Ok that title makes no sense, but the Rookie League and above affiliates went 2-4 and weren't particularly sharp about it. Eric Thames went 4-4 but lost the first star to a hitter who put up 10 total bases. I'll give you a hint, his name rhymes with Bludelmis Fernandez.

It was also the All-Star break in the minors and yesterday saw the Triple-A and Double-A All-Star Games, with several Las Vegas and Fisher Cats players in action. They all went home losers, but that’s not what’s important now, is it? Meanwhile, Auburn got blown out and a ninth inning error cost Dunedin. The only victory was in the Gulf Coast League, where one man’s long journey back began to the majors began successfully.

MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Jays have acquired Yunel Escobar and Jo-Jo Reyes for Alex Gonzalez, Tim Collins and Tyler Pastornicky.  This is a high risk trade for the new GM as Escobar is very talented but suggestions of attitude and effort problems have dogged him.  Plus there is this question, why would the Braves give up on a young premium position player for a rental and prospects?

Oh my mama told me
There'll be days like this

If the parent club's opportunity of not getting home field advantage for this year's World Series wasn't bad enough, the affiliates were a combined 0-3 in North America and the Dominican.  Each team managed to blow a lead at some point with one club pissing away a five-run bulge.  If you don't bother to click the "More" link on this story, I wouldn't blame you but I still had to write the damn thing so just humour me, would ya?

Doug Davis is the Blue Jays Minor League Field Coordinator.  Previously Davis had been the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2006 and the Syracuse Chiefs in 2007 and 2008.  Davis was in Binghamton on Monday when I caught up with him to talk about the minor leagues.

Quick now, before first pitch ...

• Who wins the All-Star Game tonight?
• What's the final score?
• Who's the ASG MVP?
• Tie-breaker: How many base hits do Buck, Bautista and Wells combine for?

Winning entry may or may not receive an award cuttlefish.

When George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees in 1973 -- what seems an impossibly long, yet oh-so-short time ago (The Boss was always about internal contradictions), he pledged in one of his first statements to the media, "I won't be active in the day-to-day operation of the Yankees. I'll stick to building ships."

Yankee fans everywhere -- and truthfully, this should also be true for all baseball fans -- are grateful that King George was, well, a bit off the mark on that.projection. One of the most pwerful and inflential team owners ever in any professional sport, Steinbrenner actually did step away from active control of the Yankees eventually -- after 35 years of Reggie, Billy, Rickey, Gator, Goose, Stick, and three straight titles to close out the 20th century. Steinbrenner, who turned 80 on July 4, passed away this morning.

George Steinbrenner was a great baseball man -- in the sense of the word "great" that means "huge, massive influence." He should be -- and will be, someday soon -- inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Ironically -- no, appropriately -- that's in New York.

It's the All-Star Break, and between now and the end of the month the Jays should be looking to obtain value on the trade market by moving certain players. John Buck is one of those players. But regardless of whether or not AA can find a deal that gives the Jays better value than they can reasonably expect from the draft pick compensation Buck may bring, I think J.P. Arencibia should be brought up as soon as possible.

A 4-1 night on the farm featured some good starting pitching, including the professional debut of a 2010 draft pick, and a standout offensive performance from yet another catcher.

One win outta four for the affiliates on Sunday but by far the most impressive performance came in a losing cause.

No, its not a law firm name, but some action shots from the 10 July Dunedin game Vs Lakeland.

Saturday night on the farm, seven games, three losses and a triple play.  Sorry about the late submission, but your humble correspondent attended the Dunedin game, stayed up late to catch the late Las Vegas game, then fell asleep and woke up just a bit ago.

Kyle Drabek folowed up his no-hitter with six shutout innings as New Hampshire won easily.  JP Arencibia hit his 23rd home run as Vegas held on for a narrow win.  Egan Smith pitched six shutout innings as Lansing shut out Great Lakes.

Dunedin and Auburn both lost in extra innings.  The GCL Jays were well beaten although Jake Marisnick had three hits.

The Texas Rangers have ... an ace lefty? Heavens to Kenny Rogers! Welcome to Arlington, Cliff Lee!

Here's the story on ESPN.com. And a few thoughts from this Ranger neighbor ...

Let's kick off the weekend and clean up shop around here at the same time.