Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

On this date in 1998, Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood struck out 13 Diamondbacks to set the Major League record for most strikeouts in consecutive games at 33. Wood struck out 20 Astros in his previous start. The previous record was 32 strikeouts held by Luis Tiant, Nolan Ryan, Doc Gooden, and Randy Johnson. Here's the latest baseball talk from around the web…

• Yankees Fans Unite interviewed Yankees' prospect Tyler Austin.
• Baseball Hot Corner interviewed Cubs' prospect Trevor Gretzky, son of Wayne.
• Baseball Nation examined the worst trade of the last five years.
• Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about Josh Hamilton's contract in the wake of his four-homer game.
• Full Spectrum Baseball isn't sure if the Rangers should re-sign Hamilton.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders how different Rays history would be if Hamilton never had his off-the-field problems.
• Through the Fence Baseball thinks Evan Gattis may be the next Hamilton.
• NatsGM says the Nationals should try to acquire Seth Smith.
• Chicken Friars put together a list of players the Padres shouldn't trade as they rebuild.
• Puckett's Pond assessed the Twins' trade bait.
• Twins Fan From Afar wonders if we can start to question Joe Mauer's health.
• Twins Baseball Clubhouse revisited the Johan Santana trade.
• The Brewers Bar analyzed Alex Gonzalez's injury.
• Lookout Landing wrote about the Chone Figgins problem.
• Wahoo's On First said goodbye to Casey Blake following his retirement.
• Lasorda's Lair looks at how the Dodgers could fill some of their roster holes.
• Sports of Boston wonders if Daisuke Matsuzaka was worth the hype and money.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan looked at Kevin Youkilis and Will Middlebrooks.
• BoSox Banter examines why the Red Sox have been so awful this year.
• Cleveland Indians Perspective looks back at what went wrong with the Indians' 2010 draft.
• Swingin' A's wrote about the East Bay businesses hoping to keep the Athletics in Oakland.
• Bronx Banter re-published Robert Ward's celebrated "Reggie Jackson in No Man's Land" article from the June 1977 issue of Sport magazine. It's the first time the infamous "I'm the straw that stirs the drink" article has been posted online in its entirely.

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Five years ago today, 49-year-old Julio Franco and 43-year-old Randy Johnson faced off in the oldest hitter-pitcher matchup in baseball history. Franco took the Big Unit deep, extending his own record as the oldest player to ever hit a home run. Here's the latest from around the league…

• Pirates Prospects spoke to Pirates president Frank Coonelly about a potential international draft.
• Phoul Ballz interviewed top Phillies prospect Trevor May.
• River Ave. Blues says the Yankees will never be same without Mariano Rivera.
• Baseball Trivia Questions thinks the Michael Pineda trade is a good deal gone bad.
• Over The Monster looks at the early returns of Red Sox GM Ben Cherington's moves.
• BoSox Injection believes it is time for the Red Sox to trade Kevin Youkilis.
• I-70 Baseball says the Cardinals have better balance without Albert Pujols.
• FanSpeak thanks Dan Duquette and Andy MacPhail for the Orioles' hot start.
• Through the Fence Baseball explains why the Padres should change the dimensions of Petco Park.
• Chicken Friars thinks Huston Street could attract trade interest soon.
• The Nats Blog wonders what's wrong with Danny Espinosa.
• Call to the Pen analyzed the Hideki Matsui signing.
• The Brewers Bar listed some candidates to replace Mat Gamel.
• Know Hitter assessed the Tigers' needs.
• MLB Reports says the Blue Jays need to add a big bat to contend in the AL East.
• Rant Sports Blue Jays wonders if Edwin Encarnacion is for real.
• Meanwhile, The True Fan's Sports Blog wonders if the Dodgers are for real.
• 85% Sports wrote about the Astros and the first overall pick in this year's draft.
• Redbird Rants says Mike Matheny has proven he was right man for the Cardinals.
• MLB on Deck lists some managers who may be on the hot seat.
• Shutdown Inning analyzed pitcher mechanics and hitter reaction times.

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Four years ago today, the Pirates released Matt Morris after he allowed 31 runs in 22 1/3 innings across his first five starts of the season. Pittsburgh acquired Morris from the Giants in exchange for Rajai Davis and a player to be named later at the 2007 trade deadline, then ate $10M by releasing him. Two days after being released, Morris called it a career. Here's the latest from around the web…

• River Ave. Blues calls the Michael Pineda trade a disaster for 2012.
• Rising Apple thinks Mike Pelfrey may have thrown his last pitch for the Mets.
• The Brewers Bar comes up with some ways for the Brewers to replace Chris Narveson.
• Chicken Friars wonders if Jedd Gyorko's position change indicates an extension is coming for Chase Headley.
• Jays Journal wrote about a potential Kelly Johnson contract extension.
• Wahoo's on First analyzed the Indians' upcoming roster decision.
• Know Hitter explored Kurt Suzuki's trade value.
• Full Spectrum Baseball looked at Francisco Liriano as a trade candidate.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan took a long look at Brian Fuentes.
• Southpaw Yakker wrote about the human element of Philip Humber's perfect game.
• NASORB wrote about the silver lining of Humber's perfecto.
• Camden Crazies says the Jason Hammel trade is working out well for the Orioles.
• Over The Monster wrote about Marlon Byrd's fresh start.
• Capitol Avenue Club explains what the Braves could learn from the Brewers.
• Warehouse Worthy examined the Orioles' bullpen improvement.
• Rays Colored Glasses wrote about the Rays and no-hitters.
• Call to the Pen wrote about the dangers of being a closer.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog listed some ways to fix the Angels.
• Twins Daily wrote about the Twins and college pitchers.
• MLB Reports unveiled their Tommy John Surgery Tracker.

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Six years ago today, Julio Franco hit a pinch-hit home run for the Mets against the Padres in Petco Park. At 47 years and 240 days old, the blast made Franco the oldest player to ever hit a homer. He went on to hit two more homers in his career, extending his own record. Here's the latest from the baseball blogosphere, which hopefully ages as gracefully as Franco did…

• Baseball in the Blood interviewed Natalie Niekro, daughter of the late Joe Niekro.
• Jays Journal interviewed Blue Jays prospect Noah Syndergaard.
• Rumbunter interviewed Pirates prospects Kyle McPherson and Zack Von Rosenberg.
• Marlins Nation interviewed Marlins prospect Jacob Realmuto.
• Padres Prospects has an update on Casey Kelly's elbow injury.
• I-70 Baseball says Joey Votto's deal shouldn't worry Royals fans about Eric Hosmer.
• Bay City Ball is really, really happy with the Madison Bumgarner extension.
• Giants Nirvana wrote about Brian Wilson's future with the Giants.
• MLB Reports looks at how the Giants can replace Wilson this season.
• Swingin' A's wrote about the Giants, the Athletics, and San Jose.
• Wahoo's on First tries to figure out where Johnny Damon fits with the Indians.
• Bless You Boys doesn't know why Brandon Inge is still on the Tigers.
• Over The Monster wonders if Bobby Valentine is trying to get himself fired.
• Sports of Boston is curious why Valentine relies so heavily on his bench.
• The Best Sox Blog lists some relievers who could interest the Red Sox.
• BoSox Injection wrote about Kevin Youkilis and Boston's third base situation.
• Pirates Prospects list three reasons why the Pirates should trade Joel Hanrahan.
• The Nats Blog says the Nationals are right to control Stephen Strasburg's workload.
• Puckett's Pond tries to figure out how the Twins can replace Scott Baker.
• Halos Daily analyzed Vernon Wells' new swing.
• Redbird Rants wrote about the depth of the Cardinals' bench.
• The Beanball explained the important of bench depth.
• Camden Crazies wonders if Matt Wieters is the best catcher in baseball.
• Warehouse Worthy tries to figure out who is the Orioles' worst pitcher.
• AL Eastbound & Down says Kyle Drabek is starting to look like an elite pitcher.
• Know Hitter went back and reviewed the Miguel Cabrera trade.
• The True Sports Fan's Blog mused about David Wright's future.
• The Futurists wrote about Heath Bell's rise as a non-prospect.
• Blog Red Machine thinks Scott Rolen is a Hall of Famer.
• 85% Sports wonders if the Pittsburgh Pirates are the next Tampa Bay Rays.

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Eight years ago today, Barry Bonds passed Willie Mays on the all-time home run list by taking Ben Ford of the Brewers deep. His 661st career blast put him in third place all-time. The ball was caught by the same fan in McCovey Cove who caught Bonds' 660th career homer the night before. Here's the latest from around the baseball corner of the web…

• Big Train Insider interviewed former big league closer Chad Cordero.
• MLB Reports interviewed Gregg Olsen, another ex-closer.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog wrote about Ian Kinsler's extension and Danny Espinosa.
• The Rays Way wonders if the Rays have been too hesitant to trade their pitchers.
• Twins Baseball Clubhouse wrote about the Scott Baker dilemma.
• Rising Apple says it's time for the Mets to platoon Jason Bay.
• The Shea Faithful believes manager Terry Collins is the right man for the Mets.
• Through The Fence Baseball wonders when the Angels will make room for Mike Trout.
• Call to the Pen chimed in on the Red Sox's closer conundrum.
• BoSox Injection thinks the feud with Terry Francona might be good for the Sox.
• Yankees Fans Unite says Derek Jeter still sets the tone for the Yankees.
• Puckett's Pond thinks Trevor Plouffe might be the next Ben Zobrist.
• Lasorda's Lair is worried about James Loney.
• The Futurists wrote about Mark Prior, Joe Mauer, and the 2001 draft.
• Know Hitter breaks down the Indians chances.
• The Beanball analyzed million dollar arms with ten cent heads.
• Shutdown Inning broke down the sacrifice bunt.
• MLB Draft Insider published their latest mock draft.

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On this date in 2004, Luis Gonzalez of the Diamondbacks and Luis Gonzalez of the Rockies both hit home runs. It was only the second time in baseball history that two players with the same name went deep in the same game. The Ken Griffeys – Senior and Junior – hit back-to-back homers against the Angels in 1990. Here's the latest from around the baseball blogosphere, with a heavy dose of extension reactions…

• Did The Tribe Win Last Night? interviewed Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan.
• Redleg Nation analyzed the Joey Votto extension (the market, attendance revenue, broadcast revenue).
• Red Reporter explained what Votto means to the Reds.
• McCovey Chronicles wrote about the urgency of Matt Cain's contract extension.
• SF Giants Rumors spoke to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick about Cain's deal.
• Bay City Ball has some thoughts on the Cain extension.
• Disciples of Uecker looked at Zack Greinke's situation in the wake of Cain's deal.
• Royal Revival analyzed the Alex Gordon contract extension.
• Chicken Friars broke down Cory Luebke's contract extension.
• Lone Star Ball has some thoughts about a possible Ian Kinsler extension.
• Baseball Time in Arlington also mused about a potential Kinsler deal.
• Rant Sports Royals says the Royals would be smart to extend Eric Hosmer.
• Lasorda's Lair introduced you to the Dodgers' new ownership group.
• NASORB says not to worry about Felix Hernandez's missing velocity just yet.
• Pirates Prospects says calling the Pirates a farm system for the rest of baseball is inaccurate.
• Capitol Avenue Club responded to the Chad Durbin signing.
• Over The Monster reviewed the Red Sox's bullpen following Andrew Bailey's injury.
• Through the Fence Baseball explains why the Red Sox should sign Roy Oswalt.
• BoSox Injection wonders if Bobby Valentine is focused on the Red Sox.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan says patience is the key to Daniel Bard as a starter.
• Call to the Pen analyzed each club's payroll from 2011-2012.
• Marlin Maniac says the Marlins are building hope for the future.
• Rox Pile wrote about the Ubaldo Jimenez–Troy Tulowitzki dust up.
• Crashburn Alley analyzed Juan Pierre's historic lack of power.
• A's Farm wrote about the Athletics Triple-A affiliate.
• Southpaw Yakker explains why we have to be careful with projections.
• Roster Brain posted a series of roster-related quizzes.

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On this date in 1993, Charlie Brown hit a game-winning homer off the great-granddaughter of Roy Hobbs. She claims to have let him hit the homer though, perhaps in an attempt to save face. It was his first dinger in 43 years. Charles Schulz created nearly 18,000 Peanuts cartoons, but Charlie didn't hit more than a handful of homers. Here's the latest from around the web…

• Athletics Nation posted an interview with A's GM Billy Beane (part one, part two).
• True Blue LA posted some of the Dodgers' reactions to the new ownership group.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness doesn't think the Dodgers new ownership group should replace GM Ned Colletti just yet.
• Lasorda's Lair lists five things they'd like to see the Dodgers new ownership accomplish.
• River Ave. Blues wrote about the Dodgers sale and its impact on the Yankees.
• Cardinal Doctrines wrote about the Chris Carpenter's injury and the Cardinals' rotation.
• Phillies Nation explains how a deal between the Phillies and Cole Hamels can get done.
• Over The Monster wrote about the never-ending Theo Epstein compensation saga.
• Capitol Avenue Club wonders if the Braves are happy that Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson are Scott Boras clients.
• Redleg Nation wrote about the Sean Marshall Plan.
• Bay City Ball thinks the Giants might make some bad decisions soon.
• Bless You Boys tries to figure out what the Tigers should do with Brandon Inge.
• Puckett's Pond wonders why the Twins won't let Brian Duensing start.
• Yankees Fans Unite says Yankees GM Brian Cashman has learned from the past.
• Marlin Maniac mused about Ozzie Guillen and Randy Choate.
• Motor City Bengals wrote about the last few spots on the Tigers' roster.
• Warehouse Worthy wonders how the Orioles will handle Dylan Bundy.
• Giants Nirvana says second base is a problem in San Francisco.
• More Hardball highlighted MLB's last remaining active players from the 1980s.
• Baseball Nation wrote about an overlooked aspect of big money contracts.
• MLB Prospect Portal posted a video of Blue Jays prospect Adonys Cardona.
• Give Jon A Dollar explains why baseball is still the national pastime.
• The Hardball Times analyzed the fantasy LIMA strategy (part one, part two).
• The Knuckle Blog published a 105-page preview of the upcoming season.

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

Three years ago today, Miami-Dade County commissioners approved the final documents necessary for the Marlins to move forward with the construction of their new ballpark. The 37,000-seat retractable roof stadium and its unique home run sculpture will open its doors this season. Here's the latest from the baseball blogosphere…

• Capitol Avenue Club wrote about the Chipper Jones effect.
• MLB Reports wrote about Andy Pettitte's comeback.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness is preparing the Steve Cohen era in Chavez Ravine.
• Royals Review says thank you to Joakim Soria for the last five years.
• Royal Revival wrote about the Humberto Quintero trade.
• District on Deck covered the Jason Bourgeois trade from the Nationals' perspective.
• Redbird Rants isn't sure what the Cardinals should do after Chris Carpenter's injury.
• Rant Sports Rangers broke down Derek Holland's contract extension.
• Chicken Friars scored Nick Hundley's contract extension.
• Baseball Nation analyzed Jered Weaver's unusual home field advantage.
• Monkey with a Halo lists six Angels would could be traded before Opening Day.
• LA Angels Insider examined the Alberto Callaspo trade market.
• Crashburn Alley looked at the pros and cons of the infield trade market for the Phillies.
• Beyond the Box Score fools around with the idea of a 20-year contract for Mike Trout.
• Amazin' Avenue says it would be a mistake for the Mets to release Mike Pelfrey.
• Blogging Mets, on the other hand, says Pelfrey should be cut loose.
• Levi's Landing extensively analyzed Aubrey Huff.
• Warehouse Worthy wrote about the Orioles' directions to success.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan made some educated guesses about the Red Sox's pitching staff.
• Blue Jays Blog broke down the Travis Snider–Eric Thames position battle.
• Through the Fence Baseball wonders if Jerry Sands is the next Paul Konerko.
• Call to the Pen wrote about Jason Lane's conversion to pitching.
• Yankees Fans Unite explained the infield keys to the Yankees season.
• MLB Prospect Watch wrote about the idea of moving Bryce Harper to center field.
• Jays Journal mused about the Blue Jays' catching conundrum.
• Did The Tribe Win Last Night? wrote about a tragic day in Spring Training history.
• Wahoo's on First put together an updated version of their Simple WAR Calculator.

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Six years and one day ago, Roy Halladay agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Blue Jays worth $40MM. The deal did not kick in until the 2008 season and bought out three free agent years. Halladay only pitched two of those three years in Toronto before being traded to the Phillies prior to the 2010 season. All told, the Jays paid Doc approximately $76MM for over 2,000 innings of 3.43 ERA ball. Here's the latest from around the web…

• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan interviewed several members of the Athletics bullpen, including Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour.
• El Maquino says the Royals are copying the Rays with their recent contract extensions.
• Redleg Nation is comfortable with a two or three extension for Brandon Phillips.
• Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about Mike Napoli and his lack of a contract extension.
• Baseball GMs invented some extensions for various players.
• Disciples of Uecker says the Brewers have no reason to trade Logan Schafer right now.
• Brotherly Glove makes a case for the Phillies to keep Joe Blanton.
• Phillies Nation, meanwhile, muses about a deal sending Blanton to the Angels.
• Swingin' A's wrote about Yoenis Cespedes and the Athletics' recent history of risky moves.
• AL Eastbound & Down looks at expectations for Brett Lawrie.
• SaberGM analyzed the Tigers' second base situation.
• Chicken Friars wrote about two similar players who ended up in very different places.
• Through The Fence Baseball wonders what Padres ownership is trying to tell fans.
• Sports of Boston plays the what-if game with Jacoby Ellsbury and Curtis Granderson.
• Wahoo's on First looked back at the 2007 Cleveland Indians.
• I-70 Baseball thinks Luke Hochevar may be better than we realize.
• The Eye in the Skydone wrote about Brett Cecil's missing velocity.
• The Battlin' Bucco says the Pirates should free Starling Marte.
• SB Nation Chicago previewed the Cubs season.
• Rising Apple thinks the Mets need a center fielder, specifically Matt Angle.
• Why Won't The Tigers Hire Me? looks ahead to some potential July sellers.
• 85% Sports scores Sandy Alderson's time as Mets GM.
• M.C. Antil says Mat Gamel still has a long way to go.
• Infield Shift listed the 2012 Spring Training All-Stars.
• Cleveland Indians Perspective listed the Indians' top 75 prospects.

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On this date in 1995, the 28 owners unanimously approved the addition of two new franchises: the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays. The clubs were assigned leagues in 1997 and started play in 1998. Here are the box scores for the first game in D'Backs and D'Rays history. With the regular season just a month away, let's round up the latest from around the web…

• Rum Bunter interviewed Pirates GM Neal Huntington about the A.J. Burnett trade.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan interviewed Jonny Gomes, Collin Cowgill, and Josh Donaldson of the Athletics.
• Athletics Farm interviewed Athletics director of player personnel Billy Owens.
• Raise The Jolly Roger is thrilled about the Andrew McCutchen extension.
• Pirates Prospects wrote about the long-term impact of McCutchen's deal.
• Buried Treasure explored McCutchen's trade value.
• Redbird Rants celebrated Yadier Molina's contract extension.
• STL Cardinal Baseball presented an alternate reality for the Cardinals.
• The Brewers Bar looked at the Brewers history of extensions (part one, part two).
• Disciples of Uecker notes that the Brewers depth will get a chance to shine early in the season.
• Call to the Pen wrote about Yu Darvish's impressive Spring Training debut.
• Phillies Nation says the Phillies can afford both Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino, but not a third baseman.
• Twins Fan From Afar looked into how "true aces" are acquired.
• BoSox Injection believes it would make sense for the Red Sox to bat Kevin Youkilis leadoff.
• Puckett's Pond thinks the Twins bullpen has a chance to be just fine.
• Dr. Stangeglove thinks moving Neil Walker to third base is a bad idea.
• South Side Sox says the White Sox don't have much wiggle room for their bench.
• The EntreprenOriole wrote about the best defensive catcher in baseball.
• Levi's Landing analyzed the Giants baserunning.
• NASORB published a list of the Mariners' top 25 prospects.
• Baseball GMs wrote about players deserving of qualifying offers (part one, part two).
• Hume's Jays Bullpen proposed a realignment plan.

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