Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Acquire Joakim Soria — 10:25pm: The Tigers have announced the deal, making it official. — 9:23pm: The Tigers have agreed to acquire reliever Joakim Soria from the Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel, Kyle Bogenschutz of Scout.com was first to report on Twitter.
Discussion:
Purple Row, Baseball Prospectus, Royals Review, Bless You Boys, Minor League Ball, Bucs Dugout, Lone Star Ball and Deadspin
RELATED:
Patrick Despain / WFAA-TV:
Rangers look to the future with trade of Soria — On Wednesday night the Rangers traded closer Joakim Soria to the Detroit Tigers for two young pitching prospects, RHP Jake Thompson and RHP Corey Knebel. Trading the closer was the right move considering where the Rangers sit in the standings.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Hamels, Utley Lead Phils Over Giants 2-1 — PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched eight strong innings and Chase Utley had a tiebreaking RBI single in the fifth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
Discussion:
True Blue LA, MLB and ESPN
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
David Price: Staying or going? — Red-hot Rays will wait until next week to decide whether to deal left-hander — You can mark this down: The Tampa Bay Rays aren't going to trade David Price. — Well, not today anyway. And not tomorrow, either. And not this weekend. — Why would they?
Discussion:
ESPN and The Crawfish Boxes
csnphilly.com:
Ryan Howard sits; future with team a major question — Slumping Ryan Howard was not in the Phillies' starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher for the second time in six post-all-star break games on Thursday night, and his future with the team is in serious question.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, HardballTalk, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Phillies Nation, Brew Crew Ball, CBSSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Associated Press:
Ex-MLB star Chuck Knoblauch accused of assaulting ex-wife in Bunker Hill — HOUSTON - Former Major League Baseball star Chuck Knoblauch was arrested Wednesday night and accused of assaulting his ex-wife. — Knoblauch, 46, is charged with assault of a family member after allegedly hitting Cheri Knoblauch inside her Bunker Hill home.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
ESPN:
Epstein not thrilled with Cards ‘gift’ draft pick — The St. Louis Cardinals were unlikely winners Wednesday when they secured a bonus draft pick in Major League Baseball's competitive balance lottery. — Theo Epstein, for one, couldn't deny feeling a tad bitter about the Cardinals' good fortune.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
2015 Competitive Balance Lottery Results
2015 Competitive Balance Lottery Results
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Let's Go Tribe, Camden Chat, Brew Crew Ball and Bucs Dugout
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Acquire Kendrys Morales — The Mariners have acquired Kendrys Morales from the Twins in exchange for right-hander Stephen Pryor, the team announced. — Morales' stay with the Twins didn't prove to be a lengthy one, as his tenure in Minnesota lasted just 39 games.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Minor League Ball, Lookout Landing and Bucs Dugout
MLB.com:
Tanaka feeling only marginal improvement — NEW YORK — Masahiro Tanaka is still reporting discomfort in his right elbow, 10 days after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, but the Yankees are still hopeful to have the right-hander return to the big league mound this season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Rizzo comes through for courageous young fan — CHICAGO — When Anthony Rizzo crossed home plate after hitting his 24th, and then his 25th home run, he touched his fingers to his lips and then pointed to the sky. It was a message to a 22-year-old cancer patient whom the Cubs first baseman had met earlier in the day.
Discussion:
ESPN
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Designate Jim Johnson For Assignment — 12:04pm: The A's announced that they have actually designated Johnson for assignment, not released him (though that could obviously be the ultimate outcome of the move). Evan Scribner has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill his roster spot.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Camden Chat, Bucs Dugout, Fish Stripes and HardballTalk
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
David Ortiz reaches 1,500 RBIs — TORONTO — With his fourth home run in three games here Wednesday night, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz became the 53rd player in major-league history to drive in 1,500 or more runs in his career. — Ortiz lined a knuckleball from Toronto's R …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Over the Monster and Associated Press