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.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
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 …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Bluebird Banter and ESPN
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.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Happ gets payback against Rangers striking out eight
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
South Side Sox and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
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 — Chacin set to rejoin rotation Tuesday vs. Mets in New York — Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin is returning to the Rockies' rotation, giving him an opportunity to make something out of his lost season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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
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.
Discussion:
Extra Bases, Mets Minor League Blog and Amazin' Avenue
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
C.J. Nitkowski ‘in the conversation’ to join NY Mets rotation says team officials — 'If he keeps doing what he's doing, he'll be up,' one team official said — Terry Collins runs into some trouble upon arriving to the nation's capital. — WASHINGTON — The Mets' most interesting September call …
Discussion:
New York Post, HardballTalk, Metsblog, New York Times, New Jersey Online and ESPN
