On this date in 1935, a left-hander named Sanford Braun was born in Brooklyn. He went on to throw a perfect game, win three Cy Young Awards and one MVP, and be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. Braun changed his surname after his mother remarried during his childhood, and rose to stardom with the Dodgers as Sandy Koufax. Here are this week's batch of links, the final BBWI of 2011…
- Twinkie Town interviewed Twins hitting coach Joe Vavra.
- The Newberg Report wrote about Yu Darvish and the possible chain of reactions for the Rangers.
- Lone Star Ball looks at the various possible outcomes for Darvish in Texas.
- Baseball Time In Arlington mused about Josh Hamilton's future with the Rangers.
- St. Louis Sports 360 praises the Cardinals signing of Carlos Beltran.
- Viva El Birdos is thankful the Cardinals still have Matt Holliday.
- Redbird Rants says now is the time for the Cardinals to extend Yadier Molina.
- BoSox Injection believes the Red Sox did well by acquiring Andrew Bailey.
- Over The Monster looked at Ryan Sweeney as a right field solution for the Red Sox.
- The Best Sox Blog lists some right field options for the Red Sox.
- South Side Sox says John Danks' new contract extension comes with more responsibility.
- Two Points on a Compass isn't sure Yoenis Cespedes makes sense for the Mariners.
- More Mariners explains why Seattle should trade Michael Pineda right now.
- Prospect Insider came up with five trade ideas involving Pineda.
- Sodo Mojo reviews the trade that sent Mike Morse from the Mariners to the Nationals.
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says the Dodgers' lack of international spending is starting to show.
- River Ave. Blues wrote about how Rafael Soriano may be hindering the Yankees' offseason.
- MLB Reports tries to figure out what the Angels should do with their crowded outfield.
- Jays Journal doesn't think Matt Garza makes sense for the Blue Jays.
- Puckett's Pond grades Terry Ryan's first offseason back at GM of the Twins.
- Pirates Prospects wrote about the potential value of a local television contract to the Pirates.
- We Should Be GMs broke down the Pirates moves this offseason.
- DRays Bay listed ten contracts the Rays wish they could return to the store.
- Righteous Shift likes the Indians' Aaron Cunningham pickup.
- Seedlings To Starts wrote about Rockies prospect Tyler Matzek and his control problems.
- Baseball Reality Tour listed the ten best players to change teams last winter.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Tony Matias
FYI: The “MORE MARINERS” Story on Pineda site is coming back with a virus attack reported by my AVG virus software.
melonis_rex
It’s not doing that for me. That’s strange.
Tony Matias
I thought so to, so I closed it out and went back there a couple times and each time it detected threats. I’m not personally concerned as it was detected… just letting others know so they can make their own decisions before going there.
Scott Shu
I just got it too before reading your warning….I have Avast
Tony Matias
It appears to just be obfuscated Javascript code. After researching it a bit… it shouldn’t be a concern.
Tony Matias
It appears to just be obfuscated Javascript code. After researching it a bit… it shouldn’t be a concern.
JacksTigers
The Pineda trade offers are just dumb.
xthetouristx
There have been public offers? Or are you just going by fan hypotheticals?
JacksTigers
What? You do realize that this is a blog post, right?
xthetouristx
A blog post which contains how many “trade offers”?
JacksTigers
This is a joke, right? I can’t tell if you’re serious or not. Why don’t you go and read prospect insider then get back to me. Good Lord.
xthetouristx
Apologies, I was only looking at the first Pineda story.
Yeah, the Churchill offers are lame.
JacksTigers
This is a joke, right? I can’t tell if you’re serious or not. Why don’t you go and read prospect insider then get back to me. Good Lord.
The_BiRDS
Extend Molina 4 years at 45MM with an option for a 5th year.
Cheeseballs
It’s “Redbird Rants”. “Redleg” refers to a totally different team.
The_BiRDS
Its “Cheese Puffs”. “Cheeseballs” refers to a totally different snack.
Cheeseballs
Every step I take is the funkiest move you’ve ever seen.
The_BiRDS
The funk it is!
CutTheString
I don’t understand all the “let’s trade Pineda” talk. I know one season does not a legit star make, but the M’s are young and far away from contention, guys like Pineda are who we should be trying to trade FOR not AWAY.
I realize that trading him would bring back a bevy of prospects, but I just don’t see it. Most M fans flat out refuse to consider trading Felix but love the idea of trading Pineda.
xthetouristx
The Mariners have pitching depth in the minors. The Mariners need hitting depth in the minors. What doesn’t make sense?
shockey12 2
Because unlike Felix, Pineda is under control for a long time at a low price. If anyone should be traded the last person should be your rookie star pitcher.
notsureifsrs
and unlike felix, pineda isn’t actually a star. they’d be selling high on him in an extreme seller’s market. at the very least, it should be explored
muskyfish
Everything should be explored, but looking at the A’s trading two young arms, I don’t think the market is all that extreme, and certainly doesn’t appear to be so if bats are your biggest concern.
xthetouristx
Do you not think the A’s got a great haul for a pitcher who is not as good, young, or cheap as Michael Pineda?
xthetouristx
Exactly.
shockey12 2
Because unlike Felix, Pineda is under control for a long time at a low price. If anyone should be traded the last person should be your rookie star pitcher.
omavricko
The only way MIA would even think of trading Stanton is if King Felix is involved
Josh
Thanks for the links – there’s some good offseason articles to help time me over until opening day.
Josh
Thanks for the links – there’s some good offseason articles to help time me over until opening day.
Scott Shu
The M’s need hitting depth on the big club too….lol
Scott Shu
The M’s need hitting depth on the big club too….lol
Madman2TX
Interesting articles on Darvish. Hopefully, he won’t demand more than 10-12mil per. You figure he won’t since not signing costs him bigger bucks than he would make in Japan as well as cost the Ham Fighters that posting fee.
Rangersfan32 2
I see him signing on a 5/75 deal, which is still reasonable. We all wish he’d sign for 5/60 but it won’t happen unless Darvish hates Japan or something that makes him want to sign for anything.