Wednesday, September 29, 2010

SweetSpot Roundup: September 29

Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): Does Buchholz Deserve Cy Young Votes?
Starting with the observation that Clay Buchholz is entering the final week battling Felix Hernandez for the league ERA crown, Charlie launches into a broader discussion of who should win the AL Cy Young Award.

Sox Machine (White Sox): White Sox brain trust to return in 2011
"It took a summit with Jerry Reinsdorf, but Ozzie Guillen will be returning to the White Sox in 2011, without an extension in hand, and without an airtight endorsement from Kenny Williams."

The B-List Indians Blog: The B-List Lite: 9/27
Cleveland takes the opener from Detroit, and Carlos Carrasco draws comparisons to Charles Nagy.

Royals Authority: Even Losing Baseball Is Interesting (sometimes)
Some reasons to stay interested in the waning Royals season.

Nick's Twins Blog: Top Ten Prospects: Season Rundown
Nick reviews the 2010 progress of his preseason top ten team prospects list.

It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): Tampa Bay Plans A Step Backwards (More On Why Revenue Sharing Is Dead)
Larry with a harsh dose of reality about the Rays (certain to perk up a good share of his own audience). And this: "Instead, the revenue sharing system will allow the Rays to sink back into mediocrity.  This is by design: revenue sharing provides the greatest rewards to teams that are losers and continue to be losers.  Ownership of teams like the Pirates[...], teams that finish near the bottom of the standings year after year, make healthy profits as a result."

Pro Ball NW (Mariners): Zduriencik Given Vote Of Confidence
Conor is understandably skeptical. "Zduriencik has become a very important piece of this organization, and it would be a shame, to say the least, to see his work be undone before it has a chance to show its results."

The Ray Area: It's Just Business
"But, the more I thought about it, the more my anger abated.  Longoria and Price are children.  Not children in age (although they are both young) but children in life experience.  They have been pampered through an athlete-centric culture that has protected them from the realities of the outside world, in particular the business world."

Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers): How TV Made the Rangers Rich(er)
Discussing the Rangers' huge (or possibly still-huge-but-not-quite-as-huge-as-reported) new television deal.

Capitol Avenue Club (Braves): Bravo!
“Come to think of it, what is there to say about the medical staff that hasn’t already been said about the Caligula administration?”

Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): Yovani Gallardo, MVP Candidate?
Gallardo’s prowess on the mound and at the plate has Jack thinking he might be in the MVP discussion.

Fungoes (Cardinals): Was baserunning a factor in Cardinals’ demise?
“As the Reds have shown, if you want to be a careless baserunning team and still win, you’d better get on base a lot.”

The View From the Bleachers (Cubs): Tuesday Trivia
“Q. Since 1960, there have been five players who have thrown at least 200 innings, struck out at least 200 batters and have failed to win more than 10 games. Name them.”

Dodger Thoughts: Ken Burns “Tenth Inning” hits and misses at the plate
“I think that "The Tenth Inning" will be appreciated more by the casual fan than the dedicated fan (and, of course, enjoyed much more by fans of the teams depicted than the teams ignored).”

Bay City Ball (Giants): Madison’s Historic Rookie Season
Chris has been very impressed by Madison Bumgarner.

Mets Today: Should we be curious about Jose Bautista?
Joe walks a very fine line here between curiosity and baseless speculation. TCM’s take: It’s ok to be curious about how he hit 52. It’s not ok to make accusations or discuss PEDs without some kind of hint he’s done anything wrong.

Ducksnorts (Padres): How to let a pitcher off the hook
The Pads had the Cubs right where they wanted them, and let them wriggle off the hook.

Crashburn Alley (Phillies): Should Doc get MVP consideration?
Halladay’s WAR is off the charts, and Bill thinks the Phillies’ ace deserves some MVP love.

Redleg Nation: Vote for Joe Nuxhall, but HURRY!
Greg stumps for Nuxhall to win the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasters, and urges you to vote accordingly.

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