Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Acquire Francisco Rodriguez — WEDNESDAY, 12:38am: The Mets are sending $5MM to Milwaukee, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). That will essentially cover Rodriguez's 2011 salary. — TUESDAY, 10:58pm: The Brewers surprised some people by trading …
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Fox Sports:
Sources: K-Rod didn't see trade coming — FOX Sports — PHOENIX — Francisco Rodriguez recently hired Scott Boras as his agent. But Boras wasn't the mastermind behind the trade that sent K-Rod from the Mets to the Brewers. — In fact, it appears Boras had no direct influence on the trade talks.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Baseball Time in Arlington
JSOnline:
Melvin explains K-Rod deal — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Phoenix - I just spoke with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin about the stunning acquisition of Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez and he wouldn't say if Rodriguez or incumbent John Axford would be the closer going forward.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Larry Brown Sports:
Joe Buck Cites Willie Mays ‘Interview’ from Wall Street Journal that Never Happened — FOX MLB announcer Joe Buck was providing commentary during the All-Star Game about several players skipping the Midsummer Classic. Buck was obviously dissatisfied that so many players elected not to partake in the game …
Discussion:
NESN.com and HardballTalk
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Jason Gay / Wall Street Journal:
Absent All-Stars Can Learn From Willie — Baseball's All-Star Game has a problem. — Nobody wants to go. The sport's starriest showcase has become the destination wedding from hell. Invitees are dropping out by the dozen. The RSVP line is clogged with regrets only.
Discussion:
Larry Brown Sports
James Kannengieser / Amazin' Avenue:
Transcript Of Justin Timberlake Trolling Joe Buck On Live Television During The All Star Game — During tonight's All Star Game, FOX cut away to a sideline interview with Justin Timberlake, star of the upcoming film Friends With Benefits. Most of the time these types of interviews are banal, “tell us about your movie” borefests.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Yahoo! Sports:
Players' ideas would improve All-Star game — PHOENIX - Bud Selig's brainwashing is still working. One of these years, the players in Major League Baseball are going to look at the dumbest rule in the sport - the All-Star game determining home-field advantage in the World Series …
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
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MLB.com:
Commissioner Bud Selig Town Hall chat — Q. Welcome to MLB.com and FanFest in Phoenix, Arizona. It's 2011 and another midsummer tradition continues. It's time for the Commissioner's Town Hall Chat streamed live throughout the world. Everyone please help me welcome Commissioner Bud Selig.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Bud Selig expects MLB playoff expansion, more replay
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, MLB Rumors and Boston Globe
Canadian Press:
PHOENIX — Arizona's fans booed new villain Prince Fielder every chance they got, letting him know what they thought of his choices for the Home Run Derby. — Milwaukee's big first baseman sent them a message with one big swing of the bat: shhh! — Shaking off two days of boos …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, ESPN and Associated Press
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Beckett bows out with recurring knee soreness — PHOENIX — Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett was confident he would be able to pitch in Tuesday night's All-Star Game, but when he tried to warm up, his left knee told him something different. — Beckett was supposed to pitch the bottom …
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Bill Conlin / Philly.com:
Here's to you, Ryan Howard — ON THE DAY AFTER the All-Star Game was played in Phoenix without Ryan Howard, this column is directed at the haters and bashers who have been coming out of the woodwork in larger numbers than usual. — They are predictable as smog in a heat wave.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
All-Star Game getting the cold shoulder — Players backing out of Midsummer Classic threatens showcase event for baseball … PHOENIX — Major League Baseball introduced a controversial initiative in 2003, giving home-field advantage in the World Series to the winning league in the All-Star Game.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, ESPN, Associated Press, HardballTalk and The Big Lead
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Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies Notes: Hamels not a fan of All-Star Game pitching rule
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CloserNews
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers acquire veteran outfielder Rivera — Club designates journeyman outfielder Thames for assignment — LOS ANGELES — Trying to address their hole in left field, the Dodgers on Tuesday acquired right-handed hitter Juan Rivera and cash from the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named or cash considerations.
Discussion:
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness and 6-4-2
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John Tomase / Clubhouse Insider:
Matt Holliday: The one who got away? — Matt Holliday had a number of criteria when he entered free agency in the winter before the 2010 season. — He wanted to play in a market where baseball mattered, the team was competitive, and where the World Series was a realistic annual goal.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Full Count
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:
Seamheads.com, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Full Count
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