Around The Majors- Monday

Baseball's at the break, but that doesn't mean that there's rest for the tri-weekly ATM posts! Today, a look at yesterday's games, a check of the standings, news and notes, a look at yesterday's All Star Futures Game, a preview of the home run derby and the ASG itself, and the latest rumors.

Sunday Recap
Detroit roughed up Dice-K and swept the Red Sox 6-5. A-Rod hit his 30th homer of the year as the Yankees blasted the Angels 12-0. Alex Rios drove in the game's only run in the 9th off of Paul Byrd as Toronto bested Cleveland 1-0. Javier Vazquez threw a complete game as the White Sox tamed the Twins 6-3. The Royals roasted the Rays 12-4, Texas edged the O's 2-1, and Seattle beat Oakland 7-3 in a game that had a benches clearing brawl.
The Reds edged Arizona 4-3 in 11, Washington scored 6 in the 6th to beat the Brewers 7-2, and the Pirates beat the Cubs 6-2. Houston defeated the Mets 8-3, the Cards shut out Zito and the Giants 7-0, and the Phils doubled up Colorado 8-4. The Dodgers snapped a 4 game skid with a 9-3 win over Florida. Brian McCann homered and drove in 4 as Atlanta edged the Padres 5-4.

Standings Check
Boston is 10 games clear of the Yankees and Jays, and Tampa has lost 9 of 10 to fall 19 games out. Detroit has won 5 straight to take a 1 game lead over Cleveland in the NL Central. The Twins are 8 games out. Seattle has won 3 straight and 7 of 10 to pull within 2.5 games of AL West leader Los Angeles. Oakland is 9 games out. The Mets are 2 games clear of Atlanta in the NL East, and the Phillies have lost 7 of 10 to fall 4.5 games back. Milwaukee has lost 7 of 10 and the Cubs are now only 4.5 back in the NL Central. Pittsburgh has won 7 of 10 and are only 9 games back. The Padres have a one game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West, while Arizona has dropped 5 in a row and 8 of 10 to fall 3.5 back. Colorado is 5.5 behind.

News and Notes
- The White Sox have signed highly rumored starter Mark Buehrle to a 4 year, 56 million dollar contract extension. Buehrle will likely not be dealt anymore, but has a salary kicker if he does get traded. There is a partial no trade clause, and Buehrle seems pleased, hugging manager Ozzie Guillen after the announcement was made in the ballpark yesterday.
- Kip Wells will move back into the Cardinals rotation after the break.
- The Phillies proved that good guys do finish first sometimes. With the Colorado grounds crew having trouble putting out the turf with heavy winds pounding downtown Denver, Shane Victorino and the entire Phils team went to help the crew keep things under control. Victorino later hit a 2 run bomb to help Philadelphia to victory.
- The Reds optioned Homer Bailey to AAA, and the Twins did the same with Carmen Cali. The Mets designated Rickey Ledee for assignment, and Oakland designated Dee Brown while activating Bobby Kielty from the DL.

All Star Game Festivities
- The World defeated the US 7-2 at the Futures Game yesterday at AT&T Park. World SS and Dodgers prospect Chin-Lung Hu had 2 RBI's and a steal in the win. Reds 'spect Joey Votto and Astro James Van Ostrand went deep in the World win. Snakes prospect Justin Upton and Ranger prospect John Whittleman each hit homers to account for the US runs.
- Justin Morneau, Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, Alex Rios, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, and Prince Fielder will compete in the HR derby tonight. I happen to like one of the trio of Guerrero, Howard, and Fielder, but I see Howard successfully defending his crown tonight.
- I like the AL in the ASG, see the Braves of the previous 15 years, pick till they lose.

Rumors
- It appears that the White Sox will not have a fire sale with the recent resigning of Buehrle. It's more likely that they'll deal Jermaine Dye and Juan Uribe to San Diego for Khalil Greene and Scott Linebrink, or trade Jose Contreras to the Dodgers for a package including Matt Kemp or to the Phillies for a package including OF Michael Bourn. It looks like Carlos Zambrano could end up being the top free agent. (Daily Herald)
- Williams might even go into buy mode before the deadline, but don't be surprised if there's the start of a whole lot of John Garland rumors. (Chicago Tribune)
- Torii Hunter said that he'd consider the White Sox after this season. (Daily Southtown)
- Maybe the Twins should trade Hunter, but they should definitely acquire Ty Wigginton. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- According to Andruw Jones, the Braves need another starting pitcher. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
- A potent lineup and the imminenet return of Juan Rivera has the Angels thinking that they may not need an impact hitter. (Riverside Press Enterprise)
- Cleveland is looking for some bullpen help. (Akron Beacon Journal)
- The Yankees may sign current Mexican League 1B Erubiel Durazo to help out at 1B for the Yanks. (Journal News)
- Tony LaRussa may not have a desire to return for the Cardinals next season. (St Louis Post-Dispatch)