The White Sox love Jacobs and have been pursuing him. Not sure the Indians have an equal position player that they want to trade.

I don't know Jacobs. His stats didn't overwhelm, but if they were looking for a young power hitter, we couldn't match that offer.

Sox trade Thornton to Boston for OF prospect

By Mark Gonzales, Tribune reporter
11:28 pm, July 12, 2013


PHILADELPHIA — The White Sox took their first significant step toward the future Friday night when they traded left-handed reliever Matt Thornton and cash to the Red Sox for outfield prospect Brandon Jacobs.

The cash headed to Boston is in the six figure category and will go toward Thornton’s 2014 contract/buyout, according to a major league source.

“Entering this season and this being the last year of my contract, you’re ready for anything,” Thornton told the Tribune. “But with that said, I spent eight years with the Sox and had a great time and wanted to stay.”

Thornton, 37, has been with the Sox since the start of the 2006 season. He is 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 40 relief appearances this year. He is 31-35 with a 3.28 ERA and 486 strikeouts in 512 career games with the White Sox and ranks first among franchise relievers in all-time appearances.

The Red Sox have sent several scouts to watch the White Sox this season, including Jaymie Bane on Thursday when Thornton threw a perfect inning against the Tigers at Detroit.

Sox general manager Rick Hahn said seven to eight teams expressed interest in Thornton, adding that talks accelerated in the last 10 days.

Hahn said the Sox had expressed interest in Jacobs for the last 18 months in various trade discussions, but he declined to put a timetable on his arrival at U.S. Cellular Field.

“He’s an athletic kid who projects to be a power bat/corner outfielder,” Hahn said. “He’s a toolsy player with upside to be an everyday corner outfielder.”

Thornton will be reunited with Red Sox pitching coach and former White Sox bullpen coach Juan Nieves.

Jacobs, 22, is hitting .247 with 25 doubles, 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 46 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 84 games with Class A Salem and Double-A Portland. He hit .421 with six doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI over his final 11 games with Salem before being promoted to Portland on July 10.

Jacobs is a career .265 hitter with 47 homers, 216 RBI and 61 stolen bases over five minor-league seasons in the Red Sox organization. But he was nagged by a left hamate bone fracture in 2012, and a scouting report by Baseball America questioned whether he has enough arm strength to play right field.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Jacobs turned down an offer to play football at Auburn after he signed a $750,000 bonus when he was drafted in the 10th round of the 2009 draft out of Parkview High School in Georgia.

Baseball America ranks him as the 13th-best prospect in the Red Sox system.

Donnie Veal will be promoted from Triple-A Charlotte to take Thornton’s roster spot.

MLB Network to air "Hawk" feature Thursday

An hour-long special, narrated by Bob Costas and featuring some of the great stories coming from Ken "Hawk" Harrelson's 50 years in baseball, will premiere on MLB Network on Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT.

Personally, I'm a pretty big "Hawk" fan. I'm looking forward to the special. When I get home this evening, the first thing I'll do is setup the DVR for the show. Should be really interesting stuff.

Six M-Braves Named Southern League All-Stars

PEARL, MS --

The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announced its South Division All-Star team Wednesday, July 3, selecting six Mississippi Braves players to the 2013 Southern League All-Star Game. The North Division takes on the South Division Wednesday, July 17 at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Four position players were selected to represent the Mississippi Braves including catcher Christian Bethancourt, outfielder Jose Martinez, infielder Jaime Pedroza and third baseman Edward Salcedo. Starting pitcher Gus Schlosser and reliever Mark Lamm were the only members of the M-Braves pitching staff selected to the South Division roster.

Salcedo, 21, leads the M-Braves in RBI (41), doubles (18) and home runs (9). He's posted a .268 batting average in 80 games for the Mississippi club this season. Salcedo strung together a 14-game hitting streak (5/15-30) earlier this season, posting a .385 average during that span. He entered the 2013 season ranked as the 17th-best prospect in the Braves organization according to MLB.com. A native of the Dominican Republic, Salcedo was signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent on February 23, 2010.

Geesh! Salcedo is only 21 years old. Seems like ages ago a couple of us were speaking so highly of the kid. Offensively, Edward has more than held his own. He's had a lot of problems in the field. He outgrew his position at shortstop and only last season got steady playing time at third base. He committed 40 errors learning the new position. Last I saw, he had 18 errors so far this summer. The Brave's management team say they are happy with his progress. He's made some outstanding fielding plays but he's also blown a lot of routine plays, mostly on errant throws. This was a big season for Salcedo. He seems to have made the best of it. Hopefully, he develops more over the remainder of the season and cuts down on his fielding mistakes..

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Ramirez's Homer Lifts Express to 7-6 Win Over Storm Chasers

Brigham Shines as a Starter, Ramirez Hits Game-Winner in Ninth

PAPILLION, NE -

Tied at six with two outs in the ninth inning, Manny Ramirez blasted his second home run of the season to power the Round Rock Express (53-43) to a dramatic 7-6 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers (43-52) Friday night.

After a solid performance from starter Jake Brigham, the Express bullpen allowed five runs in the eighth but Ramirez saved the day with his timely long ball.

After the first two batters of the Express ninth were retired, designated hitter Manny Ramirez stepped to the plate and stepped out to left. The newly acquired power hitter launched a two-out solo shot to deliver the final blow and a 7-6 lead. Right-hander Ben Rowen finished off the game with a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his second save and give Yan (2-1) the win in relief.

Peter Gammons ‏@pgammo 3h


During World Series last October I was told 47 per cent of Detroit's population are illiterate

Brandon Phillips calls his $72.5 million contract a ‘slap in the face’
By Mike Oz | Big League Stew – 49 minutes ago

Brandon Phillips, the Cincinnati Reds star second baseman, signed a six-year, $72.5 million contract with the team in 2012, a nice hunk of cash, no doubt.
But in a new interview with Cincinnati magazine — in which Phillips is given the title "the most entertaining player in baseball" — he reveals that to him the contract is a "slap in the face" compared to the 10-years, $225 million the Reds gave fellow star Joey Votto just five days earlier in 2012.

Here's what Phillips said:
“I just feel like they didn’t have to sign Joey (Votto) to that contract (10-year, $225-million extension). He still had two more years on his. And for (the front office) to go out there and sign him before they sign me, and they knew I was going to be a free agent?” Phillips shakes his head.

“I understand Joey’s a good player. He’s one of the best players in this game. But I feel like I am too. I told them that this is where I wanted to be. I begged them. I told everybody I want to finish my career here. And then they give someone a contract who didn’t ask for nothing?”

“To this day, I’m still hurt. Well, I don’t wanna say hurt. I’ll say scarred. I’m still scarred. It just sucks that it happened,” he says. “For (Castellini) to sign somebody for $200 million, there must be a new vegetable or fruit coming out that we don’t know about. For him to do something like that and tell me they didn’t have any more money, that’s a lie. But what can I do? I just feel like it was a slap in my face … But how can someone slap you in the face with all that money. It’s a nice slap in the face.”

A nice slap in the face? At least he admits that. There are a large number of Reds ticket-buyers to whom a million dollars, let alone $72 million, is not a slap in the face. In fact, some people will probably say calling that type of contract a slap in the face is the actual slap in the face.

Probably sensing this was a story that could easily be twisted into a feud and become a distraction, Votto responded with tact, saying Phillips' reaction was "totally human," then praised his teammate for being honest.

This, from C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer:
“I haven’t read the article and I’d heard snippets of it, but from what I gathered, Brandon’s reaction was totally human. It’s a feeling I’ve felt before, it’s a feeling most people have felt before.

“Brandon’s a teammate I’ve played with six, seven years now and I love playing with him. I really have an immense amount of respect for him. Those comments have nothing to do with me. It doesn’t change a single thing, it makes me like him more, to be honest with you. Not many players are very honest, usually they give catch phrases, similar to what I’m doing right now. He’s a refreshing guy because he is honest and he does tell people how he feels. You can tell how he feels in that given moment and that’s a great thing. It’s great playing with someone like that. Variety is the spice of life and I love playing with Brandon.

“The smiles and the high-fives and everything we share on the field are genuine. That’s how we feel about each other. That’s how it’s going to be going forward. We play together for this city, we’re tied together because of our contracts, because of the uniform we wear and because of the championship we’re trying to seek out for Cincinnati. I know Brandon feels that way and I feel that way also. That’s really all that matters.”
There's one reason why Joey Votto got that big contract, aside from his consistency and prowess at the plate: He understands how to (try to) put out a potential fire. Votto makes face-of-the-franchise money, and this shows why.

Phillips, on the other hand, sounded a bit defensive when asked by reporters Friday if he stood behind his comments from the Cincinnati Magazine interview. Again, from the Cincinnati Enquirer:
"What did I say wrong? Please tell me, what did I say wrong? I want to know what I said wrong. Please tell me. I want everyone to tell me exactly did I say that was so wrong?"

“I haven’t paid attention to what people are saying. When someone wants to do a story about you and they want to ask questions, that’s what it’s all about. It’s about people asking questions and you don’t back down from any questions and you tell them how you really feel. I don’t feel like I said anything wrong, I didn’t disrespect nobody, if I did, it’s someone in the front office. The thing is, they know what happened, so I don’t understand why everything’s a big deal.

And fans, I didn’t say anything, I love this city, I love Cincinnati, I’m happy to be here, I’m happy with the contract that I got. I’m happy for Joey. I talked to Joey about it, Joey doesn’t really care about what they say. He understands. He respects what I said. I say things people other people won’t say, that’s the type of person I am. What I said. I didn’t say anything wrong. If I said something wrong, tell me what I said wrong.
“Do I feel like they lied to me? If someone tells me they don’t have no money and you find $200 million somewhere, what does that sound like? You tell me."

So what have we learned today? Brandon Phillips is happy for Joey Votto. Votto likes Phillips more now. They're both capable of far more than five-word answers to questions. And getting in slapped in the face with $72.5 million is nice. Thanks, guys.

You can slap me silly for $72M.

Brewers' Ryan Braun suspended for rest of season


Erik Brady, USA TODAY Sports 6:06 p.m. EDT July 22, 2013


Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been suspended without pay for rest of the season. That's 65 games and would include any potential postseason games as well.

The announcement from commissioner Bud Selig said the suspension was for violations of the basic agreement and its joint drug prevention and treatment program and is effective immediately.


"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," Braun said in a statement released by MLB. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions."

Braun, who was the National League MVP in 2011, is the first player suspended in the wake of baseball's Biogenesis investigation. The commissioner's office tried to suspend Braun in 2012 when he submitted a urine sample with elevated levels of testosterone but that went awry for procedural issues with the evidence.

The question now is if New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez will be next. He has also been linked to the now-defunct clinic in Miami which was an alleged source of PEDs for more than 20 players.

"I am deeply gratified to see Ryan taking this bold step," Mike Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, told USA TODAY Sports. "It vindicates the rights of all players under the Joint Drug Program. It is good for the game that Ryan will return soon to continue his great work both on and off the field."

Braun's statement continued: "This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country.

"Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed – all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love."

Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president for economics and league affairs, said in a statement: "We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions. We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field."

I thought that all couple dozen offenders would be dealt with at once. It sounds like Braun worked a deal, saved himself 35 of the 100 game suspension and will start fresh in 2014.

Start fresh? More like start out like the lying sack of fertilizer he's always been. Is he going to give back his MVP award?

Rangers get Garza in deal with Cubs

The Cubs scratched Garza from his start Monday night in Arizona, and finalized a deal with the Rangers shortly afterward. The Rangers announced the trade Monday evening.

In exchange for Garza, the Cubs received Triple-A infielder Mike Olt, Single-A right-hander C.J. Edwards, right-hander Justin Grimm and at least one player to be named.

The Cubs promoted left-hander Chris Rusin to take Garza's spot against the Diamondbacks. Rusin, who had been pitching for the Cubs' Triple-A Iowa affiliate, arrived in Arizona earlier Monday.

A snag in the deal arose Friday because of a medical concern with one of the Rangers' prospects in the trade, sources said. It is not known how the teams resolved that issue.

The Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox were among the teams that expressed renewed interest in Garza after the Cubs’ initial deal with Texas stalled, sources said.

The Rangers, however, did not believe that the issue raised by the Cubs was significant, and one source with knowledge of the discussions said there was a chance that the teams could “work around” the problem.

Garza, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, is 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his past six starts. He will give the Rangers’ rotation a boost at a time when two of their starters are set to come off the disabled list.

Right-hander Yu Darvish started against the Yankees on Monday, and righty Alexi Ogando will take the mound Tuesday. Three other Texas starters — left-hander Matt Harrison and righties Nick Tepesch and Colby Lewis — remain on the DL.

The Rangers' interest in Garza goes back to at least 2011, when they tried to acquire him from Tampa Bay but lost out to the Cubs. The Rangers also tried to land Garza a year ago, but an injury to the pitcher prevented the deal from happening.

The trade of Garza is the Cubs’ third of July, with more deals expected. Left fielder Alfonso Soriano, right fielder Nate Schierholtz, closer Kevin Gregg and left-handed reliever James Russell are among the other Cubs in play.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals are among the other clubs that expressed interest in Garza, but all were reluctant to meet the Cubs’ price for a rental of two-plus months, sources said.

The Rangers could try to extend Garza's contract or re-sign him at the end of the season. They would not receive draft-pick compensation if he leaves as a free agent, according to the collective-bargaining agreement. Teams cannot make qualifying offers and receive compensation for players traded in the middle of a season.

The Cubs will receive a player to be named to complete the deal, or they can get two lesser prospects if the teams can't agree on a single player to be named, a source said