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Melky Cabrera has reportedly inquired whether the San Francisco Giants want him to report to their minor league complex to get ready for the playoffs, but there are indications that the Giants are done with the 28-year-old for good, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area.

Cabrera, who is currently serving a 50-game suspension for the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, would be eligible to be added to the Giants’ postseason roster down the line, but he would have to miss their first five playoff games.

If the Giants did ask Cabrera back, he would have to serve 40 games of the suspension before any “formal activities,” according to Baggarly.

Cabrera has hit .346 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, 84 runs and 13 stolen bases this season. At the time of his suspension, he was leading baseball in hits and runs scored. He is also in position to win the National League batting title.

Before the 2012 campaign, Cabrera’s best year was last season with the Kansas City Royals. He hit .305 with 18 home runs, 87 RBI, 102 runs and 20 stolen bases.

But before that, Cabrera was largely considered an average hitter. In 2010, he hit .255 with four home runs, 42 RBI and 50 runs in 458 at-bats with the Atlanta Braves.

The Giants would have certainly liked Cabrera to have come along for the ride, but they appear to be doing rather well without him anyway.

Even with the Los Angeles Dodgers making their big trade for Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett, the Giants have been rolling along. They have a 7-4 record in September, and they’ve scored the seventh-most runs in the month (62).

The Giants are currently 7.5 games ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West.

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A man shot and killed himself after shooting and wounding a woman in the parking lot of Kauffman Stadium before the Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels game on Friday, according to the Kansas City Star.

The woman was working in the parking lot at the time of the shooting. She was reportedly approached by the man and shot once in the abdomen. The man then returned to his car and turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooter was believed to be the victim’s boyfriend or former boyfriend. 

The woman worked at the parking lot as a secondary means of employment. She is reportedly undergoing surgery at a Kansas City hospital.

The parking lots were reportedly closed momentarily, but have since been reopened. The Royals and Angels are still scheduled to play their game at 8:10 p.m. ET.

There have been an alarming amount of violent incidents at sports stadiums lately.

In the Bay Area alone, there was the incident where San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow was beaten severely outside Dodger Stadium on Opening Day last year. Two fans were also shot in the parking lot of Candlestick Park during a preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders last season.

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Roger Clemens has always been a bit bullheaded.

But demanding he not only pitch in the majors, but also pitch against a contender at 50 years old is going too far.

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said on Monday that “there’s a possibility” Clemens will pitch for baseball’s worst team this season, but he noted that he wouldn’t start him against a contender.

Clemens quickly responded, telling KRIV-Houston, via ESPN:

I can tell you right now and they would know, too, that if I was going to go do it, I am going to pitch against a contender, that’s who I want to knock out. Why would I want to waste my time running around and getting in shape. I get over to Minute Maid (Park), I’ll crank it up and get it over 90 for a contender. We’ll knock them right out of the playoffs. That would be the fun. Pitching against somebody that’s not in contention wouldn’t be any fun for me.

It’s not going to happen.

There are a few things wrong with this statement.

Why would Clemens want to “waste” his time getting in shape if he won’t pitch for a contender? Well, that’s simple, because he’s been “wasting” his time in an independent league for an opportunity to pitch in the majors.

When you are turning 51 years old in August, your resume sort of goes out the window.

Whatever your thoughts are about Clemens’ connection with the infamous Mitchell Report, that’s beside the point. The point is, he’s acting like the self-entitled superathlete who makes fans bitter about professional sports. The Astros are frankly doing him a favor by entertaining the thought of adding him to the roster.

Also, I’m sorry that pitching against a non-contender “wouldn’t be fun” for Clemens, but baseball is a team game—no matter how bad that team is. Clemens makes his stance clear: I am above the team. 

How about doing it just to get back to playing baseball for the love of the game? You know, that special feeling you get when you and your teammates rally for a victory, or fight valiantly in defeat?

That is apparently a long-lost feeling for the Rocket.

The sad news is that the Astros could conceivably bow to Clemens’ demands, because the fanbase is fed up and, frankly, Clemens sells tickets. Don’t think the seven-time Cy Young winner doesn’t know that.

One thing’s for sure: Clemens has already hurt his reputation, even if you dismiss the allegations of him taking performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.

What are your thoughts? Tweet me.

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The 2014 MLB All-Star Game will reportedly take place at Target Field in Minneapolis according to the Associated Press (via USA Today).

The last time the All-Star Game was in Minnesota was in 1985 at the Metrodome, so it’s certainly been a while for the state.

The Minnesota Twins, who are reportedly holding a news conference on Wednesday to make a “major announcement,” could use all the publicity and fanfare they can get. They are mired in a 52-76 season, 19.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, and they rank 14th and 29th in runs scored and team ERA, respectively. They’ve gone 8-17 in August.

Target Field was opened in 2010. It was immediately lauded, ranked the No. 1 stadium experience in North America by ESPN The Magazine. It holds over 39,000 fans and has been designed in a similar style to such stadiums as AT&T Park in San Francisco, PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

In the Twins’ first season in the stadium, they went 94-68 and captured the AL Central by six games over the White Sox. But the last two seasons have been miserable, despite the new comfy abodes.

No matter the product the Twins put on the field in 2014, the product they have surrounding them each and every home game should stand among the best for a while. The atmosphere at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game figures to be tremendous.

The 2013 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to take place at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

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The Houston Astros have confirmed watching Roger Clemens‘ throwing session on Monday, according to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.

Levine tweeted on Monday:

Astros owner Jim Crane verifies team saw Clemens throw. No plans to bring him back now. Would want to check with MLB first if they ever do.

— Zachary Levine (@zacharylevine) August 20, 2012

Levine noted on Monday that a source told him that Astros scouting director Mike Elias took a look at Clemens before the 11-time All-Star signed with the independent Sugar Land Skeeters.

There is a possibility that Clemens returns to the big leagues in an Astros jersey. Former Astros club president Tal Smith is now a consultant with the Skeeters.

There may also be a hidden motive for Clemens to return to Major League Baseball. Clemens was named in the Mitchell Report for using steroids and HGH. He was acquitted of all charges brought forth by the Justice Department on June 18, but there still is the question whether he will be named to the Hall of Fame.

As Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports, Clemens’ first year of Hall of Fame eligibility is currently 2013. By pitching this season, he could push his first year of eligibility back another five years. That could give him a better chance of being inducted after all the dust settles around Barry Bonds and other alleged cheaters.

Clemens, 50, has a career ERA of 3.12 with 4,672 strikeouts to his name (third all time behind Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson). The two-time World Series champion also has 354 career wins, ninth all time.

From 2004 to 2006, Clemens pitched for the Astros. His ERA was less than 3.00 in each of his three seasons with the team.

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We’re more than two-thirds through Major League Baseball’s 2012 campaign, with teams jostling for position and making the playoff push.

Some teams have fallen off the radar in the second half of the season, while others appear to be soaring at just the right time.

Here’s a look at some teams currently doing damage, complete with power rankings below.

Feel free to chime in, folks.

Tampa Bay Rays

Since losing two of three against the Baltimore Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays have gone on to win seven straight, sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins in the process.

The Rays are ranked 23rd in runs scored, but third in team ERA (3.36)—more evidence that great pitching will generally get you farther than great hitting.

The Rays have done this despite having the third-toughest schedule in baseball.

Baltimore Orioles

The job that Buck Showalter has done in Baltimore cannot be overstated.

The Orioles rank 20th in runs scored and 19th in team ERA and have a winning record despite being collectively outscored by opponents by 49 runs this season.

That shows that the Orioles, despite their shortcomings, know how to win ball games. Changing the culture is the first part of fielding a strong club.

The Orioles have won 10 of their last 14 games. They won two out of three against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays and swept the Seattle Mariners during that time.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The margin between the Dodgers and the rival San Francisco Giants is razor thin, but the Dodgers have won seven of their last 10 games and have a better team ERA than the Giants.

In fact, the Dodgers rank third in team ERA this season (3.35), which is why they’ve been able to get away with a rather lackluster offense (451 runs, 26th in baseball).

It’s going to be a riveting close to the season in the National League West.

MLB Power Rankings

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Major League Baseball’s trade deadline always brings its fair share of surprises and game-changing moves, and this year was no different.

Several contenders picked up some prime additions, including by two bitter divisional rivals.

Other teams, on the other hand, didn’t get what they needed or didn’t get rid of all their excess baggage.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers of MLB‘s trade deadline on Tuesday.

Winners

San Francisco Giants

On Tuesday, the Giants acquired outfielder Hunter Pence from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Nate Schierholtz, catching prospect Tommy Joseph and Class A right-hander Seth Rosin.

Pence, 29, is hitting .271 with 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 59 runs this season. He represents a big upgrade at right field for the Giants, who were starting Schierholtz and Gregor Blanco at the time of the trade.

While Pence’s average has dipped overall this season, he’s a two-time All-Star who hit .324 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI and 35 runs in 54 games with the Phillies last season. He’s a high-caliber player who should significantly help the Giants’ offense down the stretch.

The Giants had to give up Joseph, their No. 5 prospect according to MLB.com, but it may be well worth it, especially because there’s a chance they keep Pence after this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers not only picked up a steady veteran in outfielder Shane Victorino for the stretch run, they also added Seattle Mariners right-hander Brandon League.

Victorino has batted .261 with nine home runs, 46 runs, 40 RBI and 24 stolen bases this season and should be a nice addition for the Dodgers, especially if they make it to the postseason. Victorino hit .316 in the playoffs for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.

As for League, he’s posted a 3.63 ERA this season in the AL. He will help add depth to the Dodgers’ bullpen. 

Atlanta Braves

The Braves had to give up highly-touted prospects Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman, but they bolstered their starting pitching, which was much-needed, by acquiring left-hander Paul Maholm from the Chicago Cubs.

Maholm has backed up a solid 2011 campaign with a 3.74 ERA and 1.24 WHIP this season. Batters are hitting .256 against him in 2012, the best mark of his career since his first full season in 2006.

Cincinnati Reds

Right before the trade deadline on Tuesday, the Cincinnati Reds traded for closer Jonathan Broxton, significantly bolstering the bullpen.

The Reds figure to combine Broxton with Aroldis Chapman as a fantastic right-handed, left-handed one-two punch.

Broxton has posted a 2.27 ERA this season while converting 23 of 27 save opportunities with the Kansas City Royals.  

Losers

Texas Rangers

The Rangers desperately needed an ace headed into the trade deadline after Colby Lewis was lost for the year, but instead they got a decent pitcher in Ryan Dempster and traded for a catcher in Geovany Soto who is hitting .199 for the season in 176 at-bats.

Soto is far removed from his All-Star season in 2008 and the Rangers may slide without a true ace in the second half.

On top of all of this, the Los Angeles Angels just landed former Milwaukee Brewers ace Zack Greinke.

Let’s put it this way: Before the trade deadline, the Rangers were arguably the No. 1 team in baseball. After the trade deadline, they’ve slid significantly.

Chicago Cubs

Sure, the Cubs got rid of Dempster (which was an adventure in itself), but they weren’t able to unload Matt Garza or Alfonso Soriano. 

Garza should have netted them a few nice prospects or top draft picks, but the Cubs never got it done. The 28-year-old has posted a 3.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP this season in Chicago, holding batters to a .236 batting average in the process.

Perhaps the Cubs can find a great deal for Garza in the winter, but, for now, they are losers at the deadline.

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New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced over SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio airwaves on Tuesday to that Mariano Rivera won’t play in 2012, per BombersBeat.MLBlogs.com.

Cashman told host Jim Duquette that Dr. Keith Pyne, who was working on Rivera’s rehab this year, didn’t give a “fair reflection” of the 42-year-old’s progress when he talked to Joel Sherman of the New York Post earlier this month.

Pyne offered hope that Rivera may return to the Yankees in 2012 with his words, but Cashman said Pyne’s actions were “unprofessional” and “provided improper information.”

Rivera, of course, tore his right ACL early this season while shagging fly balls before a game against the Kansas City Royals. He has said he hopes to return in 2012, but stopped short of promising anything.

The news is bittersweet for Yankees fans.

On one hand, who wouldn’t want one of the game’s greatest all-time closers back as soon as possible? After all, Rivera is not only a 12-time All-Star and five-time world champion, but he’s the all-time leader in regular-season saves (608) and postseason saves (42). For his career, he owns a 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while holding batters to a .210 batting average.

On the other hand, the last thing you want to do is rush Rivera back and risk further injury. At this stage of Rivera’s career, further damage to his ACL could be career-ending.

It also must be noted that Rafael Soriano has done a heck of a job overall filling in for Rivera this season. He owns a 1.62 ERA in 42 games, with 25 saves in 27 opportunities. Even if Rivera is out for the playoffs this season, Soriano isn’t a bad guy to have closing games.

In any case, Yankees fans hope Rivera can at least return next season, but that will ultimately be up to him.

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The 2012 Home Run Derby was rather predictable, with big bombers Prince Fielder and Jose Bautista advancing to the final round.

It was also predictable that hitters such as Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Gonzalez would get knocked out early.

That’s because McCutchen and Gonzalez may have big power numbers this season, but they aren’t necessarily definitive power hitters.

For example, Bautista came into the contest averaging a home run every 11.7 at-bats in 2012, per CBSSports.com. Fielder, the eventual champion, came into the Derby averaging a homer every 15.7 at-bats.

On the other hand, McCutchen has averaged a home run every 17.2 at-bats this season, while Gonzalez has averaged a long ball every 18.5 at-bats.

The truth is, McCutchen and Gonzalez—while great players—aren’t necessarily guys who are going to jack up the most dingers in a home run contest. They are mostly line-drive hitters. The 2012 Home Run Derby was over before it even started.

And, be honest, even if McCutchen or Gonzalez had won the contest, would you rather see mere 400-footers or incredible, towering shots (SI.com had Fielder hitting a ball 476 feet)?

Players like Fielder, Bautista and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mark Trumbo should be the models for the Home Run Derby. 

Even though Fielder came into the contest with 15 jacks on the season (minuscule compared to the leaders), you got the sense that he would put on a show in Kansas City.

That’s just what Fielder did.

Let’s do ourselves a favor and forget about the mere line-drive hitters next year.

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Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels may be a top trade target right now, but don’t expect him to be dealt until the deadline is imminent.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported on Sunday that the Phillies recently began working the phones after contract negotiations broke down with Hamels. And, as with any top names on the trade market, expect the Phillies to dangle Hamels right up until the deadline, seeking the best available offer.

Hamels owns a 10-4 record with a 3.08 ERA and 1.10 WHIP this season for Philadelphia. He’s recorded 111 strikeouts in 111 innings. On the other hand, he’s also a free agent after the season, and with no guarantee that he’ll return to Philadelphia, the Phillies must begin thinking about trading the 28-year-old.

Buster Olney of ESPN noted on Tuesday that it was only natural for the Phillies to look into offers for the star left-hander, but “unless somebody calls up with a monster offer for Hamels — which rival evaluators do not believe will happen until some day closer to the July 31 deadline — the Phillies will continue to play out their season and hope that they slowly climb back into the race, with Chase Utley back in the lineup and Ryan Howard on the way.”

So, at the moment, Philadelphia will see what happens before July 31 and – if they are still out of contention by then – will wait until an overwhelming offer falls in their lap.

Headed into Tuesday’s game, the Phillies were 36-45, good for last place in the NL East. They were eight games back for a Wild-Card spot in the National League. In that sense, it’s unlikely that they’ll rise enough, even with Utley and Howard, to be back in the picture by the time the trade deadline rolls around. That points to Hamels eventually being dealt.

The rest of the league will have to be patient until then.

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