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:
McCovey Chronicles and 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:
River Avenue Blues, DRaysBay, Over the Monster and MLB Rumors
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:
MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com and MLB Rumors
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:
Top 20 International Prospects Tracker — There has been a wave of signings today, which you can find here on the Baseball America Prospects Blog. To help stay organized, we will track the signing teams for the Top 20 international prospects on this page.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Lance Berkman eyes return — ST. LOUIS — Lance Berkman expects to be back in the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup soon after the All-Star break. Maybe even the first day back. — “Yeah, it's possible,” Berkman said Monday after joining the team to continue rehab from a right knee injury.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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:
Baseball Time in Arlington, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball, Baseball Nation and Deadspin
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 Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Gaslamp Ball and Bucs Dugout
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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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, Crashburn Alley, MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Lawrie Draws Angels' Ire in Blue Jays' 10-6 Loss — TORONTO (AP) — After a crunching collision at home plate, the Blue Jays' Brett Lawrie found himself at the center of another controversy. — Lawrie, suspended for four games in April for throwing his helmet after a called third strike …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
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
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:
Lone Star Ball, Baseball Time in Arlington, HardballTalk and Texas Rangers Blog
