This week in baseball blogs:
- Jays Journal examines the possibility of Toronto acquiring Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis.
- Pirates Breakdown wonders if the Bucs should attempt to land Athletics slugger Ryon Healy.
- Mets Daddy doesn’t want the club to pursue a trade for Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon.
- Sports Talk Philly could see the Phillies making a run at one of Gordon’s infield mates, third baseman Martin Prado.
- Reviewing The Brew names other Brewers extension candidates after they locked up Chase Anderson.
- Off The Bench (links: 1, 2) calls Alex Cobb this year’s most underrated free agent and encourages readers to participate in its Free Agent Predictor contest, which offers cash giveaways to its winners.
- The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) celebrates the Astros’ first World Series championship. TRS also argues that the Yankees need to pick up a veteran catcher.
- Camden Depot ponders whether Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has the potential to be an even better offensive player than he was in 2017.
- Angelswin.com (links: 1, 2) submits the next two parts of its offseason primer.
- The Point of Pittsburgh evaluates how the potential “juiced” ball could affect Pirates hitters and pitchers next year.
- Call to the Pen makes a pitching wish list for the Phillies.
- District On Deck lists three lessons the Nationals could learn from recent World Series winners.
- The Sports Tank focuses on Charlie Morton, one of the Astros’ playoff heroes.
- BASEBALLDOCS names potential suitors for Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.
- Jays From the Couch doesn’t expect Toronto to sign free agent shortstop Zack Cozart.
- A’s Farm talks to Athetlics prospects Sheldon Neuse and Sean Murphy from the Arizona Fall League.
- Clubhouse Corner’s Bernie Pleskoff gives his scouting reports from the AFL on Max Freid, Yusniel Diaz, Kyle Tucker and Albert Abreu.
- Notes from the Sally previews the 2018 Rome Braves.
- Pop Culture Abstract looks at 20 years of Cardinal stats and compares them to the NL and MLB averages for those seasons.
- BP Toronto explains how the majors’ home run spike resembles a video game.
- Underthought examines the five-home World Series performances of George Springer and Reggie Jackson.
- MetsMind highlights Amed Rosario’s plate discipline issues.
- Pinstriped Prospects profiles Jay Bell, a potential candidate for the Yankees’ managerial job.
- Outfield Fly Rule is ranking 50 Braves prospects in 50 days.
- Extra Innings UK interviews Mets prospect Blake Taylor, who pitched for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic.
- Rotisserie Duck revisits some preseason fantasy baseball prognostications.
Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.
Gio Gonzalez, Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Zach Davies, Jon Lester, Robbie Ray, John Lackey, Clayton Kershaw and Mike Leake. All of them are pitchers, and all of them drew walks at a higher percentage than Dee Gordon did last year. Considering Gordon’s only offensive tool is his speed, it might behoove him to try to get on base more often.
Thank you! Some people here have actually had the audacity to tell me the Dodgers lost the Dee trade
Billy Hamilton’s only offensive tool is his speed, at least Gordon can hit for a high average.
you’re also comparing very small sample sizes to a very large one. Mike Leake walked 3 times last year. Your point is irrelevant He hits for a good enough average that his speed turns him into a plus offensive player
Baseballdocs really no Stl mention also I think the cubs could be a factor.
I said the same and they mentioned LAA but said no chance. So, what’s the point in putting them in the article?
The Stanton situation is fun to try and predict. Looking at the teams who have a need and the salary situation to absorb the entire contract and you have a handful of teams:
Yankees: wont do it as I believe they sign either Machado or Harper the following year.
Red Sox: Dombrowski has a history of doing this type of trade. I truly think they are the favorite for him with Bradley being traded in a separate trade.
Blue Jays: If Anthopoulis was still the GM, I would make them the prohibitive favorite. They have a massive fan base, richest owners in baseball, sky high attendance, and now a missing an iconic presence in the middle of the lineup. Stanton would become the face of the franchise and man RF for a long time. This ownership with Shapiro is different so time will tell.
Giants: large payroll team with gaping needs for a powerful bat. Ownership has proven over the years the willingness to pay their players to keep them competitive. But, even with Stanton, is that enough for them to overcome a suddenly extremely tough division?
Cubs: No need and have issues with pitching they need to figure out, plenty of payroll space but just dont see the desire.
Phillies: Everyone says they are the front runner and they definitely have the payroll space, but, I am not sure Stanton would want to go there and he has all the power to decide this.
Dodgers: Money is there, but, they have 6 very good outfielders and hitting galore up and down their lineup. However, Anthopoulis is there and everyone knows they would do anything to win the WS. So, I rank them the 2nd best situation. No doubt that Stanton approves that one.
Cardinals are already talking to the Marlins about Stanton. If Mo is listening……the entire Fan Base is screaming for him to make some kind of deal to bring Stanton to St Louis. They definitely have the players to satisfy the Marlins, and they need to do a couple 3-for-1 trades just to be able to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft…………..
Yet……You don’t even mention them in your list???
1. I realize that Stanton has to be willing to go there
2. I realize that they have typically stayed away from huge contracts in the past
3. But they might need “That Big Bat” more than any other Team.
Not saying he goes to St Louis, but they should be included for sure
Unless the NL gets the DH right now, I’m not sure what the Pirates would do with Healy. He can’t play third anywhere near adequately, and Josh Bell can’t play the outfield.