Good morning!
Here are several go-to links that will make your Monday a bit more bearable:
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Two of the top second basemen received contract extensions: Ian Kinsler received $75 over five years, while Brandon Phillips got $72.5 million over six years. MLB Network’s Brian Kenny compares the two deals and concludes that the Kinsler extension is the better deal.
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Dave Cameron of Fangraphs has fun breaking down the “unwritten rules” of baseball contained inside a 1986 edition of Baseball Digest.
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Via Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, Kelly Shoppach’s first career stolen base wasn’t exactly a thing of beauty. After all, how often do you see a runner go into second base feet-first and head-first?
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Bay City Ball’s Chris Quick illustrates why this Barry Zito plate appearance is also a must-see.
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Speaking of the Giants, what are manager Bruce Bochy’s options now that closer Brian Wilson has been sidelined for the balance of the season? Sweet Spot’s Christina Kahrl offers her take.
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Inside the Book’s Mitchel Lichtman triggers a conversation on the challenges of leaving in an ace pitcher late in the game to face opposing batters for the fourth time.
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Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports looks at a klunker of a trade involving the MLB-owned Montreal Expos that took place ten years ago this June.
Jacoby Ellsbury is trying to tell you that he may be sidelined for the next two months.
That’s it. Have a walk-off week!