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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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