Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Red Sox could end up trading Lester — It makes sense for Boston to deal its ace left-hander, but it would be a risky move — So who would have guessed last October that the central figure of Trade Deadline Week 2014 would be . . . Jon Lester? — But that's where Lester and the Red Sox find themselves all of a sudden.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB, The Good Phight and Phillies Nation
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Make Hamels Available; Dodgers Interested — 3:50pm: In today's Rumblings & Grumblings column, ESPN's Jayson Stark touched on Hamels' availability (highlights from the rest of the piece can be seen here, though it's worth reading in its entirety). — Officials from other teams tell Stark …
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Rays have big decisions as trade deadline nears — T minus four days to the non-waiver trade deadline. The engines are rip-roaring ready, showtime is between now and Thursday at 4 p.m. There are a number of big things and small things that could happen. But each day brings a new direction for some teams.
Discussion:
Inside the 'Zona, Federal Baseball and MLB Trade Rumors
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Nationals trade rumors as deadline nears
Nationals trade rumors as deadline nears
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB.com, Federal Baseball, MLB Daily Dish and CBSSports.com
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers will try to be opportunistic at Trade Deadline — ARLINGTON — With just a few shopping days left before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, there is one question surrounding the Rangers. — Who will be the next to go? — The Rangers already have shown they are willing …
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Jim Hoehn / MLB.com:
Brewers scanning market, won't force deals — MILWAUKEE — With the non-waiver Trade Deadline coming on Thursday, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is perusing the list of available players, but he feels no urgency to just make a deal. — “I've been pretty aggressive as far as contacting teams,” said Melvin.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
History suggests Brewers will make a deal
History suggests Brewers will make a deal
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
Fox Sports:
Beat Rays, and Brewers raise their chances to get David Price … The Brewers, by defeating the Rays the next three days, could improve their chances in two different races. — Their realistic bid for the NL Central title. … And their unlikely bid to land Rays left-hander David Price.
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Brew Crew Ball, JSOnline, MLB Trade Rumors and Al's Ramblings
Associated Press:
Santana, Gattis Lead Braves to 2-0 Win Over Padres — ATLANTA — Ervin Santana threw eight scoreless innings, Evan Gattis homered for the first time in more than a month and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-0 on Monday. — Santana (10-6) allowed just five hits and matched his career high with 11 strikeouts.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Acquire Darwin Barney — The Dodgers have bolstered their infield depth and their defense with the acquisition of Darwin Barney from the Cubs, both teams announced. Chicago will send Barney and cash considerations to Los Angeles in return for a player to be named later, according to releases from each team.
Discussion:
True Blue LA, SBNation.com, CBSSports.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Potential Suitors For Cuban Free Agent Rusney Castillo — After a showcase on Saturday at the University of Miami, the market for 27-year-old Cuban free agent Rusney Castillo is beginning to shape itself, with a contract likely coming in the next two weeks.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Metsblog and River Avenue Blues
Chicago Tribune:
Transcript: Greg Maddux's Hall of Fame speech — Thank you. Let me say, first of all, how grateful I am to be here. I would like to thank the Hall of Fame voters. It's obviously the biggest honor you can give to a ballplayer. To put me here in Cooperstown with all of my childhood heroes …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins may seek to bolster roster by Deadline — Upgrades to starting rotation, second base top club's wish list — HOUSTON — Considering how far the Marlins have come in a year, they are hoping to avoid taking any steps backward. — If things play out the way the organization hopes …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Joe Torre regrets not thanking George Steinbrenner during Hall of Fame speech — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - After finishing a 28-minute speech at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony Sunday, Joe Torre turned to the assembled baseball legends and said, “I forgot George.” — As in Steinbrenner.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
John Henry takes stock of perplexing Red Sox — Photo by: — AP photo — Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. — By: — The Red Sox are genuinely perplexed. — Barely more than two weeks ago, principal owner John Henry was told by his general manager that the Red Sox “are probably the best team in the division.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Dan Shaughnessy / The Boston Globe:
For Yaz, Ortiz is the second greatest Red Sox
For Yaz, Ortiz is the second greatest Red Sox
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, Dan Shaughnessy Watch, DRaysBay, CBSSports.com, Over the Monster and ESPN