Germany just scored on Brazil again.
- I've made little secret of my disdain for the All-Star Game. Oh, I'll probably watch it just because it's the only baseball around on Tuesday since they shut most of the minor leagues down too. But maybe I should spend some time with my family. In any case, I think my disdain for the ASG takes second to Dirk Hayhurst, who is disgusted by the the get out the vote campaigns. In fact, he's not happy that the fans choose the All-Stars.
- Gabe Kapler thinks the All-Star Game should be between a team that the fans picked and a team that baseball executives pick. But really, his point is that the fans shouldn't be picking. I seem to catch a trend here. The ex-players don't like the fan vote.
- Jon Paul Morosi wants to revamp the All-Star Game so that it's the US vs. The World. I'm all in favor of that, if only to see the Commissioner's Office try to award home field advantage in the World Series to "The World."
- Rob Neyer looks over the expanded All-Star rosters and thinks the word "All-Star" has lost all meaning.
- One way Minnesota is going to change the All-Star Game is by having self-serve beer machines. What could possibly go wrong?
- When the All-Star Game is over, the trade market should heat up. Jon Heyman has a list of 60 players who could (or already have been) traded.
- Ken Rosenthal says that "sooner or later" Troy Tulowitzki is going to ask to be traded. Probably not by July 31st though.
- There were rumors that the Cardinals were close to trading for Jake Peavy, but the team says that they're looking for offense, not pitching.
- Bob Nightengale writes that baseball's improved finances have hindered the trade market as low-revenue teams are no longer forced to trade off their high-priced talent.
- That Nationals have been unable to agree to a contract extension with shortstop Ian Desmond. Ken Rosenthal believes that the Nationals are going to have to trade him this offseason.
- If you want one more analysis of the Samardzija trade, Jonah Keri has another one. Of course, he likes it from both sides as well. But best of all, he calls it Sharknado Too!
- When the Sharknado trade went through, the NY press immediately said the Mets should trade for Starlin Castro. Then they said it was a bad idea. Now Andy Martino says that Castro could be the type of shortstop the Mets are looking for after all. He does add that any Castro trade would have to come in the offseason.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says change is coming to the team's offense. Whatever that means.
- The Brewers have been making small trades for international slot values.
- The number one pick in the draft last month, Brady Aiken, has yet to agree to terms with the Astros, despite reports that they had. The Astros apparently found an issue with Aiken's elbow ligament. That probably means Tommy John surgery, but not necessarily. It could be something else. In any case, the Astros have lowered their bonus offer from $6.5 million to $5 million.
- Billy Beane had an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on the future of baseball, technology and information. Sure. Whenever Taylor Swift does something, there's Billy Beane trying to copy her. (h/t Hardball Talk)
- The Athletics new lease gives them permission to move after 2017, but there are no good options besides San Jose.
- Bronson Arroyo had never gone on the DL before, but now he's going to need Tommy John surgery.
- Arroyo says that he made six starts after he believed he had torn the ligament. In his own words, he was going to try to "ride it out."
- Deadspin says that Arroyo is the very definition of "OK." As in, "He's OK, I guess."
- Joey Votto re-injured his quad, and now he's back on the disabled list.
- David Schoenfield thinks the Reds are in real trouble if Votto isn't healthy. Not if they keep playing the Cubs.
- Jered Weaver exited a start with lower back tightness.
- Germany scored on Brazil again.
- As if the Rangers season couldn't get more cursed, Yu Darvish was struck on the head with a line drive in batting practice. It should be noted that Darvish wasn't throwing batting practice, he was in the outfield. And he says he's fine.
- Ricky Nolasco heads this list of the worst free agent signings of the offseason.
- Terry Pendleton says Brian McCann will "never be comfortable" playing in New York and that's why he's struggling. McCann strongly denies that, saying that he loves New York.
- The umpires in the Mets-Braves game allowed the Mets to challenge a "neighborhood play" at second base. They're not supposed to do that.
- David Ortiz defends himself against the insinuation that he's gotten a "free pass" on reports of steroid use.
- Gary Tanguay says that of course Ortiz has gotten a free pass.
- Grant Brisbee writes that the Orioles are in first place despite some pretty lousy luck, on balance.
- It only took them 63 seasons, but the Angels got their franchise record up to .500, the only current "expansion" team to do so. Then they lost last night. Oh well. They'll be back to .500 in 2076. (Yes, the Diamondbacks have been over .500, but they're 16 games under at the moment.)
- Steven Goldman explains that in all the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech, a hug between Gehrig and Babe Ruth on that day was just as meaningful.
- And as Brian Tuohy reminds us, no one had more impact on the game than the Babe did. The 100th anniversary of Ruth's major league debut is Friday.
- We've always suspected it and now there is evidence: umpires are more willing to call a borderline pitch a strike for a "star" pitcher than an ordinary one.
- Here's a must-read on a piece of baseball history you've probably never heard before. Heck, I hadn't heard of it and I was around back then. Bruce Markusen has the history of the Inter-American League, a short-lived unaffiliated Triple-A League that lasted for a few months in the summer of 1979. You will be familiar with some of the players who played in it, or at least you will if you're old enough to remember 1979. One member of the 1984 Cubs played in the league.
- And finally, you could probably guess what the last story is. Do you want to see Prince Fielder naked? Of course you do. Thank you for bringing us this public service, ESPN the Magazine.
Germany just scored on Brazil again.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Especially if you're Brazilian. Because Germany just scored again.