Top News:
ESPN:
Yanks want to talk deal with A-Rod during season — The New York Yankees are willing to bend their own rules to keep Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes beyond this season. — The Yankees have changed their traditional stance and are now willing to negotiate during the season with their star third baseman …
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Change of heart? — Yankees seem more willing to give A-Rod extension — SAN FRANCISCO — George Steinbrenner and other top Yankee decision makers are in agreement: They like Alex Rodriguez very much and now plan to try to do what they can to keep him in pinstripes.
MLB.com:
A-Rod bidding war could set standard — Reports have Yankees willing to negotiate midseason — There is nothing that the agent Scott Boras seems to enjoy more than a good, tough negotiation involving a high-profile player. — Unless it's a good, tough negotiation involving a high-profile player …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Hafner gets 4-year, $57M extension — FOXSports.com, Updated 8 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Indians have signed designated hitter Travis Hafner to a four-year, $57 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned. — Hafner, 30, was eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.
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RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Lock Up Hafner — Ken Rosenthal has the scoop: the Indians have signed DH Travis Hafner to a four-year, $57MM contract extension. The deal covers the 2009-12 seasons, though Rosenthal notes that some of the money will go towards Hafner's well below-market salaries this year and next.
Associated Press:
Pujols angered at La Russa for All-Star benching — SAN FRANCISCO — Albert Pujols was angry about being left on the All-Star bench and the St. Louis slugger took aim at the National League manager — who just happened to be Tony La Russa of his own Cardinals. — "It's the All-Star Game.
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Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:AL participants say All-Star dominance merely coincidence
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Dan Lamothe / Red Sox Monster:
Papelbon: Ditch the lousy radar guns, will ya? — With Jonathan Papelbon performing ably in the All-Star Game last night, I did some searching on Google this morning in an attempt to find pictures, quotes and the like. And what pops up? Papelbon going off this morning in an out-of-town …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
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RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins, Yankees Like Dan Johnson — There's a lot of buzz going around that the A's may become sellers soon, nine games back in their division and eight out in the Wild Card. Typical impending free agent parts like Mike Piazza and Shannon Stewart are candidates to be moved.
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Art Thiel / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Seattle's Japanese superstar displays a sublime sense of timing — Since it appears the Mariners are poised to offer as much as $100 million in a new contract for Ichiro, perhaps they should meet him at his San Francisco hotel for breakfast this morning before his price goes up.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Zito's Deal May Rank Among the All-Time Worst — For San Francisco Giants fans, last night's All-Star Game should have been a wonderful event, a chance to show off their beautiful ballpark and shower love on the twin pillars of their franchise — Barry Bonds, their unaccountably beloved left fielder …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Yanks, Twins may enter Hillenbrand fray — LIKE THIS STORY? — Infielder Shea Hillenbrand, who cleared waivers on Wednesday, is expected to draw interest from the Yankees, Twins and possibly one other club, according to major-league sources. — Hillenbrand, who turns 32 on July 27 …
Monica Davey / New York Times:
Balmy Weather May Bench a Baseball Staple — RUSSELL, Pa. — Careers at stake with each swing, baseball players leave little to sport when it comes to their bats. They weigh them. They count their grains. They talk to them. — But in towns like this one, in the heart of the mountain forests …
Discussion:
FanHouse
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
ICHIRO ACES INSIDE JOB — Ichiro Suzuki once again showed the world what a unique talent he is on the baseball field. — Ichiro's fifth-inning, two-run, inside-the-park homer was the key hit in the American League's 5-4 win last night in the 78th All-Star Game.
Mark McGuire / 2nd & Short:
Milledge to play tonight in Troy? In the words of the late Gilda Radner, never mind — UPDATE to UPDATE to UPDATE: — If you see Lastings Milledge, have him give me a call. — He is not in Troy tonight. — After hours of he's coming/maybe/no/yes/maybe, it turns …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Building case for '09 Yanks — News' experts dream up team for new Stadium — Across the way, the new Yankee Stadium grows larger every day, and with it so do questions about the team that will play there come 2009. — The new Stadium will have new features such as large concourses, luxury suites and a myriad of new concessions.
Jeremy Anders / MLB.com:
Ramirez named NL Player of the Week — Marlins shortstop hits .520 with three homers to cap first half — MIAMI — Most players are glad to see the All-Star break come, because it gives them a chance to rest, relax and visit family for a few days. For Marlins opponents, however …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Atlanta could witness Bonds' 756th HR — San Francisco — While Braves fans wait to see if the team can continue its recent resurgence after the All-Star break, here's a possible cringe-inducing scenario to think about regarding Barry Bonds. — What if the Giants slugger …
D.J. Short / MetsBlog.com:
Blogger Beat: John Delcos — In this special midseason edition of Blogger Beat, we check in with John Delcos, who covers the Mets for the Journal News. John was nice enough to answer a few quick questions about the state of our beloved orange 'n' blue. — All last season, we heard the same thing; "These guys play hard for Willie."
