Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Lee, Halladay, Holliday, Zito
On this date one year ago, the Phillies traded three minor leaguers to the A's for Joe Blanton. He would go on to make 13 starts for the Fightins, finishing 4-0 with a 4.20 ERA. With only two weeks remaining before this season's trade deadline, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- MLB Notebook says it is time for the Indians to move Cliff Lee.
- The Ghost of Moonlight Graham breaks down the needs of the contenders as we approach the deadline.
- Drunk Jays Fans explains why Roy Halladay should be traded and why he will still be a Blue Jay in August.
- Talking Chop breaks down the Matt Holliday to Atlanta rumors.
- The Fowl Balls says the Yankees need to get Roy Halladay and is willing to part with Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson and others. Just not Phil Hughes.
- Viva El Birdos breaks down what it would cost the Cardinals to land Roy Halladay in terms of players and money.
- The Voice of Yankees Universe looks at some big names that could be moved and have an impact on the AL East.
- Jorge Says No! looks at whether Barry Zito's contract was the worst ever given to a pitcher.
- We're the Team to Beat wonders why Omar Minaya is still calling the shots for the Mets.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Church, Francoeur, Betancourt
Had enough of yesterday's trades yet? Good, because here are some reactions from around the blogosphere…
- Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog says he's not sure the Ryan Church–Jeff Francoeur swap makes total sense, and he's not sure if the move will have an impact for either team.
- Sam Page at Amazin' Avenue says that he's convinced the trade makes no sense, and all of the "talk about potential, shake-ups and athleticism is just noise."
- Talking Chops' "gondeee" likes the Church pickup, even if it cost the once-face of the franchise. Admittedly, it's been a while since Francoeur was viewed in that light.
- Jay Yencich at USS Mariner says the Mariners came out pretty good in the Yuniesky Betancourt deal, even if they had to send some cash Kansas City's way.
- D.W. at Tangled Up In (Royal) Blue doesn't understand how the move fits into the big picture for the Royals.
- Keith at The Royals Tower is taking a hiatus from blogging out of frustration caused by the deal.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Mets, Pirates, Papelbon, Rivera
On this date 42 years ago, Brian Cashman was born. Cashman has been the General Manager of the Yankees since 1998 and is signed through 2011. With four weeks until the trade deadline, Cashman will certainly be active in the trade market. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- The Guttridge-Wang Trade Model attempts to quantify all aspects of a trade.
- MLB Notebook looks at how teams that are willing to spend will control this year's trade market.
- Mets Geek evaluates some buy-low trade targets for the Mets.
- Sully Baseball recommends that the Mets not make any trades.
- Around the Majors takes a closer look at the two deals the Pirates pulled off this week.
- The Basball Opinion dissects the Pirates moves and what they could mean for the team's future.
- Rockin' the Red takes a look at what the Mark DeRosa trade means for the Cardinals.
- Statistician Magician makes a case for trading Jonathan Papelbon.
- River Ave. Blues looks back at the deal that almost sent Mariano Rivera out of the Bronx.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Red Sox, Nady, Corcoran, Giants
Let's take a look at what some fans are writing about their favorite teams around the worldwide netweb…
- Bleed Cubbie Blue says Milton Bradley must go. Bradley is hitting just .237-.355-.379, but the riff with Lou Piniella and off-the-field issues are the real problem.
- Fire Brand of the American League wonders if shortstop might end up being a position of strength for the Red Sox.
- River Ave. Blues looks back on the Xavier Nady trade, and says that even though Nady and Damaso Marte are hurt, it was the right move because the Yankees were just one game back of a playoff spot at the time.
- USS Mariner says it's time for the team to wave goodbye to reliever Roy Corcoran. Considering he's allowed 37 baserunners in just 13.2 IP, can you blame them?
- McCovey Chronicles muses about trade philosophies for the Giants.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Strasburg, Pedro, McLouth
On this date 70 years ago, Lou Gehrig played his last game with the Yankees. Gehrig would retire with a career batting average of .340, 493 home runs and a 179 OPS+. For comparison, Albert Pujols has a career batting average of .334, 337 home runs and a 171 OPS+. More than a third of the way through the '09 season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Josh Q. Public takes a look at what Stephen Strasburg would have to accomplish statistically to justify a 6-year, $50MM contract.
- Federal Baseball spoke with Lee Jenkins about Strasburg and Jenkins' research of dominant amateur pitchers.
- Nationals Park wonders if the Nats can sign Strasburg.
- Ladies… say that Strasburg is destined to break down.
- Bareknucks makes the case that Strasburg will be the next Mark Prior and baseball's version of Tony Mandarich.
- Fanhouse has a pool going on how much Strasburg will ultimately sign for.
- MLB Notebook argues that Pedro Martinez makes sense for the Rays.
- Operation Shutdown makes a case that the Pirates did well in the Nate McLouth trade.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Peavy, Glavine, Yankees, Phillies
On this date nine years ago, the Marlins selected Adrian Gonzalez with the first pick of the amateur draft. The 16-year-old would sign a deal later that day that included a $3MM signing bonus. Two trades later, Gonzalez leads the National League with 22 home runs. The 2009 draft is in four days, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Goat Riders of the Apocalypse propose a three-way deal in which the Cubs would send Carlos Zambrano to the White Sox and the Padres would send Jake Peavy to the Cubs.
- River Ave. Blues takes a look at what the Yankees may need before the trade deadline and who they may be able to deal with.
- Phlavio's Corner has a list of 20 players that could be moved and where each might end up.
- The Ghost of Moonlight Graham analyzes the early returns on some of the trades from this past offseason.
- Jorge Says No! argues that the Mariners might be better off moving Russell Branyan sooner rather than later.
- MLB Notebook comes up with a list of five clubs that could land Tom Glavine.
- Dodgers Rumors feels that Glavine is a perfect fit for the Dodgers.
- We Should Be GM's says the Phillies need to add a starting pitcher now and generates a list of players to target.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Nate McLouth
Some early thoughts about the Nate McLouth deal from around the blogosphere…
- Bob Smizik says the Pirates send a message to their fan base with the move: The present be damned. "His trade is bound to have a pronounced negative impact on the clubhouse, much like last season when the team collapsed after the July trades of Xavier Nady and Jason Bay." That seems a little extreme, but the Pirates did just move perhaps their most recognizable player.
- Bucs Dugout is naturally excited by the prospects in the deal, but they're not blown away. They also note that this kind of move makes perfect sense given the Bucs' current situation, and that they should be listening to offers for their other veterans as well.
- Talking Chop declares the move a win for the Braves, but says the biggest story is how fast Frank Wren & Co. have acted to correct the team's flaws. I still can't but wonder if they'll continue to look for an upgrade in rightfield as well.
Mike Axisa writes for River Ave. Blues.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Peavy, Braves, Penny, Francoeur
On this date 20 years ago, Mike Schmidt announced his retirement 42 games into the season. He was still voted to the National League All-Star team, but did not play. Schmidt retired with a career line of .267/.380/.527, 548 home runs and 10 gold gloves. As we approach the 50-game mark of the '09 season, teams are starting to recognize needs and make changes. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- The Fightins make a case for the Phillies going after Jake Peavy.
- When Sid Slid highlights players the Braves might be able to target in a trade, including Luke Scott, Josh Willingham and Brad Hawpe.
- Center Field Gate takes a look at a Manny Delcarmen-Nick Johnson swap from a Nats perspective and finds things not to like. Nats GM Mike Rizzo said the rumor was a fabrication, anyway.
- The Bottom Line puts together a list of catchers the Red Sox might target in a trade involving Brad Penny or Clay Buchholz.
- Capitol Avenue Club says it is time for the Braves to shake things up and moving Jeff Francoeur is the key.
- The Ghost of Moonlight Graham sees a Matt LaPorta for Michael Bowden trade as good for both the Red Sox and Indians.
- DC Sports Plus takes a look back at the Nationals' recent draft history.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trades Possibilities
On this date 11 years ago, the Marlins traded Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and two others to the Dodgers for Mike Piazza and Todd Zeile. Piazza's tenure with the Marlins would last five games in which he was 5-18 with a triple and 5 RBI. Seven days later he was traded to the Mets for Preston Wilson and two minor league pitchers that would combine for 5 career appearances. To this day, Mike Francessa of WFAN in New York City will tell anybody that listens that he was responsible for convincing the Mets to make the deal. So far this season we have seen a couple of minor deals. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Feeling Dodger Blue feels now is a good time to trade James Loney and wonders if Jorge Cantu can be had.
- Fire Brand of the American League addresses the possibility of the Red Sox trading Brad Penny and looks at some players the Red Sox might pursue.
- 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba takes an early look at the teams that might be buyers and sellers at the deadline.
- Around the Majors takes a look at the 2010 free agents that are represented by Scott Boras.
- Jorge Says No! discusses whether Koji Uehara was the best free agent signing this year.
- The Bottom Line wonders if the Red Sox missed an opportunity to sign Jason Bay to an extension.
- El Lefty Malo takes a look at several players the Giants let go and whether the moves were smart in hindsight.
- Goat Riders of the Apocalypse proposes some names that can be brought in to fix the Cubs bullpen.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bay, Holliday, Hudson, Cameron, Mets, Yankees, Rays
On this date 27 years ago, Adrian Gonzalez was born. The former first overall pick by the Marlins has been traded twice. He was originally dealt to the Rangers in a deal that sent Ugueth Urbina to the Marlins. Later he was dealt to the Padres along with Chris Young for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. As we enter the second month of the season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Around the Majors looks at Jason Bay and Matt Holliday in an effort to find the best value in the free agents-to-be.
- Feeling Dodger Blue declares Orlando Hudson the best free agent signing of 2009…so far.
- The Eddie Kranepool Society thinks it might be time to break up the core of the Mets by shopping Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.
- The Fowl Balls makes a case for the Yankees signing Paul LoDuca.
- River Ave. Blues argues that the Yankees have gotten lazy with the roster and have missed opportunities to improve the bench.
- Brew Crew Ball writes that Mike Cameron has been a great signing for the Brewers and wonders what the team should do with him as he nears free agency.
- Over at my home base, Rays Index, we are playing a game with other Rays bloggers (and Tim Dierkes) called "The Tampa Bay Rays Trade Pool," based loosely on "The Dead Pool."
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.