Top News:
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Joe Girardi questions Blue Jays — TORONTO — New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said his team needs to use multiple signs even when there is no one on base at Rogers Centre because the Blue Jays “could be” stealing signs using illegal methods. — “Sometimes we have inclinations …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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External / ESPN:
CC, Yanks look to right ship vs. Jays … After getting poor starting pitching to begin this series, the New York Yankees are turning to their red-hot ace to try to slow down the surging Toronto Blue Jays — with or without major league home run leader Jose Bautista.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com, Bluebird Banter and MLB
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pregame notes: Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign? — From the very moment that Russell Martin suggested the Blue Jays were stealing signs on Thursday, the Yankees have insisted that sign stealing is perfectly fair as long as it takes place between the lines.
Discussion:
New York Post, The Yankee Analysts and River Avenue Blues
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Martin blames himself if Blue Jays knew signs
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Orioles, Hardy agree on extension — BALTIMORE — The Orioles agreed to terms with shortstop J.J. Hardy on a three-year contract extension — a deal still pending a physical and some other details, but one deemed nearly complete by Saturday afternoon. — The 28-year-old Hardy …
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Agree To Extend J.J. Hardy — The Orioles and J.J. Hardy have agreed in principle to a three-year contract extension, reports Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun (all Twitter links). Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun says the deal is worth between $22-22.5MM and includes no-trade protection to eight teams.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Latest On Extension Talks For J.J. Hardy
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo! Sports, MLB, HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
JonPaulMorosi / mlbbuzz:
Betemit could be first Royal traded; Cabrera next? — Wilson Betemit isn't the most well-known trade chip on the Kansas City roster. But he may be the most likely to go before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. — The Brewers, unsatisfied with their production at third base …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Karstens pitches gem as Pirates beat Astros 4-0 — HOUSTON (AP)—Jeff Karstens(notes) shut down the Houston Astros and pitched the Pittsburgh Pirates into a tie for first place in the NL Central. — Karstens threw a five-hitter and Andrew McCutchen(notes) tripled and drove in two runs …
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Associated Press:
Mets salute Medal of Honor recipient at Citi Field — NEW YORK—The New York Mets have saluted Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, who was recently awarded a Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama. — Petry received the nation's highest military honor Tuesday in a ceremony at the White House …
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Cubs Do Not Intend To Trade Jeff Baker — Despite being “open for business,” the Cubs will not trade utility man Jeff Baker according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Rival executives are saying Chicago envisions him as part of their team next season.
Discussion:
VFTB
Associated Press:
Giants hire Jim Riggleman as a scout — SAN DIEGO — The San Francisco Giants have hired former Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman as a special assignment scout. — The move came less than a month after Riggleman abruptly resigned as Nationals manager.
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
The Midseason Top 50 Prospects — The latest top 50 is restricted to players still in the minors, so no Mike Trout, Eric Hosmer, and so on. June, 2011 draftees are also excluded. The preseason Top 101 can be found here. — 1. Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals
Discussion:
The Yankee Analysts, Baseball Time in Arlington and River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Stanton homers twice, Vazquez Ks 10, Marlins win — CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Stanton hit two home runs, Javier Vazquez struck out 10 and the Florida Marlins routed the Chicago Cubs 13-3 Saturday. — Hanley Ramirez hit three doubles and scored three times, and Logan Morrison added a three-run homer …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Marmol loses closer's job for time being — CHICAGO — For the second straight game, Carlos Marmol was unable to convert a save situation and protect a two-run lead. Cubs manager Mike Quade said the right-hander will take some time to work on his mechanics and has lost his job as the closer for now.
Discussion:
CloserNews, HardballTalk, Muskat Ramblings and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mike Scandura / Boston Globe:
Crawford aces his first test — He sees good signs in Pawtucket stint — PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Of all the things Carl Crawford was concerned about last night, one stood out above the rest. — “The most important thing was being able to break out of the box like I normally can …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Numbers don't point to A-Rod resurgence — While the Yankees were busy celebrating Derek Jeter's ascension into the 3,000-hit club last weekend, a more sobering reality now confronts them in the second half. The question isn't will the Bombers still score runs with Alex Rodriguez …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and WasWatching.com
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