Baseball Blogs Weigh In

One year ago today, the Red Sox and Braves completed their September collapses on the final day of the regular season. Boston lost to the Orioles to allow the Rays to make the postseason while Atlanta fell to the Phillies, opening the door for the Cardinals to make their World Series run. With six days to go in the 2012 regular season, there are still six of ten playoff spots up for grabs and nine total teams within two games of them. Here's the latest from around the web…

• Baseball with Matt, a baseball blog for kids, interviewed our own Ben Nicholson-Smith.
• Wahoo's on First wonders if the Indians should fire GM Chris Antonetti.
• Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? wrote about the Pirates front office.
• MLB Injury News thinks Chase Headley's durability is a reason for the Padres to extend him.
• Over The Monster says the Red Sox should give David Ortiz the multiyear deal he wants.
• Kings of Kauffman is pleased to hear that the Royals will spend on starting pitching.
• Fish Stripes says the Marlins have a tough decision to make about Josh Johnson.
• Amazin' Avenue thinks the Mets should listen to trade offers for Jonathon Niese.
• Rising Apple listed some free agent outfielders the Mets could target.
• Bless You Boys made Miguel Cabrera's MVP case.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

On this date four years ago, the Yankees played their final game in the old Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers won the game over the Orioles by the score of 7-3, and the final pitch in the House that Ruth Built was thrown by Mariano Rivera. The last homer hit there came off the bat of … Jose Molina. Just like they drew it up. Here's this week's look at the baseball blogosphere…

• A's Farm has a transcript of Athletics manager Bob Melvin's recent chat with bloggers.
• Dr. Strangeglove wrote about the possibility of Pirates GM Neal Huntington getting fired.
• Wahoo's on First wonders if the Indians should fire manager Manny Acta.
• Lasorda's Lair says all of the Dodgers' recent spending has yet to pay off.
• MLB Injury News wrote about the contract the Rangers gave the injured Colby Lewis.
• Dorm Room GM thinks that the Athletics could be a trade fit for Ike Davis.
• U.S.S. Mariner says that the Mariners should consider trading Jesus Montero.
• Rays Colored Glasses tries to figure out B.J. Upton's future.
• DRays Bay lists the Rays starting pitchers who could be traded soon.
• 85% Sports wrote about the Cardinals possibly calling up top prospect Oscar Taveras.
• Orioles Nation has enjoyed every second of the 2012 season.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Jose Reyes stole his 50th base of the season on this date in 2008, becoming the first New York area player to steal 50+ bags in four consecutive seasons. That includes the Mets and Yankees as well as the Dodgers and Giants of yesteryear. Here is the latest from the baseball blogosphere…

• Randy Linville of Pirates Prospects explains why Pirates GM Neal Huntington should be fired.
• Wahoo's on First makes a case for firing Indians manager Manny Acta.
• Blogging Mets says the Mets must get creative with David Wright's extension.
• Faith and Fear in Flushing is starting to lose patience with the Mets.
• Yankees Fans Unite thinks missing the playoffs might be good for the Yankees.
• MLB Reports makes a case for Edwin Jackson being the best signing of the offseason.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if Carlos Pena is the worst free agent in Rays' history.
• MLB Injury News looks at how Matt Garza's injury impacts his trade stock.
• Crashburn Alley says the Phillies should just trade Juan Pierre already.
• BoSox Injection thinks Alfredo Aceves has played his way off the Red Sox.
• Lone Star Ball wrote about the Rangers' middle infield logjam.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

On this date in 2009, the Pirates lost to the Cubs and became the first team in baseball history to clinch their 17th consecutive losing season. They eclipsed the 1933-1948 Phillies for the longest streak of futility in baseball history. Pittsburgh ran that streak to 19 straight last season, but they need to win just ten of their final 24 games this year to clinch their first winning record since 1992. Here's the latest links from around the web…

• District on Deck is okay with the Nationals shutting down Stephen Strasburg.
• MLB Reports thinks the Red Sox should be cautious about pursuing Josh Hamilton.
• Wahoo's on First says Melky Cabrera would be a great fit for the Indians.
• Yanks Go Yard wrote about Curtis Granderson's eventual free agency.
• NASORB mused about Hisashi Iwakuma and his impending free agency.
• Sodo Mojo listed some offseason targets for the Mariners.
• Burning Down The Yard analyzed the Orioles payroll flexibility.
• Rising Apple thinks the Mets should bring Mike Pelfrey back in 2013.
• Blogging Mets wonders if the Mets can swing a Red Sox-type of dump trade.
• Rays Colored Glasses wrote about B.J. Upton's walk year.
• MLB Injury News tries to figure out what's wrong with Ian Kennedy.
• MLB Prospect Watch wrote about the D'Backs' dilemma with Adam Eaton.
• Full Spectrum Baseball has some thoughts on the waiver trade period.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Two years ago today, left-hander Aroldis Chapman made his Major League debut with the Reds. The $30.25MM man topped 100 mph four times in his perfect inning of work. These days Chapman is arguably the most dominant closer in baseball, with 113 strikeouts in just 64 innings this season. Here's the latest from around the web, with a large helping of Red Sox-Dodgers blockbuster reactions…

• Both MLB Reports and Row 12 say the big trade makes sense for everyone.
• The Barnstormer and Lasorda's Lair wrote about the return of Dodger blue.
• Chad Moriyama says the trade carries significant risk for the Dodgers.
• True Blue LA wrote about the Dodgers and the luxury tax following the trade.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness looked at what Josh Beckett could bring to the Dodgers.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan says the Red Sox can thank Adrian Gonzalez for the trade.
• MLB Injury News looked at Carl Crawford and trades involving injured players.
• Over The Monster wrote about the Red Sox and discipline following the trade.
• BoSox Injection thinks Cody Ross and David Ortiz could benefit most from the deal.
• The Giants Cove looked at the trade from the Giants' point of view.
• Yanks Go Yard says the Yankees' deadline moves have failed to make an impact.
• Wahoo's on First lists some last-minute trade destinations for Casey Kotchman.
• Rising Apple wonders if Collin McHugh or Jenrry Mejia could be trade bait this winter.
• Call to the Pen says J.J. Hardy's future is a question with Manny Machado called up.
• I-70 Baseball says the Royals shouldn't be having this much trouble contending.
• Cleveland Indians Perspective looked at some potential Indians' September call-ups.
• Seedlings to Stars wrote about Yasel Puig's hot start in the minors.
• MLB on Deck wonders why players are still getting caught for using PEDs.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

On this date in 2005, Mike Jacobs took Jose Valverde deep to become the only player in baseball history of hit four home runs in his first four big league games. He homered in his first at-bat with the Mets and twice in a blowout win over the Diamondbacks a few days later. Here are the latest links from around the web…

• The Knuckle Blog interviewed 2012 draftees Ty Buttrey (Red Sox, fourth round) and Brad Stone (Rangers, 35th round).
• The Yankee Analysts wonders if Roger Clemens is trying to delay his Hall of Fame eligibility.
• U.S.S. Mariner muses about a potential contract extension for Felix Hernandez.
• The Giants Cove covered some aspects of the post-Melky Cabrera Giants.
• Lasorda's Lair wrote about the impact of Melky's suspension on the Dodgers.
• Monkey with a Halo makes a case for and against the Angels firing Mike Scioscia.
• Over The Monster wrote about the value of Adrian Gonzalez.
• MLB Reports has some suggestions to fix the Red Sox.
• Through the Fence Baseball listed five things that could help the Mets contend next year.
• Kings of Kauffman doesn't want the Royals to extend Jeremy Guthrie.
• The Brewers Bar looked back at the Randy Wolf contract.
• Lone Star Ball makes a case for the Rangers exercising Scott Feldman's option.
• Wahoo's on First lists some players the Indians could trade this month.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if the Rays and Jason Bartlett could reunite.
• Yankees Fans Unite wrote about the Yankees' young pitchers and their 2014 payroll.
• Dodgers Rumors posted about James Loney's final days with the Dodgers.
• MLB on Deck lists some managers on the hot seat.
• Pirates Prospects defined baseball's small, mid, and large markets.
• 85% Sports analyzed the most cost effective team in the Majors.
• Full Spectrum Baseball wrote about Dylan Bundy as a fantasy baseball keeper.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

On this date in 2008, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey tied a Major League record with four wild pitches in one inning while with the Mariners. Catcher Kenji Johjima was also charged with a passed ball in the frame. Dickey is now enjoying a Cy Young-caliber campaign and has only uncorked two wild pitches in 168 1/3 innings for the Mets this season. Here's the latest from around the web…

• Climbing Tal's Hill interviewed Lance McCullers Jr., the 41st pick in this year's draft.
• Phoul Ballz interviewed Ethan Martin, who the Phillies acquired for Shane Victorino.
• MLB Reports interviewed Yankees prospect Tyler Austin.
• The Giants Cove wrote about the end of Melky Cabrera's time with the Giants.
• Phillies Nation wonders if the Phillies can sign Melky on the cheap this offseason.
• The Beaneball says re-signing David Wright would mean more than keeping the player.
• Rising Apple put together an offseason to-do list for Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
• Chicken Friars explored the cost of extending Chase Headley.
• Over The Monster wrote about Jacoby Ellsbury's future with the Red Sox.
• Sports of Boston looked at the Red Sox's missed opportunities at the trade deadline.
• DRays Bay says the Rays should sign Jeff Keppinger to an extension.
• Royals Review wonders if Royals GM Dayton Moore should have made more trades.
• Yanks Go Yard calls Hiroki Kuroda the Yankees' rotation savior.
• Burning Down the Yard wonders if Omar Quintanilla is the Orioles' solution at second.
• Padres Prospects wrote about some under-the-radar Padres minor leaguers.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog listed some managers on the hot seat.
• Baseball Reality Tour goes back and grades the moves made at the 2008 deadline.
• The Hardball Times analyzed the value of pre-arbitration players.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

On this date in 2008, the Rays won their 71st game of the season to set a new franchise record. They finished the season with 97 wins and won the first pennant in team history as well. Here are this week's links…

• Phoul Ballz interviewed Phillies prospect Tommy Joseph, who was acquired in the Hunter Pence trade.
• Midwest Sports Fans wrote about Dan Feinstein, the Athletics director or pro scouting.
• The 5.5 Hole broke down the cost of Albert Pujols' early-season slump.
• Wahoo's on First explains why the Indians should start rebuilding.
• Levi's Landing shared some thoughts on the Giants' trade deadline activity.
• The Giants Cove wrote about the rest of the Giants' deadline story.
• Kings of Kauffman lists some free agent pitchers the Royals can consider.
• Seattle Sports Central speculated about the Mariners' 2013 rotation.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan says the Red Sox need an overhaul.
• BoSox Injection looks at the Red Sox's options with Josh Beckett.
• Rising Apple doesn't think the Mets should retain Jason Bay.
• Yanks Go Yard looked back at the Curtis Granderson–Austin Jackson trade.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Albert Pujols hit his 30th homer of the season on this date in 2004, making him the first player in history to hit at least 30 home runs in each of his first four seasons as a big leaguers. He's also the first player in history to hit at least 30 homers in each of his first five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven seasons. Here's the latest from around the league following the trade deadline…

• Through The Fence Baseball wrote about the Astros and the prospect market.
• MLB Reports explains why GM Jerry Dipoto is exactly what the Angels need.
• The Outside Corner analyzed the Zack Greinke trade.
• Lone Star Ball is on board with the Rangers acquiring Ryan Dempster.
• Giants Nirvana is neutral about the Hunter Pence acquisition.
• Lasorda's Lair wrote about the weirdness of acquiring Shane Victorino.
• Dodgers Nation wonders if the Dodgers should claim Cliff Lee off waivers.
• Yanks Go Yard broke down the trade deadline activity in the AL East.
• BoSox Injection thinks the Red Sox could be poised for a big offseason.
• Dr. Strangeglove analyzed the Pirates and their deadline moves.
• Pirates Prospects looked at how the deadline impacted the Pirates' 2013 payroll.
• The Brewers Bar thinks the Brewers' lack of deadline moves is a good thing.
• Twins Baseball Clubhouse wrote the Twins' lack of deadline activity.
• Wahoo's on First graded the Indians' lack of activity at the deadline.
• NASORB wrote about the future of Jason Vargas with the Mariners.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog listed the deadline winners and losers.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

With three days to go before the trade deadline, here's the latest from the baseball blogosphere…

• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says the Dodgers absolutely had to make the Hanley Ramirez trade.
• Chad Moriyama calls the trade a gamble the Dodgers had to take.
• Cole on L.A. calls the Hanley trade a great one for the Dodgers.
• Fish Stripes isn't sure the Marlins are really conducting a fire sale.
• Eye on the Tigers thinks the Tigers overpaid to acquire Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante.
• Know Hitter likes Sanchez and Infante for the Tigers but not at that price.
• Crashburn Alley says the Cole Hamels extension may be GM Ruben Amaro Jr.'s best move.
• NASORB doesn't expect Ichiro Suzuki to be much better with the Yankees.
• Yanks Go Yard analyzed the Ichiro trade.
• Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about the Rangers and Josh Johnson.
• MLB Reports says the Rangers should sacrifice some prospects to try to win now.
• Dodgers Nation explains why Matt Garza is the best starter on the market.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if the Rays would consider trading Evan Longoria.
• Gaslamp Ball likes the Carlos Quentin extension for more than one reason.
• Phillies Nation says the Phillies should trade Hunter Pence.
• Wahoo's on First explains why the Indians should trade Shin-Soo Choo.
• Bay City Ball ran down some trade deadline scenarios for the Giants.
• Full Spectrum Baseball wrote about the Cardinals and bolstering their bullpen.
• Royals Review tries to figure out what the Royals should do at the deadline.
• Warehouse Worthy suggests a trade for the Orioles and Giants.
• Burning Down the Yard wonders if the Orioles and Nationals could matchup for a trade.
• Swingin' A's listed some past Athletics trades that didn't come to be.
• MLB Prospect Watch wrote about the prospect return of two-month rentals.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.