Top News:
Greensburg Tribune-Review:
Yankees make bold moves to help beef up roster for stretch run — MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Yankees ignited their playoff drive despite a midseason tailspin with the acquisition of power-hitting infielder Todd Frazier and power-armed relievers Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson.
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Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
With seven-player trade, the Yankees are starting to look like the Yankees again — The Washington Post — This was to be a transitional year for the New York Yankees, one that would bridge the divide between the bloated also-ran they had become and the future juggernaut they hoped to build.
ESPN:
Yankees' Joe Girardi: Chase Headley will have ‘crash course’ on playing 1B — MINNEAPOLIS — Newly acquired Todd Frazier will supplant Chase Headley as the New York Yankees' regular third baseman. Headley will move across the diamond and predominately play at first base.
Fran Kilinski / New York Daily News:
Todd Frazier hopes to talk to Paul O'Neill about wearing No. 21 with Yankees — After his first game as a Yankee on Wednesday, Todd Frazier says he hopes to talk to Paul O'Neill about wearing No. 21 before the Yanks return from their road trip. — Frazier, who joined the team Wednesday …
Discussion:
CBS New York and The Sports Tank
Associated Press:
Eager Yankees reinforcements embolden team for pennant drive — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The New York Yankees have ignited their pennant drive despite a midseason tailspin with the acquisition of power-hitting infielder Todd Frazier and power-armed relievers Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees Notebook: Joe Girardi takeaways from Wednesday's pregame session
Stan Awtrey / UPI:
Chicago Cubs top Atlanta Braves, extend winning streak to five games — ATLANTA — The Chicago Cubs continued their second-half surge, and catcher Willson Contreras was once again right in the middle of it. — The Cubs struck a pair of home runs, the big blow being a three-run shot from Contreras …
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Fox Sports:
Montgomery homers as Cubs beat Braves 8-2 for 6th straight (Jul 19, 2017) — ATLANTA (AP) Mike Montgomery hit his first home run and allowed two hits and one run in six innings to lead the streaking Chicago Cubs to an 8-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
George Henry / Associated Press:
Contreras, Lackey power Cubs past Braves, 5-1
Contreras, Lackey power Cubs past Braves, 5-1
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Talking Chop
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs try to complete sweeps on little rest
Associated Press:
Phillies total season-high 20 hits, beat Marlins — MIAMI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies began slowly this season and then got worse, which made their fast start on Wednesday a surprise. — First pitch was at 12:10 p.m. and the Phillies were ready, scoring twice in the first inning …
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ESPN:
Twins' Bartolo Colon thinking about retirement — MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins pitcher Bartolo Colon is considering retirement, and he said his next start against the Los Angeles Dodgers could be a determining factor in making a decision. — The veteran pitcher revealed to ESPN …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and NESN.com
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ESPN:
Bartolo Colón told me that he has been considering retirement and that his next start against the Dodgers could be a determining factor in making a decision. — Read more on ESPN
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Twin Cities, FanRag Sports and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Isaac Chipps / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Dodgers ‘interested in pairing’ Britton and Jansen
Rumor Central: Dodgers ‘interested in pairing’ Britton and Jansen
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Fox Sports:
Red Sox release 3B Pablo Sandoval — BOSTON (AP) The Red Sox have officially released Pablo Sandoval because the third baseman didn't report after being designated for assignment last week. — The team announced the move Wednesday. — It officially ends the Boston tenure …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Kerry Crowley / KNBR-AM:
Bobby Evans on potential Sandoval reunion: 'It's possible'
Bobby Evans on potential Sandoval reunion: 'It's possible'
Discussion:
SI.com and McCovey Chronicles
Fox Sports:
Arenado has 3 homers, ties career-high with 7 RBIs — DENVER (AP) Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has three homers and tied a career-high with seven RBIs on a scorching day against the San Diego Padres. — After two RBI singles to start the game Wednesday …
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Fox Sports:
Paxton, Gamel power Mariners to 4-1 win over Astros (Jul 19, 2017) — HOUSTON (AP) James Paxton had another strong start against Houston and rookie Ben Gamel powered the offense with a two-run homer to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-1 win over the Astros on Wednesday.
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Fox Sports:
Rays rally in 9th off Casilla to beat Athletics 4-3 (Jul 18, 2017) — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Tampa Bay hasn't been so close to first place this late in the season since 2013, and Rays manager Kevin Cash wants his players to soak it up and enjoy every minute of it.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Cincinnati.com:
Nick Senzel, Hunter Greene atop Baseball America's Reds top 10 rankings — Nick Senzel is still the Reds' top prospect, while Hunter Greene is No. 2, according to Baseball America's Midseason Top 10 Prospects list released Wednesday. — Baseball America's J.J. Cooper writes “(t) …
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Fox Sports:
Royals' Hammel hopes to put heat on Tigers (Jul 19, 2017) — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The forecast calls for 90-plus degrees with the heat index a few degrees hotter when Kansas City Royals right-hander Jason Hammel throws his first pitch against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
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Associated Press:
Bryce Harper goes 4-for-4, outduels Mike Trout in Nationals win over Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bryce Harper hit a long, impressive homer over Mike Trout's head the first inning. A few minutes later, Trout hit a homer of similar length and impressiveness.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Eric Karabell / ESPN:
Top MLB DFS building blocks for Wednesday
ESPN:
MLB execs: Get ready for a trade-deadline dash — During the runup to Major League Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, a central theme invariably emerges. In 2016, the media hyperventilated over the fate of three difference-making relievers — Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Mark Melancon.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Doug Mittler / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Correa injury won't change Astros' deadline plans
Doug Mittler / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Rangers showcasing Jonathan Lucroy? — The Texas Rangers are giving interested teams a good, long look at Jonathan Lucroy. — Lucroy has started four straight games behind the plate for the first time since April, and the extended playing time is a way to showcase the veteran catcher, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Beltre to GM Daniels: Rangers are buyers, not sellers — BALTIMORE — The Texas Rangers, the future Hall of Famer said, do not need to be sellers at the July 31 trade deadline, but in order to convince Jon Daniels of that, the team needs to start winning more games.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLBTR Poll: Best Rental Starter — Let's get this out of the way: Yu Darvish will be the best rental arm available, if he is marketed. But all indications are the Rangers won't do that, barring a total collapse over the next ten days. — Assuming that Darvish isn't within reach …