MLB Bullets Keeps Its Eye On The Ball

We've got all these non-trade rumors trade rumors today. We're officially in the silly season.

• Richard Justice has some trade possibilities that would make their GMs very happy if they could pull them off.
• Anthony Castrovince has 12 players who are unlikely to be traded, but there's always a chance they will be.
• One of those "unlikely to be traded" players is White Sox pitcher Chris Sale. The Pale Hose reportedly have already turned down a "king's ransom" for their ace.
• Ken Rosenthal thinks that the White Sox are making a mistake not trading Sale and that the team should go into a full rebuild mode.
• Ben Lindbergh writes that Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy is the top prize on this year's trade market.
• Ben Reiter makes the case that the Angels should trade Mike Trout.
• Will Leitch argues with himself over the wisdom of the Halos dealing Trout.
• Tracy Ringolsby thinks the Rockies should keep Carlos Gonzalez.
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that it's a "possibility" that Clayton Kershaw could have season-ending back surgery.
• David Schoenfield believes that with the injury to Kershaw, it's time for the Dodgers to think big or go home. He has some big name trade suggestions for the Dodgers.
• Jeff Sullivan thinks a deal to send Rays pitcher Chris Archer to Los Angeles makes too much sense.
• Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees front office has discussed just releasing Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez.
• Commissioner Rob Manfred says baseball is considering putting limits on the number of pitching changes in a game.
• Yankees manager Joe Girardi tells the commissioner what he thinks of that idea. (Hint: not much)
• Craig Calcaterra looks at Buster Olney's nine suggestions to improve the game and doesn't think much of them.
• David Lengel argues that MLB needs to bring the hammer down on the St. Louis Cardinals in the hacking scandal.
• There are a lot of people who argue that the baseballs are juiced this year, leading to more home runs. Jerry Crasnick and David Schoenfield look at the controversy.
• Ben Lindbergh and Rob Arthur run some tests on some balls to find out if they're livier with Rob Manfred's signature on it.
• Mike Lupica has an appreciation of the greatness of Ken Griffey Jr, on the eve of his induction to Cooperstown.
• Grant Brisbee writes that Griffey was a joy to watch play.
• Neil Paine says that the Baseball Hall of Fame has a historically-high level of talent that is eligible for induction but still waiting to be voted in.
• Brad Lefton profiles Ichiro Suzuki and how his time in Japan shaped the kind of player he became.
• The Giants still haven't won since the All-Star Break.
• Craig Calcaterra thinks the Mets plan to play Michael Conforto in center field will end poorly.
• I love this piece by Jon Wertheim on the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics: The worst team of the modern era.
• Paul Lukas looks at the uniforms from this week's "Turn Back The Clock" games. Cubs included.
• This photo of Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson shows the dangers of playing a day game after a night game. At least to your self-esteem.
• President Obama met with the Kansas City Royals and decried the poor state of nicknames in baseball. You've been in office seven years and you're only now realizing what a problem this is? Thanks, Obama. Baseball nicknames stink these days.
• David Ortiz hit a ball in batting practice that got stuck in Pesky's Pole.
• And finally, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner spends some time with his long-lost twin brother: Animal from the Muppets.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.