Top News:
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB trade deadline: Surprising teams that could go all-in and new names to watch as July 30 nears — Perhaps it should be no surprise that the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays, two of the most aggressive teams in baseball at improving their rosters, have placed themselves squarely …
Discussion:
NESN.com, NBCSports.com, Bleacher Nation, MLB Baseball News …, FanSided, Around the Foghorn and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Patrick Mooney / The Athletic:
It would be ‘naive’ to think the Cubs haven't been distracted by a season set up for the trade deadline — There's no way to prove that the looming trade deadline has impacted the Cubs' on-field performance. Baseball is an unpredictable sport. There are inexplicable elements to every season.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation
The Athletic:
Padres on pace to exceed luxury tax threshold for first time; Eric Hosmer trade among the possible options — With A.J. Preller, the Padres' unrelenting head of baseball operations, virtually everyone is in play at all times. Almost nothing can be ruled out, though that does not mean Preller operates without parameters.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Royals Review, Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider
RELATED:
ESPN:
San Diego Padres acquire All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier from Pittsburgh Pirates, sources say — MLB, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres — The San Diego Padres are acquiring second baseman Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, NBCSports.com, Gaslamp Ball, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and baseballmusings.com
JB Bird / UT News:
Joint Statement from The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Oklahoma — The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Oklahoma notified the Big 12 Athletic Conference today that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following expiration in 2025.
Discussion:
FanSided, Slate, The Athletic and UPI
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Mets' agreement with Kumar Rocker suddenly in jeopardy — The Mets' agreement with their first-round draft pick Kumar Rocker is in limbo after the team expressed concerns with the right-hander's pitching elbow during his physical examination, multiple industry sources told The Post.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Lone Star Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Concerns about Trevor Story; what Max Scherzer's unique contract means; more trade deadline notes — Rockies shortstop Trevor Story is one of the biggest names on the trade market, but mostly by reputation. Story, 28, is in the middle of his worst offensive season, and some baseball people are alarmed by his poor throwing.
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation
Jim McBride Globe / The Boston Globe:
Patriots tight end Devin Asiasi tests positive for COVID despite vaccination and is out indefinitely — The Patriots will be without Devin Asiasi for an undetermined amount of time after the second-year tight end tested positive for COVID-19, a league source confirmed Tuesday.
Discussion:
NESN.com and Boston.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets split doubleheader with Braves to start huge five-game series — The Mets began their critical five-game series against a division foe with a sleepy loss, but they salvaged the evening with their ninth doubleheader split of the season. — Jeff McNeil extended his hit streak to 13 games …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
2021 hindsight: Inside the Trevor Bauer disaster and how the Dodgers got here — What could be Trevor Bauer's last public comment in a Dodgers uniform was uttered in frustration as the pitcher stood up to leave a videoconference following a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on June 28.
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
‘Keep it light.’ As Texas Rangers losing streak hits 12 games, manager, radio team adapt — Games are supposed to be fun after all. And baseball is just a game. — That's an easy concept in theory, of course, but when you're a major league baseball team struggling at an historic rate …
The Athletic:
Twins, Byron Buxton can't reach agreement on contract extension, increasing chance of offseason trade — Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton could not agree on a contract extension, increasing the possibility he will be traded this offseason and perhaps making the team more willing …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com, Sports Illustrated, Pinstripe Alley, Bless You Boys, Bleacher Nation and Phillies Nation