take off — Mark McGwire needs no reminders that the St. Louis Cardinals' offense sputtered into the All-Star break in his first season as hitting coach. — While waiting for the hitters to take off under his tutelage, the one-time home run king is leaning on a mantra from his playing days.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Jason Bay's window of opportunity down to a half-season — Jason Bay still insists he's not a home run hitter despite four seasons of 30 or more and 36 with Boston last season. He has six for the Mets in 309 at-bats. — It was Jason Bay bobblehead day at Citi Field …
Dave Nichols / NATIONALS NEWS NETWORK:
Jordan Zimmermann's Third Rehab Start for Potomac (with photos and quotes) — Jordan Zimmermann prepares for his third rehab start for the Potomac Nationals. (Photo D. Nichols/Nats News Network) — Washington Nationals rehabbing pitcher Jordan Zimmermann made his third rehab start …
