Top News:
ESPN:
Selig, Reinsdorf talk to Harrelson about rant … Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf talked to television announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson in the wake of his on-air outburst against umpire Mark Wegner. — “I talked to Bud Selig yesterday …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Deadspin, CBSSports.com, Baseball Nation, Rays Index and Business Insider
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Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Players, umpires need replay now more than ever — Russell Martin cinched the funniest line of the 2012 Major League Baseball season Wednesday night when he strutted around the New York Yankees clubhouse and yelled the inimitable phrase: “Laz Diaz is a [expletive]. Write it hard.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Business Insider, Getting Blanked, baseballmusings.com and Baseball Nation
Alex Speier / WEEI:
CHERINGTON: YOUKILIS TRADE REPORT ‘INACCURATE’ — General manager Ben Cherington denied a report that the Red Sox were telling teams they “definitely intend to trade” Kevin Youkilis. — “That's inaccurate,” Cherington e-mailed WEEI.com Friday afternoon. “Some teams have checked in on him.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Surviving Grady, Over the Monster, NESN.com, Hit and Run, HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
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Rich Thompson / Boston Herald:
GM Ben Cherington eager for 1st draft — Ben Cherington will begin accumulating future members of the Red Sox [team stats] franchise using the familiar methods of the past. — The first-year general manager will preside over his initial Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Batter's Box Interactive …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox have pieces to play with — TORONTO — Ben Cherington said 10 days ago that he didn't see Adrian Gonzalez playing right field as a long-term solution for the Red Sox. — Ten days later, he's pretty much the regular right fielder. With Cody Ross coming back before the end of this month …
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
As Carlos Beltran returns, Mets underwent long, winding process to land on trade that netted Zack Wheeler — On his final evening as a New York Met, hours before a seismic shift in franchise history, Carlos Beltran gathered with more than two dozen teammates and coaches inside a tiny Cincinnati steakhouse.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MetsBlog.com and Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Carlos Beltran makes first return to Citi Field — The hotly anticipated return of Carlos Beltran to Citi Field could fizzle Friday night if the Cardinals rightfielder isn't over the right knee pain that kept him out of the lineup Wednesday. — Beltran, who spent 6 1/2 seasons with the Mets …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Stakes even higher for trades this year — The Brewers were more than willing to trade two top prospects for left-hander CC Sabathia in July 2008, and not simply because they were getting one of the best pitchers in the game. — No, the Brewers also knew that they could possibly replace the youngsters …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and MLB Rumors
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Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Nearing callup, Vlad promoted to Triple-A — TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero is one step closer to getting back in the Major Leagues. — The veteran designated hitter was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday morning following a successful stint with Class A Dunedin.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Danny Knobler / CBSSports.com:
With money to spend, Dodgers will seek pitcher, hitter (and keep eye on Hamels) — The financial power of the Dodgers' new ownership group could really be seen on next winter's free-agent market, where the team is expected to go all-out in an effort to sign Cole Hamels.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians could have Roberto Hernandez back by All-Star break — CLEVELAND, Ohio — A lobbyist working on behalf of Roberto Hernandez, the Indians pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, said he could be back in the United States by the All-Star break.
Discussion:
Rotoworld.com, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Getting Blanked and Baseball Nation
Keith Law / ESPN:
Mock draft 3.0 — Astros still narrowing down candidates for the No. 1 overall pick — This is my third of four mock drafts, and nothing is settled in the top five, including the first pick. The next (and final) projected first round will be Monday morning, updated later that day if anything …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Edgar Mercedes, Trainer Of Yoenis Cespedes, Arrested In Dominican Republic — Edgar Mercedes, the powerful Dominican trainer who represented Yoenis Cespedes and has been a part of some of baseball's most expensive international amateur signings, was arrested yesterday in the Dominican Republic …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
CarGo sets Rox mark with four straight homers — DENVER — Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez swatted a three-run homer off the Astros' Bud Norris in his first at-bat Thursday night at Coors Field to set a Rockies record by going deep in his fourth straight at-bat.
Discussion:
Purple Row and baseballmusings.com
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Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies' Cuddyer moves into cleanup spot, replacing Tulowitzki
Rockies' Cuddyer moves into cleanup spot, replacing Tulowitzki
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
