Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Acquire Francisco Rodriguez — The Brewers surprised some people by trading for Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke last offseason and it turns out GM Doug Melvin wasn't done dealing for impact pitchers. The Brewers and Mets announced that Milwaukee has acquired Francisco Rodriguez and cash for two players to be named later.
RELATED:
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
The Knobler Blog:
Does option hinder K-Rod trade? Maybe not
Discussion:
CloserNews, The Yankee Analysts, Full Count, MLB Rumors, ESPN and New York Post
Brian Costa / Wall Street Journal:
Boras to Represent K-Rod
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, The Daily Stache, NESN.com, Amazin' Avenue, CloserNews, ESPN, HardballTalk, MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
ESPN:
Derek Jeter decision causes stir — Forget National League vs. American League. It's Derek Jeter's right vs. Jeter's wrong in Phoenix on Tuesday. — After an unnamed major league official and some players told the New York Daily News that Jeter was wrong to skip Tuesday's All-Star festivities …
Discussion:
Angels blog, NESN.com, Pinstripe Alley and Fox Sports
RELATED:
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Bud Selig expects MLB playoff expansion, more replay — Bud Selig. — PHOENIX — Commissioner Bud Selig said he expects more wild-card berths and a “modest addition” to use of instant replay in the future. — Selig was the brainchild of the wild-card, adding the extra postseason berth in 1995 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Boston Globe
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
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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, TSN.ca and Associated Press
RELATED:
TSN.ca:
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 …
Associated Press:
Fan nearly falls at Home Run Derby
Discussion:
USA Today, NESN.com, Pinstripe Alley, Mets Merized Online, MLB and ESPN
Dan Hayes / North County Times:
ALL-STAR NOTES: Gonzalez says leave Petco alone
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Blue Jays trade Juan Rivera to Dodgers — TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have traded outfielder Juan Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. — The 33-year-old appeared in 70 games for the Blue Jays this season …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
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:
Associated Press, ESPN, HardballTalk, SportsGrid and The Big Lead
RELATED:
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies Notes: Hamels not a fan of All-Star Game pitching rule
Discussion:
CloserNews and HardballTalk
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
RELATED:
Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Hitting coach Hudgens key to Met-amorphosis — SAN FRANCISCO - There are no pronouncements of a 10-minute fix. Actually, there are no pronouncements at all. — Despite an imposing appearance, larger than any player on the team, Dave Hudgens might be the quietest person in the clubhouse.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox sign second round draft pick Williams Jerez — PHOENIX — The Red Sox have signed second-round pick Williams Jerez. The toolsy centerfielder out of Grand Street High School New York City agreed to a deal that will pay him Major League Baseball's slot recommended bonus.
Discussion:
SoxProspects News
Yahoo! Sports:
T'wolves part ways with Rambis — The Minnesota Timberwolves have fired Kurt Rambis as coach. — The leading candidates for the job include Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Bickerstaff's son, J.B., an assistant with the T'wolves under Rambis …
Discussion:
ProBasketballTalk and NESN.com
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
