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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

‘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.

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 …