Baseball Blogs Weigh In

On this date in 2004, Washington’s franchise was given a name, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  On that day, the National League squad was christened the “Nationals” with a sharp red-and-white color scheme.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere:

• AriBall discussed the pros of Hisashi Iwakuma.
• Mets 360 spoke with ex-Mets prospect Jeff Grose.
• Inside The ’Zona reacted to the Jeremy Hellickson deal.
• Dance Like DeVito discussed the Mariners’ new GM.
• Clubhouse Corner examined the D’Backs’ farm system.
• The Sports Esquires evaluated Lorenzo Cain.
• TPOP says the Bucs can learn from the NL’s worst.
• Rumbunter says Chuck Tanner’s legacy is alive and well.
• Redbird Rants wonders if the Cards can get Freddie Freeman.
• 80 Grade Halos looked ahead to the Rule V Draft.
• Bronx Bomber Blogger advocated for Alex Gordon in NY.
• Notes From The Sally scouted Malquin Canelo.
• Know Hitter likes what the Mariners are doing already.
• Pinstriped Prospects looked into Eric Jagielo’s future.
• Outside Pitch wonders if Darren O’Day is a fit for the Yanks.
• Brew Crew Ball looked at Jonathan Lucroy as an extension candidate.
• Outfield Fly Rule says the Braves sold high on Andrelton Simmons.
• Section 215 wonders what Ryan Howard can do in ’16.
• Jays Journal worries about Jesse Chavez’s arm.
• MLB Reports ran down some NL East trade candidates.
• Baseball Essential discussed Zack Greinke’s HOF candidacy.
• Roto Professor is high on Logan Allen.
• Baseball Hot Corner says the Jays should move Kevin Pillar.
• Yankees Unscripted wonders if Brett Gardner and Andrew Miller could go.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2007, Barry Bonds was indicted by a San Francisco federal grand jury on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. Four years prior, Bonds allegedly lied to a grand jury about his PED use, and he potentially could have been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison if convicted of all charges. The slugger was initially convicted on a count of obstruction of justice, but that ruling was overturned earlier this year.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere:

• Roto Professor compared the returns of the two Craig Kimbrel trades.
• Redbird Rants ran down five first base trade candidates for the Cards.
• Baseball Hot Corner wonders if Ken Griffey Jr. will be the first unanimous HOF inductee.
• Inside The ’Zona discussed the usefulness of extreme fly ball relievers.
• TBOH ran down the best pitches thrown by the Phillies.
• Nats GM spoke with Yankees prospect James Kaprielian.
• Yankees Unscripted says a starter could help the Bombers’ bullpen.
• Outfield Fly Rule helps Braves fans place their anger.
• Jays Journal stacked Toronto against the rest of the AL East.
• Bronx Bomber Blogger says the Yanks should consider Ryan Raburn.
• Blue Jay Hunter says Marco Estrada and the Blue Jays belong together.
• Pinstriped Prospects analyzed Aaron Hicks.
• Baseball Essential predicts David Price’s next deal.
• Brew Crew Ball says it’s time to reexamine MiLB’s drug policy.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere:

• DTTWLN wonders how far the Indians are from being a playoff team.
• NYY Talk asks if the Yankees should move Brett Gardner.
• Redbird Rants evaluated the Cardinals’ arbitration eligible players.
• Rumbunter has a Pirates fan’s reaction to the World Series.
• Bronx Bomber Blogger wants to beef up the bullpen.
• Section 215 considered Carlos Ruiz’s future.
• Offspeed Podcast interviewed Mariners marketing VP Kevin Martinez.
• TPOP surveyed the Bucs’ first base options this winter.
• Outside Pitch has five ideas for the Mets.
• The First Out At Third ran down the Brewers’ winter goals.
• Yankees Unscripted discussed Carlos Beltran’s contract.
• Inside The ’Zona ran down the D’Backs’ top prospects.
• Baseball Hot Corner gave us their top landing spots for David Price.
• MLB Reports looked at the Dodgers’ future.
• Baseball Essential wants to see Tim Lincecum in Seattle.
• Brew Crew Ball says Brewers pitchers didn’t get a ton of help in 2015.
• Florida Sports View is impressed with the growth of Dee Gordon.
• Reviewing The Brew advocates for a K-Rod trade.
• Blue Jays Plus doesn’t think Tony LaCava should be Toronto’s GM.
• Pinstriped Prospects analyzed Tyler Webb.
• Angels Win looked at the Halos’ second base options.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2007, the Dodgers hired Joe Torre as their new manager, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. The former Yankee skipper was replaced in New York this week by Joe Girardi, who was also a candidate in L.A.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Blue Jays Plus reflected on Alex Anthopoulos in Toronto.
• Section 215 discussed the Phillies’ new leadership structure.
• TPOP has a FAQ on the Pirates’ potential trade returns.
• Legends On Deck looked at Mike Moustakas from a sabermetrics perspective.
• Outside Pitch says Anthopoulos would make sense for the Marlins.
• Camden Depot introduces Orioles fans to Vance Worley.
• Florida Sports View says the Marlins should target Doug Fister.
• The Bronx Bomber Blogger talks Yankees trade possibilities.
• Reviewing The Brew says the Brewers should target Max Kepler.
• Angels Win continued its Halos primer.
• Pinstriped Prospects discussed the Yankees’ 2014 int’l free agent class.
• Notes From The Sally scouted Javier Guerra.
• Baseball Essential says Zack Greinke won’t be going anywhere.
• Brew Crew Ball checked in on a former Milwaukee farmhand.

On this date in 2007, Hideki Okajima became the first Japanese-born player to pitch in the World Series, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. The former Nippon Ham Fighters hurler came out of the bullpen and retired seven straight Rockies, including Kazuo Matsui, making it the first time Japanese natives have faced one another in the World Series.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere:

• Swingin A’s ran down Oakland’s arbitration eligible players using MLBTR’s projections.
• Section 215 praised Odubel Herrera.
• World Series Dreaming looked ahead to the Cubs’ offseason.
• Outside Pitch says the future is bright for the Cubs.
• Florida Sports View attempted to figure out Daniel Murphy’s worth.
• Shutdown Inning has a checklist for Texas.
• Pinstriped Prospects ran down the tradable Yankees upper-minors prospects.
• TPOP ran down some possible landing spots for Mark Melancon.
• Reviewing The Brew says the Brewers should take a flier on Domonic Brown.
• Yankees Unscripted talked Brian McCann.
• Baseball Essential says there’s one player the Cubs should consider trading Kyle Schwarber for.
• Fueled By Sports wonders if the Blue Jays can stay hot.
• Notes From The Sally has a scouting report on Jorge Mateo.
• Angels Win continued its 2016 Halos primer.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2005, the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens paid tribute to the departed Expos by raising a commemorative banner in Montreal’s Bell Centre, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. Displaced mascot Youppi was put to work and former players Gary Carter and Andre Dawson were on hand to assist in the hoisting of the banner.  That banner featured their retired numbers, 8 and 10, respectively, as well as the numbers for Tim Raines (30) and Rusty Staub (10).

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Pinstripe Pundits wonders when the Yankees might splurge again.
• TPOP looked ahead to the Pirates in 2016.
• Inside The ’Zona evaluated Chip Hale.
• Camden Depot says there’s nothing wrong with a camel.
• Rumbunter projected the Bucs’ non-tender candidates.
• Yankees Unscripted wonders if Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract is an albatross.
• Angels Win has a comprehensive Halos primer for 2016.
• Royals Blue said thank you to Marlins Man.
• Outside Pitch wonders if Daniel Murphy will cash in.
• Reviewing The Brew is excited for Orlando Arcia.
• Baseball Hot Corner isn’t worried about Toronto’s pitching future.
• Know Hitter previewed the Tigers in 2016.
• Section 215 reviewed the Phillies’ announcing crew.
• Brew Crew Ball is ready for Elian Herrera.
• Bronx Bomber Blogger looked at where the Yanks stand in free agency.
• MLB Reports says Zack Greinke should stay in L.A.
• When Sid Slid gave us their Atlanta starting rotation depth chart.
• Blue Jay Hunter praised Jose Bautista.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2005, the Pirates hired Jim Tracy as manager to replace the recently-fired Lloyd McClendon, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  Of course, it was just days ago that McClendon was dismissed from his most recetn job with the Mariners.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Redbird Rants interviewed Cardinals Hall of Famer Bob Gibson.
• Fueled By Sports has some ideas to remake the Padres again.
• Legends On Deck asks if Michael Fulmer is an elite pitching prospect.
• Blue Jays Plus spoke with former World Series hero Ed Sprague.
• Camden Depot explained how horizontal trajectory affects BABIP.
• Yankees Unscripted says the Bombers misused Adam Warren.
• Inside The ’Zona discussed Archie Bradley.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports wrote about what new M’s GM Jerry Dipoto’s first priorities should be.
• Pinstriped Prospects ran down the farm hands that debuted for the Bombers.
• A’s Farm broke down Oakland’s contingent in the AFL.
• Outside Pitch discussed the importance of Yoenis Cespedes.
• Notes From The Sally scouted Ozzie Albies.
• When Sid Slid looked at the pros and cons of Atlanta’s strong finish.
• Baseball Hot Corner talked Jake Arrieta.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date three years ago, the Red Sox fired manager Bobby Valentine, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. Valentine, who lasted only ten months in Boston, led the team to a 69-93 mark, the club’s worst campaign since 1965.

Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• The Point of Pittsburgh looked at the rising power of the Cubs in the NL Central.
• Bless You Boys delved into the Tigers’ 2016 payroll changes.
• Blue Jays Plus took an in depth look at Toronto’s AL East dominance.
• Camden Depot wonders what the Orioles can do with J.J. Hardy.
• Reviewing The Brew marveled at Cody Ponce.
• Wayniac Nation evaluated Adrian Beltre’s Hall of Fame chances.
• Tomahawk Take discussed double plays.
• Torture Together examined the Giants’ potential free agent signees.
• Outfield Fly Rule explained the “Accursed Number.”
• Baseball Essential penned an open letter to Steve Bartman.
• Blue Jay Musings gave a tip of the cap to Mark Buehrle.
• Outside Pitch says the Indians and Twins are going in different directions.
• Baseball Hot Corner predicted the Blue Jays playoff roster.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

Here’s a look at the best of the baseball blogosphere from this week..

• Blue Jays Plus broke down Brett Cecil’s recent adjustments to find success.
• Baseball Essential assessed Toronto’s chances of keeping David Price.
• Camden Depot marveled at the calls Ubaldo Jimenez is getting.
• The Point of Pittsburgh tried to find suitable trade partners for Pedro Alvarez.
• Rumbunter wonders if Alvarez has really improved at the plate.
• Baseball Hot Corner reflected on 10 games that defined Yogi Berra.
• Fueled By Sports remembered Yogi.
• Call To The Pen told Peter Moylan’s story.
• Notes From The Sally scouted Yoan Moncada.
• Blue Jay Musings is celebrating.
• Reviewing The Brew talks Ariel Pena.
• Inside The ’Zona discussed Will Farrell’s influence on Robbie Ray.
• Know Hitter discussed the Tigers and the value of a protected first rounder.
• Clutchlings ran down the top Blue Jays prospects.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date five years ago, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was honored with a 7-by-5-foot, 760-pound bronze monument of bronze in Monument Park, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. The unveiling of the monument was attended by estranged former manager Joe Torre, who made his first visit to the new Yankee Stadium.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Blue Jays Plus examined Marco Estrada.
• The Point of Pittsburgh looked at Pirates’ pitching prospects.
• Blue Jay Hunter wonders if the Blue Jays have a legit chance of keeping David Price.
• Ian Thomas Malone ran down his expectations for Red Sox this offseason.
• Reviewing The Brew says Orlando Arcia shouldn’t start 2016 with Milwaukee.
• World Series Dreaming says the Cubs’ infield will be a long-term strength.
• When Sid Slid made the case for Yoenis Cespedes.
• Baseball Hot Corner looked at the Blue Jays’ tough decision regarding Mark Buehrle.
• Outside Pitch says there’s nowhere to go but up for the Astros.
• Swingin A’s explained why Jesse Chavez should move to the bullpen:
• Nolan Writin’ believes that the Rangers have what it takes to win it all.
• A’s Farm presents its 2015 organizational All-Star team.
• Rumbunter can’t believe the difference that a year makes.
• True Grich has some thoughts on the Halos.
• Cover Those Bases checked in on Michael Dimock.
• Yankees Unscripted talks Gregory Bird in 2016.
• Baseball Essential wonders if the Orioles will sell high on Zach Britton.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.