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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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:
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 Globe and Mail
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
Happ gets payback against Rangers striking out eight
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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
Rockies' Jhoulys Chacin pitching Tuesday against Mets in New York
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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).
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Bless You Boys and Associated Press
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.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and Associated Press
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
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
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets' payroll likely won't change — WASHINGTON — Looking for the New York Mets to spend their way out of their doldrums during the upcoming offseason? Don't count on it, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com. — Although general manager Sandy Alderson publicly said last week …
Discussion:
Metsblog
Associated Press:
Cubs win 9-7 to salvage DH split against Reds — CINCINNATI — This was one special game for Brett Jackson and Brooks Raley, and they were able to celebrate after the Chicago Cubs held on for a much-needed victory. — Jackson hit his first career home run to help Raley earned his first major league win …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Associated Press
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:
Royals Review, South Side Sox and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
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