Top News:
The Knobler Blog:
Does option hinder K-Rod trade? Maybe not — PHOENIX — For weeks, the conventional wisdom on Francisco Rodriguez has been that if the Mets trade him, it would be to a team that needs a setup man rather than one that needs a closer. — The thinking was that with K-Rod already 62 percent …
Discussion:
The Yankee Analysts, CloserNews, Full Count and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Boston Herald:
Carlos Beltran would be cool with deal to Red Sox — PHOENIX — Less than three weeks remain until the trading deadline, and right field is right up there with starting pitching as a spot where the Red Sox [team stats] likely will seek an upgrade. — Two options, Carlos Beltran of the Mets and Hunter Pence of the Astros, are here.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Beltran: Accepting trade to Red Sox ‘a no brainer’
Discussion:
NESN.com and HardballTalk
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Boras signs K-Rod, to discuss contract with GM
Discussion:
CloserNews and HardballTalk
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Updated: Yankees are not on K-Rod's no-trade list
Discussion:
Metropolis and MLB Daily Dish
Dan Hayes / North County Times:
ALL-STAR NOTES: Gonzalez says leave Petco alone — Adrian Gonzalez had no problem reaching the bleachers during Monday night's Home Run Derby at Chase Field. — The Boston Red Sox slugger never homered as prolifically at Petco Park in five seasons with the Padres the way he did in a runner-up performance at the Derby.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
HR fan saved from fall as friends catch his legs — PHOENIX — Keith Carmickle and his friends had already caught three balls during Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby Monday night and wanted more. — He nearly got a lot more: a headfirst fall to a pool deck about 20 feet below.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, MLB, ESPN and Boston Globe
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Cano tops Gonzalez in Home Run Derby — It's over: Cano hit 12 to win his first title. Nice moment for him and his dad. Great showing by Gonzo, too. — Gonzo ties record: Adrian hit 11, tying the final round record. Now we'll see what Cano can do. — Final round: It'll be Gonzo vs. Cano.
Discussion:
USA Today, Surviving Grady, Pinstripe Alley, AZ Snake Pit, Purple Row, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mozeliak has blueprint for success — The National League Central has spent more than three months waiting on the Cardinals. — The time never has been better, the Cardinals believe, to make the rest of the division pay. — Nick Punto watched the formula work repeatedly with the Minnesota Twins …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Full Count
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Cardinals Might Be Willing To Trade Rasmus — The Cardinals “might reconsider [their] stance” on trading center fielder Colby Rasmus, reports Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He adds that GM John Mozeliak “would have to acquire a significant return for Rasmus but may be willing …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
John Leland / New York Times:
Returning Jeter's Big Hit: No Good Deed Goes Untaxed (Perhaps) — Here is the fan's fantasy: You go to the ballpark and under a picture-perfect sky not only do the Yankees win, but in recognition of your exemplary behavior, the team also showers you with free season tickets …
Discussion:
The Big Lead, HardballTalk, Subway Squawkers and Sliding Into Home
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies Notes: Hamels not a fan of All-Star Game pitching rule — PHOENIX - The way Cole Hamels sees it, he's throwing anyway on Tuesday, so why not let him pitch in the All-Star Game? — “I need to find a catcher,” Hamels quipped. “Maybe I'll get [Atlanta's Brian] McCann.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CloserNews
Fox Sports:
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.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk, Mets Merized Online, Yankees Daily, Subway Squawkers, Baseball Nation and Deadspin
JonPaulMorosi / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Angels were serious about Garrett Jones — The Pirates and Angels engaged in serious talks earlier this season about a trade that would have sent outfielder/first baseman Garrett Jones to Anaheim and catcher Jeff Mathis to Pittsburgh, major league sources told FOXSports.com.
Discussion:
Full Count and MLB Rumors
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Halladay likes this start better than '09 — PHOENIX — Roy Halladay is like a shark. He's purposeful, with no wasted movement. The Philadelphia Phillies' ace is the teeth of baseball's scariest rotation but is totally devoid of hype. — The Rockies have only one player in the All-Star Game.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
