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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Halos Heaven, New York Times, NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Pinstripe Alley and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Mike Oz / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
American League wins its seventh straight MLB All-Star Game — CLEVELAND — The entire conversation surrounding this year's MLB All-Star Game has been — about juiced balls and how MLB players are hitting more home runs than ever. — Well, the National League All-Star team sure could have one more of those.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Pinstripe Alley, Gaslamp Ball, Purple Row, Phillies Nation, Viva El Birdos and Over the Monster
ESPN:
Manfred: MLB didn't alter baseball for more HRs — Commissioner Rob Manfred again emphatically denied that Major League Baseball has altered baseballs to generate more offense, amid widespread criticism from some of the sport's top pitchers. — “Baseball has done nothing …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Big Lead
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
As Indians' past and present collide at All-Star Game, will they make the same mistake with Francisco Lindor? — CLEVELAND —They were traded for each other 11 years ago to the day Monday, and for the first time, New York Yankees veteran starter CC Sabathia and Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley actually met.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, MLB Trade Rumors and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Tom Withers / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Bieber wins MVP, Cleveland shines in All-Star Game — All Star Game Baseball — CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Brantley came back, took a well-deserved bow and delivered like always. Shane Bieber pitched a perfect inning and took home an MVP trophy and a shiny new pickup truck.
Discussion:
USA Today and AZ Snake Pit
Dave Campbell / NBCSports.com:
All-Star break arrives at right time for still-in-1st Twins
Jon Paul Morosi / MLB.com:
Mets could be enticed to move Thor in right deal — A trade of Noah Syndergaard this month is possible — if a heavy price is paid. — While the Mets aren't soliciting offers for Syndergaard, multiple teams have contacted them to express interest, sources say.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
What's Wrong With Robinson Cano?
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Canadian Mike Soroka rides fast track with Braves to MLB All-Star Game — CLEVELAND — Looking back on it now, it was perhaps inevitable that pitcher Mike Soroka and general manager Alex Anthopoulos would eventually end up together in the major leagues. — That it happened had a little …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Baseball News …
Emma Baccellieri / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
American League Holds Off the National League to Win Its Seventh Straight All-Star Game — SI baseball writers Emma Baccellieri and Matt Martell provided live updates and commentary throughout the 2019 All-Star Game. Relive the Midsummer Classic in our live blog below.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and Pinstripe Alley
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Comeback looks unlikely as Ankiel nears what agent Boras calls ‘decision time’ — CLEVELAND — The comeback idea, hatched almost a year ago when he returned to the mound on a lark, has likely ended for Rick Ankiel before it could truly start this summer. — Ankiel is reaching a “decision time …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
‘Meaningful free agency’ among MLBPA's priorities — CLEVELAND — The baseball players' association has outlined goals for the sport's unprecedented midterm collective bargaining, objectives likely to meet resistance from management unless the union is willing to make trade-offs.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Sports Illustrated:
Bud Selig Recounts His ‘Misery’ Waiting for Barry Bonds to Break the Home Run Record — “I was just waiting for Barry to put me out of my misery.” — The following is excerpted from the book FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME: The Inside Story of the Surprising and Dramatic Transformation …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and USA Today