Monday, March 22, 2010

Nats vs. Mets -- 3/22/10

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Jason Marquis is slated to throw five innings today.
VIERA, Fla. -- It's another cloudy, windy day in Florida. What a horrible spring weather-wise. (And yes, I know I promised way back when I wouldn't complain about the weather. I lied.)

Anyways, the Nationals and Mets are preparing to meet once again, with a matchup of projected No. 2 starters: Jason Marquis and Mike Pelfrey. Marquis' place in the Nats' rotation is secure, though it sure would be nice to see him put together a solid outing and lower that 21.94 spring ERA.

The entire Nats' rotation is definitely taking shape. As we've been saying for a while, Marquis, John Lannan and Garrett Mock are in. This morning, Jim Riggleman said four guys remain in the mix for the other two spots: Scott Olsen, Livan Hernandez, Craig Stammen and J.D. Martin.

Let's be honest, though. Hernandez is a pretty safe bet to make it. And Martin isn't under serious consideration -- he hasn't appeared in a big-league game since March 10 and isn't scheduled to pitch in one over the next three days. So really, this boils down to Olsen vs. Stammen, and by tomorrow night, we might have a much better grasp on that competition. Stammen is slated to follow Marquis today and throw four innings. Olsen is slated to start tomorrow against the Tigers and pitch five innings. If his velocity is still in the mid-80s, it's hard to believe he's going to get the nod come April. Stammen could also help his cause with a strong performance today.

Be sure to check back for updates throughout the afternoon, and check the homepage for any non-game news...

METS AT NATIONALS
Space Coast Stadium, Viera, Fla.
Gametime: 1:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: No TV/WFED-1500 AM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 66 degrees, Wind 16 mph RF to LF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS
SS Cristian Guzman
2B Adam Kennedy
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam Dunn
LF Josh Willingham
CF Justin Maxwell
RF Mike Morse
C Wil Nieves
P Jason Marquis

METS
CF Angel Pagan
SS Ruben Tejada
1B Chris Carter
RF Jeff Francoeur
LF Frank Catalanotto
3B Fernando Tatis
2B Russ Adams
C Henry Blanco
P Mike Pelfrey

1:05 p.m. -- We are underway with a ball from Jason Marquis to Angel Pagan. The wind is gusting over 20 mph from right field to left field, could affect pitchers' control.

1:09 p.m. -- Nice, clean first inning from Marquis, who got a pair of flyouts, a groundball single past Adam Dunn at first base and a popout to end the inning. Encouraging sign from the right-hander, who needs a good effort today.

1:14 p.m. -- Ryan Zimmerman continues his torrid spring, blasting a solo homer over the left-field fence, perhaps aided by the wind. That's Zimmerman's fourth homer of the spring, and he's now 15-for-33 in the Grapefruit League. Nats lead 1-0 after one.

1:21 p.m. -- Another nice inning from Marquis, who gets Frank Catalanotto to hit a weak liner to first and Fernando Tatis to fly out, then strikes out Russ Adams. He's retired six of seven batters so far.

1:29 p.m. -- Josh Willingham takes a cue from Zimmerman and lofts a fly ball to left, takes advantage of the wind and coasts around the bases with a solo homer. Justin Maxwell flies out to right, dropping his average to .108, and Pelfrey rebounds to retire Mike Morse and Wil Nieves to end the second. Nats now lead, though, 2-0.

1:42 p.m. -- The Mets get to Marquis in the third, with Henry Blanco and Ruben (not Miguel) Tejada each doubling to left. Tejada might have scored later on Chris Carter's base hit up the middle, but Adam Kennedy made a nice play to get to the ball and then throw to the plate to prevent the runner from even considering it. Nats lead 2-1 in the third. No chances at shortstop yet for Cristian Guzman, by the way.

2:03 p.m. -- Marquis falters in the fourth, allowing two runs in the process. Fernando Tatis walked. Mike Adams singled to right and Henry Blanco lofted an RBI double off the left-field wall, just past Josh Willingham's reach. Adams then scored on Mike Pelfrey's chopper to short -- Cristian Guzman fielded it well and made a routine throw to first with no trouble -- and Marquis got out of things without any more damage. But the Mets now lead, 3-2, and Marquis has allowed six hits in four innings of work.

2:15 p.m. -- Stop! Hammer time! Again! Josh Willingham sends his second homer of the day over the left-field fence, this one a two-run shot in the fourth off Pelfrey. Justin Maxwell, meanwhile, grounded out weakly to third and is now 4-for-38 for the spring. Mike Morse, meanwhile, is a major slump at the plate and is now batting .229. So much for that red-hot start to the month.

2:22 p.m. -- Marquis can't quite make it through his requisite five innings. He's pulled after allowing a two-out double to Jeff Francoeur. Tyler Walker is on to finish out the inning. Craig Stammen should be on for the sixth and perhaps go the rest of the way.

2:27 p.m. -- Walker gets out of the jam. Final pitching line for Marquis: 4.2 ip, 7 h, 3 er, 1 bb, 3 k, 90 pitches, 59 strikes. Nats lead 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth.

2:32 p.m. -- Stop! Zimmer time! Again! (Doesn't quite sound right.) Ryan Zimmerman duplicates Josh Willingham's feat, blasting his second homer of the day to left. Mike Pelfrey getting shelled this afternoon. Nats now lead 6-3 in the fifth.

3:01 p.m. -- Craig Stammen looking good so far. He allowed a deep drive to left in the sixth but Willy Taveras made a great catch at the fence to rob a potential home run. Thanks to that play, Stammen has retired all six batters faced so far, striking out two. Nats still up 6-3 in the bottom of the seventh.

3:19 p.m. -- Washington adding to its lead, thanks to a double by Adam Kennedy and an RBI single by Taveras. But with a chance to break things open with the bases loaded and one out, Mike Morse (hitting himself right out of the starting lineup?) grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.

3:27 p.m. -- Stammen finally allows a runner to reach base when Chris Carter leads off the eighth with a double to right-center. But he responds with a pair of strikeouts sandwiched around a lineout to short. Three scoreless innings for Stammen, four strikeouts in the process. Can you say No. 5 starter?

3:35 p.m. -- And we go to the ninth. Nats hold a 7-3 lead. Craig Stammen looking for the four-inning save.

3:44 -- The wheels are coming off. The Mets have scored two unearned runs in the ninth thanks to errors on Ian Desmond at short and Willy Taveras in center (who just dropped a routine line drive right at him that would have ended the game). It's now 7-5 with two outs and the tying run at the plate in Chris Carter.

3:47 p.m. -- Never fear. That's your ballgame. Nats win, 7-5. Marquis gets the win. Stammen gets the save with four strong innings (despite the two unearned runs in the ninth). Zimmerman and Willingham are the offensive heroes with two homers a piece. Don't look now, but after a wretched 0-11 start to the Grapefruit League, Washington has now won five of seven.

76 comments:

joNAThan said...

If Pelfrey is the Mets #2 starter....am I crazy to dream the Nats may move out of last place this year?

Anonymous said...

Do you mean Rueben Tejada is playing SS for the Mets?? I'm pretty sure Miguel plays for that other team up 95.

peric said...

joNAThan, look at Marquis spring ERA and say that. If Strasburg, Storen, Detwiler (betcha he ends up there with the rest) and Thompson perform well in Harrisburg and then come up in June/July you might be right. Otherwise ...

Mark Zuckerman said...

Anon: Yes, that would be Ruben Tejada, not Miguel. My mistake. I guess I just looked at that impressive Mets travel roster and subconsciously figured they had to be sending at least a couple of big names!

Anonymous said...

Mark,

Is there any place to find some results from the minor league games that started on Saturday?

Ryan

Anonymous said...

Great coverage Mark.

So this means the rotation is more than likely set unless Olsen progresses dramatically or Livo or Stammen completely implode or get injured, and that's not going to happen Livo has an arm like a Goodyear tire.

Furthermore if Stammen makes the rotation then Batista probably gets the long reliever role in the pen. Leaving only one bullpen spot between Tyler Walker and Jesse English. Rizzo signed Walker to the 40 man roster because he wants Walker to make this team. English has never pitched above AA and I see him starting this season in Harrisburg as Storen's setup man.

With Bruntlett looking like he has beat out Gonzo for the back up middle infielder spot and Morse beating out Duncan, is the 4th outfielder spot the last remaining opening that is still totally up for grabs?

Oh and I guess the starting shortstop, I wouldn't be surprised to see Guzman join Olsen on the DL to start the season.

peric said...

Still reeling from all of those losses to Benard Madoff? Makes the Lerners all the more impressive financially ... maybe they look at free agent signings like "Madoff's"

Mark Zuckerman said...

Ryan: I don't believe they keep full stats on the minor-league spring games. There are a lot of unconventional things happening at those games -- rehabbing guys getting extra at-bats and leading off every inning, innings ending once a pitcher reaches his limit even if he hasn't recorded three outs. I'd classify these more as scrimmages than anything.

peric said...

Sure looks to me like velocity is important else why not keep trying Martin? If it is then why are they beating a dead horse in Olsen? Perhaps to keep his ego intact after all of his hard work they make him one of the very last cuts?

If they happen to send Detwiler to Harrisburg it sure looks to me like they could have a younger, and possibly better and more competitive rotation come June and July just by pulling from there. I wonder if Strasburg won't come directly from Harrisburg BYPASSING Syracuse given the marked difference between the two rosters as this year? Kind of different from last year when guys did their rehab in Harrisburg.

Syracuse : veteran depth, injury rehab?
Harrisburg: best almost major league ready prospects?

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why J.D. Martin isn't being seriously considered for a spot in the rotation.

Over his last 13 starts last season, he pitched very well:

3-2, 3.71, .264/.330/.455, 62% strikes, 9.4/2.5/3.9

natsfan1a said...

Geez, we drew a Wendelstedt crew again.

kevin rusch said...

the JD Martin question is a good one. I hold no illusions that he's going to Cooperstown, or even the Bronx, but it does kinda look like he'd be in the nats' top 8 starters, and thus deserve serious consideration for the rotation.

as for Livo's goodyear arm, I can also throw 150 pitches over the heart of he plate at 60mph. However, 150 pitches like that may not get you out of the first inning. :)

peric said...

JD Martin will likely end up in the rotation sooner or later ... on sheer competitive desire not velocity. I am hopeful that LIvan takes him under his wing and shows him some of his tricks ... he might become a great pitcher if he learns some of Livan's pitches.

The Nats want fireballers. Its why the drafted guys like Karns and Holder. Picked up Rafael Martin. Its why you almost have to wonder if Rizzo won't try to grab up that 100mph fastball high school prospect.

peric said...

Mark, has Guzman had any chances yet at short? You would think with Marquis he would get a number of them?

peric said...

Seeing 4 fly-outs against 0 ground outs? That doesn't look that good for Marquis? Is it the windy conditions? Or is he still leaving balls up?

Positively Half St. said...

The Yankees sent Bruney to the Nats for our Rule 5 pick. The Yankees just returned that player back to the dodgers, so we essentially got Bruney for free.

peric said...

Does anyone know how Guzman is looking?

natsfan1a said...

Hammer time! Break it down...

peric said...

Morse's average has dropped to .229. I guess Willie Harris is your new right fielder ... unless Riggleman convinces Rizzo to let him start an play Desmond in right. ~laughing~

Looks like a trade may be in the offing. They have lots of spare arms down in the minors looking for homes. If you think about it ... there are some in the majors as well.

Positively Half St. said...

Seems Marquis is back in the 5th. Five innings with 3 given up would be more respectable, but certainly not that great.

natsfan1a said...

LOL!

---

Stop! Hammer time! Again!

natsfan1a said...

What is this, the HR Derby? The Hammer vs. RZ.

Positively Half St. said...

I hope Walker gets at least one more inning to drop his astronomical ERA, as well.

natsfan1a said...

Awww, a single. :-( I thought JW might homer for a natural cycle. (Just kidding.)

natsfan1a said...

Yeah, sounds more like this:

http://tinyurl.com/yg82lut

:-)

---

Stop! Zimmer time! Again! (Doesn't quite sound right.)

peric said...

Looking at the WHIPs of the starters:
JD Martin is the best this spring with a WHIP of 0.60
Lannan 0.82
Thompson 0.95
Strasburg 1.00
Mock 1.36
Stammen 1.69
Battista 1.80
Hernandez 2.00
Martis 2.06
Atilano 2.10
Olsen 2.20

I think this is a pretty good reflection of what the rotation will be like in June and July. Maybe JZimm will show up too.

peric said...

Mark what do you think Taveras' chances are of winning that right field job? He may not have the arm that Morse has but he used to start in center. And he is hitting. I imagine he could bat second as an alternative to Kennedy?

peric said...

Marquis got dropped off the end. He is last with a 3.38 WHIP before today.

peric said...

No, I can say #2 starter. Marquis with a 3.38 WHP? That's a #5 starter close to DFA.

Anonymous said...

Morse got a hit! For that matter so did Marquis. Maxwell couldn't do anything again with the bat. When the pitchers are out slugging you, it is time to join Chris Duncan and get re-tooled.

Maxwell last year was the man of 2 seasons.

peric said...

Speaking of slumps ... Dunn is hitting .208 this spring.

natsfan1a said...

Gah! Stupid 1500 radio feed...

peric said...

Guzman also went 0 for 4 leading off. Then Bruntlett comes in and immediately gets a hit.

Guzman is this year's Kearns. Except he has a much worst attitude than
Kearns ever did. So he is definitely worst.

Marquis looks to be this year's Daniel Cabrera. Making Rizzo look kind of bad ...

Anonymous said...

Real solid outing by Stammen!!!!!!! Decent results from Marquis!

When is Livan Hernandez going to start a game against an "A" squad so he can get evaluated. It just looks to me that he is another veteran that will be given the benefit of the doubt. If I were behind him on the depth chart and sent to Syracuse, I would be upset.

We need to see more of JD Martin and Olsen.

*I see Lannan, Marquis, Stammen, Mock, and Olsen as my starting rotation.*

peric said...

Watch them bring in Capps and lose the game.

natsfan1a said...

Glad to learn that they held on to the lead.

peric said...

You get to see Olsen tomorrow. If he gets bombed you can almost bet he will be one of the very last cuts and get optioned to Syracuse. Looks like that may be they plan on doing the rehabilitation thing this year.

Steve M. said...

Peric, it is fine to be semi-pessimistic some of the time but you are grouchy and negative most of the time and always looking at the glass half empty.

Marquis is nothing like Cabrera and who are you to judge Guzman's attitude??????

peric said...

That makes 5 errors for Desmond. He is either in Syracuse starting at short or he is in right field I guess.

PDowdy83 said...

peric, don't be silly Cabrera never made it to the 4th inning. Lighten up on Marquis a little. He improved on his last performance greatly and I have a feeling his next time out will be better than today and you will have the starter everyone expected and average big league pitcher who can save the bullpen from having to pitch in 4 innings a game. Not saying he is great, just saying I still think he will end up being adequate and make decent trade bait if he gets himself together.

Could be worse, we could be paying him what the Brewers are paying Jeff Suppan, yikes...what a bad contract.

Anonymous said...

Peric, come on with your ridiculous statements. Trevor Holder is not a fireballer. Not even close. You can't find any scouting reports in the last year that say that. Just because Rizzo drafted Strasburg and Karns, doesn't mean he is looking for fireballers.

peric said...

@SteveM,

Who asked you? You sound like a neurotic jerk, who likes attacking people and their opinions as a way of ego propping? Perhaps its therapy? Get a life dude! I am betting 50-1 that you are too timid, socially anxious, and downright paranoid to venture any opinions except those of your wife or significant other.

Yes, Guzman's attitude is worst than Kearns! When they asked him to play second what did he say? When he was asked about open competition between he and Desmond what did he say? Dude you are way out of line with YOUR negative amateur and immature psychology!

I recommend gaining some entry-level experience with the illiterate knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers in my "Similar Users" box. Just look at them sitting down there like a panel of socially inept misfits and desperate virgins -- I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them wants you to join him on his webcam so he can show you his junk and gag himself with a poopy-trailed pair of undies.

peric said...

Holder has a 95MPH fastball and is know for having good stuff. Karns is 97MPH. Next ...

What happened when Guzman was asked to play second? When he was told that there was an open competition with Desmond? Did Kearns do anything like that? Ever? No. Next ...

Marquis LOOKS TERRIBLE! He is supposed to be the veteran leader of this staff? WTF are you guys thinking? He looks as scary as Cabrera right now with a 3.26WHIP!!!!

Finally, this team LOST over 100 games TWICE IN A row. They are in last place in the grapefruit league. This is NOT good no matter how you try to slice it. It isn't negative, it IS the plain facts.

Anonymous said...

peric

My thoughts also. ID is making too many errors to be considered an everyday SS.

Anonymous said...

Peric, where are you getting 95 MPH from? He throws 95 just as often as John Lannan throws 95. Even if he threw 95, it doesn't make him a fireballer because that would be his absolute peak. He's likely going to pitch 90-91, hardly a fireballer.

In this report, they have him at 86-92 and one scout had him peak at 93. http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/draft/2008/Rounds/round10.aspx

Baseball America had him at 88-91

Basically, you are basing his velocity off of 1 baseball america article that had him at 91-94 with a peak of 95 in the spring. Everywhere else had him in the 88-92 range. When I saw him pitch in the College World Series, it was nowhere near 95. He is not a fireballer considering that John Lannan pitches 87-91.

peric said...

"Is there a way to get rid of this peric guy?"

At least I'm not shivering in fear hiding behind a nome-de-plume mr. anonymous when I post. Perhaps I should just start posting anonymously and find ways to attack people like you appear to be doing? What a cowardly, and ill mannered person you must be.

peric said...

Holder apparently through 95 and even as high as 97 in the Cape Cod league as well.

But you are right. Its not the velocity so much as they say he has really good stuff. Its up to the pitching coaches to make him a pitcher. He is a fighter like JD Martin. I strongly suspect they will succeed with him. I am willing to bet on it.

And ***I** am accused of being negative ... sheesh you people!

Steve M. said...

Peric, you got me figured out HAHA. I just have faith generally in Rizzo that he will piece it together. I think he was wrong to let Dukes go when he did and right about so many other moves.

I just don't like tearing up a guy for fun when you don't know his attitude like Guzman. There isn't a negative quote you could get because he is rarely quoted.

Comparing Marquis to Daniel Cabrera was just ridiculous unless clearly meant as a joke which I don't think you did.

erocks33 said...

Seriously, can we option peric down to the minors right now?! When is it okay to spew personal attacks because you don't like one's constructive criticism?

peric said...

"Comparing Marquis to Daniel Cabrera was just ridiculous unless clearly meant as a joke which I don't think you did."

Yes, an ironic half serious joke ... his spring training record concerns me given that he was dubbed "the savior" of the pitching staff. A veteran presence that was supposed to be night-and-day to Cabrera! I am NOT seeing it? The guy has yet to last more than 2 innings without getting bombed, fortunately today he was relieved.

I am betting we could go back through the blogs and find people saying the same thing about Cabrera last spring.

Anonymous said...

@Peric,

This is just getting ridiculous/hilarious. Don't throw around words like "nome-de-plume"[sic] if you do not know what they mean, it makes you sound like Mike Tyson. Merriam Websters defines nom de plume as a pseudonym or pen name, so unless peric is your real name, why are you hiding behind a nom de plume slinging insults on a baseball blog?

Anyone that has to challenge the character of anonymous posters on a baseball blog is a sad little person, grow up peric and stop trying to ruin the dialogue on this blog they way you did on the nats insider blog on wapo.com, periculum.

peric said...

"erocks33 said...
Seriously, can we option peric down to the minors right now?! When is it okay to spew personal attacks because you don't like one's constructive criticism?"

Gee do you even comprehend English or are you in need of remedial courses?

"Peric, it is fine to be semi-pessimistic some of the time but you are grouchy and negative most of the time and always looking at the glass half empty.

Marquis is nothing like Cabrera and who are you to judge Guzman's attitude??????"

In CASE you are that ignorant the above is DEFINITELY a personal attack.

You should be summarily released for lacking basic understanding of the English language dude.

Anonymous said...

Peric, He doesn't have good stuff or else people wouldn't have questioned that pick. Here is a good summary of him:
"Bryan Smith (7:15:53 PM PT): To lead off the third round, the Nationals took Trevor Holder from the University of Georgia. This is just, kind of a weird pick. Holder doesn't have very good stuff, and I just don't see him being a viable Major Leaguer. There's about 50 guys with better stuff available, which tells you that this is going to be a real cheap sign."

Everywhere, the consensus is that he had average stuff at best. Citing Cape Cod reports from 3 years ago doesn't mean anything. It's like a fan saying today that Joba Chamberlain can throw 100 based off his velocity 3 years ago. His velocity either went down which seems normal or that he never had that velocity because it was based off a dubious scout. I have a hard time believing that a pitcher who threw 97 is continually cited in the high eighties in scouting reports without ever mentioning that he once threw 97.

peric said...

"Anyone that has to challenge the character of anonymous posters on a baseball blog is a sad little person, grow up peric and stop trying to ruin the dialogue on this blog they way you did on the nats insider blog on wapo.com, periculum."

- Reminds me: please don't write to me in French. I hate that. dude.

Mark Zuckerman said...

Folks, how about some substantive baseball discussion here instead of childish name-calling. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Mark, what are the chances both JMaxx and Bernie end up in AAA with Willy as our everyday right fielder and Wily as the 4th outfielder?

Mark Zuckerman said...

Ah, that's more like it. ... I think Maxwell and Bernadina could both wind up at Syracuse, though I don't think Willie Harris would be the everyday right fielder. He could get a good chunk of time there, maybe platooning with Mike Morse, but he's not going to start 162 games. Willy Taveras is interesting. He's a great defensive outfielder (though he did drop that routine line drive today in the ninth) who doesn't hit a ton but is deadly on the bases when he does reach safely. He may wind up being one of the toughest calls at the end of camp.

John d said...

I don't understand how it seems nobody takes Desmond to the side and hit him 100 groundballs a day. Is it me or does it seem they just throw him out there and hope he fixes his fielding on his own? This kids gonna be good but somebody please take him to the practice field and work with him!!!

peric said...

John d. Byron Kerr talks about this over at MASN. He seems to have spent the winter playing just to accomplish that? To come in here and win the job. Not sure what more they can do?

Nervous Nats Fan said...

Are there any rumors that they are concerned about Marquis' not-so-good start, or is this one of Rizzo's "they shouldn't keep stats in spring training" examples?

greg said...

i think the fact that taveras is a "tough call at the end of spring training" says a lot about the lack of quality depth in the OF position the nats have. and really, that they've had for several years now. and the fact that there's really not much in the way of true quality prospects anywhere close to the majors right now. lots of potentially AAAA guys or guys with Qs. the corner OF position needs to be addressed in FA (or trade) next season (along with at least one MI guy to go with (hopefully) desmond).

and i'm with mark on name calling. grow up. that said, if you can't take criticism of your opinion, it would behoove you not to post it on a public blog. this becomes a much less interesting place to be if it's going to devolve into "no you're a stupidhead" territory.

Mark Zuckerman said...

Nervous Nats Fan: I wouldn't say they're terribly concerned about Marquis, though they're not totally relaxed, either. Today was a better step for him. He's got two more starts this spring. They hope each subsequent one is better than the previous.

JayB said...

Got a Adam Kennedy splintered bat landing in my row today. Bunch of older guys with me and it could have killed them. The thing was dripping with Pine Tar and nobody wanted it. How do you tell if it was Maple anyway, it was like a spear? Guy next to me took it home.....Did not think the airlines would like me bring it on the plan it on or my wife would let it into the luggage.

Anyhow had another great day at Minor League Camp. Love how they are stepping up fundamentals over another year I have been there. Two kids got pulled right off the field in the middle of inter squad game for bad plays. One kid did not get in front of a ground ball and one kid who looked like a Suzuki clone did not run hard on what should have been a bloop double down the line. D. White pulled him right off first and said "come on kid we are going to learn how to run". Took him to a side field and ran him home to 2nd about 10 times full speed. Love it, Love it - the kid will learn more from that then any Acta teaching and preaching soft love crap.

Jason M. looked fine to me. He is not an Ace guys. He is what he is. He can hit too. Mike Morse had a bunch of good routes in RF. He will be the starter with Willie going against tough RHP I think.

Steven S. was working in the cage at Minor League Camp. Really working hard on fake bunt and pull it back and slap it to the right side. No coaches no other players around just working on his own on hitting. He is going to be great because he is willing to work on everything to get better.

Guzman could have made a statement on and infield in ball hit on a high hope to him but no.....he did not have any intention of showing he can throw with authority....he just looped a lollipop over to Dunn and let the run score.

Anonymous said...

Marc: I predicted a week ago that Guz starts the season on the DL (I also think he'll be released before September, but that's another story). Why keep him on the active roster is he can't make the throw? Fans aren't going to tolerate that no matter how much cash he's making. Other than his throwing, how is his defensive range and his base running? Those were problems last year because of bunyons, etc.

Thanks,
Brian

erocks33 said...

thanks for the insight, JayB!

Anonymous said...

I think everyone knows peric makes up a lot of stuff. And a good portion doesn’t make any sense. My apologies to Posnanski but the following is the peric ballad.
The Peric Ballad
The Lerner’s are cheap!
The Lerner’s are cheap?
They must be cheap! Just look at the team!
The team sucks.
THIS TEAM SUCKS!
Because the Lerners are cheap.
But they wouldn’t be cheap if they signed Chapman!
Sign Chapman?
Sign Chapman!
Chapman can pitch in the rotation today!
Chapman can pitch today?
But they didn’t sign Chapman!
Why didn’t they sign Chapman!?!
Because the Lerner’s are CHEAP.
Well at least they have Rizzo.
Yes they have Rizzo but they don’t have any pitchers.
The Nationals have no pitchers?
Well Marquis is terrible!
Isn’t he supposed to be the veteran?
Marquis is a veteran! A terrible veteran!
His WHIP is 3.23!!!!
But it is Spring Training.
It is Spring Training!
Marquis did this last Spring Training.
But Marquis is terrible, look at his WHIP!
Didn’t Marquis make the All-Star team last year?
Yes, but Marquis was left off the playoff roster because he was no ace.
Marquis is no ace.
If Marquis is no ace then the Nationals have no pitchers.
But the Nationals DO have some good minor league pitchers.
I thought you said the Nationals had no pitchers?
Yes, the Nationals have pitchers! They have some great pitchers!
They will be here soon!
They have STUD fireballers!
Oh, Strasburg?
Yes, and better yet, they have Trevor Holder!
Trevor Holder?
Trevor Holder pitches 97!
Trevor Holder doesn’t pitch 97!
What do you know clown? You must be a jerk! I hate you all! And the Lerner’s are cheap!

peric said...

"and i'm with mark on name calling. grow up. that said, if you can't take criticism of your opinion, it would behoove you not to post it on a public blog. this becomes a much less interesting place to be if it's going to devolve into "no you're a stupidhead" territory."

And greg? You shouldn't criticize someone's opinion by making personally insulting remarks with exclamation points, etc. Its hard to see someone's face to understand their true demeanor. Something to remember. I just happen to be good at clever repartee. (Plus a little, okay you hate that right? cut-and-paste) Apparently, SteveM was smart enough to understand that, yet no one else did? ~laughing~ But I think I made the point above in a hopefully humorous way.

peric said...

Greg see the "anonymous" poster just bove for an example of "no you're a stupid-head, junior high texting" nonsense.

And my posts aren't really anonymous because everyone clearly knows who I am ... and as Sue Dinem found out ... my email addresses are real.

Thank you very much ...

peric said...

Leading me to an request:

Mark I suggest that and request that the emails of anonymous posters like the above should be published ... perhaps that will bring fewer roaches out of the woodwork?

greg said...

i will admit i'm not perfect, peric. i'm sure i've stepped over the line before. i try to limit anything that comes across as an attack to attacking the person's *POINT*, not the person themselves.

but your rant against stevem was way over the line into territory i've never ventured into. and one that most posters here haven't ventured into. i didn't see any witty repartee there, just a personal attack on someone's character ("neurotic jerk?" "illiterate knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers?" "socially inept misfits and desperate virgins?").

i'm not quite sure what your comment about "exclamation points" is, if it's in reference to me.

i'd rather talk about baseball from a rational perspective than read a bunch of trash-talking and character assassinations.

peric said...

greg, clearly we don't share the same taste in online humor.

Speaking of Dye,
Has anyone noticed that Gary Sheffield might also be available? He played left and right field last year? Have the considered him?

natsfan1a said...

Not that I think Mark would take up the idea, but I'd vote "no" on the posting of email addresses of anonymous posters.

We now return you to your regular baseball programming. :-)

Doc said...

Hey Mark,getting back to baseball, the kind of drills D.White was doing the 'non-runner' at the minor's facility---why can't somebody do with ID and his fielding??? I'll bring my bats and come down to Viera and hit a few for the kid!

Anonymous said...

There is something called freedom of speech.

And there is nothing more annoying than holier than thou, blind faith fans, living in their world of fantasy and denial.

By mid May, Lerner's "Humpty Dumpty's" will have established their rightful position at the bottom of the NL East.

greg said...

peric, clearly we don't. i've seen very little amusing in your rants.

and anon, you need to do a little studying as to what "freedom of speach" actually means. it's use here is completely out of context.

Jeff said...

Not having read all 77 comments, am I the only one who is disturbed by the lack of a discernable "Q" in "MARQUIS" due to a truly terrible font styling as pictured in this post?

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