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 …
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Max Scherzer prefers NL West contenders, sources say, and pace of talks accelerating — Padres manager Jayce Tingler and Max Scherzer just missed overlapping at the University of Missouri. Scherzer was teammates at Missouri with Padres bullpen catcher Brad Flanders for one season. All three remain friends.
Jim Bowden / The Athletic:
MLB trade deadline rumblings: Bowden on Marlins' ‘coup,’ Max Scherzer sweepstakes, expected ‘flurry of trades’ — “Be prepared for a flurry of trades with the unexpected ruling the day,” an American League general manager told me Wednesday morning. I'm not sure what that means or what will transpire …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and NBCSports.com
Associated Press:
Cleveland Indians' Terry Francona stepping down for rest of season due to health issues — CLEVELAND — Indians manager Terry Francona is stepping down for the remainder of this season to address some lingering health issues. — The 62-year-old Francona has been wearing a boot on his right foot …
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, CBS Boston and baseballmusings.com
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Mandy Bell / Indians News:
Francona takes leave due to health reasons — CLEVELAND — Indians manager Terry Francona has been having an internal battle, wondering if he was doing the right thing by trying to manage through his health issues or if he's been hindering his team in the process.
Discussion:
UPI, USA Today and Sports Illustrated
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
The Yankees' Joey Gallo trade just got a little bit better — The Yankees will be receiving more than Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez from the Rangers - Texas also is paying both players' salaries the rest of the season, The Post has learned. — That is not insignificant …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Nation, Pinstripe Alley and baseballmusings.com
Elliott Almond / Mercury News:
Sunisa Lee steps up for Simone Biles to keep U.S. gymnastics gold-medal streak alive — With Simone Biles watching in the stands Sunisa Lee wins win all-around title at Tokyo Games — An expressionless Sunisa Lee walked off the platform in her final rotation Thursday knowing she had performed admirably.
Discussion:
Daily News, Orange County Register, Sports Illustrated and Chicago Sun-Times
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners players feel ‘betrayed’ after team trades Kendall Graveman to Astros — Marco Gonzales stared at the concrete floor of the Mariners dugout, occasionally lifting his gaze to the field of T-Mobile Park and revealing puffy eyes red from tears. — He appeared to be listening …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks release injury-prone pitcher Jon Duplantier — The Diamondbacks released oft-injured former top prospect Jon Duplantier on Tuesday in what was a sort of procedural transaction that they hope leads to him signing back with the club on a minor league deal, according to a source.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Trade Rumors
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:
Denver Post, NBCSports.com, Sports Illustrated, FanGraphs Baseball, Bleacher Nation, MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
Associated Press:
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg to have season-ending neck surgery — PHILADELPHIA — Stephen Strasburg will have season-ending neck surgery, ending another frustrating year for the Washington Nationals' 2019 World Series hero. — The three-time All-Star right-hander felt discomfort …
Discussion:
UPI
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Jerad Eickhoff struggles as Mets get routed by Atlanta — The Mets lost to Atlanta, 12-5, on Tuesday after fill-in starter Jered Eickhoff allowed 10 runs, all earned, in 3 1⁄3 innings. He re-signed with them two days prior after being cut — for the second time in a month — last week.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com