Top News:
Patrick Mooney / New York Times:
Cubs move on from Seiya Suzuki's interpreter and look ahead to second half of season — The Chicago Cubs are making a subtle but potentially significant change coming out of the All-Star break, dismissing the interpreter who has worked with Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki through his first two-and-a-half seasons in the majors.
Associated Press:
Rays put Yandy Diaz on restricted list for non-disciplinary matter — NEW YORK - First baseman Yandy Diaz was put on the restricted list Saturday by the Tampa Bay Rays, who recalled infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham. — Díaz had missed Friday's 6-1 loss to the New York Yankees …
Discussion:
ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors
Dan Shaughnessy / The Boston Globe:
Is Dustin Pedroia a Hall of Famer? We asked him about his chances. — Picked-up pieces while ever-grateful that we emphatically said “no” to the 2024 Olympics . . . ▪ This weekend in Cooperstown is a reminder of why baseball's Hall of Fame is the one fans care about most …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, NESN.com and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Eva Geitheim / Sports Illustrated:
Padres Fall in Latest National Power Rankings — This is the second straight week they've dropped. — After losing six out of their last seven games, the San Diego Padres have dropped two spots to No. 15 overall in Newsweek's national MLB power rankings.
Reid J. Epstein / New York Times:
Jamie Raskin, a Key Democrat, Urged Biden to Reconsider Campaign — Mr. Raskin, a congressman from Maryland, was a key member of the panel that investigated the Capitol riot. In a lengthy letter, he compared President Biden to a tiring baseball pitcher. — Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland …
NBCSports.com:
Betting Baseball: Judge and the Yankees Have Work to Do — With the All-Star Game in the rear-view mirror, time to check in on the division races, the pennant hopefuls, and of course their respective odds to claim titles. Today's edition of Bet the EDGE took a look at the races and relayed their plays for all.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Joe Calabrese / Sports Illustrated:
Mets Claim Intriguing Veteran Reliever From NL Wild Card Competitor — The New York Mets have brought in a veteran reliever with some prior success. — The New York Mets made a minor, but intriguing, pitching transaction Wednesday when the organization claimed left-handed pitcher Alex Young off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
Discussion:
Just Baseball
Associated Press:
Jerry Walker, youngest player to start All-Star Game, dies at 85 — BALTIMORE — Jerry Walker, who at age 20 became the youngest player to start the All-Star Game when he took the mound representing the Baltimore Orioles in 1959, has died. He was 85. — The Orioles announced Walker's death Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Baltimore Sun
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
MLB trade deadline clock ticking on Marlins, White Sox — The White Sox and Marlins are the most active sellers, and if they can get deals done quickly, before the list of sellers grows, it may benefit them. — The Marlins are dangling infielder-outfielder Jazz Chisholm and are certain to trade All-Star closer Tanner Scott.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Battery Power, New Jersey Online, MLB Trade Rumors, Yahoo Sports and Phillies Nation
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Evan Longoria on Rays' stadium plans, Trop return, not playing and more — The all-time Rays great made it back for the first time since December 2017. “Just so many good memories over the years. I missed playing at this stadium. I missed being here.”
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Yahoo Sports, DRaysBay, MLB Trade Rumors and Burn City Sports
Mike Vorkunov / New York Times:
WNBA's media rights deals set league up to receive $2.2 billion over next 11 years: Sources — The WNBA's next national media rights package has come into shape. The league is set to receive roughly $2.2 billion over the next 11 years in rights fees in its new deals …
Discussion:
Burn City Sports, Black Heart Gold Pants, NetsDaily, Sports Business Journal, Bullets Forever and New York Post
Paul Halfacre / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Francis Howell's Tytus Cissell will sign with Diamondbacks — It was something Tytus Cissell had dreamed of ever since he took his first swing at a baseball sitting on a tee. — The four-year starter at Francis Howell High has always wanted to hear his name called during the Major League Baseball draft.
Discussion:
Burn City Sports