Baseball Blogs Weigh In

On this date in 2006, Julio Franco became the second oldest player to steal a base at the the age of 47, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  In 1909, Arlie Latham, who played two games at second base for the Giants, swiped a sack at the age 49.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Inside The ’Zona says there’s hope for Chris Owings’ swing.
• Rays Colored Glasses discussed the sad end to Grant Balfour’s time with the Rays.
• Blue Jays Plus reviewed Toronto’s last run through the rotation.
• Camden Depot took an early look at Chris Davis.
• Nats GM spoke with C.J. Wittmann Jr. of Baseball Prospectus about scouting.
• The Sports Esquires looked at Max Scherzer’s deal with the Nats.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh is worried about the Bucs’ strikeout rate.
• Know Hitter broke down the fallout from Joe Nathan’s injury.
• The First Out At Third says the Brewers can’t hit the low pitch.
• Reviewing The Brew isn’t thrilled with the Brewers’ draft history.
• Baseball Hot Corner says the Rangers aren’t getting the same Josh Hamilton.
• Innings Eaters examined the public response to Pete Rose and Alex Rodriguez.
• Heat Waved wonders who is in the D’Backs’ core four.
• 27 Outs Baseball talked Jake Luce.
• Grading On The Curve evaluated the Cubs’ farm system.
• RSN Stats looked at the Red Sox and declining pitcher endurance.

On this date in 1999, Cal Ripken Jr. landed on the disabled list for the first time in what was, at that point, a 19-year career, due to a back injury. Ripken had already voluntarily ended his likely unbreakable streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, though the DL trip served as evidence that baseball’s Iron Man was at least mortal. Ripken would eventually become a first-ballot Hall of Famer, of course, appearing on 98.53 percent of ballots after a career that saw him hit .276/.340/.447 with 431 home runs, a Rookie of the Year Award, two MVPs, eight Silver Sluggers, a pair of Gold Gloves and 19 consecutive All-Star nods. We’ll stick with an Orioles theme to kick off this week’s look at the baseball blogosphere…

• Camden Depot looked at the link between the 2018 All-Star Game and the MASN suit.
• Baltimore Sports And Life looked at baseball’s true power hitters.
• BlueJaysPlus examines the change in player types in Toronto under Alex Anthopoulos.
• The Point of Pittsburgh delved into how the Pirates are minimizing time on the DL.
• Yankees Unscripted thinks the Yankees will be justifiably patient with Stephen Drew.
• Know Hitter says the Tigers should not sign Rafael Soriano.
• Rumbunter broke down Gerrit Cole’s not-so-secret weapon.
• AZ Snake Pit looked at the D-Backs’ future.
• Grading on the Curve says the Braves and Yanks don’t line up in a Jose Peraza trade.
• Baseball Hot Corner is checking the clock.
• The Sports Esquires looked at unheralded prospects who are ready to make an impact.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1972 (as can be seen on Leo Panetta’s NationalPastime.com), salary arbitration was born, as the owners agreed to add the arbitration process to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, ending a 13-day strike in which 86 games were missed. The arbitration process has become an integral part of the MLB offseason, influencing many trades and roster decisions in addition to providing many players with their first opportunity at nine-figure paydays. Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere…

• A’s Farm spoke with Oakland talent evaluator Grady Fuson.
• Pinstripe Pundits isn’t sweating Masahiro Tanaka’s velocity.
• Clutchlings compared the development of Tyler Beede and Daniel Norris.
• Rays Colored Glasses broke down Chris Archer’s Opening Day.
• Wahoo’s On First is thrilled about the Corey Kluber deal.
• Royals Blue looked at Alex Gordon’s contract situation.
• AZ Snake Pit reflected on the Trevor Cahill era in Arizona.
• Know Hitter isn’t counting the Tigers out even though are trendier picks in the Central.
• Reviewing The Brew wonders if the Brewers’ shortstop depth could help the Padres.
• Blue Jays Plus talked about Toronto pitchers utilizing the change up.
• World Series Dreaming presents Quantum Leap: the Kris Bryant chronicles.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh doesn’t understand the Josh Harrison deal.
• Camden Depot wasn’t wild about the Orioles’ recent trade.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1972, the Mets traded outfielder Ken Singleton and infielders Tim Foli and Mike Jorgensen to the Expos in exchange for 28-year old All-Star right fielder Rusty Staub, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  ’Le Grand Orange’ spent a good amount of the 1972 season on the DL, but he was a key player of the Mets’ pennant-winning team in 1973.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• The Point Of Pittsburgh figured out what it takes to win in the NL.
• Drunk Baseball looked at the Rays and the MLB salary cap.
• Camden Depot says Kevin Gausman should be in the Orioles’ rotation.
• Redbird Rants spoke with ESPN’s Karl Ravech about a wide range of Cardinals topics.
• Rays Colored Glasses discussed the Rays’ release of Andrew Toles.
• Inside The ’Zona explained how the Trevor Cahill trade changed the D’Backs’ plans.
• World Series Dreaming offered a few thoughts on the Kris Bryant situation.
• BASTA talked Justin Maxwell.
• Blue Jays Plus sees Mark Buehrle having a better 2015 season.
• Yankees Unscripted previewed the Bombers in 2015.
• Hardball To The Core explained a new stat.
• Baseball Hot Corner says Miguel Castro and Roberto Osuna can succeed this year.
• The Outside Corner gave us some dark horse Cy Young candidates.
• A’s Farm spoke to some top Oakland hitting prospects.
• Royals Blue is confident about KC in 2015.
• Rumbunter says Pedro Alvarez deserves a shot at batting cleanup.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 2001, Todd Helton signed a nine-year, $141.5MM contract extension with the Rockies, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  That year, Helton would go on to earn yet another All-Star selection, his second in what would be a string of five consecutive seasons.  According to Baseball-Reference, Helton earned upwards of $161MM over the course of his career which spanned 17 seasons in Colorado.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot wonders what a Chris Tillman extension would look like.
• Rays Colored Glasses says that Nate Karns is out to prove two teams right.
• Did The Tribe Win Last Night says it’s time for Francisco Lindor.
• Inside The ’Zona discussed the Diamondbacks’ defensive shifts.
• Yankees Unscripted says Spring Training stats matter for certain Yankees.
• Blue Jays Plus shared their thoughts from Dunedin.
• Pinstripe Pundits ran down possible landing spots for Austin Romine.
• A’s Farm ran down the hottest hitting prospects in Oakland.
• Baseball Essential wonders if Brian Dozier would have gotten more as a free agent.
• Heat Waved made some predictions for the D’Backs’ Opening Day lineup.
• World Series Dreaming put the spotlight on an underappreciated prospect.
• Reviewing The Brew wonders if Felix Doubront could help the Brewers.
• 27 Outs Baseball talks Sam Tuivailala.
• Dodgers Today says Paco Rodriguez is poised for a bounce back year.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh previewed the National League.
• Baseball Hot Corner said Joey Gallo is not big league ready.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill reacted to the unfortunate news regarding Brady Aiken.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1972, the Yankees and Red Sox made a significant trade that redounded to the benefit of the Yanks. While it is still debatable whether reliever Sparky Lyle left a Bambino-like curse when he was shipped to New York in exchange for first baseman Danny Cater, there is little question which side won the deal. Cater was a replacement-level player for three years in Boston, while Lyle racked up a 2.41 ERA over 745 2/3 frames in seven seasons, throwing plenty of important postseason innings along the way.

• M.C. Antil reflected on the late Minnie Minoso.
• Mack’s Mets made the case for Rafael Montero.
• Camden Depot says Matt Wieters isn’t needed at DH.
• Yankees Unscripted wonders if the Bombers are wasting roster spots.
• Pinstripe Pundits wonders if Jose Pirela’s big spring is overblown.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh discussed A.J. Burnett.
• Baseball Hot Corner ran down the league’s best Cuban outfielders.
• MLB With Evered spoke with Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com.
• Baseball Essential wonders if Joey Gallo could set a record.
• Innings Eaters says Denard Span is the most important player on the Nationals.
• Curveball Sports looked at some of the players that have been left out Cooperstown.
• Inside The Zona checked in on D’Backs camp.
• Blue Jays Plus spoke with Aaron Sanchez about his pitch offerings.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1975, the Dodgers signed their once arch-nemesis Juan Marichal as a free agent, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.After two regular season outings, the former San Francisco superstar and future Hall of Famer walked away from baseball.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Yankees Unscripted is waiting on 105 more starts from Masahiro Tanaka.
• Camden Depot looked at the 2016 Orioles.
• Jays Journal doesn’t want to see Miguel Castro on the Opening Day roster.
• Pinstripe Pundits discussed the Yankees’ fifth spot in the rotation.
• Baseball Hot Corner profiled Addison Russell.
• Curveball Sports discussed the implications of the Yoan Moncada signing.
• Inside The ’Zona turned in their offseason report card on the D’Backs.
• BASTA is excited about Joe Panik.
• Heat Waved previewed the AL East.
• Reviewing The Brew says the Brewers won’t rebuild after 2015.
• The First Out At Third put the spotlight on Rob Wooten.
• BBST wonders if the Rangers are cursed.
• Baseball Essential says Ubaldo Jimenez is running out of chances.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

In 2006, a Canadian team made up mostly of minor leaguers shocked the baseball world by beating Team USA in the first round of the World Baseball Classic, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  Center fielder Adam Stern hit an inside-the-park homer to help the Canadians post their biggest victory in its national history of baseball.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Camden Depot says Chris Davis should bunt more to beat the shift.
• Inside The ’Zona likes Chase Anderson’s decision to throw more sinkers.
• Reviewing The Brew spoke with Milwaukee prospect Kodi Medeiros.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh talked about Andrew McCutchen and his contract.
• Bronx Baseball Daily looks for the next Dellin Betances and Shane Greene.
• MLB Reports isn’t high on the Padres.
• RSN Stats knows the importance of the hot start.
• Baseball Essential ran down the lesser-known family ties in MLB.
• Sultans Of Swing is high on the Reds in 2015.
• World Series Dreaming says Jorge Soler isn’t the only one bulking up.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports talked about what could have been for the Mariners.
• Yankees Unscripted asks whether Adam Warren will stick in the Yankees’ rotation.
• Rumbunter ID’d the best pitches of each Pirates starter.
• Heat Waved previewed the AL Central.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.

On this date in 1993, two and half years after accepting a life-long ban from being involved in the day-to-day operation with the team, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was reinstated, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  Steinbrenner had been exiled from baseball by commissioner Fay Vincent in 1990 for hiring Howie Spira, a known gambler, to snoop into the life of star outfielder Dave Winfield.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Inside The ’Zona explains why the D’Backs will be shifting more in 2015.
• Blue Jays Plus spoke with Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
• Camden Depot explains why the Nats lost money on the RSDC decision.
• Yankees Unscripted looked at the Yankees’ closer situation.
• Maniac Ball looked at the Angels prospects entering a make-or-break year.
• Baltimore Sports And Life polled the media to get their take on the 2015 Orioles.
• Bravescentric put Atlanta’s awful offense in historical context.
• Heat Waved wonders why Mark Trumbo is playing right field.
• Baseball Hot Corner talks Yoan Moncada, Giancarlo Stanton, and money.
• The First Out At Third wants to see Kyle Lohse throw more changeups.
• Royals Blue wonders if David DeJesus should be in the Royals’ Hall Of Fame.
• Pinstripe Pundits isn’t worried about CC Sabathia’s weight gain.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh talks aging the MLB life cycle.
• Baseball Essential asks if Drew Smyly’s frustration with Yoan Moncada is justified.
• The Sports Rekap spoke with Jerry Manuel (audio link).

On this date in 2005, Tom Umberg, a California state assemblyman, introduced legislation which would require pro franchises to use disclaimers if they do not play the majority of home games in the location used in their name, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes.  Umberg’s “Truth in Sports Advertising Act” was designed to keep the local team from changing its name to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Umberg, of course, was unsuccessful in his efforts.  Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere..

• Section 215 says the Cliff Lee talks will be tricky.
• The Point Of Pittsburgh looks at the Pirates’ rotation options.
• Inside The ’Zona wonders if Dave Stewart is building his rotation in his image.
• Blue Jays Plus says Ryan Goins can do a lot off the bench this season.
• Yankees Unscripted projects Alex Rodriguez’s performance in 2015.
• Heat Waved gives us the D’Backs players to watch in Spring Training.
• Camden Depot discusses the Orioles’ fringy middle infielders.
• M.C. Antil says the Dodgers had a better offseason than the Padres.
• Baseball Hot Corner wonders who will fill in for Kenley Jansen.
• The First Out At Third says the Mariners got a steal on Rickie Weeks.
• The Sports Esquires analyzed the legal fight at Wrigley.
• Rays Colored Glasses looked at Brad Miller and Chris Taylor.
• Reviewing The Brew graded the Brewers’ offseason.
• Southside Sox graded the White Sox’s offseason.
• Know Hitter has some names to watch in the Tigers’ bullpen.
• Baseball Essential says that the Rays’ rotation is now elite with Drew Smyly.
• Beisbol’s Org. runs down the Rockies’ all-time starting nine.
• BBST wonders if Alex Gordon will be with the Royals in 2016.
• Dodgers Today says there’s room for Yasiel Puig to improve.
• BASTA runs down what to watch out of the Giants’ spring training.
• WCB Sports says Clayton Kershaw should be the new face of the game.

Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.