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2:29 AM ET, August 19, 2012

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Source: Starlin Castro gets extension  —  Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $60 million, a source told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.  —  The contract covers four years of arbitration eligibility and three years of free agency, and includes a $16 million option for 2020.
RELATED:
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Cubs, Starlin Castro Agree To Extension  —  6:01pm: Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter) that the eighth-year option includes a $1MM buyout that is part of the $60MM guarantee.  —  3:12pm: Cubs President Theo Epstein says that no deal is finalized between Castro and the club, tweets Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com.
Discussion: Fox Sports
NY Daily News:
Adrian Gonzalez off the hook as NY Mets' Kelly Shoppach takes fall for Boston's text mutiny  —  Several sources say Gonzalez had nothing to do with the message's content  —  BY ANDY MARTINO IN WASHINGTON AND ROGER RUBIN IN NEW YORK / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS  —  Adrian Gonzalez (below) …
Discussion: Boston Globe
RELATED:
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Club paying for David Ortiz's absence
Discussion: Boston Globe
Associated Press:
Nelson Cruz's two-run homer helps Rangers edge Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer, Joe Nathan converted his team-record 22nd straight save opportunity and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 Saturday.  —  Nathan broke the Rangers mark he shared with Francisco Cordero …
RELATED:
Chicago Tribune:
Sox's Crain on fan dying in stands: ‘I said a little prayer for him’ … Tribune report  —  During the seventh inning of the Sox-Blue Jays game Thursday night, a fan sitting in the front row suffered a cardiac arrest.  Medical personnel attended to the fan, but he later died at a nearby hospital.
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Happ gets payback against Rangers striking out eight
Discussion: Bluebird Banter
Associated Press:
Yoenis Cespedes, Bartolo Colon carry A's to win over Indians  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Yoenis Cespedes homered and drove in three runs, Bartolo Colon won his third consecutive start at home and the Oakland Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians 8-5 on Saturday night.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies will likely make push to bring back lefty Jeff Francis  —  Jeff Francis won't solve the Rockies' myriad pitching woes.  He's not the rotation's savior and he's never again going to be an ace like he was during the 2007 World Series season.  —  But there are strong indications …
RELATED:
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies' Jhoulys Chacin pitching Tuesday against Mets in New York
Discussion: HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Stanton, Reyes, Homer, Marlins Beat Rockies, 6-5
Discussion: Purple Row and MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Royals rally for 4-2 victory over White Sox  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Luis Mendoza is pitching so well the Kansas City Royals are having some fun with his unorthodox hairstyle.  —  Mendoza tossed seven effective innings, Salvador Perez hit a tiebreaking two-run double and the Royals rallied …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Royals 2B Chris Getz out for season with broken thumb
Discussion: Royals Review
Associated Press:
Davis Powers Orioles Past Tigers 3-2  —  DETROIT (AP) — Chris Davis hit a three-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles snapped the Detroit Tigers' four-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory on Saturday night.  —  Adam Jones and Matt Wieters opened the seventh inning with consecutive singles off Rick Porcello (9-8).
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
YES Network needs to trim its roster of analysts and pair Paul O'Neill and David Cone with Michael Kay full-time  —  Their work together during the recent Texas-Yankees series again showed their ability to make each other better.  They make it hard to bail — even during a Yankees blowout.
Discussion: WasWatching.com
Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Final Score: Mets 2 Nationals 0  —  The Mets (57-63) shutout the Nationals (74-46) by the score of 2-0 tonight in Washington.  —  The Least You Should Know: … For a full recap and box score, check out SNY's In-Game Live.  —  Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
GM: Carl Crawford hasn't requested Tommy John surgery  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  Does Carl Crawford want Tommy John surgery?  —  The Boston Globe is reporting he'll request to undergo the procedure on his left elbow next week, ending his season and possibly taking a bite out of 2013 as well.
Discussion: Over the Monster
Democrat And Chronicle:
Rochester Red Wings, Twins renew affiliation for 2 more years  —  The Red Wings are ready to begin another decade as Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.  —  The clubs jointly announced a two-year extension of their player development contract on Friday, ensuring the Twins will be in Rochester through at least 2014.
 
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 More News: 
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
C.J. Nitkowski ‘in the conversation’ to join NY Mets rotation says team officials
Associated Press:
Cain Is Dominating in Giants' 10-1 Win Over Padres
Associated Press:
Mariners give up runs, but still beat Twins 5-3
Discussion: Twinkie Town
 Earlier Picks: 
Associated Press:
Braun's 32nd Homer Lifts Brewers Over Phillies 6-2
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Wells finds contentment in new role
Discussion: Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Pirates Edge Cardinals 2-1 Behind James McDonald
Discussion: Bucs Dugout
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
O.J. Simpson's Cause Of Death Revealed

Martin Pengelly / The Guardian:
Trump VP contender Kristi Noem writes of killing dog - and goat - in new book

Krystie Lee Yandoli / Rolling Stone:
Ellen DeGeneres Addresses ‘Getting Kicked Out of Show Business’ on Her New Comedy Tour: 'It's Been a Toll on My Ego'

 
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