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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

82nd All-Star Game: AL at NL  —  Here are the lineups:  —  AMERICAN LEAGUE  —  Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians) SS  —  Robinson Cano (Yankees) 2B  —  Pitching: RHP Jered Weaver (Angels), 11-4, 1.86  —  NATIONAL LEAGUE  —  Prince Fielder (Brewers) 1B  —  Pitching: RHP Roy Halladay (Phillies), 11-3, 2.45

Red Sox sign second-round draft pick Williams Jerez  —  PHOENIX — The Red Sox have signed second-round pick Williams Jerez.  The toolsy center fielder out of Grand Street High School New York City agreed to a deal that will pay him Major League Baseball's slot recommended bonus.

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 …