Top News:
Reuters:
All-Star Relievers Flash Credentials for Pennant Race — NEW YORK — The shut-down performance by American League relievers in this year's All-Star game showcased the winning edge a bullpen can offer a contender as Major League Baseball enters the second half of its season on Friday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Greg Stutchbury / Reuters:
American League Beats NL in All-Star Game — NEW YORK — The American League ended a string of three All-Star game defeats and paid tribute to reliever Mariano Rivera in beating the National League 3-0 on Tuesday to earn home-field advantage for the 2013 World Series.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Timothy Burke / Deadspin:
All-Star Game Idiot On The Field Did It Because Twitter Told Him To
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, Associated Press, HardballTalk, New Jersey Online, MLB.com, MLB.com and ESPN
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
2014 Competitive Balance Lottery Results — The Competitive Balance Lottery for the 2014 MLB Draft took place today. Twelve competitive balance picks are awarded, with the first six taking place after the first round's conclusion and the next six taking place following conclusion of the second round.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Competitive Balance Lottery pays out 12 Draft picks — Rockies get first pick of Round A, followed by Orioles, Indians, Marlins, Royals, Brewers — Last year, the Competitive Balance Lottery was a novelty, a mystery to many. The second annual version took place on Wednesday afternoon …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Let's Go Tribe
USA Today:
Alex Rodriguez expects to return to Yankees on Monday … Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees left little to the imagination: Both parties expect he'll return to their lineup Monday. — In a radio appearance on New York's WFAN, Rodriguez said he expects to be in their lineup against the Texas Rangers …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Next week targeted for A-Rod return — NEW YORK — If all goes according to plan, Alex Rodriguez will complete his minor league rehab this weekend and join the New York Yankees in Texas early next week. — “That's the hope,” general manager Brian Cashman said in a phone conversation Wednesday.
Discussion:
SI Wire and Associated Press
Fox Sports:
Players union bracing for suspensions — NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball players' association says any suspensions resulting from the sport's latest drug investigation likely won't be served until next year if the discipline is challenged before an arbitrator.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
MLBPA: Drug bans likely not served in 2013
Discussion:
USA Today and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Wendy Thurm / FanGraphs Baseball:
MLBPA Chief Michael Weiner With Potential Game Changer On Biogenesis
Discussion:
Redleg Nation, Hardball Times and HardballTalk
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Cuban righty Gonzalez could sign next week — The next baseball sensation from Cuba could be in a Major League uniform soon. — According to an industry source, the market is taking shape for Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and the right-hander could sign with a club as early as next week.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
MLB.com:
Padres name Mike Dee President and CEO — Dee, who worked for Padres from 1995-2002, was CEO of Miami Dolphins since 2009 — The San Diego Padres today announced they have named Mike Dee president and chief executive officer. Lead Investor, Peter Seidler, and Executive Chairman, Ron Fowler, made the announcement.
Discussion:
Most Recent
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Up-To-Date International Bonus Pools For All 30 Teams — Teams consummated six trades involving international bonus slot money within one week of the July 2 opening bell for the international signing period. (See trade chronology below.) This activity dramatically altered the spending pools …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
CSN Chicago:
Votto believed Wood was destined for success — NEW YORK — Joey Votto wishes Travis Wood had achieved this level of success with Cincinnati Reds. — The Reds' four-time All-Star could see Wood possessed the talent and had the makeup of a good pitcher. But something didn't click …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Rumors
