Top News:
Rob Maaddi / Boston Globe:
8 hitters available for teams that don't land Manny Machado — Manny Machado could be wearing a new uniform before he plays another game and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks. — Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even if they miss out on Machado.
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Meet the prospects the Dodgers gave up for Manny Machado — By trading for Manny Machado, the Los Angeles Dodgers are adding an All-Star shortstop who's in the middle of a career year. — They'll only have Machado for the rest of this season because he'll be a free agent this winter …
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Reports: Dodgers finally land shortstop Manny Machado — Manny Machado will be suiting up at Miller Park on Friday night. — Unfortunately for the Milwaukee Brewers, it's going to be as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. — After a brief stop-and-start earlier in the day …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, baseballmusings.com and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Orioles trade Manny Machado to Dodgers for five prospects — Baltimore Orioles All-Star shortstop Manny Machado has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a package of five prospects, sources told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, confirming multiple reports. — The players Los Angeles will be sending …
Arizona Republic:
Next Slide — The Diamondbacks are going to realize how much every game counts when they get back from the All-Star break Friday. — Mathematicians, statisticians and sabermetricians can (accurately) tell you that each contest is just 1 of 162, but from here on it's going to feel far more intense than that.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Manny Machado's future Dodgers teammates ready for big things after All-Star Game trade
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Deadspin and McCovey Chronicles
Associated Press:
Angels praise Mike Trout for ‘prioritizing personal values’ — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels publicly praised Mike Trout “for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion” a day after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the All-Star outfielder …
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Chicago Tribune:
Angels take on Rob Manfred, stand behind Mike Trout — In an extraordinary rebuke of a sitting commissioner, the Angels issued a statement Wednesday strongly defending their franchise player, Mike Trout, against criticism that he ought to dedicate more time to selling himself and his sport.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Los Angeles Times
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Monumental mashing: Ranking D.C.'s record 10 All-Star Game homers — WASHINGTON — Don't be ashamed. It's OK to admit you like home runs. You can still go on YouTube and watch highlights of your favorite skinny dudes and slap-hitting middle infielders from the 1970s and '80s …
Discussion:
Sporting News and HotNewHipHop.com
ESPN:
Rob Manfred: Mike Trout limits his popularity because he won't market himself
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com, Bleacher Report, sports.MyNorthwest.com, Sports Illustrated and Halos Heaven
Thomas Boswell / Chicago Tribune:
Commentary: If MLB's so-called problems are embodied by Max Scherzer, things will be just fine
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Angels fire back at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, call Mike Trout ‘ exceptional ambassador’
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Comeback, NESN.com and Deadspin
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
All-Star Game 2018: Astros teammates hit back-to-back homers, propelling Alex Bregman to MVP award
Discussion:
ESPN 98.1 FM, Sporting News, WTOL-TV and baseballmusings.com
Jeff Arnold / UPI:
Chicago Cubs look to stay hot against fading St. Louis Cardinals — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs used a strong push to enter the All-Star break leading the National League Central Division. The St. Louis Cardinals, meanwhile, finished the first half on a skid that cost manager Mike Matheny his job.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Five things to know about Cubs-Brewers pennant race — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs begin the second half of the season 2½ games ahead of the Brewers in the National League Central Division. Here are five things to know about the Cubs-Brewers race: — Season series: Thus far, the Cubs lead the season series 8-3.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
MLB to require Brewers pitcher Josh Hader to take sensitivity training in wake of old tweets — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader will be required to take sensitivity training and participate in the league's diversity and inclusion initiatives after tweets from his past emerged during Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
MLB orders diversity training for Maryland native Josh Hader after hateful tweets surface during All-Star Game — Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher and Old Mill alumnus, addresses tweets from high school that surfaced during All-Star Game tonight. (Eduardo A. Encina, Baltimore Sun video)
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Josh Hader To Undergo Sensitivity Training For Offensive Tweets
Discussion:
NBC News, Sporting News and Brew Crew Ball
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Scott Schebler on the disabled list with shoulder injury — When the Reds return from the All-Star break on Friday, they will be without one of their usual leadoff hitters. — Scott Schebler was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs at the break: What's half full, what's half empty? — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs find themselves battling the Brewers in the National League Central for the second consecutive season. Here are three reasons why their cup of optimism is half full, and three why it's half empty:
RELATED:
ESPN:
Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to come off DL Thursday — Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will return Thursday for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats after being sidelined since June 7 with a patellar tendon strain in his left knee.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: After a brief lull, we now return to our regularly scheduled baseball season — Photos from the 2018 MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — After chilling out the last few days — whether at home …
Mike Ashmore / Daily Record:
Tyler Benson patiently working through San Diego Padres minor league system — Montville native and San Diego Padres prospect Tyler Benson could have gotten frustrated with having to spend a second season in the Rookie Ball-level Arizona League. — His reaction, however, was quite the contrary.
