Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

On this date in 2008, the Pirates released Matt Morris, a move which cost the team more than $11MM.  The pitcher lasted only 1 2/3 innings against the Phillies in his previous start and compiled an 0-4 record with a 9.67 ERA in his five April outings for the Bucs.  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Wahoo's On First spoke with former pitcher Paul Byrd.
• The Daily Statesman sat down with Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals.
• Blue Jays Way tries to diagnose the problem in Toronto.
• Amazin Avenue asks if an extension would make sense for Dillon Gee.
• Pinstripe Pundits looks at Brett Gardner's new approach at the plate.
• On The Way Home asks if Bryce Harper is turning into the next Chipper Jones.
• World Series Dreaming explores the idea of abandoning the draft.
• Marlin Maniac held a roundtable on Giancarlo Stanton and more.
• Baseball Hot Corner has some trade proposals involving Stanton.
• Sodo Mojo is frustrated with the Mariners.
• Prospect Insider discussed the future of Franklin Gutierrez and the Mariners.
• Federal Baseball profiled Shelby Miller in advance of his showdown vs. the Nats.
• Lasorda's Lair says the Dodgers' biggest problem is baserunning.
• Grading On The Curve is concerned about Jacob Turner.

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

Fifty-seven years ago, the Dodgers faced the Phillies in Jersey City, New Jersey, marking the first major league game ever played in the Garden State.  The Dodgers won 5-4 after 10 innings at Roosevelt Stadium in front of a sparse crowd of 12,214.  The game was also notable as Brooklyn backstop Roy Campanella tied the score in the tenth inning with his 1000th career hit, a double down the left field line.  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosophere..

• I R Fast decided to dig a little bit deeper on recent claims that Colby Rasmus made.
• Prospect Insider examined Blake Beavan's new delivery.
• Grading On The Curve says Texas has enough to land Giancarlo Stanton.
• i70 Baseball looked at the Cardinals' first base depth.
• Pinstripe Pundits explains why Ichiro may head to the bench when Curtis Granderson returns.
• If I Were GM came to the defense of Carlos Quentin.
• Baseball Hot Corner wonders if Mike Scioscia will last the season.
• Lasorda's Lair reviewed 42 and gave it three out of four baseballs.
• Kings of Kauffman looked at statistical outliers so far in this young season.
• The Tribe Daily asks what the Indians should do with Ubaldo Jimenez.
• Marlin Maniac spoke with pitching prospect Edgar Olmos.
• MLB Reports says the Rays have to call up Wil Myers ASAP.
• On The Way Home asks if the Rangers should move Jurickson Profar.
• Cardinals Fan In Cubs Land wants the DH kept out of the NL.

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

On this date in 2002, Barry Bonds belted a homer in the first inning off of the Brewers' Nelson Figueroa for his 574th career round tripper.  With that home run, Bonds passed Harmon Killebrew, putting him sixth on the all-time home run list.  Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..

• Shutdown Inning has some ideas for what the Rangers can do with Jurickson Profar.
• Mayflies & Big Flies sat down with Twins prospect Alex Meyer.
• Southpaw Yakker discusses the Yankees and Joba Chamberlain coming to the end of the road.
• Lasorda's Lair chatted with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
• The Hardball Times illustrates why Paul Maholm is underappreciated.
• Pinstripe Pundits is excited about the early returns on Vernon Wells.
• Baseball Big Brother Project wonders if perfection could be a road to mediocrity.
• The Shea Faithful isn't concerned about who takes credit for Matt Harvey.
• I R Fast took an up close look at Jose Fernandez's big league debut.
• Kingdome of Seattle Sports previews the future of the Mariners/Astros rivalry.
• That Ball's Outta Here asks how long the Phillies will stick with Roy Halladay.
• Rankings Professor looked at the ten prospects closest to making a big league impact.
• MLB Reports looks at the A's newest diamond in the rough.
• Phoul Ballz caught up with a pair of Phillies prospects in their latest podcast.
• Baseball Reality Tour turns in their leadoff hitter power rankings.

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

On this date three years ago, President Barack Obama stepped on to the mound at Nationals Stadium wearing a White Sox cap and a Nats jacket and threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Washington's home opener against Philadelphia.  Obama's throw was pretty off the mark, but third baseman Ryan Zimmerman jumped up and made the catch.  Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..

• Did The Tribe Win Last Night talked to Joe Smith about his early struggles.
• Kings of Kauffman says K/BB will be important to the Royals this season.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports says the M's made the wrong call when they let Casper Wells go.
• Friarhood isn't thrilled with the Padres' decision on Jedd Gyorko.
• Pinstripe Pundits wonders if the Bombers should let Cano walk.
• MLB Reports examined what Buster Posey's deal means for the Giants.
• LA Weekly says that Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax comparisons are on the table.
• I R Fast wonders if Hyun-Jin Ryu's Pitch F/X data should change opinions on him.
• Rising Apple moves on from Johan Santana.
• Yahoo Sports wonders when Zack Wheeler will make his mark.
• Baseball Professor breaks down some impressive spring performances.
• The Inverted M says the Cubs have their work cut out for them to start the year.
• Through The Fence Baseball is high on Matt Harvey.
• The Giants Cove says extensions are now the name of the game.
• i70 Baseball asks if the Royals are for real this year.
• House Of The Bluebird previewed the Blue Jays.
• Baseball Professor awaits the return of Brandon Morrow.
• Baseball Hot Corner previews what should be a heated race in the NL West.
• Wahoo's On First has ten reasons to be skeptical about the 2013 Tribe.
• Lasorda's Lair talks about the Dodgers' outfield production in 2013.

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

On this date in 2001, Todd Helton signed a nine-year, $141.5MM contract extension with the Rockies, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.  The first baseman certainly helped his case in his walk year, posting a .372/.463/.698 slash line with 42 homers.  Twelve years later, the 39-year-old sounds pretty sure that this will be his final season.  Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..

• Blue Jay Hunter tries to predict how Mark Buehrle will transition to the AL East.
• Yankees Fans Unite has ten reasons to like the 2013 Bombers.
• I R Fast compares Rangers bullpen candidates.
• Kings Of Kauffman is ready to move on from Wil Myers.
• Rising Apple wants the Zack Wheeler hysteria to come down a peg.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports assesses the Mariners' chances in the AL West.
• BoSox Injection wonders if Will Middlebrooks is headed for a sophomore slump.
• Puckett's Pond reminds us about a forgotten Twin.
• MLB Reports breaks down the A's pitching.
• Midway Madness caught up with Jermaine Dye.
• Pinstripe Pundits is keeping an eye on C.C. Sabathia.
• A's Farm has Opening Day roster projections for the A's and their top minor league teams.
• MLB Prospect Watch wants O's fans to take a deep breath.
• Prospect Insider discusses the myth of a weak draft class.
• The Doubleday talks Royals.
• Lasorda's Lair imagines a Juan Uribe-less Dodgers team.

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

On this day in 1962, the Mets and Yankees met for the first time in a Spring Training game.  Former Yankees skipper Casey Stengel was at the helm for the National League's newest team and steered them to a 4-3 win at Al Lang Field.  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Cole On L.A. writes that the Dodgers are playing with fire.
• i70 Baseball says the Cardinals are a good fit for Rick Porcello.
• Phillies Nation updates us on the Phillies' non-roster invitees. 
• Through The Fence Baseball isn't pushing the panic button on the Dodgers.
• Baltimore Sports And LIfe talks delivery pop time and significance.
• The Tribe Daily looks at the Indians' rotation battle.
• Rays Colored Glasses questions what the club does with their pitchers.
• Wahoo's On First explained why Lonnie Chisenhall is poised for a breakout year.
• BoSox Injection reminds you that spring training stats don't mean a whole lot.
• Baseball Reality Tour takes a position-by-position glance around the majors.
• That Ball's Outta Here puts on their happy face to discuss Delmon Young.
• MLB Reports wonders if Jon Lester & Co. can weather the power outage.
• Pinstripe Pundits has concerns about Mark Teixeira.
• Lasorda's Lair implores you not to forget about Josh Beckett.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports says Michael Saunders is the most important hitter the M's have.

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

Five years ago, Padres left-hander Randy Wolf took the hill in spring training with his brother Jim serving as the home plate umpire.  However, that didn't help the pitcher much as he struggled in a 6-2 loss to the Brewers.  That marked the only time that this happened because even though Jim has served as the third base ump in a regular season game with Randy on the hill, he is not assigned to call balls and strikes when his brother is pitching.  Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..

• House Of The Bluebird analyzes Edwin Encarnacion's leap forward in 2012.
• Prospect Insider says the Mariners are better than you think.
• Halos Daily re-evaluated the Zack Greinke trade.
• I R Fast looked at Michael Roth's Pitch F/X data.
• Baseball Stooges ranked the top five GMs in baseball.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports projected the Mariners' Opening Day lineup.
• The Shea Faithful explains why Matt den Dekker needs more seasoning in the minors.
• Phillies Nation wonders what should be done with Yuniesky Betancourt.
• Pinstripe Pundits wonders if Brennan Boesch is a good fit for the Bombers.
• The Doubleday breaks down Stuart Sternberg's recent comments.
• Marlin Maniac spoke with Jason Collette of Baseball Prospectus.
• Rox Pile has some pitchers that the Rockies could target.
• The Tribe Daily talks Ubaldo Jimenez.
• Kings of Kauffman explains why the Royals can beat out the Tigers this year.
• MLB Reports delivers the Brewers' state of the union.
• Baseball Big Brother Project presents a tale of two clocks.
• The Daily Statesman writes that Matt Adams is now left in an awkward position.
• Blog Red Machine wonders if Cesar Izturis will make the cut in Cincinnati.
• Couch Side Show looks at the top fantasy third basemen.
• Baseball Hot Corner says this could be the year of the Brandons in San Francisco.
• On The Way Home asks if Greinke is worth the money for the Dodgers.

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

On this date in 1930, Babe Ruth inked a two-year deal with the Yankees worth $160K which renewed his status as the highest paid player of all time.  After the deal was completed, General Manager Ed Barrow predicted that, “No one will ever be paid more.”  Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere.. 

• South Side Sox has eight comparable cases for Chris Sale.
• Federal Baseball wonders what we might see from Ross Detwiler in 2013.
• I R Fast wonders if Bruce Rondon is ready to be a closer.
• A's Farm talked with Oakland's director of baseball operations about the club's young talent.
• Yankees Fans Unite recaps a jinxed spring training.
• Pinstripe Pundits reminds Mike Trout how lucky he is to play in this era.
• Couch Side Show isn't high on the Rockies' rotation.
• Hot Stove Heat is hoping that Trout doesn't let his meager pay bump affect him on the field.
• Rising Apple doesn't put much stock into who gets the starting nod on Opening Day.
• Phoul Ballz checked in with Phillies prospect Cody Asche.
• Lasorda's Lair is a little worried about Carl Crawford.
• Baltimore Sports and Life spoke with Jerry Crasnick.
• MLB CPI has a composite list of top prospects culled from the best sites on the net.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports believes that the M's recent power surge is a good sign.
• Baseball Hot Corner has five prospects to get excited about in 2013.
• The Doubleday examines the magic and myth of the age 27 season.
• Close Call gives their winners of the offseason.
• i70 Baseball looks at the Cards' organizational depth at third base.
• The Daily Statesman spoke with Tony LaRussa.
• Bless You Boys crunches some numbers to find the odds of making it to the majors.

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

On this date in 1987, Charlie Kerfeld agreed to one of the more ludicrous deals in the history of baseball.  The right-hander inked a one-year deal with the Astros worth $110,037.37 and 37 boxes of orange Jello.  Kerfeld, who wore No. 37, insisted he earn more than teammate Jim DeShaies' $110K salary and wanted the gelatin for future pranks.  

We've already had lots of great stuff on MLBTR today, but there's always room for Baseball Blogs Weigh In.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Baseball Hot Corner wonders if the Dodgers should have traded Andre Ethier.
• Baseball Big Brother Project gives Bryce Harper the credit he deserves.
• Free Lance makes a case for the teams that PECOTA isn't crazy about.
• I R Fast analyzes Chad Cordero's Pitch F/X data.
• MLB Injury News doesn't think the Yankees should make a deal to fill in for Granderson.
• Pinstripe Pundits has some options in case the Bombers do go that route, however.
• NASORB profiles the current and former Mariners in the WBC.
• The Daily Statesman explains why the Cardinals need Matt Carpenter's bat in the lineup.
• STL Cardinal Baseball doesn't want to see the Cards overpay for Adam Wainwright.
• Fantasy Rundown compiled the top prospect rankings from the best sources on the web.
• Braves Banter has five questions for spring training.
• Baltimore Sports And Life talked World Baseball Classic in the latest podcast.
• Lasorda's Lair wonders if the Dodgers should deal Aaron Harang or Chris Capuano.
• A's Farm checked in with Addison Russell.
• Puckett's Pond revisits David Ortiz in Minnesota.
• Wahoo's On First says the Michael Bourn signing makes the Brett Myers deal look like a mistake.

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

On this date in 2005, California state assemblyman Tom Umberg introduced legislation that would have required pro franchises to use disclaimers if they did not play the majority of home games in the location used in their name. His “Truth in Sports Advertising Act” was designed to keep the Angels from changing their name to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Of course, his efforts were unsuccessful and the Angels went ahead with the name change in 2005.  The Dodgers weren’t thrilled about the Halos’ decision and continued to designate the Angels as “ANA” on their out-of-town scoreboard that season.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• A’s Farm caught up with pitching prospect Dan Straily.
• Lasorda’s Lair spoke with Miracle On Grass author David Fanucchi.
• MLB Injury News tells us what to watch for with Stephen Strasburg in 2013.
• Baseball Reality Tour looks how Drew Stubbs could fit in with the Indians.
• The Beanball has a crazy idea to help Kyle Lohse find a team.
• Free Lance asks if hitters can create their own luck.
• Pinstripe Pundits looks at the non-roster invitees in camp with the Yankees.
• Dr. Strangeglove profiles Alex Dickerson. 
• The Daily Statesman wonders how the Cards will be affected by Shelby Miller‘s shutdown.
• MLB Reports explains why Lohse is a fit for the O’s.
• Through The Fence Baseball thinks that Lohse makes sense for the Beltway’s other team.
• Swingin A’s fears that Jed Lowrie could upset the apple cart in Oakland.
• Wahoo’s On First had a roundtable discussion on Michael Bourn.
• A Giant Perspective gives us five things to watch in spring training.
• Bullpen Banter breaks down the Rays’ top prospects.
• If I Were GM helps you get more familiar with the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado.
• Couch Side Show has a bone to pick with the Marlins.
• Splice Today implores the Rangers to lock Elvis Andrus up now.

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