Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

On this date in 2001, the Yankees and Mets completed a rare trade.  The Bombers sent outfielder/DH David Justice to the Mets for third baseman Robin Ventura.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Hidden VIgorish looks at players who underperform their FIP, including Tim Lincecum.
• Konsume says the big winners in Jacoby Ellsbury‘s new deal are the Red Sox.
• The Shea Faithful says that Curtis Granderson is a good step forward for the Mets.
• NASORB is happy to see Robinson Cano in Seattle.
• D Rays Bay breaks down the surplus value that Tampa Bay should seek in a David Price deal.
• Inside The Zona loves the Heath Bell deal from the D’Backs’ perspective.
• Baseball Hot Corner wonders if Price is worthwhile for the Blue Jays.
• Outside Pitch previews the winter meetings for the Braves.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports looks at the importance of the Cano signing for the M’s.
• Replacement Level Red Sox examines Boston’s first base options.
• i70 Baseball says the Cardinals are likely done with major moves.
• The Giants Cove is worried.
• Blue Jays Plus is pretty frustrated as well.

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

On this date in 1976, the Yankees signed free agent Reggie Jackson to a five-year, $3.5MM contract.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Marlin Maniac sat down with Miami radio play-by-play man Glenn Geffner.
• Rumbunter spoke with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
• Inside The Zona wonders if the D’Backs and Royals are potential trade partners.
• Reviewing The Brew looks at Yovani Gallardo‘s struggles in 2013.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if soccer’s loan system could work in baseball.
• Blue Jays Plus says the rumored payroll cuts in Toronto are nonsense.
• Baseball Hot Corner has five reasons why the Blue Jays need to sign Robinson Cano.
• MLB Reports breaks down the Peter Bourjos for David Freese deal.
• Outside Pitch MLB checked with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch to talk Yankees.
• Conor Glassey wondered what MLB would look like if it were split up regionally.
• Breaking Blue ranks this year’s free agent pitchers by their own ERA estimator.
• Talkin Sox With Dan says that Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the best fit for Boston.
• Yanks Beat Blog sings the praises of Brian McCann.

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

On this date in 2010, Josh Hamilton became the fifth Ranger player to win the American League’s Most Valuable Player award.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Bless You Boys weighs in on the blockbuster deal from the Tigers’ perspective.
• The Beanball is concerned about Ian Kinsler‘s defense.
• Camden Depot asks what Shelby Miller would cost the Orioles.
• Baseball Hot Corner tries to figure out where Masahiro Tanaka will land.
• Inside The Zona has a comprehensive plan for the D’Backs this winter.
• Blue Jays Plus asks where the trade value lies in the Toronto bullpen.
• A’s Farm checked in with some of Oakland’s top prospects in the Arizona Fall League.
• The Giants Cove says that SF really hasn’t been spending big so far.
• Pinetar Press runs down some Royals pitching targets.
• I R Fast runs down the pitch F/X data from the AFL.
• Baseball Stooges says Jacoby Ellsbury is likely going elsewhere.
• Section 215 has some concerns about the Phillies and their age.

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

On this date in 2010, Roy Halladay joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and Gaylord Perry as the fifth pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Wahoo’s On First examines Josh Johnson as a possible target for the Tribe.
• B Sports takes a look at the Tigers’ defense.
• NatsGM has some ideas for Washington GM Mike Rizzo this winter.
• World Series Dreaming wonders if the Price is right for the Cubs.
• Inside The Zona wants the D’Backs to go younger in the bullpen.
• Rays Colored Glasses talks Jurickson Profar and why some top prospects get moved.
• Talkin Sox With Dan says one game in April told us a lot about the Red Sox.
• Replacement Level Red Sox discusses the cost of wins and whether Boston should re-sign Ellsbury.
• Lasorda’s Lair argues that Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher of this generation.
• Baseball Hot Corner says the Blue Jays should ink Masahiro Tanaka.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports wants the Mariners to go out and get Matt Kemp.
• Scout has an aggressive plan for the M’s.
• The Giants Cove has three players San Francisco should go for and three they should avoid.

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

After coming out of retirement to pitch for his home town team, Roger Clemens became the oldest hurler to win the Cy Young Award on this date in 2004.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Inside The Zona looks at what the D’Backs can do with limited budget room this winter.
• Blue Jays Plus wonders if the Blue Jays and Tigers could be trade partners.
• Rays Colored Glasses gives us some darkhorse trade candidates for David Price.
• Replacement Level Red Sox doesn’t want Brian McCann in Boston.
• Pro Projections wonders if Matt Cain will bounce back.
• Baseball Stooges looks at possible shortstop solutions for the Cardinals.
• Blue Jays Musings says that Toronto needs to start their search for pitching stat.

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

Eight years ago this week, the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens paid tribute to the departed Expos by raising a commemorative banner to the rafters of Montreal’s Bell Centre. Expos legends Gary Carter and Andre Dawson were joined by displaced mascot Youppi to hoist a blue and orange banner that features 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..

• Camden Depot looks at what Chris Davis can do in 2014 and beyond.
• Blue Jays Plus asks if Colby Rasmus is still in need of a platoon partner.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill examines players that the Astros should protect from the Rule 5 draft.
• South Side Sox asks if the White Sox can compete in 2015.
• Dr. Strangeglove breaks down the Pirates’ first base situation.
• Baseball Professor caught up with White Sox prospect Chris Beck.
• Rays Colored Glasses isn’t thrilled about the Jesse Crain deal.
• Lasorda’s Lair gives us five positive things about Don Mattingly.
• Baseball Hot Corner tries to figure out where David Price will land.
• Jays Journal asks if John Lackey‘s comeback could bode well for Josh Johnson.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports sees Johnson as a free agent find.
• The Shea Faithful says that winning is the only thing that will bring credibility back to the Mets.
• The Giants Cove suggests a successor for Bud Selig.
• MLB Reports has an idea for the Rays.
• Phoul Ballz spoke with Phillies pitching prospect Mike Nesseth.

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

On this date in 1992, Atlanta Falcons star Deion Sanders flew from Miami to Pittsburgh in an effort to joint he PIrates for Game 5 of the NLCS and become the first athlete to play in two professional leagues in the same day.  However, the outfielder/cornerback wasn’t in the lineup for the Braves’ 7-1 loss.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot asks if Masahiro Tanaka is the gem of the offseason.
• The Giants Cove has some thoughts on the 2013 season in San Fran.
• A’s Farm runs down Oakland’s top players in the Arizona Fall League.
• Kings Of Kauffman looks at GM Dayton Moore with a critical eye.
• Wahoo’s On First talks Yan Gomes.
• Marlin Maniac compiled an entire lineup of ex-Marlins on playoff teams.
• More Hardball has a minor league free agent All-Star team.
• Kingdome of Seattle Sports runs down former Mariners in the postseason.
• MLB Reports breaks down the Red Sox’s roster.
• Orioles Nation knows the importance of a third pitch.

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

Three years ago this week, Hanshin Tigers outfielder Matt Murton broke Ichiro's Japanese record for the most hits in a single season with his 211th hit of the year, a two-run single to center in a game against the Yakult Swallows. The 32-year old former major leaguer, a 2003 first-round draft pick of the Red Sox who was traded to the Cubs in a four-team deal that included Nomar Garciaparra, also played with the A's and Rockies.  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Wahoo's On First gets you up to speed on the Indians' closer committee.
• Lasorda's Lair has five reasons why the Dodgers will beat the Braves.
• Old City Baseball has some thoughts on how the Phillies should handle Roy Halladay.
• Camden Depot asks if Jim Johnson is an elite closer.
• Pinstripe Pundits says the Yankees were actually lucky this year.
• Through The Fence Baseball surveys the open market to find outfield answers for Texas.
• i70 Baseball brings us five takeaways from the Royals' 2013 season.
• Swingin A's sees a new wrinkle to the A's thinking.
• Inside The Zona breaks down the D'Backs 2014 rotation options.
• The Giants Cove explains why Giants fans should be pulling for, gulp, the Dodgers.

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

On this date in 1998, the Yankees won their seventh straight game to end the season with a .704 winning percentage. The Bombers (114-48) became the first team since the 1954 Indians (111-43) to play over .700 ball for the entire season.  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere after witnessing a classic moment out of the Bronx last night..

• Hot Stove Heat profiles Josh Donaldson's rise to the majors.
• I R Fast scouts Wladimir Balentien.
• The Giants Cove asks if Hunter Pence is the new Aaron Rowand.
• Camden Depot gets into Manny Machado's knee injury.
• i70 Baseball runs down the Cardinals' top prospects.
• Inside The Zona wants the D'Backs to stop talking.
• Rays Colored Glasses looks at Jeremy Hellickson's playoff role.
• The MLB Nation weighs in on Chris Antonetti.

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

Sometimes, it's rough being the new guy.  On this date in 1997, Matt Williams tricked Royals rookie Jed Hansen with the rarely used hidden ball trick. The second baseman, deceived about the location of the ball, was tagged out by the Indians veteran infielder taking a lead off third base in an eventual 6-2 Cleveland victory.  You don't have to be a youngster to fall for the gag – the Rays got the Dodgers' Juan Uribe last month and just yesterday, Todd Helton pulled a fast one on the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter.  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports examines the Mariners' future outfield.
• Inside The Zona says Miguel Montero is still an important asset for the D'Backs.
• Batting Leadoff asks if pitchers who work faster get more help from their defense.
• I R Fast looks at fastball effectiveness by velocity. 
• Kings Of Kauffman is happy just to be in it.
• Lasorda's Lair celebrates the Dodgers' walk-off wins in 2013.
• Pinstripe Pundits isn't happy about Chris Stewart.
• MLB Reports has questions for the White Sox heading into 2014.
• Camden Depot stares out into the Orioles' playoff horizon.
• Talkin Sox With Dan digs into Boston's late season stretch and what it means going forward.
• Phoul Ballz spoke with Phillies prospect Jesse Biddle.
• Pro Projections believes that Tim Stauffer could be an innings eater for the Padres.
• AL Eastbound & Down imagines what could have been with Koji Uehara.

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