In Cincinnati, Zach Buchanan cited sources as saying that the Reds and No. 2 overall pick Hunter Greene has agreed to a "record-breaking" signing bonus of $7.23M. That "beats the previous record" of $7.005M given this year by the Rays to No. 4 overall pick, P Brendan McKay. Greene's bonus came in $36,000 "above slot," meaning he is the "only draftee taken in the top two picks in the history of the current draft system, which began in 2012, to sign for an above-slot bonus" Reds President of Baseball Operations & GM Dick Williams said that the negotiations "came down to the very last second." The Reds had until 5:00pm ET on Friday to "strike a deal, and the deadline actually passed before any official word of an agreement was distributed" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 7/8).
DECISIONS, DECISIONS: The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes the Blue Jays are discovering "how difficult the idea of giving up will be" heading into the trade deadline and and "how alluring it will be to maintain the dreary status quo." The team enters the All-Star break at 41-47, the fourth-worst record in the AL, but have the "fourth-highest average attendance" in MLB. The Blue Jays have "three options -- give up and start over; go for it and put itself into greater debt; or make one or two cosmetic moves just to be seen doing something." Kelly: "If the room’s full most nights and the people who should be pushing you to get better are instead rushing to make your excuses, why change anything?" (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/10).
STILL ON TOP: The Cubs are 43-45 entering the All-Star break, but have "remained the top ticket in baseball." StubHub data shows that the Cubs began the season at No. 2 overall, but have "moved up as the most popular team" in MLB. They are followed by the Giants, Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers in the Top 5. The '16 World Series victory has "stoked fan excitement compared to previous years." At this point last season, the Cubs were "fourth overall in team popularity" (SUNTIMES.com, 7/7).
