Well, Matt Kory of Over the Monster blew my cover yesterday in his daily link around yesterday morning. When you tell someone something in confidence, you expect him to keep it a secret. Right? Well, think again. Now that my secret out in the open, I might as well share the news with you, my loyal readers. Yes, it’s true. I hide in Nick Cafardo’s bushes every day waiting for the mail man to come. I steal his mail, open up the pieces from his adoring fan base, and answer the questions. How else would I get access to such amazing baseball questions? It’s not like he posts the questions and his responses online or anything. As for the rumors that I’m not wearing any pants while I’m hiding in the bushes, that may or may not be true. I’d prefer not to answer that question at this time as the answer is potentially very embarrassing.
Yeah, well that was awkward. Now, on with the links!
- Sticking with Matt Kory and Over the Monster…Have you ever wondered what the Red Sox would look like if they signed all of the top free agents? Matt presents your 2012 Boston NOT Sox.
- It’s a widely known fact that third basemen are criminally underrepresented in Cooperstown. Bill at The Platoon Advantage examines why we underrate the players at this critical position, and identifies those that deserve consideration but are often snubbed.
- At times, Mark Buehrle seems to defy everything we know about pitching. Dave Cameron of Fangraphs digs deep to uncover the mysteries of his success.
- Given the shallow starting pitching market this winter, there’s been a lot of talk about ways teams can improve their pitching via trades. Brien at IIATMS analyzes the A’s Gio Gonzalez and determines he’s not all that.
- Sticking with the Yankees, Joe Pawlikowski wonders if the Yankees can trade A.J. Burnett? The answer is yes, but the question is to whom? There don’t seem to be a lot of teams in the market for a soon-to-be 35 year old pitcher making $16M a year coming off of consecutive dismal seasons. Still, Joe has a plan, and it seems pretty reasonable. Check it out.
- Sabeanmetrics is having a walk-a-thon to support the Giants ownership group currently crying poverty. I’ve committed to the Albert Pujols Platinum Club, but I’m aiming to reach Brett Pill “walk till you die” Diamond Club status. If you see me lying along the side of the road, just leave me to die. It’s Brett Pill or bust.
- Jeff Sullivan of Baseball Nation asserts that the rumored (but likely dead) Ryan Madson deal will send shockwaves through the market even if it doesn’t come to fruition.