Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Harper Defeats Schwarber

Rays Links:

• Despite some sad news about Wilson Ramos having to miss the game, the Rays All Star representatives seem to be in good spirits, enjoying the event. Rays Twitter has the full Blake Snell media meet and greet.
• Topkin reported that AL manager AJ Hinch of the Houston Astros, said that Blake Snell was in considered to start the All Star Game for the American League.
• Marc Topkin also has the full rundown on Blake Snell’s first foray into All Star weekend festivities.
• Zack Greinke was super cranky yesterday, including breaking out the old “the opener is bad for baseball” routine.
• Some good news on the Rays injury front: Christian Arroyo is off the DL. Arroyo was optioned down to Durham, in a move seemed designed to get him some action playing some games in these next 4 days while the Rays are off and the Bulls are on.
• Jason Hanselman at the Process Report has his updated team standings and charts at the All Star Break.
• The kickoff of MLB All Star weekend is the MLB Futures All Star Game (with Brent Honeywell taking MVP honors last year). This year one of the brightest stars on (and off the field) is another Rays talent: Jesus Sanchez. If you have a subscription to The Athletic, you already know Juan Toribio’s profiles and interviews are tremendous. As the world is getting ready to know Jesus Sanchez, let Juan and Jesus himself shine a light on one of the brightest future stars in the league.

Around the League:

• It might be All Star weekend, but Trade Deadline season is fast approaching. Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs has 5 players who should be traded, even though they probably won’t be.
• Over the weekend the St Louis Cardinals fired manager Mike Matheny. Matheny’s very old school approach had the Cards doing less with more, and underperforming frequently. As Craig Edwards explains nicely, the Cards still have some work to do in the post-Matheny era.
• Ever since the Home Run Derby changed to timed rules, it’s been the best All Star sports exhibition event in all of sports. That’s my opinion, but it’s also a fact. This year’s was no different, with “buzzer” beating HRs, close calls at 0 on the clock, and a walkoff from the home team hero.
• Bryce Harper had his dad throwing to him for the Derby, and according to papa Harper this was not Bryce’s first Home Run Derby victory (flashback embarrassing childhood photo!).
• With the Derby clinching HR, Harper delivered a full, two handed bat flip: