Baseball had claimed that forbidding the trade of draft picks protects the smaller markets from the larger. Baseball was once also concerned about the possible effect of a franchise trading its picks into the future.

Neverthelss the baseball draft for decades has favored larger markets. For years teams like the Pirates, Expos, A's would pick early, but would have to pass on the best talent in the draft because they had no chance of signing them. By extending their rights over draft picks to 1 year helped a little, but still the best talent would inevitably slide down to the bigger money teams. Allowing the early pickers to trade the draft pick wouldn't have helped much as they certainly wouldn't have received much value for the number 1 pick as they were bargaining from a weakened position. Another thing that helps was the setting of a cap for spending on all of the draft picks. Without this the Astros likely would have passed on Mark Appel this year.

Of the major sports the baseball draft is the biggest crap shoot out there. Typically fewer than half the first round picks have consequential major league careers. It's harder to predict how the talents of a high school or college player's skills translate in the majors.

Apparently baseball draft overhaul is in the works. One thing that may be addressed is extending the draft beyond the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Presently players outside this territory are not eligible for the draft, but are free agents, who can be signed by anyone.

Two high school pitchers, whom my son faced this season, were drafted. The better pitcher, Seth Wagner, a 6'-7'' lefty, was picked later as it is quite certain that he's headed to Penn State. He throws in the low to mid 90s and my son broke up a no-hitter he had going against us. The Twins selected the other pitcher, who may actually sign with them and pass up a scholarship.

ESPN ran a segment on the recent debut success of Dodger phenom, Yasiel Puig, which mentioned a name from the not-so-distant past that commanded sports headlines for a month before fading away into oblivion. Does anyone else remember Cardinal secondbaseman, Bo Hart, who hit about .500 for his first three weeks of his career in 2003? He was a late round draft pick without great expectations, but his early success was astonishing before it fizzled.

Of course, Puig is in a much different class than Hart. Puig has been expected to have a stellar career, and he's showing his talent.

First manager this season to be fired will be Don Mattingly. His team has been underperforming and lacking discipline.

Donnie Baseball!? Haven't they been decimated with injuries? Yankees and Dodgers are perfect examples of why $$ don't equal victories.

A day after he announced to the world that he had been cleared to resume playing baseball again by his treting physician, Alex Rodriguez now made a 180 degree turn and stated that he can not play. Of course, this followed a profanity laced tirade by Yankee GM Cashman, in which he denied the medical finding and that A-Rod should shut the f*** up.

The Yankees are riled because if they could show that his injury endures through the balance of his contract, they can recoup 80% of the tens of millions they will have paid him. If he comes back and is suspended for PEDs for 100 games, which is likely, they can't recoup.

However, if a reimbursement claim is made on his injury, we may now expect the underwriters to deny the claim and perhaps accuse the yankees and A-Rod of collusion or fraud.

Meanwhile my Phillies are struggling below .500 but Yankee scouts have been in Philly with their eyes on Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Michael Young for possible July trades. The Orioles and Blue Jays, which appear to have more to offer, have also looked at Utley and Young. And word is that Papelbon will go back to the Red Sox in a trede unless the Tigers come up with a bigger package.

And the biggest chip the Phillies have is Cliff Lee, who is having a terrific year. He might be headed to Baltimore or Boston with Papelbon.

Breaking News for oli:

The best record in major league baseball belongs to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 27.

Don't you know it Kly! Beat 'em Bucs!

That and $20 will get you a hot dog and bottle of water at Yankee Stadium

As a Yankee fan, I'm sick and tired of all of this A-Rod drama. This guy's ALWAYS in the news and it's ALWAYS for the wrong reasons. His contract can't expire soon enough.

As for Cliff Lee, I'd LOVE to see the Yankees get him but he's got a no trade clause to a number of teams. The Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers are just a few of them.

Wouldn't it be funny if Papelbum got traded back to Boston after leaving there?

Somebody wake me up. The Pirates are tied for the lead in the Central division?

Sleeeeeeep, sleeeeeeep. It is always refreshing to see a team rise to the top. The Pirates have been suffering a loooooooooong time. Good for them, good for baseball...maybe. The media always likes those big market teams, but the Pirates have been around a long time. I'm sure the media will capitalize on the Mazerowski homer but what the heck, baseball needs an infusion of some juice. Go Oli Go!

I am happy the Pirates are doing good,hopefully they can squeeze in a playoff appearance this year. I am tired of them losing every year.

Anybody planning on attending this year's All Star game at Citi Field?

Battle of Pennsylvania - Phillies v. Pirates -- Kly v. Oli.

2 out of 3 for the Fightins, but the battle resumes this weekend in Philly. I have tickets for the Sunday game, but may have to give them up.

The Pirates are being considerate: they are creating the illusion of competition.

Derek Jeter made his 2013 debut this season in a Triple-A assignment in Scranton, my old hometown. My daughter got to see the games from the front row directly behind the on-deck circle. I was at my son's baseball game when she texted me that Jeter gave her a smile, which made her day. He said he looked at her for a second, she got excitedly nervous and then he smiled.

My brother-in-law got the tickets because as I once mentioned, he is the caterer for the AAA team and visitors that play at the stadium. He still makes some signature stromboli for some of the Yankees in NY.

But he knows that Jeter didn't eat his food as he and A-Rod, he'd been told, do not partake in team meals, but have their own chefs on premises.

The Rays are making their move.

You mean the National League exists?

And now they are creating the illusion of being in 2nd place.

Come on Kly, you mean to tell me Jeter isn't eating at Sabbatini's?

Cool for your daughter. One of the cousins went to a game, but I didn't get any feedback.

MaryCas, Jeter didn't go to Sabatini's, but dined at the Nook in Pittston, which is on Main Street. He also was very visible yesterday afternoon in Scranton as he didn't play in that game.

My brother-in-law and son made and delivered the team meal today, which Jeter had. For their efforts they have several homeplate seats tonight. I'll try to post some pictures they take, but if he smiles again at my daughter, I'd might have to slug the sonofabitch.

Not that it's important, but the pre-game meal my son and BIL made for the AAA Yankee team today was chicken parmesan, roast beef and green beans with salad and rolls. And Jeter did partake, so if he's slow on the bases today, blame my family.

Oh boy, home run derby tonight!

I can never get myself to sit through that event. Ifind it dull, and I couldn't take Chris Berman yelling over these batting practice homers as if they were the the game winning hit of a world series.

As for the all-star game, I'll pick the NL to win 6-5,with the MVP going to David Wright.

The Derby is a dud. Its strictly media driven and Berman with his back-back-back-back etc. Enough already.

AL 3-0, Mo MVP. 3 hits for the NL, wow.

I missed the first two innings and a few in the middle. Not as much offense for an east coast all-star game where glare and shadows didn't factor in the ability to hit.

I only saw the last round of the HR derby, and thought it peculiar that none of the NL teammates hung around Bryce Harper as they usually swamp and congratulate the finalists.

The applause given Mariano Rivera when he made his appearance was so gratifying. I loved it, and so did he. He looked quite moved.

Where was Jeter!? SB, have we seen the end of a career?

Some of those young guys are studs; Trout, Harper, Harvey.

I don't know why they keep pushing Jeter. It might be him, though, because he hates not playing.