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12:30 PM ET, July 9, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Verlander: MLB juicing balls for more offense  —  CLEVELAND — American League All-Star Game starter Justin Verlander told ESPN on Monday that the balls used in Major League Baseball games this season are “a f—ing joke” and that he believes “100 percent” that the league has implemented juiced balls to increase offense.
RELATED:
Ryan Kolakowski / Tampa Bay Times:
Mets' Pete Alonso could always hit, even as a South Tampa kid  —  The success of the Plant High alumnus doesn't surprise his youth baseball teammates.  —  Spencer Trayner looked on from the parking lot as a young Pete Alonso, a teammate on the Salty Dogs, climbed out of his car and tumbled face …
RELATED:
Sarah Valenzuela / New York Daily News:
Zack Wheeler, Mets bullpen spell trouble for Mets on eve of All-Star break
Ben Walker / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Nola's pitching, Bruce's power lead Phillies over Mets 8-3
Discussion: Phillies Nation and New York Post
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rob Manfred On Minor-League Pay Negotiations  —  Yesterday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the long-simmering issue of pay to minor-league players, as Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports (subscription link).  Manfred's office recently launched negotiations with the minor-league governing body known …
Discussion: The Athletic and Al's Ramblings
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The market for Bumgarner; the Cubs' true talent level; the Yankees' search for pitching; more notes  —  The talk is the same at every deadline.  Executives downplay the value of trade targets in conversations not only with reporters, but also with their negotiating partners.
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
What's Wrong With Robinson Cano?  —  We're on the eve of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, an event second baseman Robinson Cano has received eight invitations to since his career began in 2005.  The former Yankee and Mariner is clearly one of the most accomplished second basemen in baseball history.
ESPN:
Power Rankings: How far can first-half surprise teams rise?  —  At the midseason break, we can't be too surprised to see that the Dodgers check in at No. 1.  Not only did they get four of five first-place votes, they've polled at No. 1 in each of the past six weeks, and in the top slot in 10 of 14 weeks during the regular season.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Julian McWilliams / BostonGlobe.com:
David Price nabs 150th victory, Red Sox cap sweep  —  DETROIT — It depends on the day.  Depends on the batter.  —  David Price has been at this for a while, so he's used to adjusting on the fly.  He can manipulate each of his pitches at different speeds better than most.
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / BostonGlobe.com:
Red Sox will savor break, but know crunch time awaits
ESPN:
Angels' Lucroy carted off after collision at plate  —  HOUSTON — Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy was carted off the field in the eighth inning after a collision at the plate with the Houston Astros' Jake Marisnick.  —  The Angels said Lucroy was taken to the hospital for a CT scan …
Discussion: New York Post
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Claim AJ Reed  —  The White Sox announced that they've claimed first baseman/designated hitter AJ Reed off waivers from the Astros.  Injured pitcher Ryan Burr was transferred to the 60-day IL to open a spot on the 40-man roster.  Reed, who was designated for assignment by Houston last week …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB's steroid question: David Segui wonders why players still are demonized for PEDs  —  CLEVELAND — Major League Baseball maintains it's illegal and wants it completely eradicated from the game, but former big league slugger David Segui insists that stance is grossly hypocritical.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would like a White House invitation to decline  —  Dave Roberts learned he had drawn the ire of the president of the United States in the most public of settings, sitting at a postgame news conference, broadcast to millions, as he sifted through the wreckage of Game 4 of the 2018 World Series.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins Insider: Team seeking pitching depth inside and outside the organization  —  It's notable that both Adalberto Mejia and Zack Littell returned to the club in the past week.  —  TEXT SIZE  —  Class AAA Rochester has been a popular spot for scouts lately, as the Diamondbacks, Padres …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and Sportsnet.ca
 
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 More News: 
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays shortstop prospect Wander Franco at the center of attention at Futures Game
New York Times:
Tony Clark's Second Chance
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
 Earlier Picks: 
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Jays pitching prospect Pearson sizzles in All Star Futures Game
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Longoria's late home run lifts Giants past Cardinals
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
 

 
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