All-Star week notes
Todd Frazier wins Home Run Derby in front of home fans| MLB.com
The new format drew rave reviews.
Yost, Bochy name All-Star lineups | HardballTalk
Zack Greinke and Dallas Keuchel chosen as All-Star starters | HardballTalk
The Astros' Jose Altuve got the starting 2B nod ahead of Jason Kipnis.
Indians news & notes
Cleveland Indians promote top prospect Bradley Zimmer to Double-A | Let's Go Tribe (Jason Lukehart)
Cleveland Indians promote No. 3 prospect Bradley Zimmer to Double-A Akron RubberDucks | MiLB.com
"And not before time", says virtually the whole of LGT.
Cleveland Indians confession time: I favored signing Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher, but quick relief became long-term pain | cleveland.com (Terry Pluto)
Full marks to Terry for his honesty.
Part one of a question-and-answer session with Mark Shapiro | Ohio.com
Part two of a question-and-answer session with Mark Shapiro | Ohio,com
Part three of a question-and-answer session with Mark Shapiro | Ohio.com
These insightful interviews with the Tribe's President are subscription only, but I believe that you are allowed seven free page views per month, so hopefully you will still be able to access them.
Tidbits from around MLB
2015 trade value: #50 – #41 | FanGraphs
Dave Cameron asks: "Which 50 players would bring the most return in trade if they were made available by their current clubs?" Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis make the cut for the first instalment (with the rest of the list to be unveiled over the course of this week).
Top 75 MLB Prospects: Mid-season update | Minor League Ball
John Sickels places Bradley Zimmer all the way up at No.14, whereas Clint Frazier sneaks in at No.70.
Year of the rookie | FOX Sports
The rookie pitching hasn't been anything special, but Owen Watson argues that, thanks to hitters like Kris Bryant, Joc Pederson, Carlos Correa and Addison Russell, "by first-half production, this crop of positional rookies has been the best in over a decade."
Barring quick start in second half, Detroit Tigers should be sellers at trade deadline | MLive.com
Chris Iott argues that the Tigers should be looking to cash in on David Price and (the not-eligible-for-qualifying-offer) Yoenis Cespedes before they become free agents at the end of the year.
Mix of ancient, modern techniques help Bucs ace keep pitching | TribLIVE
Travis Sawchik explains one of the secrets of the Pirates' success — going the extra base to keep players healthy.