Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Commissioner Bud Selig Town Hall chat — Q. Welcome to MLB.com and FanFest in Phoenix, Arizona. It's 2011 and another midsummer tradition continues. It's time for the Commissioner's Town Hall Chat streamed live throughout the world. Everyone please help me welcome Commissioner Bud Selig.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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:
ESPN, HardballTalk and The Big Lead
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Bud Selig expects MLB playoff expansion, more replay
Bud Selig expects MLB playoff expansion, more replay
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Boston Globe
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
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 …
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
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 …
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Right now, Ortiz has a bright future
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:
Associated Press, Yahoo! Sports and ESPN
RELATED:
Bill Conlin / Philly.com:
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.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
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.
Discussion:
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness and 6-4-2
RELATED:
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
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:
Baseball Time in Arlington, Seamheads.com, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Full Count
RELATED:
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:
Yahoo! Sports, Angels blog, NESN.com, Pinstripe Alley and Fox Sports
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
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
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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
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.