Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Acquire Francisco Rodriguez — 5:20pm: The Brewers got almost $6MM in the deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Mets pay slightly less than half of the $4.9MM Rodriguez earns in 2011 and will be responsible for the $3.5MM buyout for his 2012 option.
RELATED:
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, Baseball Crank, baseballmusings.com and Baseball Time in Arlington
ESPN:
Christian Lopez gets plenty of help — One good turn deserves another, and another, and another. — Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., decided to return Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball Saturday instead of trying to cash in.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Seattle Mariners blog, River Avenue Blues and Sliding Into Home
RELATED:
ESPN:
Christian Lopez won't pay taxes — If the fan who returned Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit ball has to pay taxes on the goods he received from the New York Yankees, companies are ready strike out his debt. — Christian Lopez, a 23-year-old cellphone salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., scooped up the milestone baseball on Saturday.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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
RELATED:
James Kannengieser / Amazin' Avenue:
Transcript Of Justin Timberlake Trolling Joe Buck On Live Television During The All Star Game (Now With Video!)
Discussion:
Angels blog, HardballTalk, Boston Sports Media Watch and Baseball Nation
Jason Gay / Wall Street Journal:
Absent All-Stars Can Learn From Willie
Discussion:
Larry Brown Sports
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Cardinals Sign Jaime Garcia To Four-Year Deal — The Cardinals announced that they signed Jaime Garcia to a four-year deal with two club options, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN). Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the deal is worth $27.5MM in guaranteed money (Twitter link).
Discussion:
Associated Press, baseballmusings.com, Baseball Nation and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Jaime Garcia signs with Cardinals — ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals solidified their rotation for the future Wednesday, signing left-hander Jaime Garcia to a four-year contract extension with club options for a fifth and sixth season. — “Jaime is one the best young arms in baseball,” general manager John Mozeliak said.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and FanGraphs Baseball
Eric Nusbaum / Deadspin:
The 100 Worst Baseball Players Of All Time: A Celebration (Part 1) — Eric Nusbaum — This is a celebration. I realize that sounds strange—compiling a list of the worst of something doesn't seem like a joyous occasion. But by worst 100 baseball players I don't just mean the objective worst …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Seattle Mariners blog, Baseball Crank and NESN.com
Daniel Barbarisi / Wall Street Journal:
The Yankees on the Yankees — We Asked the Tough Questions: Who'd Win ‘Jeopardy’? Who Has Your Back in a Brawl? Who Would Be Class President? — Photo Illustration by Patrick Conlon / The Wall Street Journal; Everett Collection, Southcreek Global/Zuma Press — Nobody knows a baseball player like his teammates.
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Braves:
Braves to shut down Medlen for six weeks — What the Braves thought was a minor setback for Kris Medlen in his recovery from elbow reconstruction surgery will now force them to shut him down for six weeks. — Braves general manager Frank Wren said Wednesday that Medlen is suffering …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The Knobler Blog and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Mark Prior pitches in game — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees right-hander Mark Prior is back pitching after missing almost three months because of a strained groin. — The converted reliever said it was a step in the right direction Wednesday after allowing an unearned run and one hit …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Men's Journal:
James Harrison: Confessions of an NFL Hitman — Harrison, photographed at home with his own guns — an FN Five-Seven pistol and a Smith & Wesson 460V revolver. Photo by Nathaniel Welch — Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been labeled the scourge of football — a one-man concussion machine.
Discussion:
Deadspin, USA Today, LA Times Sports Blog, NESN.com, The Big Lead, Larry Brown Sports and ESPN, more at WeSmirch »
Associated Press:
As expected, Phillies lead the pack — PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies are right where they were supposed to be, leading the majors in wins at the All-Star break. — It's proof what excellent pitching can do. — With Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels leading the way …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Commissioner Bud Selig Town Hall chat
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, MLB Rumors and All Things Rockies
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
All-Star Game getting the cold shoulder
Discussion:
Boston Globe, ESPN, Associated Press, HardballTalk and The Big Lead
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:
Twinkie Town, AZ Snake Pit, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, TSN.ca and MLB
RELATED:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Gonzo is just out of this world — PHOENIX - Adrian Gonzalez might …
Discussion:
SawxBlog and The Soxaholix
