Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sheffield, Rays, Red Sox, Yankees

On this date 43 years ago, Tom Seaver signed with the Mets for a $50K signing bonus. Seaver originally agreed to a deal with the Braves, but the contract was voided due to Seaver's status as an amateur at USC. After being ruled ineligible at USC, and the Braves were forbidden from signing Seaver, any team willing to match the original $50K signing bonus were included in a lottery for the rights to the future hall-of-famer. The Phillies, Indians and Mets literally had their names placed in a cap and the Mets were selected. The regular season is only days away and inevitably a former Mets pitcher will throw a no-hitter. Let's see what is being written in the Blogosphere…

• The Detroit Tigers Weblog reflects on the release of Gary Sheffield.
• The Rays Party takes a look at what the Rays can expect to receive in return for either Jeff Niemann or Jason Hammel.
• Simon on Sports chronicles a lecture given by Donald Fehr to an MBA class.
• The Blue Jay Hunter interviewed our very own Tim Dierkes.
• Sox and Pinstripes concludes their look at which team (Yankees or Red Sox) is more homegrown. Personally I vote for the Rays, but I might be biased.
• More Hardball looks back at the #1 picks from the last 10 years.
• Fire Brand of the American League wonders why the Red Sox did not pull the trigger and trade for Miguel Montero or Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
• Jorge Says No! has updated their all-released team.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.