I can't figure out what I am doing wrong, but MLB Trade Rumors won't link my stories anymore. I've written a handful of stories that are the type of story that they look for in the Blogs Weigh In category, but no love.
I have been wondering about this for a while, but I finally decided to speak up when I wrote my piece about Ned Colletti on Sep. 16. It was a piece that is usually right up the alley of MLBTR, and I got nothing.
When blogs were linked on Sep. 18, I found that a piece about Colletti on another website was linked, but not mine. Sure, this website wrote there's before I did, but they aren't about the same thing, and by no means (I swear on my life) did I see this post and get inspired to weigh in about Colletti. It's something I have been thinking about for a while.
I thought my Colletti piece was good, but maybe it wasn't? I know I have a few readers out there. Am I doing something wrong?
I started looking back at the last time I was linked, and this is what I found...
I haven't been linked since May 14 when I wrote about trading James Loney. That is over four months ago, for those of us that can count.
Since then, the following stories I thought were worthy of being linked, but were not:
The Ethan Martin Q&A
Randy Wolf as the best free agent pitching signing
Handling Clayton Kershaw
Billingsley for Cy Young
The return of Manny
Roy Halladay = World Series
Trade Deadline assessment
How to fix the Dodgers
Kemp and Ethier MVP candidates
I really don't understand. Anyone got any ideas?
They never link to me either. I think you're probably overanalyzing.
I left other Dodger blogs because a lot of them couldnt get off of one topic and would constantly debate one issue over another. I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts and experiences with this site this year and plan on continuing here on feelingdodgerblue.com. From my time on mlbtraderumors I get the feeling that most of the readers support east coast teams...hence the thread for three months about the kemp for cano trade this past winter (pretty sure only ny fans thought that would be good trade, yet alone a true rumor that had any truth to it).
A lot of fans thought Loney shouldnt be traded and it was ridiculous to bring it up...I'm still for it, although he is swinging a hot stick right now. A lot of other posts have been well thought out...like the pardon of Juan Pierre!
If I was to give any criticism is that there arent that many comments, sometimes I feel you should join in the comments to get them rolling...other than that keep posting, I'll be reading!
and more pictures of Dodger chicks!
The List-
I suppose I have a list of blogs that I frequently check and this one sits right next to sosg, msti, mokm (fnc), and Dodger Thoughts. I guess if you want MLBTR to link to you, post something about the Cubs or a trade rumor that would involve an east coast team. I know Tim is Chicago based and is a huge Cubs homer, though I don't think he lets that get in the way of his writing.
The Cubs do have some players that will be available next season that we should be looking into. I know we would like an upgrade at 1st and maybe a starting pitcher to fill the Randy Wolf/ Jon Garland hole when they leave. (Unless Garland's option is picked up, though at 10 million we can probably get him for less since AZ is paying his buyout.) Wolf might demand 30ish mill over 3 years.
Big Z is available. He will cost 18 million for 3 years in contract and who knows how much in prospects.
Derek Lee is not available. BUT, the Cubs might as well try and sell all their high priced contracts now and get something in return while they can. It wouldn't be a popular move in Chicago and an unlikely scenario! In all truth the idea of getting Lee is intriguing but unlikely. Naturally we'd have to move Loney.
I can only meet so many Dodger fan hotties in the Bay Area, but I'll do my best to post pictures of Dodger chicks!! Haha.
I probably am over-analyzing. I just found this Colletti instance a little strange.
Thanks for weighing in guys! Any thoughts about the Dodgers on anybody's mind we could talk about?
i think those stories you mentioned were good enough to be linked but i think west coast blogs have less of a chance, like dusto said...
The guy who links the blogs is Cork Gaines. He's a Tampa Bay Rays guy. I'm not sure if he doesn't check West Coast blogs as much or if he doesn't like your stuff, but it's definitely not Tim. So Chicago stuff might not help you too much.
I think your stuff is just fine and I check your blog several times a week. My advice would be to keep at it. I don't think there is a vendetta against you. Maybe it's just not clicking with him. Who knows?
I have over 250 baseball blogs that I check each week for relevant material. The "Blogs Weigh In" feature runs once a week and I prefer content that is fresh and has been written within 4-5 days of the post. If there is something that you feel is worthy of being posted, the best way to make sure I see it is to send the link to me in an email.
As for the supposed "East Coast Bias"...As a Rays fan, I can assure you, I HATE the Yankees and the Red Sox, so if there is any bias it is AGAINST those east coast clubs. That being said, the reason there is more emphasis on blogs from east coast teams is simply because there are more blogs that cover east coast teams.
For example, I have 17 Yankees blogs in my feed reader and there are probably another 20-30 that produce regular content and have a regular readership. On the other hand, I only have 4 Dodgers blogs (including this one), 2 Padres blogs and 3 Giants blogs.
I am constantly looking for new sources and regularly ask the readers to provide me with new sources. If you think there are west coast blogs that deserve an occasional mention, please email me.