Top News:
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays swept away by Yankees to end dispiriting first half of season — NEW YORK — When the first half of the Blue Jays season was concluded with a record of 29-52 on Wednesday afternoon, it was difficult to look beyond the present. — Swept away by the AL East-leading Yankees in a Bronx matinee …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Rookie Jays starter Thornton enjoying memorable run through baseball powerhouses — NEW YORK — Before Trent Thornton's rookie season included shut-down performances against the two most recent World Series champs, there was a rather rude introduction to life in The Show. — And it included death threats.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Emma Baccellieri / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
MLB All-Star Game Voter's Guide: How to Pick the Right Starters for You — MLB's All-Star election has always been an election, through all its various structures and media formats. (Except for 1933 to 1945, when there wasn't any voting from anyone at all, but, well, we don't have to talk about 1933 to 1945.)
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Royals News and Royals Review
RELATED:
Dan Mullen / ESPN:
Illustrated voting guide to MLB All-Star Starters Election — Baseball has a new process for deciding who will start the All-Star Game on July 9 in Cleveland. With the primary portion of the voting complete, we're down to three candidates per league at each position (with nine outfielders).
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Twinkie Town
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Why the Rays think their Montreal idea is so ‘amazing’ — Owner Stuart Sternberg said this is all about keeping baseball in Tampa Bay and why it would work better. — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays don't have all the answers, even when pressed late Tuesday afternoon how confident …
Discussion:
Ballpark Digest and DRaysBay
RELATED:
John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
Before going any farther, Tampa Bay has to decide whether it is a Major League market
Before going any farther, Tampa Bay has to decide whether it is a Major League market
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
Craig Calcaterra / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Rays owner tries to sell two-city concept, fails
Rays owner tries to sell two-city concept, fails
Discussion:
DRaysBay, FanGraphs Baseball and Twinkie Town
Stan Grossfeld / BostonGlobe.com:
John Farrell goes lobstering — The former Red Sox skipper is happily pursuing his other passion, which he calls “a lifelong dream.” — SOMEWHERE IN IPSWICH BAY — His uniform is now orange-and-yellow-trimmed waders, blue rubber gloves, and Xtratuff fishing boots.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, South Side Sox, Over the Monster, NESN.com and NBCSports.com
RELATED:
Chris Mason / Eagle-Tribune:
J.D. Martinez sounds off on All-Star, MVP Award voting
J.D. Martinez sounds off on All-Star, MVP Award voting
Discussion:
The Athletic, MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster, NESN.com and NBCSports.com
Arizona Republic:
Jake Lamb's return raises lineup questions for Diamondbacks — Manager Torey Lovullo's job is about to get even more complicated. Jake Lamb has been activated for the Diamondbacks' matinee game against the LA Dodgers on Wednesday. With his return finalized, the question looms: Whom will Lamb be replacing in the lineup?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and AZ Snake Pit
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets' bats go cold as Wilmer Font gets lit up for five runs by the Phillies — PHILADELPHIA - The Mets came out of the gates hungrier than when they ended the race. New York fell 7-5 to the Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park for a second straight loss that slipped through the Mets' hands.
RELATED:
Dan Gelston / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Franco hits go-ahead homer, Kapler tossed in Phillies win
Franco hits go-ahead homer, Kapler tossed in Phillies win
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Designate Brad Boxberger, Reinstate Eric Skoglund — The Royals have designated reliever Brad Boxberger for assignment and reinstated left-hander Eric Skoglund from the restricted list, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports. — Boxberger was one of the Royals' most notable pickups during …
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Baseball News …
Scott Allen / Washington Post:
Sacre Bleu! Nats to wear 1969 Expos throwbacks on July 6 — The Nationals will throw it back to 1969 and recognize their Canadian heritage when they host the Kansas City Royals at Nationals Park on July 6. For the first time, Washington will wear Montreal Expos throwback uniforms …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Federal Baseball
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Craig Kimbrel no longer with Iowa Cubs, signs point to imminent Chicago Cubs' call-up — Craig Kimbrel should be closing for the Chicago Cubs very soon. — According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, Kimbrel is no longer with the Iowa Cubs.
Discussion:
670 The Score, MLB Trade Rumors and Chicago Sun-Times
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins Open To Trading Starters — The rebuilding Marlins reportedly aren't inclined to trade any of their controllable starting pitchers, but that isn't necessarily the case, according to president of baseball operations Michael Hill (via Joe Frisaro of MLB.com).
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Associated Press:
Widow of man found in park cooler sues Braves — SMYRNA, Ga. — The widow of a beer tap inventor who died inside a walk-in cooler at the Atlanta Braves' stadium is blaming a faulty door mechanism and lethal carbon dioxide leaks. — Angela Keeling made the allegations in a wrongful death …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …