Three years ago this week, Hanshin Tigers outfielder Matt Murton broke Ichiro's Japanese record for the most hits in a single season with his 211th hit of the year, a two-run single to center in a game against the Yakult Swallows. The 32-year old former major leaguer, a 2003 first-round draft pick of the Red Sox who was traded to the Cubs in a four-team deal that included Nomar Garciaparra, also played with the A's and Rockies. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- Wahoo's On First gets you up to speed on the Indians' closer committee.
- Lasorda's Lair has five reasons why the Dodgers will beat the Braves.
- Old City Baseball has some thoughts on how the Phillies should handle Roy Halladay.
- Camden Depot asks if Jim Johnson is an elite closer.
- Pinstripe Pundits says the Yankees were actually lucky this year.
- Through The Fence Baseball surveys the open market to find outfield answers for Texas.
- i70 Baseball brings us five takeaways from the Royals' 2013 season.
- Swingin A's sees a new wrinkle to the A's thinking.
- Inside The Zona breaks down the D'Backs 2014 rotation options.
- The Giants Cove explains why Giants fans should be pulling for, gulp, the Dodgers.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.