Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Appel, Upton, Votto, Ichiro

One year ago today, Hideki Matsui hit a solo homer off Duane Below in a game between the Athletics and Tigers. It was the 168th dinger of his MLB career and the 500th of his career overall — Godzilla hit 332 homers in Japan. Here's the latest from the baseball blog world…

• A's Farm interviewed Sean Doolittle, Grant Green, and Daniel Straily of the Athletics (part one, part two).
• Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? wrote about the Pirates and Mark Appel.
• North Side Notch says Appel's decision is risky but not unprecedented.
• District on Deck broke down the Mike Morse–B.J. Upton rumor.
• Meanwhile, Rising Apple thinks the Mets should trade for Upton.
• Redleg Nation wrote about the Reds in the wake of Joey Votto's injury.
• Yankees Fans Unite thinks Shane Victorino is a good fit for the Yankees.
• South Side Sox wrote about Kevin Youkilis and the White Sox's greatest midseason acquisitions ever.
• Disciples of Uecker says the Brewers need to overhaul their bullpen.
• U.S.S. Mariner thinks the Mariners should part ways with Ichiro Suzuki after 2012.
• Climbing Tal's Hill wonders if the Astros should trade Jose Altuve.
• Pirates Prospects makes a case for the Pirates extending Neil Walker.
• The Beanball says the Blue Jays don't need to acquire a closer for next season.
• Tomahawk Take wrote about the Braves and the right move.
• Chicken Friars wrote about the Padres and their television deal.
• Seedlings to Stars thinks the Tigers rush their prospects a little too much.
• NatsGM summarized the Nationals draft haul.
• Wahoo's on First wrote about the Indians and the new draft pick compensation system.
• Royals Review estimated the trade value of the first overall competitive balance lottery draft pick.

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