Good morning, and a Happy Easter to all of those who celebrate. I’ve expanded my link-around yet again. Yes, I’m constantly tinkering, but I’m hoping this is the last one for a while. I think the new format makes the round-up more complete and easier to read. (If you disagree, please tell me.) I may add a few more sites down the road (and if you have any suggestions, please let me know), but for now, I think this might be one of the most complete on the web.
Dig in, and enjoy.
Tales from around the Red Sox Blogosphere:
- Fire Brand of the American League – In case you missed it this week…Darryl shared his thoughts on the meaning of Patriot’s Day; Troy examines the Phil Hughes situation and discusses the legend that is Jed Lowrie; Charlie revisits the idea of Ellsbury as a power hitter and explains that Buchholz can only get better; and I strive to identify the bright spots so far, share my opinions on MLB’s takeover of the Dodgers, and discuss a catcher’s ability to influence the game.
- Red Sox Beacon – Was Buchholz getting squeezed during his last start? Using pitch f/x data, Matt gives us reason to believe he wasn’t getting calls low in the zone.
- Over the Monster – Ben Buchanan (following the great Tom Tango’s lead) revisits “The Pitch.”
- Surviving Grady – What a difference a few games makes…
- Joy of Sox – Allan shares this thoughts on the possibility of playoff expansion.
- The House that Dewey Built – Jimmy did some digging and found that fastball velocity appears to be down throughout the league.
Tales from around the Yankee Blogosphere:
- It’s About the Money, Stupid – Big week at IIAMTS this week…Larry examines baseball’s debt problem and shares his thoughts on the Red Sox-AGon tax avoidance situation; Mark explains what it should take to pry King Felix from the Mariners; Brian wants to stop the bullpen madness; Josh examines Burnett’s curve; I discussed the problems with pitching to contact; and new comer, the Hippeaux, takes it a step further.
- Yankee Analysts – Does Phil Hughes have a poor work ethic? Moshe wades through the BS, and gives us a well constructed argument against that reputation. Eric Schultz wonders if it’s time to trade Austin Romine.
- Pinstriped Bible – Jay Jaffe examines Mariano Rivera and the blown save.
- River Avenue Blues – Mike Axisa makes his obligatory Brandon Wood post.
- Replacement Level Yankee Weblog – How have the Yankees performed in comparison to their projected stats (through 4/19)? Click here.
- Pinstripe Alley – Brandon explains why Lou Gehrig is his all-time favorite Yankee—seriously, who could blame him?
Tales from the Sweet Spot Mother Ship:
- David Schoenfield – Schoenfield puts together the All-Overrated team. Can’t say I disagree with anyone on the list.
- Christina Kahrl – Kahrl has the goods on Ryan Braun’s new extension. Like me, she has short-term and long-term concerns with the deal.
- Steve Berthiaume – Steve thinks a one game playoff is the way to go. I respectfully disagree for a number of reasons, but his reasoning certainly makes sense.
- Joe Janish – Joe examines Anibal Sanchez’s near no-no.
- Austin Swafford – Austin wonders if the NL Central is due for disparity.
Tales from around the Sweet Spot Network:
- The Platoon Advantage (MLB) – The Common Man gives his thoughts on the Colby Lewis/baby situation.
- Crashburn Alley (Phillies) – Bill Baer uses SIERA to evaluate the Phillies starting pitching staff—by the way, Cole Hamels has been their best pitcher so far.
- The Ray Area (Rays) – Mark is SHOCKED that James Shields has only six complete games, and he examines why.
- Nick’s Twin Blog (Twins) – Nick explains the reasons behind the Twins disappointing start.
- Capital Avenue Club (Braves) – Kevin explains Derek Lowe’s new approach against righties.
- Fungoes (Cardinals) – Pip explains the probable cause behind the Cardinals offensive turnaround.
- Royals Authority (Royals) – Craig thinks Kyle Davies is historically awful.
- Bay City Ball (Giants) – Chris explains what we should expect from Cody Ross.
- Dodger Thoughts (Dodgers) – Jon Weisman takes Frank McCourt down.
- Weaver’s Tantrum (Orioles) – Dave looks at the Orioles match-up with the Twins.
- B-List Indians Blog (Indians) – Steve runs down the good, bad, and ugly aspects of Masterson’s last start.
- Daily Fungo (Tigers) – Do the Tigers have an identity crisis?
- Baseballin’ on a Budget (Athletics) – Dan analyzes the A’s 5-0 win over the Red Sox from earlier in the week.
- Pro Ball NW (Mariners) – Considering the state of the Mariner offense, Taylor seems to be ok with a 7-13 record at this point. I don’t blame him. Also, watching King Felix pitch every fifth day has to count for something, right?
- Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers) – BBTIA takes a look at some of the contracts recently signed (Braun, A-Gon), and stacks them up against the deals Pujols and Fielder might see this winter.
- Ghostrunner on First (Blue Jays) – Drew has an interesting game plan for Ricky Romero’s next start against the Rays.
- View from the Bleachers (Cubs) – Joe breaks down the best and worst defensive teams per John Dewan’s Defensive Runs Saved.
- Redleg Nation (Reds) – Chad recaps the Reds come-from-behind win against St. Louis on Saturday.
- Austin’s Astros 290 Blog (Astros) – Austin previews the upcoming series between the Astros and Brewers.
- Disciples of Uecker (Brewers) – Jack explains why Ryan Braun’s contract is not the Ryan Howard contract. Completely agree. While I think Braun won’t provide value to justify the deal, it has nowhere near the disaster potential of the Howard deal.
- Mets Today (Mets) – Joe wonders if a good start by Mike Pelfrey could start a controversy behind the dish.
- Ducksnorts (Padres) – Geoff is offended by the Padres lack of offense so far.
- Nationals Baseball (Nationals) – Was Jim Riggleman lying when he said Wilson Ramos was the starting catcher?
Tales from around the Baseball Blogosphere:
- Fangraphs – Chris Cwik explains the return of Beckett’s curve; Dave Cameron wonders if Braun’s contract is worse than Howard’s; Alex Remington fights the good fight on the topic of women in baseball; Matthew Carruth revisits Wade Boggs’s dominance; and Jonah Keri shares his take on the Dodger takeover.
- Rob Neyer – Is Derek Jeter the Captain of Groundouts?
- Joe Posnanski – Joe Pos talks about Jon Olerud and the Hall of Not Famous Enough.
- NBC Hardball Talk – Craig wonders if the Dodger takeover could imperil MLB’s long held antitrust exemption. Aaron explains why Braun’s extension won’t affect Fiedler’s status.
- CBS Eye on Baseball – Evan reports the Red Sox have put Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a two week leash.
- Baseball Analysts – Rich Lederer explains how to understand the standings—even at two weeks.
- Hardball Times – Kevin Lai explains Brandon McCarthy’s rebirth. JT Jordan pimps wOBA—not that it needs pimping because it’s awesome anyway.
- Splashing Pumpkins – Julian Levine is starting to worry about Aubrey Huff. Yeah, it’s still early, but his defense in RF (-7.0 UZR) has been atrocious. Could a move to 1B be the remedy to his woes?
- Camden Crazies – Daniel Moroz tries to explain Jeremy Guthrie’s BABIP.
- Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness – Mike explains James Loney’s value both now and in the future.
- USS Mariner – Marc explains why Carlos Peguero’s call-up was unnecessary.
- Beyond the Boxscore – Satchel Price thinks that Brandon Wood should start in Pittsburgh. Seriously…what the Pirates have to lose?
- The Outside Corner – Joe Lucia expresses a feeling with which I wholeheartedly agree—playoff expansion only dilutes the achievement.
- DRaysBay – There’s a reason behind Jeff Neiman’s disappointment start—he can’t survive up in the zone.
- Chop n’ Change – IIATMS co-writer Mark Smith wonders when it’s time to give up on Nate McLouth.
- Aaron Gleeman – Aaron explains the reasoning behind Joe Nathan’s demotion.
- McCovey Chronicles – The Giants are boring Grant Brisbee. I don’t blame him. They need to score some runs.
- Tiger Tales – Lee Panas tries to understand why offense has declined league-wide.
- The Process Report – R.J. Anderson wonders who goes when Evan Longoria returns. Psst…send Casey Kotchman to the curb.
- Brew Crew Ball – Jordan shares his thoughts on the Ryan Braun deal.