In Boston, Jason Mastrodonato reports as the city "prepares for a free speech rally on Saturday just a week after a similar gathering in Charlottesville," the Red Sox are "hopeful that Fenway Park will remain a safe space less than a dozen blocks away from the rally location." Red Sox President Sam Kennedy said that the team has been "in touch" with the office of Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston police department about the rally. Kennedy: "We do not anticipate any direct impacts to the Fenway Park area, but as always we will remain vigilant." The Red Sox host the Yankees on Saturday at 7:00pm ET, while the rally is "scheduled to take place" from 12:00-2:00pm (BOSTON HERALD, 8/17).
REEL IT IN: On Long Island, Marc Carig notes Mets GM Sandy Alderson hinted that the club "spent more money on players this offseason" than it had originally budgeted for, which was part of his explanation for why the club has shed about $9.3M in salary while "making a flurry of trades before and after the July 31 deadline." While "insisting that he was not ordered to slash payroll, Alderson did not say that the savings would be directly used to bolster salaries for next season." But he "provided one reason for paring down, hinting at an agreement in which he was given additional resources this winter, with the understanding that salary could be cut if the team slipped from contention." The Mets began the season with payroll at around $155.1M. Trades took $11.6M off the books, though the acquisition of P A.J. Ramos in one of those deals "brought aboard" his $2.3M salary (NEWSDAY, 8/17).
SOMETHING'S BREWIN': In Arizona, Ryan Finley reported Pima County officials "sent a 17-page package" to the Brewers last week "touting Kino Sports Complex and Kino Stadium" as possible Spring Training sites. The letter "concluded with an invitation" for Brewers Exec VP/Finance & Administration Bob Quinn to "visit for a tour." The Brewers "train at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, but the team’s contract is year-to-year." The team has recently "pushed for a move to Gilbert" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 8/16).
