Weekend Round-Up – 3/6/2011

Good morning everyone!  It’s a beautiful day outside (somewhere, at least).  Oh, and it’s my birthday.  (Please, no gifts!  LOL!)  Plus, I get to spend this Sunday morning linking up to some of the great articles I read all week.  What could be better?

• Co-Link of the Week – What would a Weekend Round-Up be with Dave Cameron of Fangraphs?  Considering he’s one of the few “must read” baseball writers around, I doubt we’ll have to find out.  This week, he asks the question, “How will Chase Utley age?”  With history as his guide, he shows that elite second basemen tend to age quite well.
• Co-Link of the Week – Larry Behrendt of It’s About the Money Stupid is not only smart, but an incredibly good writer.  This week he puts his hatred for all things Red Sox aside in favor of objectivity.  In this piece, he gives a fair and balanced opinion on John Henry’s $500K fine for criticizing baseball’s revenue sharing program in 2009.  Don’t be afraid to read this one guys…he thinks Henry was right!
• Co-Link of the Week – Ok.  This is a rare three-way for the “Link of the Week,” so don’t get used to it.  As someone who was the proprietor of a blog titled Billy Beane is My Hero, I can’t resist linking to an interview with the man.  Yahoo! Sports Answer Man (David Brown) sits down with Billy Beane, and discusses politics, small ball, Al Davis, and Moneyball the movie (which I’ll be seeing opening night).
• Did you ever have questions about Baseball Reference’s version of WAR?  Beyond the Boxscore gives a detailed account in plain English.
• Do you love making baseball predictions?  Bottom Line Sox is giving Red Sox fans a chance to make their predictions on their favorite players.  Check it out!
• Yeah, yeah.  I know.  The Yankees suck.  I’d really love to assume that everyone who ever has, is, or will play for them is a massive (insert favorite explicative here), but it’s just not true.  In Daniel Barbarisi’s latest piece for the Wall Street Journal, he chronicles an amazing story in which the Yankee organization put competition aside to support Red Sox first base coach Ron Johnson and his daughter during an incredibly difficult time.
• Brien Jackson of It’s About the Money Stupid is always an enjoyable read.  This week, he breaks down Ty Duffy’s (of the Big Lead) latest anti-stat rant that would embarrass even Murray Chass (internet blogger extraordinaire).
• In light of Charlie Sheen’s amazing return to the limelight (WINNING!), Albert Lyu’s latest piece for Fangraphs seems oddly appropriate.  On Friday, he posted an in-depth analysis on the rebirth of Jonathan Papelbon’s appropriately named “Slutter.”
• This week, Joe Posnanski digs deep to find out what really happened during the 1955 MVP Award voting.  For the record, my ESPN piece on the 1987 award voting came out on Tuesday, so I’m going to assume he copied my idea…not really…but it’s nice to know someone else can’t let these kinds of things go as well.
• Rob Neyer identifies (and answers) the top questions facing the Twins, Brewers, Royals, Astros, and Tigers.
• Is there a connection between Bert Blyleven and Adam Wainwright–the curve ball kings of their respective eras?  Rich Lederer of Baseball Analysts comes up with some answers.
• Do you miss Justin Masterson?  Me too.  Lucas Apostoleris profiles the ground ball specialist in his feature for the Hardball Times.
• Double-dipping from the Platoon Advantage this week.  In the first piece, Bill recaps their five part series on their predictions for the next 25 years of Hall of Fame inductees, and discusses who they missed along the way.  The second piece is a great companion to Charlie’s outstanding piece on Liriano for ESPN on Tuesday.  The Common Man explains that while trading Liriano is irrational, that’s just the Twins way of doing business.
• Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk said good bye to Arizona on Friday, and shares some amusing anecdotes as only he can.
• Another Dave Cameron article, but this one’s over at USS Mariner.  He discusses the Mariners recent acquisition of lefty Aaron Laffey, and explains why he could be a useful piece to their bullpen.
• Bill Baer of Crashburn Alley (with a lot of help from Mike Axisa of River Avenue Blues) discusses Greg Maddux and his unbelievable control.
• Do the Cardinals need to face reality?  Pip of Fungoes certainly thinks so, and he lays out some potential options for the club.
• What’s a simulated game?  Over the Monster explains.
• Brian Duensing has been named the Twins fifth starter, and Nick from his appropriately named Nick’s Twin Blog has something to say about it.
• Rany Jazayerli shares his two part series on the meaning of the minors. (Part 1 and Part 2)
• Lee Panas of Tiger Tales takes a look at the most basic baseball stat.  It’s not wins, RBI, or errors–it’s getting on base.
• On Wednesday, it was Bay City Ball’s day over at ESPN.  Chris Quick wrote a great piece on the top ten struggling sluggers since 1950.  Yes, Tony Bautista makes the list three times.  Kinda surprised by the lack of Joe Carter seasons though.
• Capital Avenue Club takes a detailed look at the Braves starting pitching staff this year.
• Dan Hennessey of Baseballin’ on a Budget reviews the manner in which the A’s have used their compensation picks as of late.  This is part 1 of his series.

That’s all for today.  As always, if you have any suggestions, please either leave them in the comment section, or shoot me an email!