Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

On this date in 2000, the Cubs named four captains: first baseman Mark Grace, right fielder Sammy Sosa, pitcher Kevin Tapani, and reliever Rick Aguilera.  The quartet became the Cubs’ first captains since the 1960s and early 1970s, when Ron Santo held the position.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot breaks down the situation between MASN, the Nationals, and Orioles.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders what Tampa Bay would look like with New York money.
• Inside The Zona asks if the D’Backs got fair value for David Holmberg.
• Outside Pitch looks at the Tigers’ rotation to see who should start Opening Day.
• Baseball News Source looks at the Cardinals’ enviable position.
• Hidden Vigorish isn’t all that worried about A.J. Burnett‘s age.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports says Nelson Cruz won’t solve everything.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill spoke with the wife of Astros GM Jeff Luhnow.
• Soxspace Boston isn’t a big believer in luck.
• Batting Leadoff talks extensions.
• MLB Reports isn’t totally wild about the Homer Bailey extension.

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

On this date in 2004, the Rangers traded Alex Rodriguez along with cash to the Yankees in exchange for Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later, Joaquin Arias.  The trade came on the heels of the union killing the deal that would have sent A-Rod to Boston for Manny Ramirez.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Angels Win remembers Jim Fregosi.
• NPB Tracker looks at Japan’s independent leagues.
• Camden Depot peers into the Orioles’ future.
• Inside The Zona is less-than-thrilled with the D’Backs’ front office.
• Rays Colored Glasses sat down with Kevin Kiermaier.
• The Giants Cove breaks down the NL West.
• Replacement Level Red Sox is optimistic about Felix Doubront.
• Grading On The Curve is concerned about Archie Bradley.
• Baseball News Source wonders what the Dodgers should do with their outfielders.
• Outside Pitch plays trade matchmaker.
• MLB Reports looks at the A’s payroll.
• Players View talks Hanley Ramirez.

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

On this date in 1971, Satchel Paige became the first Negro League star to be selected to the Hall of Fame.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Blue Jays Plus breaks down Kyle Drabek‘s mechanics.
• Camden Depot says the Orioles shouldn’t blow their money on the open market.
• Inside The Zona talks D’Backs prospects.
• Outside Pitch says that now is the time for the Diamondbacks to pounce on David Price.
• Hidden Vigorish isn’t that worried about A.J. Burnett‘s age.
• Rays Colored Glasses sees a change in Tampa Bay.
• Kings Of Kauffman looks at the Royals’ timetable for Kyle Zimmer.
• Grading On The Curve talks Michael Taylor.
• Yanks Beat Blog has their fingers crossed over Michael Pineda.
• Baseball News Source looks at some extension candidates.
• A’s Farm turns in their top ten list.
• Bleacher Report wants somebody to sign Oliver Perez.
• Konsume looks at remaining free agents that could make an impact.

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

On this date in 1999 Padres’ outfielder Greg Vaughn became the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs in a season and get traded that winter.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot discusses the pros and cons of Bud Norris.
• Hidden Vigorish says the win curve isn’t motivating the Pirates.
• Baseball News Source wonders what A.J. Burnett‘s value is to the Bucs.
• Inside The Zona says the D’Backs should offer Burnett a whole lot of money.
• Outside Pitch discusses the importance of B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla to the Braves.
• Rays Colored Glasses asks if Tampa Bay now has the best bullpen.
• MLB Reports delivers the Rays’ state of the union.
• Blue Jays Plus weighs in on replay challenges.
• Reviewing The Brew gets their popcorn ready.
• A’s Farm previews the River Cats for 2014.
• Pro Projections talks Andrelton Simmons.

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

On this date in 1989, the rules put in place during the 1988 season to make balk calls more uniform throughout baseball were rescinded and replaced by the pre-1988 rules.  The wording change led to an unprecedented amount of balk calls in both leagues.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• DRaysBay maps out a David Price extension.
• Pinstripe Pundits asks if Masahiro Tanaka‘s deal is fair value.
• Camden Depot looks at the Orioles’ situation in left field and at DH.
• The Shea Faithful votes for Mitchell Boggs.
• Kevin Says breaks down the Rays-Padres deal.
• Inside The Zona says it’s time for the D’Backs to plant their flag in Australia.
• Baseball Hot Corner spoke with Tony Rasmus and talked about baseball in the family.
• Outside Pitch discusses Sammy Solis‘ upcoming spring training.
• Yanks Beat Blog says the Bombers’ rotation is shaping up nicely.
• Rays Colored Glasses likes the trade for Tampa Bay.
• Baseball News Source looks at clubs that can turn it around in 2014.
• Blue Jay Hunter says it’s time to dump the five-year policy.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, send it to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1972, at the age of 36, Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax became the youngest player to be elected into the Hall of Fame.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Blue Jays Plus goes deep on Brandon Morrow.
• Rays Colored Glasses checked in with J.D. Martin.
• The Beanball looks at the best defensive free agents left.
• Inside The Zona contemplates a three-headed shortstop.
• Hidden Vigorish talks about the PIrates’ payroll.
• Outside PItch sizes up the Braves’ catchers.
• Grading On The Curve says the Orioles would be foolish to spend on pitching.
• Pinstripe Pundits talks about why the Yankees won’t sign Stephen Drew.
• Baseball News Source runs down rookies that can make a splasn in 2014.
• Talkin Sox With Dan is sticking with Clay Buchholz.
• Lasorda’s Lair rejoices over Clayton Kershaw‘s new deal.
• Konsume wonders if Kershaw is the greatest pitcher of all-time.
• The Shea Faithful counts on rate stats, not counting stats.
• The Brewers Bar has ten gifts for the Brewers fan in your life that you secretly hate.

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

On this date in 1920, the secret deal made to sell Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $125K was announced publicly.  Harry Frazee, the cash-strapped Red Sox owner, also got a $300K loan as part of the deal.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Beyond The Box Score wonders why Will Middlebrooks isn’t getting more interest.
• Camden Chat looks at A.J. Burnett as a possible fit for the Orioles.
• Baltimore Sports and Life talks economics.
• The Giants Cove explains the Mobius Strip Theory.
• Outside Pitch says free agency needs to be re-evaluated.
• MLB Reports wonders who the next great AL DH will be after David Ortiz.
• Inside The Zona looks at where crowdsourcing can go wrong.
• Baseball News Source compares Gerrit Cole and Danny Salazar.
• Reviewing The Brew takes a closer look at Khris Davis.
• Baseball Stooges discusses flaws in the arbitration process.
• Brats and Baseball wonders if Daric Barton can be a fit for the Brewers.
• 101 Baseball News applauds the Astros’ offseason.

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

On this date in 2005, the Diamondbacks send Troy Glaus and highly touted infield prospect Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays in exchange for Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson and starter Miguel Batista. Toronto’s active off-season convinced Glaus to waive his limited no-trade clause and head up north.  As for Santos, he never made his mark as an infielder, but instead found his success on the mound.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Baseball Hot Corner has Alex Anthopoulos’ five worst deals.
• Inside The Zona handicaps everyones odds on Masahiro Tanaka.
• Blogging Mets looks at the Mets’ top moments of 2013.
• i70 Baseball says the Danny Valencia deal made sense for the Royals.
• The Beanball wants to know where the love for Paul Maholm is.
• Baseball News Source stacks Tanaka against Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yu Darvish.
• Reviewing The Brew backs Marco Estrada.
• Outside Pitch looks at the five remaining major starters.
• MLB Reports makes a case against the Nats extending Jordan Zimmermann.
• Yanks Beat Blog says the Yankees need Tanaka.

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

On this date in 2009, the Yankees were assessed with a luxury tax of $25.69MM for its spending.  As it was in every year since the tax was enacted in 2002, the Yankees were the only team penalized.  Now in 2013, there are multiple clubs paying the luxury tax, headlined by the Dodgers, and the Yankees are working to stay beneath the $189MM threshold.  More from around baseball..

• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if a David Price-Mariners deal could involve a third team.
• Grab Some Bench says the Matt Davidson deal clarifies some roles and muddles others.
• Angels Win breaks down the Halos’ lefties.
• You Gotta Like These Kids has some pros and cons on the Mike Morse deal.
• Blue Jays Plus is feeling hopeful.
• Outside Pitch Sports Network spoke with Negro League Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick.
• If I Were A GM caught up with Patrick Schuster.
• i70 Baseball says Jhonny Peralta will be under pressure in St. Louis.
• Konsume weighs in on three big moves by KC.
• Inside The Zona asks if Kevin Towers is going for broke.
• Replacement Level Red Sox goes to bat for Curt Schilling.

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

On this week in 1954, the Dodgers traded third baseman Billy Cox and left-hander Preacher Roe to the Orioles for minor league prospects Harry Schwegeman and Johnny Jancse and $50K.  Brooklyn used that cash for a bonus to sign a southpaw from Lafayette High School named Sandy Koufax.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot gives us a first look at Ryan Webb.
• Rays Colored Glasses looks at two possible landing spots for David Price.
• Inside The Zona isn’t wind about the Mark Trumbo deal from the D’Backs’ perspective.
• Pinstripe Pundits has a t-chart of pros and cons on trading Brett Gardner.
• The Giants Cove says Michael Morse isn’t the answer.
• Baseball News Source says Austin Jackson for Gardner makes sense for the Yankees.
• 85% Sports looked at player-managers.
• MLB Reports tackles the Yankees’ payroll.
• Baseball Professor ranked 2013’s rookie starting pitching class.
• District On Deck talks Jerry Blevins.
• Grading On The Curve says we can learn from Roy Halladay.
• Reviewing The Brew says Juan Francisco is better than the Brewers think.

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