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 …

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.

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 …

NL All-Stars try to make it two straight wins over AL  —  The Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Major League Baseball's All-Star Game heads to Phoenix, Arizona for the first time in the game's illustrious 82-game history this evening when the National League tries to string …

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 …

Fallen fan's widow: still support Hamilton, Texas  —  BROWNWOOD, Texas—The widow of the firefighter who fell to his death at a Texas Rangers game says the team, baseball and Josh Hamilton remain precious to her and her 6-year-old son.  —  In a statement released Tuesday …

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.

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.”

Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Trade Market  —  A dozen teams look like potential July 31st sellers, if we exclude the Rockies.  With assumptions on who the Blue Jays, Orioles, Royals, Mariners, Athletics, Mets, Nationals, Marlins, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, and Padres might be willing to move …

Florida Marlins close upper deck at Sun Life Stadium for rest of season  —  Marlins fans can forget about nosebleeds the rest of the season.  The club is closing the upper deck to spectators at Sun Life Stadium.  —  Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said team officials decided it made little sense …

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.