Top News:
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Blue Jays Sign No. 1 International Prospect Franklin Barreto — Franklin Barreto, the top international prospect available for July 2, has signed with the Blue Jays. Here is Barreto's full scouting report from the Top 20: — 1. Franklin Barreto, ss/cf, Venezuela — Ht: 5-9. Wt: 175.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Giants Sign No. 5 International Prospect Gustavo Cabrera — Dominican center fielder Gustavo Cabrera, the fifth-ranked international prospect for July 2, has signed with the Giants for $1.3 million. — Cabrera, who is 6 feet, 190 pounds, is a 16-year-old righthanded hitter who stands out for his tools and athleticism.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and McCovey Chronicles
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Deals made quickly as international signings begin — Outfielder Cabrera, No. 1-ranked talent, agrees to terms with Giants on first day — Today is July 2 and that means the international signing period is under way. — Several members of MLB.com's Top 20 International Prospects …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign No. 2 International Prospect Luis Torrens — The Yankees have signed Venezuelan catcher Luis Torrens, the No. 2 international prospect for July 2, for $1.3 million. — Torrens, 16, is a former infielder who converted to catching in February. He is 6 feet, 170 pounds and stands out for his righthanded bat.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, DRaysBay and Over the Monster
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mets Sign No. 11 International Prospect Amed Rosario — Dominican shortstop Amed Rosario has signed with the Mets for $1.75 million. — Rosario, the No. 11 international prospect for July 2, is a 16-year-old righthanded hitter with plenty of room to fill out his lanky, 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Bucs must deal for Greinke or Hamels — The 2012 Pirates are not unlike the 2008 Brewers, trying to end a long drought, trying to win over a skeptical city. — What did those Brewers do? They traded for left-hander CC Sabathia and reached the postseason for the first time since 1982.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Gaslamp Ball and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Amaro denounces rumors; says Phillies want to keep Hamels — MIAMI — After yet another Phillies loss, Cole Hamels relished the chance to talk about a positive development, his selection to this year's All-Star Game. He called it “a tremendous honor” and “something special.”
Discussion:
Philly.com, MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Scott Bell / Texas Rangers Blog:
Texas Rangers broadcaster Dave Barnett to take leave of absence expected to last for remainder of season — Dave Barnett is taking a leave of absence that is expected to last the remainder of the season. — Texas Rangers television broadcaster Dave Barnett is taking a leave of absence …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Baseball Time in Arlington, Lone Star Ball and Deadspin
Associated Press:
Trout Tiebreaking Homer Lift Angels Over Jays 10-6 — TORONTO (AP) — Rookie Mike Trout hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, Mark Trumbo and Alberto Callaspo added two-run shots and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-6 on Sunday.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Let's Go Tribe and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
James Wagner / Washington Post:
Bryce Harper on being on the final five-man all-star ballot: 'I'd go vote for Chip' — For weeks, there has been plenty of debating about whether Nationals rookie Bryce Harper belonged on the National League all-star roster. As some across baseball have pointed out, the 19-year old …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Associated Press:
Darvish 11 Ks in First Home Loss, 3-1 to Oakland — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Yu Darvish threw a wild pitch that allowed the tiebreaking run and lost at home for the first time with the Texas Rangers, a 3-1 defeat against Oakland despite the Japanese ace's 11 strikeouts in seven innings Sunday night.
Discussion:
Associated Press
RELATED:
Joey Matschulat / Baseball Time in Arlington:
Your 2012 All-Star Game Rosters (Updated As Picks Are Announced)
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive … and baseballmusings.com
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Final Vote candidates a marquee mix
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Time in Arlington
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Rosters unveiled for 83rd All-Star Game
Discussion:
Hardball Times, MLB Daily Dish, Amazin' Avenue, Halos Heaven, McCovey Chronicles, HardballTalk, Hit and Run and U.S.S. Mariner
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Red Sox may be dealing with Will Middlebrooks injury — OAKLAND - Will Middlebrooks looked a little worried after the Red Sox beat the Mariners 2-1 in 10 innings on Sunday. He injured his left hamstring while stealing second base, and the team should have a better understanding …
Discussion:
the joy of sox
RELATED:
Drew Davison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers notes: Holland set for second rehab start — ARLINGTON — The original plan for Derek Holland included three medical rehabilitation starts and then rejoining the Texas Rangers' rotation after the All-Star break. — That could change depending on what Holland does tonight in his second rehab start at Triple A Round Rock.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington, Lone Star Ball, Texas Rangers Blog and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Kershaw Beats Error-Prone Mets 8-3 — LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Loney had two RBIs, and the offensively challenged Los Angeles Dodgers parlayed three errors by the New York Mets into six unearned runs to help Clayton Kershaw win 8-3 on Sunday night.
Discussion:
MLB, True Blue LA, Associated Press and CBSSports.com
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Yankees Sign Yancarlos Baez For $650,000 — The Yankees have signed Dominican shortstop Yancarlos Baez for $650,000, according to the Dominican Prospect League. — Baez, 16, has a projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with above-average speed. He's an athletic switch-hitter …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
