Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

On this date in 2004, after missing the previous day’s game to become an American citizen, Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez leads his teammates out of the dugout waving an American flag.  Later, Neil Diamond’s “America” was used as Manny’s walkup music.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Inside The Zona says the Justin Upton trade looks even worse a year later.
• Sports Injury Alert wants players to stop sliding head-first.
• The Score shows us how Prince Fielder went from prince to pauper.
• NPB Tracker explains why NPB players don’t make more money.
• The Beanbeall wonders if the Mets should be worried about Bartolo Colon.
• Camden Depot examined Tommy Hunter, a pitcher on the edge.
• Did The Tribe Win Last Night caught up with Aroldis Chapman.
• Redbird Rants sat down with ESPN’s Dan Shulman.
• Royals Blue wishes KC stuck with Kevin Seitzer.
• MLB Reports delves into the Indians’ payroll.
• Grab Some Bench wonders if there will be a robust trade market for Adam Dunn.
• Rays Colored Glasses says Ryan Hanigan was still worth it.
• Blue Jays Plus defends Marcus Stroman being put in the pen.
• The Giants Cove implores you to watch some NL West baseball.
• Baseball Hot Corner sees big things for Tim Hudson.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2007, the second inning match up of Julio Franco hitting against Randy Johnson marked the oldest hitter-pitcher confrontation in big league history. With 92+ years of age between the two of them, the nearly 49-year old Mets first baseman took the Diamondback pitcher, nearly 44, deep to extend his own record as the oldest player to homer.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Phillies Nation weighs in on the Von Hayes deal 31 years later.
• Camden Depot wonders if the Orioles should rush to extend Nelson Cruz.
• Pinstripe Pundits attempts to peer into the Yankees’ future with April stats.
• Reviewing The Brew says Milwaukee has a good problem on their hands.
• SABR published a thesis exploring the value of front office personnel.
• Inside The Zona looks into Miguel Montero‘s hot start.
• I R Fast runs down Seibu Lions right-hander Takayuki Kishi‘s no-hitter.
• Sports Injury Alert looks at the resilient Braves.
• Pinstripe Alley looks at some of the int’l players that could interest the Yanks.
• MLB Reports grilled Rays ace David Price.
• Blue Jays Musings looks at what’s ahead for Toronto’s bullpen.
• Examiner attempts to point the finger for the Cardinals’ struggles.
• Mariner Brainstorm talks karma.
• Rays Colored Glasses says there’s a danger in the Rays keeping Price.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2004, at Dodger Stadium, Mike Piazza tied Carlton Fisk for the most career homers by a catcher with dinger No. 351 as a backstop. The homer, which was his 362nd overall, moved him past Joe DiMaggio on the all-time list.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Blue Jays Plus looks at John Gibbons‘ usage of the shift.
• Inside The Zona says a starter-by-committee approach could work for the D’Backs.
• Baseball Hot Corner discusses the remarkable case of Jesse Chavez.
• Baseball Info Solutions says that the Astros are the kings of the shift.
• Outside Pitch spoke with agent Curtis Dishman.
• Blue Jay Musings is displeased with Toronto’s efforts to improve the rotation.
• I R Fast scoped out Masahiro Tanaka‘s fourth start.
• Hidden Vigorish wonders when Gregory Polanco will be ready to make an impact.
• Steel City Buzzin’ offers a primer on Polanco.
• Camden Depot wants to see Chris Tillman pick up his velocity.
• The Giants Cove fears that this will be a lost season in San Francisco.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date three years ago, Bud Selig announced that MLB would be taking over operations of the Dodgers because of concerns over Frank McCourt’s financial situation. McCourt planned to use the club’s new $2.5 billion, 20-year media-rights deal with News Corp.’s Fox Sports to get out of debt, but Selig interfered.  It’s amazing what a difference three years can make.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Blue Jays Plus caught up with Sal Fasano, the Blue Jays’ hidden gem.
• IR Fast introduces you to Yuki Matsui.
• Camden Depot contemplates the 2016 Orioles.
• Inside The Zona reflects on the Kevin Towers saga.
• Mariner Brainstorm reflects on the 2011 draft.
• Hidden Vigorish is bullish on Pedro Alvarez.
• Replacement Level Red Sox runs the numbers on a possible Jon Lester extension.
• Outside Pitch looks at the ten hardest throwers in baseball.
• Chicago Now discusses the usage of Mike Olt.
• MLB Reports talks Moneyball at its best.
• True Sports Blog says the Astros should move Scott Feldman now.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.  

On this date in 2008, construction workers at the new Yankee Stadium site unearthed a Red Sox jersey buried in concrete. The David Ortiz jersey, which was later auctioned off to raise money for charity, was buried by a construction worker who had hoped to jinx the Bombers.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Pinstripe Pundits looks at previous deals to try and find fair value for Gary Sanchez.
• I R Fast breaks down Masahiro Tanaka‘s second start.
• Blue Jays Plus examines Dioner Navarro‘s impact on Mark Buerhrle.
• Inside The Zona delves into the Josh Collmenter Conundrum.
• Camden Depot says the Orioles still have trouble getting on base.
• Rays Colored Glasses discusses Matt Moore and pitcher injuries.
• Outside Pitch looks at three hurlers whose deliveries put them at risk for injury.
• Baseball Info Solutions says Mike Trout is fishing for a defensive comeback.
• AL Eastbound & Down is worried about the Blue Jays on the road.
• MLB Reports shows us how the Cardinals were put together.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.  

On this date in 1970, president Richard Nixon was unable to throw the ceremonial first pitch in the Senators home opener at RFK Stadium thanks to a scheduling conflict. In his stead, David Eisenhower, his son-in-law and the grandson of the former president, threw out the first pitch.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Mariner Brainstorm looks at the gap between Seattle and everyone else in 2013.
• Blue Jays Plus marvels at Dustin McGowan‘s incredible sameness.
• Camden Depot looks at the Orioles and wonders if defense is overrated.
• Pinstripe Pundits examines the effects of catcher framing on pitcher tendencies.
• Inside The Zona says Gerardo Parra is breaking the mold in right field.
• Hidden Vigorish worries about the Pirates’ future talks with Pedro Alvarez or Gerrit Cole.
• A’s Farm has the Opening Day roster for all of Oakland’s affiliates.
• The Baseball Stance runs down the Yankees’ roster.
• i70 Baseball says the Cardinals have reasons to be optimistic.
• Outside Pitch weighs the value of Mike Trout versus Miguel Cabrera.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.  

On this date in 1990, Howard Spira was arrested for extorting money from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner was alleged to have paid the Bronx gambler $40K to dig up dirt on outfielder Dave Winfield.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Reviewing The Brew interviewed Brewers outfielder Khris Davis.
• Inside The Zona goes down under.
• Camden Depot says J.J. Hardy will walk and the O’s should probably let him go.
• Hidden Vigorish is worried about the Pirates shopping outfielders Jose Tabata and Travis Snider.
• A’s Farm checked in with A’s special assistant Grady Fuson.
• Pinstripe Pundits celebrates Mr. March.
• Blue Jays Musings sees the rotation getting a little clearer in Toronto.
• The Baseball Stance feels that Francisco Cervelli is more valuable as backup than trade chip.
• Outside Pitch ranks their top five trade candidates for the 2014 season.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill talks Tommy John.
• MLB Reports weighs the pros and cons of the Tigers signing Stephen Drew.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.  

On this date in 2001, Sammy Sosa signed a four-year contract extension keeping the Cubs right fielder in the Windy City until 2006.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Did The Tribe Win Last Night spoke with Indians assistant GM spoke with Mike Chernoff.
• MLB Nation caught up with Rangers closer Neftali Feliz.
• Camden Depot asks if Brian Matusz is a realistic starting option.
• AL Eastbound And Down delivers the Blue Jays’ state of the union.
• Hidden Vigorish examines the history of PIrates GM Neal Huntington’s trade partners.
• Inside The Zona looks at the D’Backs’ catching situation.
• Yanks Beat Blog wonders if the Yankees can get Tommy Kahnle back from the Rockies.
• i70 Baseball has a breakdown of who stands to gain from the loss of Oscar Tavares.
• Yanks Go Yard has a trade to suggest.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.  

On this date in 2010, Stephen Strasburg threw two scoreless innings against Detroit in his much anticipated first exhibition start for the Nationals.  The right-hander signed a record $15.1MM, four-year deal with Washington and showed that he was worth the money early on.  Here’s this week’s look around the blogosphere..

• Camden Depot compared the Orioles’ and Nationals’ media market with others.
• Outside Pitch spoke with Red Sox prospect Matt Barnes.
• Inside The Zona graded the Diamondbacks’ offseason.
• The Daily Statesman says Jhonny Peralta can make a difference in 2014.
• Baseball News Source looks at what a Sterling Marte extension would mean for the Bucs.
• A’s Farm previews some possible changes in Oakland.
• Reviewing The Brew ranked the AL Central’s third basemen.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill says the Astros will lose at least 100 games this year.
• Mariners Brainstorm wonders if Dayan Viciedo could be an option for the Mariners.
• Pinstripe Pundits has a hypothetical extension for David Robertson.
• Konsume says the Royals would be better off without James Shields.
• Hidden Vigorish wants to know how many platoons the Pirates can realistically carry.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.  

On this date in 2005, the Nationals in their first game ever beat the Mets in the exhibition opener.  Interestingly enough, the first and last games the Expos played were also against Mets.  This week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Lasorda’s Lair spoke with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
• Blue Jays Plus wonders if Maicer Izturis can bounce back in 2014.
• Inside The Zona talks Gerardo Parra‘s new batting stance.
• The Beanball discusses Brett Gardner‘s new deal.
• Hidden Vigorish says the Bucs’ starting pitching depth will be tested.
• Outside Pitch sizes up the Astros’ closer options.
• Camden Depot runs down Nelson Cruz‘s red flags.
• The Shea Faithful wonders if clubs have changed the way they evaluate outfielders.
• Baseball News Source looks at five pitchers who are bounceback candidates.
• Reviewing The Brew has five thoughts as we head into March.
• MLB Reports looks into which managers are on the hot seat in 2014.
• Rays Colored Glasses examines the trade that almost was.
• i70 Baseball says Billy Butler is the key in KC.
• Blogging Mets backs the Kiner’s Korner movement.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.