Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

Five years ago today, the Rangers walked Vladimir Guerrero four times in five plate appearances in their 10-3 win over the Angels. Three of the walks were intentional, and the game ended Guerrero's 44-game hitting streak against Texas. That was every game he'd played against them in his career up to that point. Vlad is a .318/.380/.556 career hitter, but he has hit .395/.461/.661 in 108 career games against the Rangers.

Here is this week's batch of post-trade deadline links…

• Brotherly Glove welcomes Hunter Pence to Philadelphia, but thinks the Phillies slightly overpaid.
• Crashburn Alley explains how the Phillies built for the future with the Pence trade.
• Call to the Pen says Ryan Howard should thank Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. for the Pence deal.
• Purple Row really dislikes the Ubaldo Jimenez trade for the Rockies.
• Infield Chatter breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly of Jimenez.
• Rant Sports says the best move the Indians made was trading Orlando Cabrera.
• Baseball Time In Arlington dreams on the Rangers' revamped bullpen.
• Amazin' Avenue believes the Mets played the trade deadline perfectly.
• The Days of Yost thinks the Brewers could have done more at the deadline.
• The Kept Faith provides reactions to the various deadline deals.
• ESPN 1040 Rays Insider looks at some Rays players that could be on the move in August.
• Flags Fly Forever lists ten players that could be dealt in waiver trades this month.
• Royals Review explains why the Royals didn't trade Melky Cabrera before the deadline.
• Capitol Avenue Club wrote about the Braves "failure" to land a right-handed bat.
• Yankees Fans Unite wonders if the Yankees really needed to add another starter.
• DC is for Baseball and FanSpeak both believe the Nationals should take a look at Wandy Rodriguez.
• Pirates Prospects tried to figure out which Pirates could bring draft pick compensation after the season.
• MLB Reports tries to figure out where Brett Lawrie will fit into the Blue Jays lineup.
• The Beanball wonders if Brent Lillibridge could be the new Michael Morse.
• Giants Nirvana takes a look at Andres Torres.
• Bleacher Nations looks at why Ryne Sandberg is no longer managing in the Cubs' minor league system.
• More Hardball shows that the East is dominating MLB.
• Replacement Level Baseball examined the Brewers' winning recipe.
• Baseball Nation created power rankings based on (fictitious) trade conservations.
• Beyond The Box Score tallied up the scoops each reporter got leading up to the trade deadline.

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Eight years ago today, Bill Mueller became the first and only player in baseball history to hit a grand slam from each side of the plate in the same game. The Red Sox third baseman took lefty Aaron Fultz deep with the bases loaded in the seventh, then an inning later he did the same to righty Jay Powell. He also had a solo shot off R.A. Dickey in the third inning, helping Boston to a 14-7 win over Rangers.

Here are this week's links from around the baseball blogosphere…

• Rising Apple interviewed Mets prospect Greg Peavey.
• River Ave. Blues wonders what happens if the Yankees don't trade for a starter.
• Brotherly Glove addresses the Phillies and their proactivity towards improving the outfield.
• Rays Colored Glasses makes a case for trading James Shields.
• True Blue LA looks back at Dodgers GM Ned Colletti's deadline deals.
• Monkey With A Halo did the same for Angels GM Tony Reagins.
• Lasorda's Lair breaks down the recent McCourts divorce news.
• Feeling Dodger Blue thinks the Dodgers need to make a splash.
• Rooftop View says that Aramis Ramirez has to be traded.
• Cubs Billy Goat Blog tries to figure out what the Cubs could get in return for Carlos Pena.
• Wahoo Blues questions whether or not the Indians need a first baseman.
• Fenway Faithful Report tells us why the Red Sox should acquire Erik Bedard.
• FanSpeaks wonders if the Nationals should trade Ian Desmond.
• The Nats Blog thinks something may be wrong with Jordan Zimmermann.
• 2011 Nationals Draft Info compiled information about Washington's 2011 draft haul.
• Blogging Mets looked back on Carlos Beltran's legacy as a Met.
• MLB Paradise compares trading Hunter Pence now vs. later.
• The Blue Jays Hunter breaks down what Toronto gave up for Colby Rasmus.
• Baseball Theorem introduces Jays' fans to their new center fielder.
• The Hardball Times looks at the Rasmus trade with a fantasy angle.
• MLB Reports speculates about a deal that would send Hiroki Kuroda to the Rangers.
• Replacement Level Baseball has some fun with contract bonuses.

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

The trade deadline is just over a week away, so let's round up the latest from the baseball corner of the internet…

• MLB Reports interviewed Derrick Hall, President and CEO of the Diamondbacks.
• NatsGM interviewed Seth Bernstein and Zach Warren, announcers for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan explains how Jerry Blevins was designated for assignment but remained on the Athletics' 40-man roster.
• Redleg Nation says the Reds should get serious about pursuing James Shields.
• Tomahawk Talk says the Braves should trade Derek Lowe if the opportunity presents itself.
• Brotherly Glove explains what J.J. Hardy's contract extension means for Jimmy Rollins.
• D'Backs Central tells us what the Stephen Drew injury means for the Diamondbacks going forward.
• Blogging Mets says the Mets shouldn't pay any part of Carlos Beltran's contract to trade him.
• CitiField Nine wonders if the Mets could improve their pitching staff by moving Beltran.
• Mets Paradise wonders why re-signing Beltran isn't an option for the Mets.
• Splice Today thinks the Red Sox should consider adding offense before the deadline.
• FanSpeak breaks down the players the Nationals could trade within the next week or so.
• Clutch City Nine wonders if Clint Barmes will be the next Astro to go.
• Orioles Nation breaks down Koji Uehara as a trade candidate.
• COSFBA thinks Adrian Beltre is poised for a big second half.
• Cubs Billy Goat Blog looks back at the deals the Cubs made at least year's deadline.
• Tomahawk Take lists some under-the-radar observations about the Braves.
• Wahoo Blues projected how Jason Kipnis will perform for the Indians.
• 85% Sports lists some bad Yankees trades from the 1980's.
• Through The Fence Baseball looks at the favorites for the Rookie of the Year awards.
• The Hardball Times explains why Danny Duffy should improve his performance down the stretch.
• The McAuliffe Report compares Josh Reddick's 2011 to Jacoby Ellsbury's 2007.
• Infield Chatter wrote about the Twins' recent surge in the AL Central standings.
• Lookout Landing explains the problem with sabermetrics.

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

Two years ago today, the Phillies and Pedro Martinez finalized a one-year deal worth $1MM. The then-37-year-old Martinez made nine starts down the stretch for Philadelphia, posting a 3.63 ERA in 44 2/3 innings. He also made three playoff starts for the eventual NL Champs but hasn't pitched since, and it looks like he's finally heading towards official retirement.

Are this week's links as good as Pedro in his prime? Probably not. But they're still worth your time…

• Disciples of Uecker interviewed Brewers' prospect Jimmy Nelson.
• Amazin' Avenue says the Mets didn't wave the white flag by trading Francisco Rodriguez.
• Brotherly Glove explains how the K-Rod trade impacts the Phillies.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness runs through buy, sell, and "other" scenarios for the Dodgers.
• Baseball Time In Arlington wonders if Derek Holland is becoming trade bait.
• DRays Bay explores the possibility of trading James Shields.
• U.S.S. Mariner tries to determine the trade value of Mariners that might be on the block.
• Royals Review revisited Dayton Moore's deadline trades as Royals GM.
• Splice Today thinks the Red Sox should extend Dustin Pedroia's contract.
• Clutch City Today wrote about the Astros selling high on Wandy Rodriguez.
• Beer Leaguer explains the problem(s) with trading Edwin Jackson.
• Feeling Dodger Blue wonders if Hiroki Kuroda's days with the Dodgers are numbered.
• The Friarhood listed some players the Padres should target in trades.
• Splashing Pumpkins believes Jamey Carroll should be a trade target for the Giants.
• Wahoo Blues wonders if the Indians could make a run at David DeJesus.
• The Yankees Analysts says the Yankees need to add a bat before the trade deadline.
• Blogging Mets thinks Mike Pelfrey could be a non-tender candidate.
• Cubs Den muses about Billy Beane becoming the next GM of the Cubs.
• Camden Chat wrote about what it means to be a fan of a bad team.
• Through The Fence Baseball wonders if the Pirates will be buyers at the trade deadline.
• Pirates Prospects posted a primer on the Pirates' needs and the prospects they could trade (preview, hitters, starters, relievers).
• Sports: A Game Of Inches proposed five changes to the Home Run Derby.

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

Eleven years ago today, the Yankees swept the Mets in baseball's first two-park doubleheader since 1903. Doc Gooden returned to Shea Stadium and pitched the Yankees to a 4-2 win in the first game, then Roger Clemens gave the Yankees another win by the same score at Yankee Stadium in the nightcap. The two clubs had a game rained out in the Bronx earlier that month.

Here is this week's collection of links from around the baseball blogosphere…

• Phoul Ballz spoke to Brad Lidge after one of his recent minor league rehab outings.
• Penn League Report interviewed Rays' second rounder Lenny Linsky.
• Pirates Prospects revisits some of the Pirates' recent trades (part one, part two).
• The Days of Yost tackled the Brewers' shortstop problem (part one, part two, part three).
• Bleacher Nation compiled a complete list of Cubs trade candidates.
• Brotherly Glove thinks the Phillies should pursue Koji Uehara.
• FanSpeak mused about a Laynce Nix for B.J. Upton trade.
• Rising Apple says the Mets should trade Angel Pagan, not Carlos Beltran.
• Meanwhile, CitiField Nine believes the Mets should start over by trading David Wright and Jose Reyes.
• BoSox Banter don't want the Red Sox to trade prospects for a rental.
• SoDo Mojo thinks Kyle Seager would be best used as a trade chip.
• The Nats Blog wrote about Jordan Zimmermann's pitch limits and what they tell us about Stephen Strasburg.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan isn't sure what to make of Guillermo Moscoso.
• Tomahawk Chop wonders if the Braves would be willing to trade Brandon Beachy.
• Chicken Friars asks Padres fans if they'd rather keep Heath Bell or Mike Adams.
• Padres Future checked in on the state of the Padres at each position.
• D'Backs Central breaks down the Diamondbacks' bullpen.
• We Should Be GMs came up with a new stat in honor or Ryan Howard.
• Motor City Bengals says the Tigers will sink or swim with their veteran infielders.
• Splashing Pumpkins analyzed Nate Schierholtz's batting stance.
• Pitchers & Poets wrote about the problem with the pick-off throw.
• Call To The Pen listed their first half MVPs for the AL Central.
• Beer Leaguer took a look at Mark Buehrle's Hall of Fame chances.
• MLB Reports discussed the possibility of adding two teams to the league.
• The Hardball Times broke down the Home Run Derby participants.
• Infield Chatter wrote about the impact of social media on MLB.

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

The Rockies and Padres played the shortest game in Coors Field history three years ago today, just one hour and 58 minutes worth of baseball. Aaron Cook needed just 79 pitches in the five hit shutout, and his teammates scored all the runs they'd need in the four-run fifth inning. Here is this week's batch of links, which will hopefully be worth more of your time than Cook give the Padres three years ago…

• Phoul Ballz interviewed Hall of Famer and Phillies' Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg.
• Lasorda's Lair interviewed ESPN play-by-play guy Dan Shulman
• Amazin' Avenue provided a transcript of Paul DePodesta's conference call with bloggers.
• Baseball Time In Arlington muses about the Carlos Beltran, Francisco Rodriguez, and the Rangers.
• The Process Report wonders if the Rays can trade James Shields.
• Rays Colored Glasses believes Tampa should make a run at Jose Reyes.
• Dave Cameron thinks the Mariners should listen to offers for Michael Pineda.
• Capitol Avenue Club took inventory of the Braves tradeable assets.
• Camden Crazies expects the Orioles to make a trade or two this month.
• Pirates Prospects wonders if the Pirates should make a move at the trade deadline.
• Rooftop View believes Matt Garza could be the biggest trade chip of the summer.
• Cubs Billy Goat Blog compares Starlin Castro to similar players.
• D'Backs Central says it's time for the Diamondbacks to cut ties with Zach Duke and Juan Miranda.
• Motor City Bengals points out that the Tigers avoided disaster by landing Victor Martinez.
• Bronx Baseball Daily tried to figure out which prospects the Yankees should trade.
• Splashing Pumpkins comes to the defense of Bruce Bochy.
• The Flagrant Fan lists some of this year's unluckiest pitchers.
• Call To The Pen compares Justin Verlander's and Cliff Lee's month of June.
• COSFBA compares some nameless players with a fantasy angle.
• Baseball Nation classifies MLB's closer celebrations.
• The Platoon Advantage enlisted several other sites and conducted a mock expansion draft.

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

Eighteen years ago today, the Padres traded Gary Sheffield to the Marlins along with Rich Rodriguez for a package of three young players. The key to the trade for San Diego was right-hander Jose Martinez, who had been ranked as the 68th best prospect in the game by Baseball America before the season. They also received another righty by the name of Andres Berumen, but the real prize ended up being an unheralded reliever named Trevor Hoffman. Rodriguez and Berumen combined for a 5.88 ERA in 59 2/3 big league innings (all with the Padres), but Hoffman went on to be a Hall of Fame closer who saved more games than anyone else in history. Two of his 601 career saves came with the Marlins.

It wasn't a bad trade for Florida, either. Rodriguez posted a 4.11 ERA in 36 relief appearances after the deal before being released after the season. Sheffield hit in the middle of their order for parts of six seasons (.288/.426/.543) and helped them to the 1997 World Series title. Hopefully these links work out as well for everyone as that trade worked out for Florida and San Diego…

• DRays Bays interviewed Rays television analyst Brian Anderson (part one, part two).
• Phoul Ballz interviewed former Phillie and current minor league manager Marlon Anderson.
• The Nats Blog is in shock over Jim Riggleman's resignation.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness tries to figure out how much money Matt Kemp is making himself this season.
• Marlin Maniac explains why it would be ridiculous for the Marlins to trade Hanley Ramirez.
• Redleg Nation thinks the Reds should wait before signing Drew Stubbs to an extension.
• Baseball Time In Arlington clears up some misconceptions about Ian Kinsler.
• Royals Review looks at Jeff Francis, a Royal who could be traded before the deadline.
• Capitol Avenue Club assesses what the Braves need leading up to the deadline.
• Cubs Billy Goat Blog wonders if Geovany Soto is on the trade block.
• Brotherly Glove breaks down the Phillies' 2012 bullpen.
• Through The Fence Baseball breaks down some relief options for the Rangers.
• Disciples of Uecker looks at the fall of Craig Counsell.
• Splashing Pumpkins took a historical look at Giants' position players.
• BoSox Banter thinks Josh Reddick could be the answer for the Red Sox in right field.
• Harness The Halos wonders if the Angels are good enough to win.
• D'Backs Central says Ian Kennedy deserves to go to the All-Star Game.
• True Sports Legacy lists the top five American League rookies.
• Fenway Faithful Report, meanwhile, listed the top five leadoff hitters in baseball.
• Infield Chatter looks at a new trend of teams putting struggling players in the leadoff spot.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if Johnny Damon is a Hall of Famer.
• MLB Reports penned a tribute to retired closer Chad Cordero.
• Amazin' Avenue explains how the Mets should move a minor league team to Long Island.
• The Hardball Times wrote about FAAB and why it's better to trade sooner rather than later in your fantasy league.

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

Three years ago today, the Mariners fired GM Bill Bavasi after five years at the helm. Seattle was an MLB worst 24-45 at the time, and they went on to become the first team in history to lose 100 games with a $100MM payroll. Current GM Jack Zduriencik took over after the season and immediately went to work rebuilding the team around Felix Hernandez and Ichiro Suzuki.

Here are this week's links as we draw closer to the trade deadline…

• Crashburn Alley says the Phillies should proceed with caution if they pursue Josh Willingham in a trade.
• Cracked Bell Sports makes a case for Philadelphia letting Ryan Madson walk after the season.
• Brotherly Glove bids farewell to J.C. Romero.
• The Blog That Boredom Built explains why the Twins need to update their evaluation methods.
• The Cub Reporter looked ahead to the Cubs roster and payroll obligations going into the 2012 season.
• Bleacher Nation tells us what Cubs owner Tom Ricketts' vote of confidence in GM Jim Hendry really means.
• Lasorda's Lair says that Mark Cuban's next project should be to save the Dodgers.
• From The Upper Deck evaluated Pirates GM Neal Huntington's trades.
• Bay City Ball wrote about the Giants' unlikely aces.
• Camden Crazies praised Orioles' shortstop J.J. Hardy.
• SF Giants Rumors spoke to Baseball America's Jim Callis about the Giants' top two draft picks.
• Beer Leaguer refutes Ozzie Guillen's claim that Paul Konerko is a Hall of Famer.
• FanSpeak says the Nationals need to trade Tyler Clippard.
• Two Guys And A Sports Blog explains why MLB needs Bryce Harper.
• That's The Bottom Line thinks the Mets should trade David Wright instead of Jose Reyes.
• Rising Apple lists ten players the Mets should trade before Wright or Reyes.
• River Ave. Blues explored the concept of restructuring the Yankees' front office.
• Bronx Bombers Report wonders if the Yankees should pursue Scott Kazmir.
• D'Backs Central, meanwhile, wonder if the Diamondbacks should go after Kazmir.
• Call To The Pen looked at two breakout players from the 2005 Devil Rays that were cut this week.
• Tomahawk Chop tries to figure out what the Braves will do once Nate McLouth is healthy.
• The Hardball Times tackled the myth of Dan Haren, with a fantasy twist.
• MLB Reports makes a case for expanding and changing the MLB playoffs.
• Baseball Nation matches up some baseball players with their representative volcanoes.

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

Two former Seattle Mariner superstars hit milestone home runs on this date. Three years ago it was Ken Griffey Jr., who took Mark Hendrickson of the Marlins deep for this 600th career homer. Six years ago it was Alex Rodriguez hitting his 400th career long ball off Jorge de la Rosa of the Brewers. Will any of this week's links be historically great? Let's see…

• Lasorda's Lair interviewed former big leaguer and one time elbow surgery test subject Tommy John.
• 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Blue Jays prospect Zach Stewart.
• Phoul Ballz interviewed Phillies prospect David Buchanan.
• Pitchers & Poets wrote about Bryce Harper and the element of style.
• The Nats Blog compared Harper's minor league debut to Albert Pujols'.
• Capitol Avenue Club imagines a Braves team with Kelly Johnson, Omar Infante, and Mike Dunn.
• Crashburn Alley compared Ryan Madson to the rest of the upcoming class of free agent closers.
• Brotherly Glove, meanwhile, wonders if Madson is a must-sign for the Phillies.
• Redleg Nation explains why Brandon Phillips is still the Reds' second baseman of the future.
• Climbing Tal's Hill wonders if the Astros would listen to offers for Michael Bourn.
• Camden Crazies tells us why Mark Reynolds is both better and worse than we think.
• Bleacher GM lists some players the Orioles could look to trade.
• The Friarhood says Anthony Rizzo arrived just in time to make a run at the NL Rookie of the Year award.
• Wahoo Blues broke down the positions the Indians could try to upgrade at the trade deadline.
• Cubs Stats analyzed the Cubs' losing streak.
• Bleacher Nation wonders how the Cubs' debt will impact them in free agency.
• The Process Report looks at how Kyle Farnsworth has improved with age.
• DRays Bay assessed B.J. Upton's trade value.
• DC is for Baseball covered the Nationals draft from head to toe.
• FanSpeak explains why the Nationals need to sign third round pick Matt Purke.
• the composite looks at the last year of Stephen Strasburg's career.
• Tomahawk Chop doesn't think the Braves played it safe with their first round pick, Sean Gilmartin.
• Blogging From The Bleachers says the Athletics' pitching depth is being tested.
• Bronx Bombers Report wonders if the Yankees could make a run at Francisco Rodriguez.
• Rising Apple looked ahead to the Mets' arbitration cases.
• COSFBA compared some nameless fantasy options.

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

On this date in 1995, Pedro Martinez fired nine perfect innings against the Padres, though the two teams went to extra innings with no score. The Expos scored a run in the top of the tenth, but Pedro allowed a leadoff double in the bottom of the inning. Mel Rojas relieved Martinez and recorded the final three outs. That was just a hint of what was to come from Pedro, who produced two of the most dominant seasons in baseball history in 1999 and 2000.

Here is this week's batch of links from around the blogosphere…

• Infield Chatter says the Giants should turn the page on Buster Posey's injury and focus on winning.
• Rany on the Royals addresses the Joakim Soria situation in Kansas City.
• Amazin' Avenue takes a look at what is wrong with Jason Bay.
• Crashburn Alley wonders if the Phillies' rotation has room to improve.
• Brotherly Glove breaks down the Phillies' situation with regards to the luxury tax.
• DesigNate Robertson scores Dave Dombrowski's trade history.
• Capitol Avenue Club tries to figure out where the Braves could upgrade the offense.
• U.S.S. Mariner explains how one solution could fix two problems for the Mariners.
• Call to the Pen explores the possiblity of trading Jason Kubel.
• Through The Fence Baseball comes up with some ways to spice up the draft.
• Rooftop View explains why it isn't a good time to be a Cubs fan.
• The Process Report looks at how successful James Shields' contract extension has been for the Rays.
• BoSox Banter doesn't think the Red Sox should trade for Daisuke Matsuzaka's replacement.
• Rising Apple lists some stopgap first basemen that could make sense for the Mets while Ike Davis on the disabled list.
• Blogging Mets wonders if it's time to trade Mike Pelfrey.
• DC is for Baseball breaks down the Nationals' lefty reliever situation.
• Gaslamp Ball takes us to Petco Park's instant replay console.
• MLB Draft Insider posted their latest mock draft.
• The Hardball Times listed some expected WHIP (xWHIP) leaderboards for you fantasy players.

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