Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Realingment: D-backs, Astros two candidates to move to AL — PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks could be the team most likely to change leagues if Major League Baseball implements realignment in its new collective bargaining agreement. — “We would do whatever's best for baseball,” …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Dave Allen / FanGraphs Baseball:
How Would Realignment Affect Playoff Races? — Over the weekend Buster Olney reported that Major League Baseball and the players' union discussed a possible plan for realignment. The plan would move the Houston Astros, or possibly the Florida Marlins, to the AL so that both leagues would have 15 teams …
Discussion:
Hair Balls, Angels blog, Bleacher Nation, baseballmusings.com and THE BOOK
ESPN:
The possibility of MLB realignment
The possibility of MLB realignment
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, River Avenue Blues and newballpark.org
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets 7, Pirates 0 — PITTSBURGH — Carlos Beltran likely won't be with the Mets next season, but that doesn't mean he's without an opinion on how the organization should proceed. — The veteran outfielder takes one look around, and has a difficult time envisioning anyone …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Mets Merized Online
RELATED:
Molly Knight / ESPN:
Source: Dodgers owe Manny $8.33M by June 30 — The cash-strapped Los Angeles Dodgers must pay Manny Ramirez $8.33 million by June 30, a source said on Monday. — The polarizing slugger is due the deferred money from the $42 million contract he signed with Los Angeles before the 2009 season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NESN.com, Baseball Nation and baseballmusings.com
Washington Times:
Witness implicates Hernandez — The link surfaced during testimony from Miguel Antonio Montes Nieves on March 30 during Ayala-Vazquez's trial in San Juan. Known as “Tony Montana” after Al Pacino's character in “Scarface,” Montes pleaded guilty to mailing cocaine from Florida to Puerto Rico in an unrelated case.
Discussion:
Nationals Inquisition, HardballTalk, Tedquarters and Baseball Nation
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
New York Mets appeal to MLB on Andrew McCutchen hit as error, could benefit R.A. Dickey's ERA — PITTSBURGH - The Mets contacted Major League Baseball's central offices in Manhattan after Saturday's game, requesting a review of Andrew McCutchen's third-inning “hit” in a 3-2 loss to the Pirates, a league source told the Daily News.
Discussion:
The Mets Police and Tedquarters
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Sign Greg Smith, Cory Wade — The Yankees have signed southpaw Greg Smith and right-hander Cory Wade to minor league contracts, according to the International League's transactions page. Both pitchers will report to Triple-A Scranton. — Smith, 27, was released by the Rockies in April.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Cubs place Kerry Wood on DL — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs placed pitcher Kerry Wood on the disabled list with a blister and activated infielder Jeff Baker before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. — Wood, who has a blister on his right index finger, was placed on the DL retroactive to June 9.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hendry denies Cubs won't spend in 2012 — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry met with the media before Monday's game and addressed several topics, including a report that the Cubs' wont be able to spend on free agents the next few years because of their debt load. — “That's not true at all,” he said.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
After discomfort in shoulder, Mets pitcher Johan Santana slows rehabilitation — PITTSBURGH — After experiencing soreness in his surgically-repaired left shoulder on June 3, Mets starter Johan Santana has slowed his rehabilitation process, general manager Sandy Alderson explained before today's game against Pittsburgh.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
Chris Jenkins / Associated Press:
Government lab helps MLB battle broken-bat danger — MADISON, Wis.—Major League Baseball has been trying to reduce the number of broken bats and the injuries that can come with them. — The league has an expert partner, too: After all, who knows wood better than the U.S. Forest Service?
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Fox Sports:
Unlikely All-Star candidates and more — Every year you see 'em - players who come seemingly out of nowhere to become All-Stars. — Many play for low-profile clubs. Some disappear in the second half. But the unlikely All-Stars, no matter how fluky, always make for great stories.