Top News:
Mike Ehrmann / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
LEADOFF: Who has top farm system now, Braves or White Sox? — Good morning. This is LEADOFF, the early buzz in Atlanta sports. — The prospects the White Sox received in Thursday's big trade with the Cubs for pitcher Jose Quintana stirred an instant debate: Who has baseball's best farm system now, the Braves or ... the White Sox?
RELATED:
John Harper / New York Daily News:
How Yankees fare against Red Sox could determine how aggressive they'll be at trade deadline — For a team searching desperately for a cure to a month-long slump, perhaps this is exactly what the Yankees need: they start the second half by heading to Boston for a weekend showdown, knowing they've owned the Red Sox this season.
Associated Press:
MLB: Cubs acquire Jose Quintana — White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana throws against the Kansas City Royals on May 2. Quintana has been traded to the Chicago Cubs for four prospects. (John Sleezer / Kansas City Star) — The Chicago Cubs found the pitching help they were looking for just a few miles from Wrigley Field.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times
Rotoworld.com:
Dose: Cubs Land Quintana — Jose Quintana is staying in Chicago, but he'll have to get used to a new commute. — Trade season is here and Thursday brought us our first blockbuster. In a deal that appeared seemingly out of thin air, the Cubs sent four minor leaguers …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs trade reinforces faith in Kyle Schwarber, fellow MLB youngsters
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
White Sox, Cubs cold war is over with Jose Quintana trade
Discussion:
South Side Sox and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox in blockbuster 5-player trade
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com, South Side Sox and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
With trade, White Sox add ‘one of the most exciting prospects’ to booming farm system
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox for top prospects
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Secret phone call at All-Star fan convention helped trade for Jose Quintana progress
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Fox Sports:
Brewers face Phillies with hope of building NL Central lead (Jul 14, 2017) — MILWAUKEE — After four days of relaxing during the All-Star break, the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers return to action Friday night, looking to build on a 5 1/2-game lead over the Chicago Cubs when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Some divisions appear settled while others remain wide open — St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter catches a line drive by Philadelphia Phillies' Odubel Herrera then steps on first base to double off the runner in the seventh inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Acquire Tyler Webb From Yankees For Garrett Cooper
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and Al's Ramblings
Fox Sports:
Astros host Twins, set sail on second half (Jul 14, 2017) — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros had braced themselves for elevated expectations heading into this season following a series of savvy veteran acquisitions that positioned the club to take the significant leap from ordinary postseason contender …
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Rangers, Royals begin second half with key series (Jul 14, 2017) — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The previous two years, Ned Yost spent time and energy managing the American League in the All-Star Game. — This July, the Royals manager spent the All-Star break on a tractor on his Georgia farm.
Alex Tekip / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Rangers to listen on Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels?
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Rich Shook / UPI:
MLB: Toronot Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers aim to get into contention in second half — DETROIT — Two teams hoping against hope they can become contenders and avoid the dreaded selloff label — the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers — begin the post-All-Star-break schedule Friday with a three-game series at Comerica Park.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers midseason grades: Justin Wilson best of bad bunch of relievers — Counting down the top-10 athletes playing on Detroit's four major professional sports teams right now! Check out our other video for Nos. 20-11! Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press — CONNECT
Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' next foe: Toronto Blue Jays in town to start second half of season — Series: Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park for three games, Friday-Sunday. — TV/radio: Friday 7:10. Saturday 6:10 and Sunday at 1:10; all on Fox Sports Detroit and WXYT-FM (97.1) — Pitchers:
ESPN:
Orioles' Chris Davis expects to return Friday vs. Cubs — Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, who went on the DL for a right oblique strain on June 13, expects to return to the lineup against the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. — He played in two rehab games at Class A …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Cubs searching for last year's magic entering set with Orioles (Jul 14, 2017) — BALTIMORE — The world champion Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles both struggled throughout the first half of the 2017 season. Both teams will be hoping to start the second part on a better note …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
For Mets, next two weeks critical on and off field as trade deadline approaches — Jacob deGrom was defiant. Injuries have happened in the past; the Mets have overcome the odds before. The club's best pitcher in the miserable first half of a disappointing season did not like the idea …
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Stats / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Dodgers seek to continue superb season against Marlins
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, True Blue LA and Fox Sports
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Dodgers interest in Britton has Jansen excited
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Camden Chat, Federal Baseball, Bless You Boys, True Blue LA and MLB Daily Dish
Sterling Pingree / The Drive:
Boston Red Sox second half wish list — Now that we've broken through the All-Star break and come out on the other side, I started thinking about what I'd like to see from the Boston Red Sox in the second half of the season. The team has been uninspiring at times, frustrating at others …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
USA Today:
Rays' Colby Rasmus to ‘step away’ from game; 2017 return doubtful — Rays outfielder Colby Rasmus has decided to “step away from baseball” and was placed on the restricted list, Tampa Bay announced on Thursday. — He is not expected to return to the team this season.
Discussion:
SI.com, Bluebird Banter, Sportsnet.ca and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Mitchell Forde / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Leake to start off post-break rotation — The Cardinals will send their ERA leader, Mike Leake, to the mound Friday to begin the second half of the season against the Pirates. — Leake will be followed in the starting rotation by Lance Lynn, Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha.
ESPN:
Bartolo Colon allows 4 runs, K's 5 in start for Twins' Triple-A team — Bartolo Colon gave up four runs, four hits, walked two and struck out five in 3 innings Thursday in a Triple-A start for the Rochester Red Wings against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Castro, Rehabbing With Trenton, Could Join Yankees At Fenway — New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro played in a rehab assignment for the Trenton Thunder at Dunkin Donuts Park Thursday night. Photo by BRAD HORRIGAN | bhorrigan@courant.com
Marissa Payne / Chicago Tribune:
MLB player with a lifelong stutter mics up for All-Star Game to inspire others — The Washington Post — With a spreadsheet of impressive stats this season, Houston Astros star George Springer is used to making physical statements on the baseball diamond.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Sean Pendergast / Houston Press:
Five Burning Questions for the Second Half of the Astros Season
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
