Beltran: Accepting trade to Red Sox ‘a no brainer’  —  PHOENIX — Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, who will serve as the DH of the National League All-Star team on Tuesday, is emerging as one of the foremost trade targets on this summer's market.  The free-agent-to-be is nearing the end …

Home Run Derby: Is it a matter of league or national pride?  —  PHOENIX - The Home Run Derby, now featuring a National League vs. American League format, took on a new subtitle on Monday:  —  Gringos vs. Latinos.  —  That tag came courtesy of a sports reporter from the Dominican Republic during Monday's Derby press conference.

Scott Boras signs Francisco Rodriguez  —  PHOENIX — Agent Scott Boras confirmed he is now representing New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez.  —  Boras and K-Rod had met face-to-face before and after last Thursday's Mets game at Dodger Stadium.  —  “He contacted us several weeks ago …

Jeter sticks by controversial decision  —  FOX Sports  —  PHOENIX  —  New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will not attend the All-Star Game because of “emotional and physical exhaustion” from his pursuit of 3,000 hits, according to two people with knowledge of his mindset.

Off-field moves, Pirates surprising surge marked intriguing first half … PHOENIX — It was an interesting first half.  Two managers quit.  None were fired.  Two managers were hired.  The average age of them was 74.  The heavily-favored Phillies did what they were supposed to do, and the Red Sox pretty much did, too.

Jackson urges All-Stars to speak out against law  —  PHOENIX—The Rev. Jesse Jackson urged baseball's All-Stars to speak out against the Arizona immigration law, saying they should follow the example set by Jackie Robinson when he broke the sport's color barrier more than a half-century ago.

As Jeter stays away, hurt stars show up in Arizona  —  PHOENIX—Much is being made of the big names absent from this year's All-Star game, yet some who are hurt came anyway to show their support for the game and its fans.  —  Take Jose Reyes of the New York Mets, who says he has been hurt three …

A's Release Bobby Cramer  —  The A's announced that they have released left-hander Bobby Cramer.  Oakland had designated Cramer for assignment on July 1st.  —  The 31-year-old appeared in five games this year, pitching 8 1/3 innings with six hits allowed and a 6K/1BB ratio.

Beltran, Reyes pleasant surprises for Collins  —  SAN FRANCISCO — According to Mets manager Terry Collins, every good team has at least one surprise storyline every season.  His 2011 club, set to enter the break with a winning record, has been no exception through the All-Star break.