Top News:
Abbey Mastracco / New York Daily News:
Mets' GM Billy Eppler open to opportunities as trade deadline nears: ‘Every situation is a little different’ — The Mets are in a strange place as the second half of the 2023 season gets underway. After looking downright moribund in June, the team that boasts the highest payroll in the sport …
RELATED:
Abbey Mastracco / New York Daily News:
Mets 1-hit by Julio Urias, Dodgers, drop first game out of All-Star break — The Mets promised better times ahead, but Friday night at Citi Field, the second-half Mets looked a lot like the first-half Mets. — The Los Angeles Dodgers took the first game of a three-game series with a 6-0 win.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Whittier Daily News, New York Post, New Jersey Online and NorthJersey.com
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Mets one-hit by Dodgers as Billy Eppler mulls trade deadline options — Welcome to trade deadline season, when rumors fly, every game matters even more and — eventually — trades happen. — Now that the draft is over, front offices across MLB this week turned their focus to the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and New York Post
Peter Sblendorio / New York Daily News:
5 things the Mets need to do in the second half — The first half was a mess for the Mets. — Stars such as Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Pete Alonso struggled through stretches of inconsistency. The bullpen sputtered without injured closer Edwin Diaz.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Yahoo Sports and New York Post
Meghan Montemurro / Chicago Tribune:
The clock is ticking on the Chicago Cubs as Jed Hoyer remains in wait-and-see mode: ‘Ultimately you are what your record is’ — At some point in the next 2 1/2 weeks before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs will commit to a buyer or seller direction with their roster.
Discussion:
audacy.com, Bleacher Nation, MLB.com, The Athletic, Boston Herald, Yahoo Sports and Chicago Sun Times
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals at the break: What lessons from disastrous first half can fix flaws for 2024? — As the Cardinals put the finishing touches on a roster they believed would contend for a division title and certainly a 16th consecutive winning season, manager Oliver Marmol detailed a factor …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online and Phillies Nation
Gordon Wittenmyer / Cincinnati.com:
‘Not an ordinary kid’: What top MLB stars see next for Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz — SEATTLE — San Diego Padres superstar Juan Soto has known Elly De La Cruz since before the Cincinnati Reds rookie became an overnight baseball phenomenon last month. — When the Padres recently …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and The Athletic
Will Burchfield / audacy.com:
If Tigers ‘get hot,’ Scott Harris could alter trade deadline plans — Starting Friday, the Tigers have two weeks and change to potentially alter the plans of Scott Harris at the trade deadline. — In any other division, those plans would already be set in tone.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Detroit Free Press and Yahoo Sports
Associated Press:
Dodgers-Padres to play first MLB game in South Korea in 2024 — NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will play Major League Baseball's first regular-season games in South Korea, opening next season in Seoul on March 20-21. — The Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies …
Discussion:
Tampa Bay Times, True Blue LA, Denver Post, Yahoo Sports, MLB.com, The Good Phight and The Athletic
RELATED:
Eric Stephen / True Blue LA:
Dodgers, Padres will open 2024 in Seoul, South Korea — Major League Baseball and the Players Association on Wednesday announced the slate of international games for the 2024 season, including the Dodgers and Padres starting their regular season schedule with two games in Seoul, South Korea.
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Rumors, Bleacher Nation, Orange County Register, Yahoo Sports and Los Angeles Times
Destiny Lugardo / Phillies Nation:
Phillies to call up Drew Ellis, Johan Rojas — The Phillies are adding one of their top prospects to the major league roster. — They are calling up center fielder Johan Rojas, according to Mike Rodriguez. Matt Gelb of The Athletic confirmed the report and added that Drew Ellis is expected to be added to the active roster.
Discussion:
The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors and New Jersey Online
Scott Miller / New York Times:
‘I Never Wanted to Be Just an Offensive Player’ — Even after he returns, Aaron Judge could have his mobility limited by his toe injury all season. That would be quite a blow for a Yankee captain who takes pride in his defense and his athleticism. — Reporting from Los Angeles and San Diego
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB's top second-half storylines: All eyes on Shohei Ohtani, Angels before trade deadline — SEATTLE — All-Star week is over, the trade deadline is around the corner and these next two weeks will provide a line of demarcation between contenders and surrenders.
Discussion:
The Athletic
