Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
All-Star Game: Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander take different paths to historic dominance — WASHINGTON - They have everything you'd possibly want in life. — They've got more than $400 million in guaranteed contracts, the kind of money that will take care of generations of their families long after they're gone.
RELATED:
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
All-Star Game could be the last time Manny Machado wears an Orioles uniform — WASHINGTON — Manny Machado is representing the Baltimore Orioles in the All-Star Game on Tuesday at Nationals Park. — But, by the time the regular season resumes later this week, he may be donning a new uniform.
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer is the anti-hero baseball needs — WASHINGTON - From his unique training regimen to his scientific approach to pitching to his polarizing personality, Trevor Bauer may be the most misunderstood player in baseball. — Bauer's personality, charitably described as …
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Home Run Derby participant Jesus Aguilar finding stardom in Milwaukee — WASHINGTON - David Ortiz had just turned 27 when the Minnesota Twins released him in December 2002, thinking the first baseman/DH was starting to get expensive and wouldn't amount to much.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Astros are baseball's most dominant force — and they're having more fun than you — WASHINGTON — They are the envy of baseball, with a World Series championship last fall, another division champion in the pipeline and a six-pack of All-Stars here for the 89th All-Star Game.
USA Today:
MLB Home Run Derby: Time, TV, participants, weather — Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby will commence Monday evening from Washington's Nationals Park, the fourth installment since the event went to a timed format. — While the event has long veered from an American League-National League format …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Manny Machado — The Orioles are getting “very close” to reaching an agreement on a Manny Machado trade, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). However, despite a report of a “handshake agreement” between the Orioles and Phillies by Barstool Sports …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Phillies Nation and NESN.com
USA Today:
MLB at the All-Star break: Seven eye-opening numbers from the first half
MLB at the All-Star break: Seven eye-opening numbers from the first half
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Carlos Monarrez / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit trying to move past breakup with Justin Verlander
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs have long history of competing in the Home Run Derby
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB All-Star Game … The Diamondbacks have hovered at or near the top of the National League West all year, never falling more than 1 1/2 games back. But if the season had ended at the All-Star break on Sunday, they would have finished just behind …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper to bat 6th in All-Star Game — WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper will get to enjoy at least one more grand celebration as a hometown fan favorite at Nationals Park when he trots out to right field at the beginning of the All-Star Game.
Associated Press:
Success on the road lifts A's into contention — The Oakland Athletics have played their way into contention by beating up on teams that are far from it. — Oakland enters the All-Star break having won 21 of its last 27, and the A's are only three games behind the second wild card.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs rookie reliever James Norwood maximizing his midseason audition
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs surge to top of NL at All-Star break thanks to clubhouse culture
Cubs surge to top of NL at All-Star break thanks to clubhouse culture
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Derrick Goold / Kansas City Star:
High-tech approach led Cardinals to sign Mikolas without seeing him in person — Almost all of what the Cardinals saw of Miles Mikolas' reinvention as a pitcher in Japan was the byte-sized view offered by video clips they played and replayed again on a laptop or tablet.
RELATED:
Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Albert Almora Jr. says wife Krystal ‘is doing much better’ — Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr., who was placed on family medical emergency list Sunday, tweeted Monday that his wife, Krystal, “is doing much better and baby #2 is kicking all over the place!”
Brian Niemietz / New York Daily News:
Yankee slugger Giancarlo Stanton flew to Miami to party while his teammates headed to the All-Star Game — Former Miami Marlin Giancarlo Stanton couldn't wait to get back to Florida. — Shortly after the Bronx Bombers got trounced 5-2 by Cleveland to wrap up the first half of the baseball season …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
One step back, huge step forward for Mariners All-Star outfielder Mitch Haniger — Chicago Tribune — As no better than a fourth outfielder in Double A three years ago, Mitch Haniger believed he had nothing to lose by requesting a demotion. — “If I stay at Double-A (Mobile) and don't play, I get released,” Haniger recalled.
Steve Schuster / Toronto Sun:
Former Goldeyes skipper's best signing may have been current manager Forney — Former Winnipeg Goldeyes' manager Hal Lanier had his number retired during a pre-game ceremony at Shaw Park on Thursday. — Lanier's “22” became just the fifth number taken out of circulation in the franchise's 25-year history.