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?
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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.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs trade reinforces faith in Kyle Schwarber, fellow MLB youngsters
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
White Sox, Cubs cold war is over with Jose Quintana trade
Discussion:
Camden Chat, South Side Sox, Brew Crew Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bless You Boys and MLB Trade Rumors
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox for top prospects
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox for top prospects
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and baseballmusings.com
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
With trade, White Sox add ‘one of the most exciting prospects’ to booming farm system
With trade, White Sox add ‘one of the most exciting prospects’ to booming farm system
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox in blockbuster 5-player trade
Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from White Sox in blockbuster 5-player trade
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue, South Side Sox and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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.
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Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers confident another strong second half is ahead — KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Texas Rangers are hoping, perhaps even expecting, history repeats itself in 2017. — For the past two seasons, the first under manager Jeff Banister, they've played well in the second half.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and Purple Row
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 …
Alex Tekip / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Rangers to listen on Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels?
Rumor Central: Rangers to listen on Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels?
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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
Brewers Acquire Tyler Webb From Yankees For Garrett Cooper
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and Al's Ramblings
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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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 …
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Can the Orioles sway owner Angelos?
Can the Orioles sway owner Angelos?
Discussion:
Sporting News and Camden Chat
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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Brett Bodner / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge defied NASA equations when he hit the roof of Marlins Park at Home Run Derby — One small step for Aaron Judge, one giant leap for Marlins Park. — When the Marlins were planning out their stadium they turned to experts who used NASA equations to determine how high to make the roof …
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.
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:
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
Stats / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Dodgers seek to continue superb season against Marlins — Miami Marlins are coming off a good week. — The — Los Angeles Dodgers, meanwhile, are having a great season. — On Friday, the Dodgers, who have the best record in the majors at 61-29, visit the mediocre Marlins (41-46), who are in third place in the NL East.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, True Blue LA and Fox Sports
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Dodgers interest in Britton has Jansen excited
Dodgers interest in Britton has Jansen excited
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Camden Chat, Federal Baseball, Bless You Boys, True Blue LA and MLB Daily Dish