Top News:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Rangers, Garza talking deal — The Texas Rangers tried to acquire right-hander Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs a year ago, but an injury to Garza prevented the deal from happening. — Well, the Rangers are trying again. — The Rangers and Cubs have had extensive talks on Garza …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Full Count, Bleed Cubbie Blue and SI Wire
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Fox Sports:
Sources: Garza close to being Ranger — The Texas Rangers are close to acquiring right-hander Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussions. — The Cubs will receive a strong package of prospects for Garza, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the officials said.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, CBSSports.com, SI Wire and Postcards From Elysian Fields
Enrique Rojas / MLB:
Agent: Cuban star pitcher to sign next week — Cuban sensation Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez could be pitching in the majors soon, his agent told ESPNDeportes.com. — Jaime Torres believes his client can help a major league team this year and expects to have the right-hander signed by next week.
Discussion:
SI Wire, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Bluebird Banter, MLB Rumors and MLB.com
Tom Pelissero / USA Today:
Derek Lowe ‘officially’ threw his last MLB pitch — STATELINE, Nev. - Derek Lowe doesn't see the point in using the word “retirement” to signify the end of his 17-year major league career. — But Lowe left no room for interpretation after his practice round on Wednesday at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Surviving Grady, CBSSports.com, Over the Monster, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Boston Globe and MLB Daily Dish
Bob Nightengale / Associated Press:
Yankees president: A-Rod returning Monday — Alex Rodriguez will be activated and return to the New York Yankees' lineup Monday night against the Texas Rangers, team president Randy Levine told USA TODAY Sports, provided Rodriguez stays healthy through Sunday.
Discussion:
New York Post, CBSSports.com, River Avenue Blues and USA Today
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Stephen Haynes / Newsday:
Alex Rodriguez hits second rehab HR, this time for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — MOOSIC, Pa. - It was a vintage A-Rod moment. — Alex Rodriguez strode to the plate in the third inning, his at-bat soundtracked by a mixture of loud applause and loud-enough derisive comments from the PNC Field crowd.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Pirates are looking at ChiSox's Rios, and might like Ramirez, too — The surprising Pirates are said to be among the teams seeking to acquire White Sox outfielder Alex Rios, and people familiar with Pittsburgh's thinking suggest they wouldn't be surprised if the Pirates expand the talks to include Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez, as well.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Bucs Dugout, South Side Sox and MLB Rumors
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Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Let's Make a Deal: Mets Trade Market Update — The Mets want a hitter, who is under contract through at least the next season or two; and their biggest strength - young pitching - is in high demand. — I had been hearing the Mets would only consider moving Bobby Parnell in a deal for an experienced …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Mark Bowman / Trade Deadline 2013:
Braves searching for a left-handed reliever — Over the past couple months, it has been apparent the Braves will attempt to gain bullpen depth before the July 31 Trade Deadline. But with all indications that Alex Wood will join Atlanta's starting rotation before the end of the month …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Daily Dish
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Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 50 MLB prospects update — Byron Buxton moves to top spot; No. 1 draft pick Mark Appel in top 10 — At the MLB season's midpoint, just past the signing deadline for drafted players, here is a fresh look at the top 50 prospects still in the minor leagues, including a new name on top.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Federal Baseball, True Blue LA, Pinstriped Bible, Red Reporter and Over the Monster
MLB.com:
D-backs introduce new Luchador — Team to give away 20,000 D-backs Luchador masks on July 27 — PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) have introduced the D-backs Luchador as an official mascot of the team. The popularity of last year's Lucha Libre mask, which was later followed …
Discussion:
USA Today and HardballTalk
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Clay Buchholz has another setback — BOSTON — Any optimism that Clay Buchholz would be returning to the mound soon faded Thursday as Red Sox manager John Farrell announced that due to lingering soreness that resurfaced on the team's West Coast trip, his scheduled bullpen session was scratched.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Chris Creamer / Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net News …:
Do Uniforms Determine Success? MLB Team Jersey, Cap Stats — Have you ever thought to yourself, “it seems like those guys always lose when they wear that jersey”? Well, it turns out there may be some underlying truth to your sartorial assumption. — Over the past three-and-a-half months …
Discussion:
Orioles Insider and Bluebird Banter
