Waiting on some real baseball, links will have to do for now.
JAYS LINKS
Crasnick: Jays Have No Plans To Shop Johnson | Drunk Jays Fans | Blogs | theScore.com
I'm not 100% sure why people thought the Jays would trade Johnson when his value was the lowest. As Stoeten points out an extension is a far more logical option. A qualifying offer seems like the worst case scenario.
Your Call: Can the Jays make a second half playoff run?
One would love to think so.
Hayhurst: Blue Jays not in strong trade position - Sportsnet.ca
"The trade deadline is nearing, but once you wade through the rumours and speculation, the Blue Jays are in a tough position. They have limited trade assets, as Dirk Hayhurst explains."
Everyone's Watching the All Star Game: July 16 Minor League Report - Jays Journal - A Toronto Blue Jays Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
"Buffalo Bisons (49-47) On All-Star Break New Hampshire Fisher Cats (48-46) The New Hampshire Fisher Cats moved into a playoff spot with a 5-1 win."
After big offseason additions and praise from pundits, the Toronto Blue Jays have not lived up to expectations | bluejays.com: News
"Expectations for the Blue Jays couldn't have been any higher this season but now more than halfway through the year the club faces an uphill battle just to become relevant again in the American League East."
AL EAST LINKS
Red Sox trade rumors: Sox could be "major threat" in Matt Garza sweepstakes - Over the Monster
"If Boston decides to go all-in on Garza, they've got more pieces than anyone else who hopes to get him."
Yankees trade target: Mike Olt - Pinstriped Bible
"With uncertainty surrounding the future of the left side of the Yankees infield, could trading for Mike Olt provide some stability long-term?"
Orioles analysis: OPS by position compared to rest of American League, July Edition - Camden Chat
"As the 2013 season began to unfold, the Orioles had the worst-hitting second basemen and designated hitters in the American League. They also had the best first baseman: Chris Davis. In the middle of July, what's changed and what's stayed the same?"
Unlikely success
"The Red Sox' success is due in large part to an unlikely contributor."
A-Rod says he'll join Yankees on Monday - CBSSports.com
"Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez tells WFAN Radio in New York that he's aiming to come off the DL on Monday."
THE REST OF THE BASEBALL UNIVERSE LINKS
The Home Run Derby drew higher ratings than any NBA playoff game on ESPN - SBNation.com
"More people watched Yoenis Cespedes win the Home Run Derby than LeBron James in the NBA playoffs."
All-Star break survival guide: 13 ways to handle two days without major league baseball | The Strike Zone - SI.com
A guide we all need.
2013 MLB midseason awards - CBSSports.com
"The All-Star break is winding down and the second half is ahead. So let's take this opportunity to hand out some first-half hardware." Click Holland under the AL Reliever section for a bewildering link. It might be fixed by the time you read this but twas odd.
First-half MLB awards: Red Sox's rebound, Pirates' surge earn honors - CBSSports
Heyman's take on the first half.
2013 Trade Value: #30 – #26 | FanGraphs Baseball
Very sensible picks by Cameron here.
NON-BASEBALL LINK OF THE DAY
BBC News - Nasutoceratops: 'Big-nose, horn-face' dinosaur described
"An unusual new species of dinosaur, which was unearthed in the deserts of Utah, is described by scientists."