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.

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 …

Boras signs K-Rod, to discuss contract with GM  —  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.

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.

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 …

Troubled Mets, Dodgers take local ratings hit  —  Two teams that have been in the news for the wrong reasons — the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are now in bankruptcy court, and the financially distressed New York Mets — have seen two of the biggest drops in MLB's local TV ratings so far this season.

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.

Despite Criticism by an Owner, Positive Feelings  —  SAN FRANCISCO — In the wake of public criticisms from Fred Wilpon, the Mets' principal owner, in a May edition of The New Yorker, the team held a meeting in the cramped visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field.