Baseball Blogs Weigh In

One year ago today, Hideki Matsui hit a solo homer off Duane Below in a game between the Athletics and Tigers. It was the 168th dinger of his MLB career and the 500th of his career overall — Godzilla hit 332 homers in Japan. Here's the latest from the baseball blog world…

• A's Farm interviewed Sean Doolittle, Grant Green, and Daniel Straily of the Athletics (part one, part two).
• Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? wrote about the Pirates and Mark Appel.
• North Side Notch says Appel's decision is risky but not unprecedented.
• District on Deck broke down the Mike Morse–B.J. Upton rumor.
• Meanwhile, Rising Apple thinks the Mets should trade for Upton.
• Redleg Nation wrote about the Reds in the wake of Joey Votto's injury.
• Yankees Fans Unite thinks Shane Victorino is a good fit for the Yankees.
• South Side Sox wrote about Kevin Youkilis and the White Sox's greatest midseason acquisitions ever.
• Disciples of Uecker says the Brewers need to overhaul their bullpen.
• U.S.S. Mariner thinks the Mariners should part ways with Ichiro Suzuki after 2012.
• Climbing Tal's Hill wonders if the Astros should trade Jose Altuve.
• Pirates Prospects makes a case for the Pirates extending Neil Walker.
• The Beanball says the Blue Jays don't need to acquire a closer for next season.
• Tomahawk Take wrote about the Braves and the right move.
• Chicken Friars wrote about the Padres and their television deal.
• Seedlings to Stars thinks the Tigers rush their prospects a little too much.
• NatsGM summarized the Nationals draft haul.
• Wahoo's on First wrote about the Indians and the new draft pick compensation system.
• Royals Review estimated the trade value of the first overall competitive balance lottery draft pick.

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

Six years ago today, the Nationals and Reds swung an eight-player trade that sent Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Ryan Wagner to Washington in exchange for Bill Bray, Daryl Thompson, Gary Majewski, Brendan Harris, and Royce Clayton. The Reds later filed a grievance claiming Majewski was "damaged goods" due to a shoulder injury, but it was eventually dropped. Here are this week's links…

• Royals Review interviewed former Royal Jose Bautista.
• Burning Down the Yard mused about the Orioles and Zack Greinke.
• Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about the Rangers and Cole Hamels.
• Dodgers Rumors wonders if the Dodgers can bring Hamels to LA.
• Pirates Prospects explains why they wouldn't trade for Justin Upton.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog lists some potential destinations for Upton.
• Yanks Go Yard dreams of Upton on the Yankees.
• Yankees Fans Unite wrote about a potential Yanks-Melky Cabrera reunion.
• Redleg Nation prefers Shane Victorino to Juan Pierre for the Reds.
• Dodgers Nation wrote about the Dodgers and Victorino.
• Capitol Avenue Club says the Braves should trade for Brendan Ryan.
• Rising Apple lists five pitchers the Mets could trade for to replace Dillon Gee.
• BoSox Injection lists some rotation options for the Red Sox.
• Sports of Boston thinks the Red Sox should sell at the deadline.
• Baseball News Source listed five offseason moves that haven't worked out.
• MLB Reports wrote about the future of the Oakland Athletics.

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On this date in 2005, five Marlins pitchers combined to retire the final 28 Brewers they faced in a 12-inning win over Milwaukee. The combined "hidden" perfect game featured 22 total strikeouts (45 batters faced) by Florida, including a career-high 14 by A.J. Burnett. Here are this week's links from the baseball corner of the blogosphere…

• MLB Reports interviewed former All-Star Dmitri Young.
• Brotherly Glove says trading Cole Hamels makes sense for the Phillies.
• Over The Monster doesn't think the Red Sox should trade for Hamels.
• Amazin' Avenue wrote about a potential Francisco Rodriguez-Mets reunion.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness provides a trade deadline primer for Dodgers fans.
• Bleacher Nation broke down the Cubs and their trade fodder.
• Yanks Go Yard wrote about the Yankees and Matt Garza.
• Through the Fence Baseball says the Rangers should trade Derek Holland.
• Rays Colored Glasses looked at Nick Hundley as a trade target for the Rays.
• Tomahawk Take listed some bench trade targets for the Braves.
• Pirates Prospects isn't sure that the Pirates need to make a trade.
• Cleveland Indians Perspective says the Indians should stand pat.
• AL Eastbound & Down says the Blue Jays need to add pitching no matter what.
• Lasorda's Lair wrote about the Dodgers' failed attempt to acquire Carlos Lee.
• 85% Sports broke down the worst contract in baseball.
• The Hardball Times analyzed this year's Home Run Derby participants.

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On this date in 2005, Byung-Hyun Kim hit Craig Biggio with a pitch to give the Astros' second baseman the modern all-time hit-by-pitch record. It was the 268th plunking of Biggio's career, and he went on to retire with 285. Jason Kendall has not played since 2010 but also has yet to officially retire, and he currently sits third on the all-time list with 254 hit-by-pitches. Here's the best the baseball corner of the internet had to offer this week…

• Over The Monster thinks trading Kevin Youkilis may not have been a good idea for the Red Sox.
• Sports of Boston analyzed the Youkilis trade from all angles.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan has some thoughts on Youkilis following the trade.
• Red Sox Beacon believes the Red Sox did right by Youkilis with the trade.
• South Side Sox looks at the what the White Sox have left after acquiring Youkilis.
• BoSox Injection mused about a long-term deal for David Ortiz.
• MLB Prospect Watch says the Red Sox have enough to acquire Cole Hamels.
• Brotherly Glove wonders if the Phillies should trade Shane Victorino.
• Disciples of Uecker wrote about the Zack Greinke trade rumors.
• Tomahawk Take believes Greinke is a good fit for the Braves.
• 85% Sports thinks the Rockies should explore a Carlos Gonzalez trade.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness is happy to see the Dodgers spend big on Yasel Puig.
• Call to the Pen explored a potential Starlin Castro extension.
• Prospect Insider wrote about the idea of the Mariners trading Felix Hernandez.
• U.S.S. Mariner says the Mariners should look for an upgrade over Justin Smoak.
• Cole on L.A. explains why third base is the Dodgers' greatest need.
• Feeling Dodger Blue lists some potential moves for the Dodgers.
• Wahoo's on First looked at players the Indians should try to trade before the deadline.
• Burning Down The Yard lists some free agent outfield options for the Orioles.
• Rays Colored Glasses wrote about the Rays and the recently released Brad Lidge.
• Pumped Up Jays wonders if Stephen Drew is a potential target for the Blue Jays.
• Marlin Maniac thinks it's time for the Marlins to let Hanley Ramirez be himself.
• Seedlings to Stars isn't sure what to make of Franklin Morales.
• Through the Fence Baseball wrote about Mike Trout, the Rookie of the Year Award, and the MVP.

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

On this date in 2007, Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada sat out a game against the Diamondbacks. It ended his consecutive games played streak at 1,152, the fifth longest streak in baseball history. Tejeda has suffered an injury on a hit-by-pitch two games earlier but tried to play through it. Here's the latest from around the blogosphere…

• Seedlings to Stars wrote about the Cubs and their gamble on Jorge Soler.
• MLB Prospect Watch says the Phillies have limited trade options with Cole Hamels.
• Through the Fence Baseball doesn't see Hamels as a fit for the Dodgers.
• Cole on L.A. believes the Dodgers should target Chase Headley in a trade.
• Dodgers Nation listed the pro and cons of the Dodgers trading for Kevin Youkilis.
• Sports of Boston wrote about the Youkilis-Will Middlebrooks dilemma.
• Rising Apple wonders what the Mets could get for R.A. Dickey right now.
• FanSpeak thinks the Orioles could turn to Erik Bedard for pitching help.
• Burning Down the Yard looked at the Cubs as a potential trade partner for the O's.
• Tomahawk Take lists some starting pitcher trade targets for the Braves.
• I-70 Baseball put together a list of pitching trade targets if the Royals decide to buy.
• Twins Fan From Afar explains why the Twins should not trade Josh Willingham.
• Yanks Go Yard isn't sure that Wandy Rodriguez is a fit for the Yankees.
• Yankees Fans Unite tries to figure out what would help the Yankees at the deadline.
• MLB Reports wrote about Adeiny Hechavarria's future with the Blue Jays.
• The Futurists broke down first overall pick Carlos Correa.
• 85% Sports analyzed the risk and reward of the amateur draft (part one, part two).

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

On this date in 2003, Reed Johnson became the fourth player in history to hit a lead-off homer and a walk-off homer in the same game. The then-26-year-old rookie opened the bottom of the first with a solo homer off Shawn Estes and ended the game by opening the bottom of the tenth with a solo homer off Mark Guthrie. Here's the latest from around the web…

• Redbird Rants interviewed Cardinals top prospect Shelby Miller.
• Seedlings to Stars interviewed Patrick Wisdom, the 52nd overall pick in the draft.
• Infield Shift interviewed Braves prospect J.R. Graham.
• SF Giants Rumors spoke to Baseball America's Jim Callis about the Giants' draft class.
• Baseball Time in Arlington wrote about Andre Ethier's extension and Josh Hamilton.
• River Ave. Blues wrote about Ethier's deal and its impact on the Yankees.
• Prospect Insider mused about a potential Jason Vargas extension.
• AL Eastbound & Down wrote about a potential Edwin Encarnacion trade.
• BoSox Injection says it's time for the Red Sox to trade Kevin Youkilis.
• MLB Prospect Watch wrote about the Tigers and Carlos Quentin.
• Meanwhile, MLB Reports thinks the Padres should trade Quentin.
• Dr. Strangeglove likes the idea of the Pirates pursuing Chase Headley.
• Obstructed View broke down Alfonso Soriano's trade value.
• Nolan Writin' says the Rangers don't need to add a starting pitcher.
• Lasorda's Lair thinks the Dodgers need a bat more than Ryan Dempster.
• Feeling Dodger Blue lists some potential trade targets for the Dodgers.
• Warehouse Worthy wonders if the Orioles should be buyers at the deadline.
• Crashburn Alley explains why the Phillies need to sell now.
• Kings of Kauffman wrote about Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, and Super Two status.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan thinks the Red Sox need Ryan Kalish.
• Cleveland Indians Perspective analyzed the Indians' draft haul.
• South Side Showdown looked at White Sox GM Kenny Williams' draft history.

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

Two years ago today, both Stephen Strasburg and Giancarlo Stanton made their Major League debuts. Strasburg famously struck out 14 Pirates in his first career start and has pitched to a 2.46 ERA with 11.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 157 innings and 28 starts since. Stanton went 3-for-5 against the Phillies in his debut and has hit .267/.349/.535 with 70 homers in the show. Here's the latest from the baseball corner of the blogosphere…

• Phillies Nation interviewed Cole Hamels and asked about his upcoming free agency. The interview begins at the 6:30 mark of the video and the free agency talk at 10:20.
• Pirates Prospects says Pittsburgh will have a tough time signing eighth overall pick Mark Appel.
• NASORB doesn't believe third overall pick Mike Zunino deserves Jeff Clement comparisons.
• Yanks Go Yard analyzed the Yankees' approach to this week's draft.
• 85% Sports wrote about a possible work-around in the new draft pool system.
• MLB Prospect Watch explored a possible return for Carlos Quentin.
• FanSpeak thinks the Orioles should consider trading for Justin Morneau.
• Sports of Boston wrote about a potential Kevin Youkilis trade.
• Red Sox Post listed three potential landing spots for Youkilis.
• BoSox Injection thinks the Red Sox should avoid Matt Garza.
• The True Fan's Sports Blog tries to figure out where Bryan LaHair will end up.
• Baseball Reality Tour lists some potential trade targets for contenders.
• Rising Apple listed some small changes the Mets could make to their roster.
• Warehouse Worthy listed some potential free agent targets for the Orioles.
• I-70 Baseball wonders if the Cardinals should buy or stand pat.
• The Daily Statesman thinks Shelby Miller could help the Cardinals' bullpen.
• Did The Tribe Win Last Night? mused about Jason Kipnis and the All-Star Game.
• Blog Red Machine wrote about Billy Hamilton's race towards history.
• MLB Reports wrote about Aroldis Chapman's unbelievable season.
• Lasorda's Lair is worried about the Dodgers without Matt Kemp.
• Call to the Pen thinks the end is near for Jim Thome.
• M.C. Antil listed the 40 best pitchers never to throw a no-hitter for the Mets.

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

On this date in 1995, the Diamondbacks named Joe Garagiola Jr. the first GM in franchise history. Arizona started play in 1998 and Garagiola remained with the team through August 2005, when he took a senior-level position with MLB. Bob Gebhard served as the team's interim GM until Josh Byrnes was hired that October. Here's the latest from the baseball corner of the web…

• Rumbunter interviewed Pirates GM Neal Huntington about the upcoming draft.
• Athletics Farm interviewed Athletics prospect Derek Norris.
• Phoul Ballz interviewed Nationals prospect Cutter Dykstra.
• Baseball Time In Arlington provides a glass half full take on the Roy Oswalt signing.
• Camden Crazies called the Adam Jones extension a win-win.
• Brotherly Glove wrote about Carlos Ruiz's next contract.
• Giants Nirvana mused about a possible Melky Cabrera extension.
• McCovey Chronicles thinks Angel Pagan could remain with the Giants beyond 2012.
• Know Hitter looks at a potential Kevin Youkilis trade from the Red Sox's perspective.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness thinks Youkilis would be a great fit for the Dodgers.
• Puckett's Pond says it's time for the Twins to the trade Josh Willingham.
• Swingin' A's wrote about Manny Ramirez and what he means for the Athletics.
• I-70 Baseball wonders if the Royals should trade Wil Myers.
• AL Eastbound & Down asks if the Blue Jays should trade Colby Rasmus.
• Seedlings to Stars tries to figure out where Mark Trumbo's season is coming from.
• Wahoo's on First says the Indians should give Matt LaPorta one more chance.
• Through The Fence Baseball put together their latest mock draft.
• 85% Sports broke down the various mock drafts.
• MLB Reports previewed the upcoming draft.
• Ol' Ball Game previewed the draft from the Blue Jays' perspective.
• DRays Bay thinks the Rays could take a college bat in the first round of the draft.

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

One year ago today, Mariano Rivera became the first pitcher in baseball history to appear in 1,000 games with one team. He is currently eighth on the all-time games pitched list with 1,051 appearances, but he won't be making any more this season after tearing his right ACL. Here's the latest from around the web…

• Jays Journal interviewed GM Tony LaCava, the Blue Jays vice president of baseball operations.
• Baseball Hot Corner interviewed Blue Jays prospect Daniel Norris.
• MLB Reports interviewed former big leaguer Karim Garcia.
• Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about Neftali Feliz's injury and Roy Oswalt.
• Redleg Nation calls the Reds' decision to make Aroldis Chapman the closer a mistake.
• Monkey with a Halo says the Angels should sign Mike Trout to a contract extension.
• Lasorda's Lair believes this year's Dodgers are similar to the 1988 team.
• Bucs Dugout listed Neal Huntington's eight best moves as Pirates GM.
• Royals Review asks if you'd hire Royals GM Dayton Moore again.
• I-70 Baseball thinks Royals manager Ned Yost must go.
• NASORB says the Mariners must cut ties with Chone Figgins.
• Call to the Pen wonders if Brandon Morrow is officially an ace.
• Disciplines of Uecker listed some replacement starting pitchers for the Brewers.
• BoSox Injection wrote about the Daniel Bard dilemma facing the Red Sox.
• Talkin' Sox with Dan thinks the Red Sox should listen on their catching depth.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if the Rays could trade for David Ross.
• FanSpeak thinks the Orioles should target Adam Dunn in a trade.
• Wahoo's on First wonders if Kevin Youkilis is a fit for the Indians.
• Rising Apple says the Mets are better off without Jose Reyes in the clubhouse.
• Puckett's Pond wrote about the Twins' long-term search for a third baseman.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness examined the Dodgers' roster crunch.
• We Should Be GMs says we have to respect the Phillies' array of cast-offs.
• 85% Sports wrote about the Cubs and the upcoming draft.
• MLB Draft Insider published the latest version of their mock draft.

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

On this date in 2004, 40-year-old Randy Johnson threw a perfect game against the Braves. He joined Cy Young, Jim Bunning, Hideo Nomo, and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers to throw a no-hitter in each league. Here's the latest from the baseball blogosphere…

• A's Farm interviewed Athletics assistant GM David Forst (part one, part two).
• The Daily Statesman spoke to Cardinals manager Mike Matheny about his team.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan interviewed Jerry Blevins.
• SF Giants Rumors interviewed Giants prospect Joe Panik.
• Bay City Ball thinks the Giants should take a chance on Orlando Hudson.
• Giants Nirvana also believes the Giants should give Hudson a call.
• MLB Reports wrote about Cole Hamels and his future with the Phillies.
• Bunt Double wonders where Josh Hamilton will play next season.
• More Hardball put together a team of the best minor league contract signees.
• Camden Crazies tries to figure out if the Orioles are for real (part one, part two).
• FanSpeak believes Chase Headley is a perfect fit for the Orioles.
• M.C. Antil wrote about Chris Davis' night on the mound.
• House of the Bluebird wrote about Adam Lind's demotion.
• U.S.S. Mariner looked at how the Mariners could reshape their roster.
• Redleg Nation lists five things they would change if they ran the Reds.
• Blog Red Machine wrote about tweaking Cincinnati's lineup.
• MLB on Deck wonders if Mike Scioscia's job is in jeopardy.
• Rising Apple wrote about Omar Minaya and his impact on the current Mets.
• Capitol Avenue Club analyzed the Braves' pitching staff.
• Pirates Prospects explains why teams do not draft for need.
• Call to the Pen wrote about high school right-hander Lucas Giolito, a top prospect for this year's draft.
• Dr. Strangeglove mused about the Pirates and Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero.
• Rays Colored Glasses wonders if the Rays take advantage of their locale in the draft.
• Puckett's Pond thinks the Twins should target a college player in the draft.

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