Baseball Blogs Weigh In

Seven years ago today, the Brewers claimed Derrick Turnbow off waivers from the Angels. The then-27-year-old emerged as Milwaukee's closer the next year, saving 39 games with a 1.74 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. Turnbow saved another 24 games the next year, but his 6.84 ERA was a sign of things to come. Extreme control problems doomed the right-hander, and he's been out of baseball since suffering a shoulder injury while in camp with the Marlins last spring.

Here is this week's collection of links from around the baseball blogosphere. Enjoy.

• Rooftop View says Cubs fans have every reason to be excited over Theo Epstein.
• Over The Monster wrote about Epstein's legacy with the Red Sox.
• The Sporting Nerds discussed the recent revelations about the Red Sox's clubhouse culture.
• Camden Crazies says Andy MacPhail's tenure with the Orioles was just okay.
• Brotherly Glove discussed the futures of Ryan Madson and Jimmy Rollins.
• Crashburn Alley says the Phillies biggest need is patience at the plate.
• Rankings Professor lists the top five most likely landing spots for Jose Reyes.
• Jays Journal wonders about the possibility of Joey Votto being traded to the Blue Jays.
• Deep Left Field thinks the Indians should get involved in talks for Votto.
• Capitol Avenue Club doesn't think the Braves need to import any relievers this offseason.
• The Nats Blog lists five reasons why the Nationals won't be in the mix for CC Sabathia.
• Yankees Fans Unite mused about the future of the Yankees rotation.
• The Yankee Analysts asks which pitcher should the Yankees pursue: C.J. Wilson or Yu Darvish? (part one, part two)
• River Ave. Blues explains why the Yankees shouldn't trade Jesus Montero.
• Bluebird Banter questions the Blue Jays' rotation going into next year.
• Royals Reviews reminds us that at some point, Dayton Moore's team must win.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says the Dodgers can improve with marginal upgrades.
• Pirates Prospects looked at some free agent catcher options.
• U.S.S. Mariner listed four cheap roster upgrades for the Mariners.
• Colorado Rockies' Analyst wonders if Ian Stewart can have an Alex Gordon-like breakout in 2012.
• Giants Nirvana ponders a Matt Cain extension.
• Beyond The Box Score thinks the Marlins should sign Mike Stanton long-term.
• Rays Insider wonders if it's time for the Rays to extend Matt Joyce.
• DRays Bay wrote about some catching options for the Rays.
• Rays Colored Glasses lists the Rays trade candidates for this offseason.
• Ol' Ball Game explains how the Marlins can contend next year.
• Mets 360 lists five reasons why the Mets should not re-sign Chris Capuano.
• District on Deck assess the Nationals' managerial options.
• The Platoon Advantage looked at the stereotypes of each position.

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

Six years ago today, the White Sox beat the Red Sox by the score of 5-3 in Game Three of the ALDS. The ChiSox swept the ALDS in three games, their first playoff series win since 1917. They went on to beat the Angels in the ALCS before sweeping the Astros to win the World Series, the franchise's first championship since that 1917 season.

You won't have to wait that long for the next edition of BBWI, thankfully. Here is the latest round of links from the baseball corner of the internet…

• Monkey with a Halo breaks down the different types of GMs the Angels can target.
• Red Sox Post listed five candidates to replace Terry Francona as Red Sox manager.
• Royals Review identified Jair Jurrjens as a potential trade target for the Royals.
• South Side Sox looked back at Kenny Williams' decade as GM of the White Sox.
• Capitol Avenue Club tries to figure out what the Braves should do with Martin Prado.
• Pirates Prospects wonders if the Pirates should trade Pedro Alvarez.
• The Beanball looks at the past, present, and future of Cameron Maybin.
• Bay City Ball put together a shopping list for the Giants offseason.
• Giants Nirvana thinks about the Giants and Jimmy Rollins.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness wonders where the Dodgers will get a big bat form.
• Through The Fence Baseball tries to figure out what the Dodgers will do this offseason.
• Call to the Pen says Adrian Beltre is a luxury the Rangers should be happy to pay for.
• Baltimore Sports & Life collected a series of opinions about the Orioles and Prince Fielder.
• U.S.S. Mariner broke down the Mariners current roster.
• Rant Sports Rockies says the Rockies have some options to improve their rotation.
• BoSox Injection says Red Sox baseball is more than just a game.
• Blogging Mets mused about a modified four-man rotation.
• Orioles Nation conducted a study to determine the accuracy of wins above replacement, or WAR.
• Future Closers identified some ninth inning guys with little to no long-term staying power.
• Yanks Go Yard thinks MLB crossed the line with some of their recent Facebook graphics.

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

Fifty years ago today, Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record by hitting his 61st of the season. Tracy Stallard of the Red Sox gave up the historic blast, a fourth inning solo shot. Three players (Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa) have since hit more than 61 homers in a season, but Maris' 1961 total is still the AL record for home runs in a season.

Here is the best the baseball blogosphere had to offer during the final week of the 2011 regular season…

• Phoul Ballz interviewed Phillies reliever Justin DeFratus.
• Over The Monster mused about Terry Francona's departure from the Red Sox.
• Joe Blogs wrote about the madness of last Wednesday night.
• Call to the Pen looked at the Orioles' role in the Red Sox's collapse.
• Puckett's Pond put Twins GM Bill Smith on trial.
• Through The Fence Baseball penned an open letter to Marlins management.
• Blogging from the Bleachers expects there to be some rumors about Carlos Zambrano and the Marlins.
• Brotherly Glove recapped Cliff Lee's first full year with the Phillies.
• South Side Sox says Sergio Santos' contract extension is friendly for everyone involved.
• Cracked Bell Sports explains how releasing Danys Baez hurt the Phillies' bullpen.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan says they don't want Hideki Matsui on the 2012 Athletics.
• Replacement Level Baseball looked at some of the Athletics' under-the-radar acquisitions.
• Rant Sports Indians explained how expanded playoffs would benefit the Indians.
• Yankees Fans Unite says the Yankees need a productive Alex Rodriguez in the playoffs.
• Bronx Baseball Daily explains why Bartolo Colon isn't the same anymore.
• BoSox injection praised the invaluable arm of Alfredo Aceves.
• Blog Red Machine wrote about the maturation of Jay Bruce.
• Rant Sports Mets wonders if Jose Reyes cost himself money in free agency.
• The Nats Blogs asks whose actions were worse: Reyes' or Adam Dunn's.
• The Beanball explains that spending money doesn't automatically lead to winning.
• Blogging Mets posted a 2011 report card for the Mets.
• We Should Be GMs handed out Phillies' team awards.
• Bleacher GM looked at the MVP and Cy Young races.
• Twin Cities Baseball tried to predict the next Hall of Fame class.
• The Hardball Times reviewed Moneyball.

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

Three years ago today, Mark Teixeira hit an eighth inning solo homer off Mark Lowe, giving the Angels a 6-5 lead over the Mariners. Francisco Rodriguez closed the game out, making Seattle the first 100-100 team in baseball history. That is, 100 losses and a $100MM payroll.

These links will provide some more bang for the buck; here's the best the blogosphere had to offer last week…

• Amazin' Avenue provided a transcript of Mets GM Sandy Alderson's recent in-game interview.
• Swingin' A's interviewed Brandon McCarthy.
• U.S.S. Mariner says the Mariners should target Joey Votto in a trade this offseason.
• Meanwhile, Redleg Nation explains why the Reds should not trade Votto.
• Blog Red Machine tries to figure out what the Reds should do with Brandon Phillips.
• Crashburn Alley revisits the Michael Young to the Phillies trade rumors.
• Brotherly Glove wonders if the Phillies should non-tender Kyle Kendrick.
• Beer Leaguer doesn't think there's a viable way for the White Sox to re-sign Mark Buehrle without hurting the team.
• Pirates Prospects looks at the Pirates players that will be out of options next season.
• DRays Bay wonders if the trade rumors affected B.J. Upton's performance.
• Giants Nirvana thinks the Giants should consider signing Madison Bumgarner long-term.
• Bay City Ball broke down Cody Ross and the Giants outfield depth.
• Jays Prospects says the Blue Jays will have some decisions to make regarding their outfield prospects.
• Viva El Birdos remembers the glory days, when Ryan Theriot was the Cardinals starting shortstop.
• FanSpeak looked ahead to the Nationals offseason.
• Rant Sports Royals thinks Luke Hochevar might be on the verge of something big.
• We Should Be GMs says the Phillies have shown some cracks in the armor this month.
• Infield Chatter looked at how the Red Sox let the AL East slip away.
• Chad Moriyama analyzed James Loney's late season surge.
• Motor City Bengals broke down Jose Valverde's save streak.
• Rox Pile lists the top ten offensive performance for the 2011 Rockies.
• Lasorda's Lair compared a pair of Dodgers prospects in the low minors.
• Through The Fence Baseball previews the 2012 draft.

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

Five years ago today, Alfonso Soriano stole second base in the first inning against the Brewers, becoming the fourth member of the 40-40 club. Soriano, then with the Nationals, finished with 46 homers and 41 steals before signing his massive eight-year, $136MM contract with the Cubs after the season. Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), and Alex Rodriguez (1998) are the only other players that have gone 40-40 in a single season.

Here's this week's batch of links, starting with a very interesting podcast…

• Replacement Level Baseball interviewed Corey Conflenti, a center fielder for the Lodi Old Rags of the Italian Baseball League. They discussed the level of talent in Italy, the cultural differences, the styles of play, and the impact of Alex Liddi's big league callup.
• 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Colby Rasmus during his minor league rehab assignment.
• Baseball Time In Arlington muses about the future of C.J. Wilson.
• Brotherly Glove wonders what kind of contract Ryan Howard would have received if he was able to become a free agent after the season.
• Swingin' A's reviewed the Athletics' rebuilding process (part one, part two).
• Rant Sports Indians identified Chad Durbin as a September trade candidate.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says farewell to Jonathan Broxton.
• Camden Crazies analyzes the Mike Gonzalez–Pedro Strop.
• Pirates Prospects thinks the Pirates 2012 pitching staff may already be set.
• The Friarhood says it's time for the Padres to shut Tim Stauffer down.
• SF Giants Rumors looks through some shortstop options for the 2012 Giants.
• Meanwhile, Giants Nirvana previews the outfield free agent market.
• Call to the Pen doesn't think AL contenders need to worry about the Angels despite their strong rotation.
• The Flagrant Fan looks at how the Yankees have been doing without the injured A-Rod.
• Rant Sports Yankees says New York could be poised to make several big trades this offseason.
• Rising Apple wrote about some young players forcing their way onto the 2012 Mets.
• Blogging Mets muses about Carlos Quentin in a Mets uniform next season.
• Marlin Maniac looked at Emilio Bonifacio's season, and wonders if this is the real him.
• Through The Fence Baseball ranked the best pitchers in Dodgers history.
• Bleacher GM lists some AAAA All-Stars.
• MLB Reports wonders if MLB should put another team in Canada.
• The Hardball Times takes a second look at Ian Kinsler's fantasy value.

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

On this date in 2007, the Brewers became the third team in history to begin a game by hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs. Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy, and Ryan Braun all did their damage against Phil Dumatrait of the Reds, who gave up five hits and four runs before leaving the game in the top of the first without retiring a batter.

Here is the best the baseball blogosphere had to offer over the last week, as the 2011 season begins to wind down…

• In a post at Brotherly Glove, Phillies prospect Tyson Gillies wrote about his long road back from injury.
• MLB Reports interviewed Casey Bond, a former Giants minor leaguer turned actor. Bond plays Chad Bradford in the upcoming Moneyball movie.
• At Home Plate talked to Joey Gathright about what he learned from Jose Canseco in independent ball before hooking on with the Red Sox.
• Phoul Ballz spoke with Blue Jays prospect Travis d'Arnaud.
• The Nats Blog compared Stephen Strasburg's return to the comebacks of other pitchers who came back from Tommy John surgery.
• Bay City Ball says the Giants should play for 2012 this month.
• Redleg Nation agrees with Reds pitching coach Bryan Price when he says that Aroldis Chapman should start.
• Infield Chatter broke down the Red Sox's pitching problems.
• BoSox Injection calls Tim Wakefield a liability.
• Rant Sports Indians calls the Victor Martinez trade a huge win for the Indians.
• Rising Apple takes a closer look at the players the Mets got in exchange for Francisco Rodriguez.
• Disciples of Uecker muses about the Brewers' infield defense.
• Chicago Now says the Cubs should look at John Coppolella, the Braves president of baseball administration, to be their next GM.

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

On this date in 2006, September call-up Kevin Kouzmanoff hit his first career home run for the Indians. It wasn't just his first career homer either, it was a grand slam that came on the first pitch he saw in his first big league plate appearance. Edinson Volquez, then of the Rangers, was the victim. Kouzmanoff joined Jeremy Hermida and Bill Duggelby as the only players in history to hit a grand slam in their first career at-bat. Daniel Nava has since joined the club.

These links won't have that kind of immediate impact, but they're definitely worth your time…

• 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Blue Jays prospect Deck McGuire.
• Phoul Ballz spoke to Phillies prospect Jesse Biddle.
• U.S.S. Mariner mused about Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik and his new contract extension.
• Brotherly Glove broke down the Phillies 40-man roster.
• MLB Reports looked at the future of Adam Dunn.
• Giants Nirvana provided some thoughts about the recent moves the Giants made.
• Yankees Fans Unite says the Yankees improved their pitching by adding Russell Martin.
• Cream City Cables wrote about the experience and maturity of the Brewers.
• Twins Fan From Afar remembers the good old days of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
• Puckett's Pond looked at some recently departed Twins (part one, part two).
• Bleacher GM put together offseason previews for the Yankees and Red Sox.
• BK Sporting News wonders if Justin Verlander is the AL MVP.
• Meanwhile, MLB Dirt wonders why a pitcher can't win the MVP award.

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

Four years ago today, Astros owner Drayton McLane fired GM Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner. Houston was 58-73 at the time, a steep fall following six straight winning seasons. Tal Smith replaced Purpura on an interim basis before giving way to current GM Ed Wade after that season, and Cecil Cooper replaced Garner and managed the team until the very end of the 2009 season.

Ownership of the Astros is in the process of being transferred from McLane to Jim Crane, so another GM change could be on the horizon. Here are this week's links…

• Replacement Level Baseball breaks down the Jered Weaver and Jose Tabata extensions.
• Monkey with a Halo wonders which Angel should be the next to get an extension.
• River Ave. Blues thinks it's time for the Yankees to sign Robinson Cano to an extension.
• The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan wrote about the Athletics possibly re-signing Josh Willingham after the season.
• Jon Colosimo takes a sabermetric look at what the Twins got back in the Johan Santana trade.
• The Beanball thinks Casper Wells was the key to the Doug Fister trade for the Mariners.
• Rant Sports Indians tries to figure out how much of an impact Jim Thome will have for the Indians.
• BK Sporting News looked at the next matchup of 600 home run hitters.
• FanSpeak says you shouldn't count the Nationals out of the Prince Fielder race after the season.
• MLB Reports broke down Tyler Beede's decision to attend college rather than sign with the Blue Jays as the 21st overall pick.
• Detroit Baseball Page wrote about Alex Avila challenging Brian McCann for the title of "Best Catcher in Baseball."
• Through The Fence Baseball wrote about Adam Dunn and the worst year ever.
• Ol' Ball Game explains how defense has helped the Diamondbacks to first place in the NL West.
• Seedlings To Stars rounded up some opinions on Marlins prospect Matt Dominguez.
• The Days of Yost listed some September call-up candidates for the Brewers (pitchers, position players).
• Call to the Pen took a look at the NL MVP race.
• The Hardball Times broke down David Wright's elite fantasy production.
• Future Closers listed the origin of each NL closer.
• 85% Sports went behind the scenes with a visiting clubhouse manager.

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

Four years ago today, John Smoltz struck out Mark Reynolds to become the Braves' all-time strikeout leader. His 2,913th whiff moved him past Phil Niekro. Smoltz finished his Braves' career with 3,011 strikeouts, and he is also the franchise's career leader in strikeout rate (7.98 K/9) and saves (154). He's in the top ten of almost every other significant pitching statistic as well.

Here is the best the blogosphere had to offer over the last seven days…

• In the wake of his 600th homer, Brotherly Glove looks at Jim Thome's impact on the Phillies.
• Infield Chatter broke down Thome's case for the Hall of Fame.
• Replacement Level Baseball recapped the draft signing deadline.
• MLB Reports recapped the big name draftees that did not sign this year.
• FanSpeak says the Nationals' big draft class sets them up for the future.
• Padres Prospects broke down the big money players the Padres signed before the deadline.
• Bleacher Nation recapped the Cubs' entire draft haul.
• River Ave. Blues thinks Gerrit Cole's rejection may have scared the Yankees.
• True Grich wonders if the Angels are in trouble financially.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness picks apart a recent interview with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
• The Friahood mused about a recent report of the Padres increasing payroll.
• Rant Sports Indians looks at five contenders that could use Austin Kearns.
• Yankees Fans Unite wonders who should play center field for the Yanks, Curtis Granderson or Brett Gardner.
• Twinkie Town, meanwhile, provides the definitive guide to booing the Yankees.
• Jays Journal thinks Jesse Litsch could be long-term bullpen option for the Blue Jays.
• Rant Sports Red Sox tries to figure out what Jonathan Papelbon is worth on the free agent market.
• Days of Yost looks at what has made Randy Wolf so effective this year.
• Ol' Ball Game explains why Brandon Morrow is a top shelf starter.
• Call to the Pen wonders if Roy Halladay already has the Cy Young Award locked up.
• Cracked Bell Sports doesn't think the Phillies rotation has been overworked.

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

On this date in 1994, the MLB Players' Association went on strike, leading to the cancellation of the World Series and a delayed start to the 1995 season. Dave Winfield was traded from the Twins to the Indians for a player to be named later two weeks after the strike but before the season was officially canceled, so the player to be named later was never actually named. Instead, Indians' executives took Twins' executives out to dinner and picked up the tab as compensation for the trade. Winfield, a Hall of Famer, was traded for dinner.

Here are this week's links, which will hopefully net the authors something more than a nice dinner one day…

• Bronx Baseball Daily interviewed CC Sabathia, and asked about his upcoming opt-out clause.
• MLB Reports interviewed Astros' sixth round pick Brandon Meredith.
• Brotherly Glove explains how waivers work.
• Two Points on a Compass broke down the Mariners' deadline deals.
• Redleg Nation wrote about Yonder Alonso and his place with the Reds.
• McCoy Chronicles mused about Carlos Beltran's first ten or so games with the Giants.
• Lookout Landing looked ahead to Chris Ray's future with the Mariners.
• U.S.S. Mariner breaks down the Mariners extended roster for the next two years.
• Rant Sports grades Erik Bedard two starts into his Red Sox career.
• House of the Bluebird examined the Eric Thames–Travis Snider position battle.
• Cream City Cables thinks the sky is the limit for the Brewers offense.
• Detroit Baseball Page wrote about ex-Tiger Cameron Maybin.
• BoSox Banter says David Ortiz earned himself a two-year deal this season.
• The Beanball compared the 2011 versions of Matt Treanor and Joe Mauer.
• Tomahawk Take wonders how worried the Braves should be about Tommy Hanson.
• Phoul Ballz took stock of the players the Phillies received when they traded Cliff Lee to the Mariners.
• Giants Nirvana revisits the Giants offseason.
• Replacement Level Baseball looks at the big name draft prospects yet to sign.
• Padres Prospects posted a scouting report on Jace Peterson, one of the Padres supplemtnal first round picks this June.

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