MLB Bullets Has To Leave The Country

Good morning. I wrote something clever up here originally, but it was really dumb.

• In the fallout from Scissors-Gate, White Sox pitcher Chris Sale apologized, but then said that he wasn't sorry he cut up the ugly throwback jerseys. So what did he apologize for? Getting caught, I guess. Except that he didn't deny that he did it. This may be the greatest non-apology apology ever.
• Except Matt Borcas thinks that Sale could have made an even better non-apology apology.
• On the other White Sox (recent) clubhouse controversy, the Indians and Rangers have joined the White Sox in boycotting paying the clubhouse dues in Seattle. Although they did leave checks with orders not to cash them until after the controversy is settled.
• Dave Brown thinks the White Sox players are taking control of their clubhouse. He thinks that's a good thing, although kind of silly in Sale's case.
• Grant Brisbee thinks that while Sale might not want to be traded, this incident is going to give the White Sox the excuse they need to deal their most popular player. Brisbee thinks Sale will be traded, although the deal may come in the offseason.
• Ken Rosenthal thinks that the Yankees trade of Aroldis Chapman will up the price that the White Sox can ask for Sale. He also has other thoughts on the impact of the Chapman deal on the trade market and the Cubs.
• Manny Randhawa thinks that the Chapman deal makes the task more difficult for other contenders (like the Nats) who also need a reliever.
• Andrew Marchand praises Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner for "ruthlessness" in buying Chapman low and selling him high.
• Jonah Keri thinks the Yankees could have a bright future if they sell their assets now.
• Cliff Corcoran advises the Yankees about what they should do with each one of their current players.
• GM Brian Cashman said that contrary to reports, the team has no plans to release Alex Rodriguez.
• There was one deal as the Padres traded Melvin Upton Jr. to the Blue Jays for a prospect.
• Jerry Crasnick writes that while getting Upton is not a "blockbuster," it's a nice upgrade for the Blue Jays.
• Jay Jaffe also believes the Jays made a low-risk acquisition, but then again, he always bragging about how great Jays are.
• Craig Edwards also thinks the Blue Jays did well to get Upton.
• The Padres were playing the Blue Jays when the trade was made. So all Upton had to do was change dugouts, right? Wrong. He had to drive three hours back to the States to get a work visa first.
• The Padres are also reportedly getting close to dealing pitcher Andrew Cashner. I don't think they'll get Anthony Rizzo for him.
• The Royals need to sell, sell, sell!
• Jon Paul Morosi notes that there are a lot of rumors that a deal could happen between the Rays and the Dodgers.
• Teams are asking the Angels about Hector Santiago.
• The Marlins are looking for a starting pitcher and are considering the Mariners' Wade Miley or the Phillies' Jeremy Hellickson.
• The Mets offered catcher Travis d'Arnaud for Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy even-up. The Brewers turned the offer down. No word about whether they just hung up, laughed uncontrollably or asked if it was actually Ashton Kutcher on the other line.
• Jorge L. Ortiz lists five teams that need to make a deal before the deadline.
• Ortiz also points to Adam Duvall as an example of the risks of parting with prospects at the deadline.
• David Schoenfield gives an "untouchable" player for each team.
• And here's 11 untouchable prospects at the deadline.
• Jay Bruce has no idea why he's having such a strong season this year. Bruce is a much-discussed trade topic.
• Jedd Gyorko and his power surge has been powering the surging Cardinals.
• Will Leitch notes the cruelty behind Cardinals' pitcher Mike Mayer's first (and maybe only) major league start.
• Sarah Langs asks "What's wrong with the Giants?"
• Prince Fielder will undergo neck surgery, which will end his season.
• The 80-game suspension of Dee Gordon ends tomorrow.
• Doug Glanville notes that double plays have not increased this season despite the changes in the slide rule. He guesses at why.
• The Mets will wear special Mike Piazza caps this weekend.
• A belt belonging to Roger Maris was stolen from an exhibit in a mall in Fargo. And I think we now know the plot to the next season of Fargo.
• Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard is learning pitch efficiency from teammate Bartolo Colon.
• And finally, "Thor" Syndergaard denied any responsibility for the lightning that struck the Empire State Building.

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