Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Instant analysis: Nats 6, Giants 4

US Presswire photo
Adam LaRoche congratulates Danny Espinosa following his two-run homer.
Game in a nutshell: The Stephen Strasburg-Tim Lincecum pitching showdown was overshadowed first by news of Melky Cabrera's 50-game suspension after testing positive for testosterone, then by Lincecum's ineffective start. The Nationals knocked the struggling, two-time Cy Young Award winner out after only four innings, getting his pitch count all the way up to 96. Strasburg, meanwhile, battled his way through a laborious second inning and wound up tossing six strong frames to earn his 14th win of the season. Throw in some timely hits from Jayson Werth (2-for-4, three RBI), Danny Espinosa (2-run homer) and Steve Lombardozzi (4-for-5) and the Nationals emerged with a series victory, an 8-2 road trip and will return home still holding baseball's best record at 73-45.

Hitting highlight: How important has Werth been to the Nationals' overall fortunes since returning from the disabled list? Very. With a pair of run-scoring hits today that drove in three total runs, the veteran outfielder is now hitting .402 (17-for-42) with a .490 on-base percentage and .548 slugging percentage in 13 total games since his return. Perhaps most impressively, Werth is showing more aggressiveness at the plate, looking to drive in runs more than taking walks, especially with men in scoring position (a bit of a problem last season). Ultimately, Werth's biggest impact has been on the Nationals' won-loss record. He's now started 11 games since coming off the DL, and the Nats have gone 10-1 in those games.

Pitching highlight: Strasburg labored through a tough second inning, issuing a pair of walks to Buster Posey and Hunter Pence (both wound up coming around to score on Brandon Belt's single) but that was his only real hiccup of the afternoon. The right-hander retired 12 of the last 15 batters he faced, cruising through the sixth inning having allowed only those two early runs on four hits. But his pitch count was once again elevated at 100, so Davey Johnson decided not to take any chances and turn to his bullpen for the seventh. So, for those keeping track, Strasburg is now 14-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 21 starts, having struck out a league-leading 173 batters in 139 1/3 innings.

Key stat: Over the last six games of this trip, Lombardozzi went 13-for-25, raising his batting average from .261 to .280.

Up next: After 10 games in three cities in two time zones, the Nationals get a well-deserved day off Thursday. They'll then return to South Capitol Street Friday at 7:05 p.m. to face the Mets. Ross Detwiler is scheduled to face Johan Santana, and shortstop Ian Desmond is likely to return from the DL.

153 comments:

NatsNut said...

I LOVE TYLER CLIPPARD!! I LOVE THIS TEAM!!

WOOO EFFING HOOOOOO

MicheleS said...

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!! 8-2 road trip!

Take that Barves!!!

Hmmm Papa John's tomorrow night.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Kardiac Kids. No Melky. Huge difference!

natsfan1a said...

How the heck do you do that so fast, Mark?

Carrying forward:

OMG, I thought I was going to have a heart attack in the 9th. Glad that they held on for the game and series win. Come on home, boys, we'll be waiting for you. :-)

(oh, btw, I called Danny's dinger as payback for the HBP. :-))

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Klip really came through. Nats needed to blow this game out though.

Dryw Loves the Nats said...

Love, love, love, love!!!! Nothing else to say.

Bigfish said...

"After 10 games in three cities in two time zones,...." Um, not to get too anal about it, but wasn't it 3 time zones?

NatsFanChris said...

Loved the way Clippard locked it down after some issues with two outs. I think that is big for his confidence with the control issues and the few shaky outings he's had recently.

I dont think it would be possible to love this team more than I do. Oh wait.....Desi is coming back soon : )

Drew said...

What a fantastic road trip.

The big fella goes to 14-5 and he's lined up for the showdown series with Atlanta.

As a reformed Desmond critic -- hey, I never smoked, I get one vice -- I hereby proclaim that it will be great to have his run production back in the lineup.

But Lombo's been great lately, hasn't he? And Rendon will join the mix at some point.

What other clubs would give to have our "problems"!

Melissa Rabey said...

A few heart palpitations in that ninth inning, but what else do you expect from the Cardiac Nats?

Really excited that I'll be at Sunday's game--I'm bringing my parents along, both of whom grew up in DC. It'll be great to let them see what Washington baseball is like now!

UnkyD said...

I think Werth is tryna make a believer outta Peric...

SonnyG10 said...

Yippee!!! Nats win!!! Thaaaa Nats Win!!!

On vac in Pennsylvania, but got to see part of the game on MLB.com, including the finish. Another series win.

Was surprised at hearing of Melky's suspension. Was he suspended before playing in today's game?

SonnyG10 said...

Adam LaRoache bout gave me a heart attack missing that pop-up that would have ended the game. Boy I would have been perturbed if that had cost us the game, but alls well that ends well.

peric said...

As much as I love Desi, why do you want to mess with the success. Espi and Lombo are killing it.

If not for 33 year old Werth perhaps you wouldn't have to.

Faraz Shaikh said...

mlb.tv has a 10 day free trial going on.

no sonny, just before the game I believe.

no bigfish, sf and az time is same I believe.

SonnyG10 said...

Thank you Faraz.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

44 games remaining in the regular season.

ehay2k said...

Does anyone else think that the Giants won't go far with their iffy defense?

At any rate, Nice win, amazing road trip.

I wonder how this win will impact the Barves? I bet they now feel have must wins against the Padres tonight and tomorrow. Then they get the Dodgers, then up to Nats Park. I am hoping for a lot of extra-innings games, so Fredi can show how well he manages his BP relative to Davey. ;-)

Gonat said...

Davey just said it on Strasburg's shutdown, "A lot of guys have been injured this year. We will overcome it".

'Nuff said!

Gonat said...

ehay2k, the Barves get the Giants next week for 4 games and don't have to face Melky. What a difference it makes.

Xavier Nady may be his replacement.

MicheleS said...

Adam Kilgore‏@AdamKilgoreWP

Davey says he'll keep finding ways to get Lombardozzi in the game, so I was way off on that one. Moore seems the likely odd man out.

MicheleS said...

WOW, they just showed a crowd shot of Atlanta and that place is EMPTY. But the Padres are up 1-0

mick said...

Lombo is a our BJ Surhoff, how bout that perfect game in Seatle, I love this game!!!

MicheleS said...

Ummm.. Just saw Scott Boras will be on Mike and Mike tomorrow.

mick said...

I bet Nats Park will draw close to 40,000 the rest of the way, Nats will be hotter than Skins through October

mick said...

Michele thanks for the heads up... I will be listening

Gonat said...

mick, September weekday games will be hard to get above 30,000

mick said...

Mike Rizzo needs to become Frank Rizzo (jerky boys) with these some of these loud mouths lol

UnkyD said...

Would we really send Ty or Lom down, to keep Izturis?

mick said...

Gonat... I thought we have been getting 30,000 during the week since late June?

Section 222 said...

Det is pitching Friday and E-Jax on Saturday right? Byron and Ray didn't get the memo.

mick said...

Gonat... I think the city is on fire with Nats, that is why I think we will get about 40,000

MicheleS said...

Mick.. kids will be going back to school so it maybe harder to draw a big crowd of 40K

Gonat said...

mick, I know the TV ratings are blowing up. September is tough and will always be tough during the week to attend. Certainly the TV ratings will keep going up.

As mentioned, this Strasburg talk will only help.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Section 222 said...

Det is pitching Friday and E-Jax on Saturday right? Byron and Ray didn't get the memo.


Perhaps it came in during the pregame show they somehow forgot to do.

Gonat said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
I think Desi needs to go on a rehab assignment although Davey is saying its not the plan.

Davey has his system which has backfired in the case of Storen as he needed to get his form back in AAA and some may say the same for others.

I think Tyler Moore if Morse is ok could benefit playing every day which amounts to less than 15 days as he can be called back up as a September callup.

August 15, 2012 11:02 AM
_______________________________

SteveM, I just read Kilgore from 3 hours ago and he basically said what you said in the 1st paragraph.

Davey basically just said its not Lombo going down.

Seems to leave TyMo or Izturis. You said this morning TyMo if Michael Morse is healthy. Do you know that for sure or is it a good guess?

zregime said...

It's a bee-oo-tee-full thang, my Nats Insider sisters and brothers!

The Barves are a talented club. VERY talented. But see, here's the deal...imprinted on most of those players' minds is the epic collapse of last year. And with this being Chipper's last year, they are gonna come into Our Place like the shark looked for that babe at the beginning of Jaws.

A home sweep in that series will be like Roy Scheider jackin' that air tank into the beast's mouth...and then it all blows to smithereens.

But Davey's postgame comments were sound and rational and, well, pure Davey. Play hard today, eye on tomorrow. Let's get the Other New York Baseball Team this weekend, one at a time -- with me there on Saturday, yelling "FREE STEPHEN STRASBURG!" periodically -- and then we'll deal with those Hot'Lanta chokers.

So much fun. So very much fun. Treasure it, my newfound family...this doesn't happen very often.

Anonymous said...

It's pretty clear that the Werth hating needs to stop. Maybe the Nats overpaid for him, but why should we care? It's Uncle Teddy's money after all. Bottom line is he is now playing like he did in Philly and providing the kind of fiery veteran leadership we were never going to get from Ryan, who is a low key guy.

Gonat said...

pRAA with the ISO said...
Section 222 said...

Det is pitching Friday and E-Jax on Saturday right? Byron and Ray didn't get the memo.

Perhaps it came in during the pregame show they somehow forgot to do.


August 15, 2012 8:08 PM
___________________________________

That is very funny.

mick said...

Gonat and Michele... your probably right

Gonat said...

RA Dickey getting hit around. Gave up 2 HRs so far.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Davey basically just said its not Lombo going down.

Seems to leave TyMo or Izturis. You said this morning TyMo if Michael Morse is healthy. Do you know that for sure or is it a good guess?


Can't be Izturis unless they DFA him. And they won't do that, because the reason they got him was for insurance while Desi was hurt and there's no way to know that Desi won't get hurt again.

tayo said...

Concerning Harper. I think he still needs to play everyday to allow him to work through his slumps like they did with Espinosa and Desmond last year. But I think they need to move him down the lineup. Also, who leads off when Desmond gets back?

Gonat said...

pRAA, yes Izturis has no options. Doubt they will DFA him.

Gonat said...

Pittsburgh is slowly collapsing and hanging on to the 2nd Wild Card. If they lose today, Nats are 8 1/2 ahead of Pittsburgh.

If I predicted the 5 teams, Nats, Reds, Dodgers, Cardinals, Braves

hiramhover said...

it's pretty clear the Werth hating needs to stop

The good news is there's only one hater. The bad news is he's never going to stop.

Section 222 said...

It seems unlikely that Lombo or TyMo would be sent down and Izturis retained. Izturis was picked up to be the reserve infielder while Desi was out. Why would we keep him over TyMo when Desi returns when Lombo can now be the primary reserve infielder?

Is it possible Izturis passes through waivers and we can stash him in Syracuse and them bring him back for September?

Also, just to be clear, I don't think Lombo will be sent down, but Davey didn't really address that question in the postgame. He was just asked how he'll be able to keep getting ABs for Lombo with Desi coming back. If the plan was to send him down, Davey sure wasn't going to announce it at that time.

tayo said...

Concerning Harper. I think he still needs to play everyday to allow him to work through his slumps like they did with Espinosa and Desmond last year. But I think they need to move him down the lineup. Also, who leads off when Desmond gets back?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Werth I think will leadoff.

Tegwar said...

I really like that Davey is depending and trusting Ryan Mattheus more. The BP was starting to show a few stress cracks and Mattheus has pitched very well since his blow up in Milwaukee. I also like the fact that Mattheus does not wear a magic necklaces.

Hope the Nats don't look past the Mets with the Braves series coming up.

Section 222 said...

In the postgame, Davey said he'll put Werth at lead off when Desi comes back.

Section 222 said...

Fox, I hadn't noticed that Mattheus eschews the necklace nonsense, but I approve.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Stras said he made a few mistakes and specifically he threw Crawford 3 straight changeups in a row.

Does anyone recall if Suzuki called it or did Stras shake him off to get to the changeup?

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

It seems unlikely that Lombo or TyMo would be sent down and Izturis retained. Izturis was picked up to be the reserve infielder while Desi was out. Why would we keep him over TyMo when Desi returns when Lombo can now be the primary reserve infielder?

Because Desi could easily have a relapse and then you're right back where you were before when you had to go out and get an Izturis for insurance. Oh wait, Desi can't have a relapse because players never come off the DL too soon. Stupid me.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section222, I was told Tyler Moore if Michael Morse's thumb is fine.

Davey you know prefers to keep TyMo as his big RH bat on the bench.

Davey may prevail as they really won't need Izturis if Desi is healthy. Izturis is a good insurance policy and would have to be DFA'd.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Also, you only have to send TyMo down for two weeks and then the rosters expand. In September you can have both TyMo and Izturis, and then you shed one for the playoffs.

Gonat said...

If TyMo is sent down, he would be back in 15 days on Sept 1st.

DWS said...

Werth 28 million when he's 35 Oh hum. Winning attitude now...priceless. I'll take a vet anytime bases loaded. Single, double. I'm happy.

Section 222 said...

I don't have inside sources, and I have no desire to be argumentative. You make a very good point that this team has brought back players for the DL too soon. Lidge was one, Storen was another. But my "opinion" is that they won't send a productive bat down and keep a nothing bat on the team on the off chance that Desi gets reinjured. It's not like they can't go two weeks without a reserve infielder if they have to. In fact, they already did. They can always bring DeRosa back (or put Zim at short for a game) if they absolutely have to.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

If it were my choice I would say TyMo as Izturis would get picked up by another team and the team depth at SS isn't deep.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section 222, if it makes you feel better, Davey agrees with you on the productive bat. Luckily it's only 2 weeks.

The FO agrees with pRAA.

Section 222 said...

Are you sure Izturis would get picked up? Didn't a whole lot of teams pass on him for us to be able to get him? How many teams want to pay his salary at this point? There aren't that many who are still in the hunt, right?

Gonat said...

Kilgore this morning was saying Lombardozzi.

NCNatsie said...

Re the 2 vs 3 time zone thing, they played in 3 time zones, Houston: Central -- Phoenix: Mountain -- San Francisco: Pacific.

But only two different "times," because the state of Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Saving Time, so during the summer they remain on Mountain Standard Time, which makes it the same time as Pacific Daylight Time.

Not, as Bigfish correctly said, to get too anal about it.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

The Braves would grab him to piss off Rizzo and option Pastornicky.

Tegwar said...

You could put Izturis on waivers and see if anyone tries to pick him up and if they do pull him back and go to plan B.

Any number of players could be sent down for a few days almost like musical chairs.

When they set their 25 playoff roster I'd be surprised if Lomb and T Mo aren't on it.

A few years back they changed how you can substitute for injuries for each playoff series so it could even be possible for Desi or Lombo to get injured in that series have Izturis finish that series and then bring Desi or Lombo back for the next series. Also the convenient DL back injury could resurface.

Section 222 said...

Wasn't pRAA absolutely certain that GMs didn't do that kind of thing?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Dunn with a 3 run jack.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

What kind of thing?

Laddie Blah Blah said...

What a great team. Werth is playing like the guy they thought they were getting when they signed him. He played hurt today and still stole a base on a bad ankle.

I had thought the offense would suffer with Desi out, but they have been better than ever, with Werth's spectacular return, Shark's resurgence, Danny's improved hitting approach, the Beast's return to form, Zim's consistent production at the plate - and Lombo suddenly turning into Pete Rose. The 8-hole is even making some noise as Suzuki is starting to drive the ball and Flo is once again swinging the bat with some authority.

Harp and ALR have fallen off, but it hardly matters. They are still contributing, and the Nats are winning with offense now, as well as with pitching and D.

The only thing that irks me about the road trip is that, once again, the Nats failed to provide JZ with significant run support, and he took yet another loss which should have been a win.

Poor Davey. When Desi returns, it looks like TyMo will be sent down for a couple of weeks. He needs Lombo and Izturis, both, until he is sure Desi has returned to form. When Desi rejoins the starting lineup, someone else will have to sit. The way Lombo is torching the ball, I don't see how it can be him. I would put him in LF and give Harp a few more days off, or let Werth rest his sore ankle. For some reason, Davey does not want to send Desi down for a rehab assignment.

No matter what he does about Desi, or how the rest of the season turns out, Davey is mgr of the year. I've been optimistic all year long, but I did not think they would be this good, this soon. Thought they were a year away from dominance, until the season started and they began to play the game.

Only 44 games left: five are with the Fish (Nats lead series 7-6), six with the Mets (Nats 9-3), nine with the Phils (Nats 5-4), and six with the Braves (Nats 8-4). The Nats lead all of those season series and have dominated both the Mets and Phils, their closest pursuers.

Tough games remain with the Dodgers (3) and Cards (7), but they also have 4 left with the Cubs and 4 with the Brewers.

I like their chances.

Gonat said...

Fox, I think you are talking about the waiver wire and not a DFA but what do I know.

Section 222 said...

Fox, absolutely right. This isn't about the playoff roster at all. It's about who we have on the bench for the Braves series and for the rest of the month during this crucial time in the pennant race. I want TyMo and Lombo both there, and if we have to let go of Izturis, so be it (though you're right, they can at least try to get him through waivers and then pull him back if they want.) pRAA prefers keeping two utility infielders, one who can hit and one who can't. Ghost also would keep Izturis. There's no wrong answer, we're all just guessing. Well, actually, Ghost has sources, so he's not really guessing.

Section 222 said...

pRAA -- block other GMs from picking up players they want, or claiming players to keep other GMs from stashing them in the minors. If that wasn't you, my apologies.

Doc said...

Actually, Bigfish it's only 2 time zones----the West Coast is a feeling not a time zones.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

As for trying to pass Izturis through waivers, sure you could do that. But it would be a gamble, and the thing about gambles is that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. So why take the chance if there are ways to keep control of all three of them (Lombo, Izturis, Moore)? Maybe you won't need Izturis again, but maybe you will. How much are they losing if Lombo or Moore goes down for a couple of weeks? Okay, so they lose a bat. But don't forget that the reason this is even happening at all is because they are getting back a very big bat in Desmond.

Tegwar said...

Izturis will want to stay with the Nat's even if he is not on the 25 playoff roster because he get to be on a playoff team with the chance an injury making it possible that he could play. He will also get voted a share of the playoff money and he does know a few of the players on the team.

The Braves could claim him but they will run into the same problem of keeping him on the team at the expense of another player who has contributed to the teams success possibly disrupting chemistry.

If I remember correctly Izturis only cost the Nats the major league minimum since he cleared waivers so cost is not really a factor.

Hard to say what they will do a lot probably rides on how healthy they think Desi is?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section222, other choice that could save TyMo is Izturis 15 day DL
which would be the best solution if his back is hurting.

I don't see them handing Izturis to the Braves.

Section 222 said...

Is it really a gamble? I though, as Fox said, that they can try to pass him through and pull him back if they need to. In fact, is that a way to put off the decision for several days or does all this happen instantaneously?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section222, Gonat is right. Can't DFA and pull him back until he clears waivers which won't happen as the Braves will take him for Pastornicky who can be optioned.

Tegwar said...

pRAA,

Maybe I'm wrong but can't the Nat's pull him back if they place him on waivers? He went unclaimed before maybe someone might mess with us but they would have to keep him. Like I said maybe I've got it wrong I have not look at the rules in awhile.

The musical chairs approach could also work depending on Desi health. I understand why the Nat's want to bring Desi back but it does seem a little soon compared to all the time frames that were reported. I hope they get this correct because right now its hard to see this team playing much better then they are now.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Best scenario is Izturis agreeing to a bad oblique or hammy. If not, we will see TyMo in September.

Secret wasian man said...

Things looking mighty nice from the top. GO NATS.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Fox, you're confusing a player on the waiver wire who stays on your 25 man with a straight out DFA.

peric said...

@AdamKilgoreWP & @Doug_MacIntyre: The Nats' 41-23 record on the road is not only the best road record in the majors. It is better than any team's HOME record.

Pretty amazing ... it must be a dream.

Gonat said...

Fox and Section222, you are thinking of waiver wire. Read this link. Can't confuse with a veteran DFA.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=1860265

peric said...

Davey may prevail as they really won't need Izturis if Desi is healthy. Izturis is a good insurance policy and would have to be DFA'd.

I still think the possibility exists that they might 15-day Harper and let him go home to visit his family and take a real blow and get some perspective back. He appears to have lost some of that bravado and confidence. In the interview with the Rally Carp he said he sometimes gets lazy about running the bases. I had never heard him say that before ... he was a hustling machine that made mistakes into big plays just on his sheer heart even when his bat wasn't there for him.

He needs a rest Davey! That's who should go if you must bring back Desmond without any rehab assignments. Of course it will give nightmares to Natslady when she sees lineup cards with gimpy Werth in center again. :)

Gonat said...

Gonat said...
Fox, I think you are talking about the waiver wire and not a DFA but what do I know.

August 15, 2012 9:14 PM
_______________________________

I think I got one right!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Gonat, yes you did.

mick said...

those blasted Braves, up 6-1 in the 8th, lol

baseballswami said...

Been out for a few hours at rehearsals - missed the last inning - ooops, sounds interesting.Saw King Felix finish his perfect game - that was dominant. I know I can natter on about Jordan - but one of my new fan favorites over the season has become Lombo. But, seriously - where is his place with this team going forward? I am sure that there are still some of the " he will never be more than a utility bench player" posters around.The kid was the minor league player of the year last year , sneaked his way onto the team out of spring training, learned a new position, hit lead off, went back to middle infield and tore it up, and has been hitting out of his mind. He is also fast and smart. Then back to my question - do we need to trade him? He seems to be blocked in our organization. He seems to be the rookie who has made the biggest splash on the field - how unexpected is that? Love Harper, love TyMo, but Lombo has busted out. I don't think it would be a bad thing for Tyler to play every day for two weeks and then be sharp off the bench in September. I agree that someone needs to kick Izturis or slam his hand in a door or something. Maybe he and Wang and HRod can have a slap fight or something. I predict someone with a mystery ailment tomorrow.

mick said...

swami... well said. I would like to see a creative ailment for the next wink wink injured player that is sent to DL. Such as, "Dippydootle-itus" I watch too many Flintstones reruns, lol

mick said...

"judo chop chop chop", hee hee

NCNatsie said...

Someone tell me if this is right. Right now, The Giants and Dodgers both have 64 wins. So do the Pirates. Suppose the season ended that way, and, as is also true of the current standings, the only teams with better records were the Nats, Reds and Barves. So the Nats and Reds are division champs, and the Barves get the first wild card. The Giants and Dodgers would obviously have to have a one-game playoff to determine the West champion. Would the loser than have to play a second one-gamer against the Pirates for the final wild card spot?

Tegwar said...

Ghost,

This is what I found, I'm not positive I'm interpreting it correctly.

DFA:
Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has ten days to do one of the following things: the player can be traded, the player can be released, or the player can be put on waivers and, provided he clears, outrighted to the minors. A player who is outrighted to the minors is removed from the 40-man roster but is still paid according to the terms of his guaranteed contract. A player can only be outrighted once in his career without his consent.

Waiver:
If a team claims a player off waivers and has a viable claim as described above, his current team (the "waiving team") may choose one of the following options:

arrange a trade with the claiming team for that player within two business days of the claim; or
rescind the request and keep the player on its major league roster, effectively canceling the waiver; or
do nothing and allow the claiming team to assume the player's existing contract, pay the waiving team a waiver fee, and place the player on its active major league roster.

Now maybe I'm reading this wrong but it would appear that if you DFA Izturis you get 10 days to try and make a trade, release him or put him on waivers. Izturis would have to consent to being sent to the Nat's minor league otherwise he could sign with anyone he wants.

Ankiel could have gone to the minors he chose not to. The question is would Izturis accept the assignment with the understanding that he would be brought back up in September. If he was claimed I would think that the Nat's could pull him back.

Maybe they don't have that right because Izturis already cleared waivers or maybe Izturis would just become an automatic free agent because of his service time I didn't see that mentioned but it could have some sort of ramification.

Anyway, I doubt any of this actually happens, I'd bet on a DL stint with a September call up.

Not trying to be argumentative.

Gonat said...

Dickey threw a few meatballs tonight

Dickey(L, 15-4) 6.0IP 10H 5R 5ER 2BB 9K 3HR 2.89ERA

mick said...

NCNatsie wow, that is a hell of question, I think that would be true, because the Giants-Dodger playoff was for West Champ only. since Pirates would have the same record as the loser, there would have to be a playoff to determine the Braves opponent for the wild card.... crazy... where is Bud Abbott and Lou Costello when you need them, lol

Tegwar said...

Gonat,

I'm reading the waiver rule you sent I'll see if that clears it up for me.

natsfan1a said...

You're going to need a bigger boat.

zregime said...

It's a bee-oo-tee-full thang, my Nats Insider sisters and brothers!

The Barves are a talented club. VERY talented. But see, here's the deal...imprinted on most of those players' minds is the epic collapse of last year. And with this being Chipper's last year, they are gonna come into Our Place like the shark looked for that babe at the beginning of Jaws.

A home sweep in that series will be like Roy Scheider jackin' that air tank into the beast's mouth...and then it all blows to smithereens.

But Davey's postgame comments were sound and rational and, well, pure Davey. Play hard today, eye on tomorrow. Let's get the Other New York Baseball Team this weekend, one at a time -- with me there on Saturday, yelling "FREE STEPHEN STRASBURG!" periodically -- and then we'll deal with those Hot'Lanta chokers.

So much fun. So very much fun. Treasure it, my newfound family...this doesn't happen very often.
August 15, 2012 8:12 PM

mick said...

natsfan1a: lolololo

Joe Seamhead said...

peric said...
And, just as I thought that: boom -- single, two runs.

No matter what excuse you make, how you slice it if this franchise is geared toward the longhaul (See Strasburg, shutdown) then Jayson Werth and his contract just do not fit. He is not aging well. He is a singles hitter and the Nats payed for a consistent run producer. His first two years have shown that he may no longer be capable of doing that consistently ever again. He might have another decent year ... but years in a row up to when he is 38? Anyone who believes that is delusional or doesn't really watch baseball.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
peric, young man, when it comes to anything to do with Jayson Werth, unofficial Washington National team captain, you have no credibility. You are wrong. Werth comments = peric fail.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Fox, the Brewers couldn't trade Izturis so they outright released him.

Doubt if Nats DFA him they could arrange a trade and expect Braves to grab him.

Hoping for a DL stint to keep TyMo.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Joe, nice post. Bryce has him as his Captain.

Section 222 said...

Fox, I was just framing a question similar to yours, but thankfully i decided to refresh before posting. One other wrinkle that perhaps Ghost or someone else can clarify. It sounds like you can DFA someone and NOT put him through waivers, and then decide to put him back on the roster in 10 days rather than release him. So could the Nats do that with Izturis, if they really want to keep him for September, and bring him back in 10 days, leaving only a few days in August for TyMo or Lombo to have to play in Syracuse?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Fox, back to your original post, on a DFA you can't pull him back like a waiver wire.

On a DFA as a vet, he would also have to agree to a Minor League assignment if he passed through.

He could then choose to be a Free Agent like Ankiel.

Gonat said...

Section222, the way I just did my research, once a player passes through, the Vet then holds all the cards and would have to agree to come back so it does look possible but then you would have to clear a spot for him because it wouldn't be September 1st yet.

I'm also hoping for a 15 day DL.

Section 222 said...

Izturis is probably thanking his lucky stars every night that he got picked up by the Nats. What possible reason would he have to refuse a minor league assignment knowing that in September he'd be back with us, and with a chance to play in the post season if someone gets hurt?

I guess we'll find out soon enough how the front office plays this. I find this stuff fascinating and look forward to hearing on Friday what the roster is going to look like for the next few weeks.

waddu eye no said...

Time zones-
Its just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

DeRosa is smart, he saw what happened to Ankiel and has stayed on the roster all year with multiple injuries.

Which way will Izturis go?

Tegwar said...

Ghost,

This is only a question.

Couldn't the Brewers have pulled him back before the 10 days were up and kept him?

The Brewers chose not to and I guess they didn't want him in their minor league system either so he effectively became a free agent to anyone who would pay him.

From Gonat's link: If a deal can't be worked out or the team doesn't want to trade that player, he can be pulled back off waivers once in August.

Maybe Izturis has been pulled back once I don't know?

I think the Nat's will try and hold on to him in some capacity. I was surprised the Brewer's released him? Maybe they helped Rizzo out because he took Cutter Dykstra off there hands.

Don't laugh things like this happen. In 1983 on August 31st the Cardinals gave the Orioles Tito Landrum who hit the game wining HR in the ALCS to complete a player to be named later trade which occurred on June 14th. Then in Spring training the next year the O's traded him back to the Cardinals for basically nothing. In 1985 Tito subbed for an injured Vince Colman in the WS.

I know more than you every wanted to know.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Fox, yes, the Brew Crew could've pulled him back but probably didn't want to pay him MLB money if he accepted a AAA assignment.

They flat out released him.

peric said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tegwar said...

Okay Ghost I'll take your word for it I used to understand these rules when I was younger or at least that's the way I remember it.

peric said...

peric, young man, when it comes to anything to do with Jayson Werth, unofficial Washington National team captain, you have no credibility. You are wrong. Werth comments = peric fail.

Unlike fair weather Nats fans like Joe Seamless Blunder Puss ... I am consistent. I stick up for my guys like Espinosa through thick and thin because I believe in them a??hat.

INSTEAD you are a fickle fan who heaps abuse upon young players who will be superstars someday, such as Danny Espinosa. And when Werth starts to fall apart ... and he will very soon ... you will hurl your venomous bile like the slithering, low down, coward that you are. And I'll be here to shove it right back down your cowardly, turkey necked snake throat.

And I'll still have more credibility than you will ever have just because of that Joe.

Gonat said...

The Fox said...

Don't laugh things like this happen. In 1983 on August 31st the Cardinals gave the Orioles Tito Landrum who hit the game wining HR in the ALCS to complete a player to be named later trade which occurred on June 14th. Then in Spring training the next year the O's traded him back to the Cardinals for basically nothing. In 1985 Tito subbed for an injured Vince Colman in the WS.
___________________________

Way before my time but sounds like a secret handshake between GMs.

I thought Komatsu for Hairston was the makeup on the Cutter for Nyjer because Izturis wasn't controled by the Brewers when the Nats snagged him and passed by every other team because the Nats having the best record were the last team that had claiming rights.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Any time peric opens his mouth = peric fail.

Holden Baroque said...

See, the thing is, one does not get to say how much credibility one has. Other people do that. We have no control over that whatsoever.

Holden Baroque said...

That said, and I say this with great reluctance, Peric is becoming a man more sinned against than sinning. And that takes some doing.

peric said...

pRAA with the ISO said...
Any time peric opens his mouth = peric fail.


There's no mouth involved my moron of a meme. Just key strokes.

peric said...

That said, and I say this with great reluctance, Peric is becoming a man more sinned against than sinning. And that takes some doing.

Thank you, with equal reluctance, but I would be remiss in not pointing out that most of you blamed me for the anonymous posts and here we have a prime neg-a-non mr. pRAA with the ISO as evidence that it was not the case at all.

So, in my opinion this has been true for quite sometime.

Holden Baroque said...

You get blamed for anonymous posts because they were mostly you. Don't get airs just because you aren't the only turd in the punchbowl.

peric said...

You get blamed for anonymous posts because they were mostly you. Don't get airs just because you aren't the only turd in the punchbowl.

Again my evidence au contraire. Mr. pRAA with the ISO. They weren't.

Holden Baroque said...

Yes, they were.

Gonat said...

Zection 3, My Zofa said...
That said, and I say this with great reluctance, Peric is becoming a man more sinned against than sinning. And that takes some doing.
_________________________________

Jayson Werth has a stealth offensive stat line but since he isn't smashing HRs Peric finds something to pick on since you can't knock these stats .314/.415/.471/.886 and a 1.1 OWAR.

Oh thats right, he has a .109 ISO

peric said...

Yes, they were.

No they weren't. I was a minority. YOU JUST perceive it that way sec3 you don't realize that you and Natslady pretty much dominated all the posts on here ... and I would get blamed for that too.

Look in the mirror first please.

Holden Baroque said...

And the only reason I care is, it's poisoned this punchbowl. I liked this punchbowl.

"You used to be able to sit out on the stoop like a human being. Not no more!"

Holden Baroque said...

You say that like it's a bad thing. Other people liked us. Everyone complains about you. You're just mad because you couldn't have it to yourself.

Section 222 said...

See, the thing is, one does not get to say how much credibility one has. Other people do that. We have no control over that whatsoever.

Well put Zofa. But I guess if you believe your own b.s., you don't completely lack credibilty.

Holden Baroque said...

Ironically, you may yet have it to yourself. Except this isn't my show, or 1a's, or anybody else's. It's Mark's, and it's his livelihood, it's how he feeds his family, and I resent that some people, including but by no means limited to you, don't respect that. Plus, I used to enjoy the conversations.

Holden Baroque said...

222, a (late) wise man once said to me, if you want to make an enemy for life, point out a man's illusions about himself. Yes, I probably do believe my own B.S.; the question is, which part is the B.S.? Can't be sure from the inside.

peric said...

you can't knock these stats .314/.415/.471/.886 and a 1.1 OWAR.

Fine, now how about these stats: 20 hits in 54 at bats 6 RBI 8 walks, 7 runs: .370/.452/.729 and that was July.

In August you say? How does 9 hits in 24 at bats, 4 runs, 3 RBI and 3 walks sound? .375/.444/.861?

His WAR is 1.5.

Who is this masked man? The guy Werthless basically benched who made the decision to DFA Ankiel so easy ... yep Roger "the Shark" Bernadina.

Color me unimpressed with what Werth has done given what how he was touted after getting the windfall salary.

Anonymous said...

INSTEAD you are a fickle fan who heaps abuse upon young players who will be superstars someday, such as Danny Espinosa. And when Werth starts to fall apart ... and he will very soon ... you will hurl your venomous bile like the slithering, low down, coward that you are. And I'll be here to shove it right back down your cowardly, turkey necked snake throat.

---------------------------

Moderator? This is starting to feel like typical Internet, instead of the rare oasis of civility that NI has been.

Once in a post-midnight moment of bad judgment, I posted an uncivil comment here (not directed at anyone, but definitely uncivil). Mark removed it within two minutes and I was absolutely delighted.

A DC Wonk said...

NCNatsie -- I believe you are correct. I'm fairly sure that I read about that exact hypothetical in the pre-season in an article about the new playoff system.

Section 222 said...

This week's episode of The Franchise has a lengthy segment in DC and at Nats Park. Apparently John Buck met an Eritrean cabbie and decided to introduce him to baseball. Good footage of Strasburg and the park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Ozzie's profanity laced tirade after the Saturday night game didn't make the cut, thankfully.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Any time peric opens his mouth = peric fail.

I rest my case.

peric said...

pRAA with the ISO said...
Any time peric opens his mouth = peric fail.

I rest my case.


Oh Mr. snope1, if Mark were following his own rules he would delete very post by this individual who is allowed to continue to use his handle to denigrate me and my posts. And sec3 if you are there? My evidence stands what have you to offer in the way of cross examination.

Holden Baroque said...

You have no evidence. You have your own self-serving testimony. You posted anonymously, plenty. If you say you did not, you're a liar.

But this is boring, again. You've made this place worse, and so have your antagonists, and your supporters. You have no power they haven't given you. I'm sorry Mark chose not to block you, but it's his house. I'm out.

ehay2k said...

Speaking only for myself, the atmosphere here has gotten toxic. It is more urinal than punchbowl with so many people involved in pissing contests.

I want pRAA and peric to stop. We get it, you don't agree. Go take your petty fights elsewhere. Peric has actually has some excellent posts recently and if he just keep the bile to himself, he contributes to this blog. pRaa seems to post solely to tweak peric. That is not the purpose of the comments section.

To all posters: Can we keep it civil? Agree, disagree, commiserate and yes, celebrate. But please keep personal attacks and insults to yourselves.

peric said...

I'm sorry Mark chose not to block you, but it's his house. I'm out.

Have felt the same way about you and your voluminous posts. Makes us even.

peric said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark Zuckerman said...

To anyone who is having issues with any other posters -- and I am sincere when I say ANYONE having issues with ANY other posters -- please email me at zuckerman12@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Thank you, Mark. Sanity has returned. Thank you, sir.

peric said...

and passed by every other team because the Nats having the best record were the last team that had claiming rights.

Not sure but I think it goes NL (since Milwaukee is an NL team) first and then AL so I don't think the Nats are last.

Drew said...

Note to self: No punch bowl at Christmas.

In other news: What the heck has happened to young Robbie Ray? The once-promising lefty didn't get out of the first inning at Potomac. He gave up six earned runs and his ERA rose to 6.53.

It's not a new phenomenon. In his last 10 starts he's 1-7 with a ghastly 8.39 ERA.

Either he's hurt or he isn't fooling anybody. Maybe it's both.

GYFNG said...

Peric can make this thing I look at for fun become not fun. Really, if he could just realize everything would be better if he kept his Werth thought to himself, we could all be happy, but I guess ragging on him gives him more joy than the sadnesses it brings the rest of us, and I suppose that is a decision he is allowed to make.
I truly enjoy his knowledge, but his pettiness makes me want to read this board less. I'm sure this comment makes me an orioles fan, but it's a simple one thing to clam it up about, and then everyone else can stop their vitriol towards him too(which also makes the board less enjoyable, but here I am doing it too).

peric said...

but I guess ragging on him gives him more joy than the sadnesses it brings the rest of us, and I suppose that is a decision he is allowed to make.

No, it really doesn't I am looking ahead and it isn't very far. And there will come a day when everyone will be "ragging" about Mr. Werth. And then I will get really tired of hearing it because its something I already knew, already said, that more than a few online experts are saying right now. It makes me profoundly sad thinking about players like Roger Bernadina, Corey Brown, Eury Perez and there will be others in the next five years who may become stars somewhere else while we will be saddled with Jayson Werth and his contract and a starting slot. My hope is that the team looks at it as a sunk cost and uses him as a bench player. And I think that role suits him well. That's my opinion from watching him play and get injured at age 33 the past 2 years.

sjm308 said...

Wow!!
Just returned from my 2nd wolf trap show in two nights - great thing about this one was I knew we had won as I sat in my seats

Emmy Lou Harris and John Prine after Lyle Lovett last night AND my first place Washington Nationals!!!

My wow was of course not for any of that but for the juvenile behavior on what I thought was the most intelligent blog in the area.

I was all set to write about Werth and how outstanding he has been since coming back, playing with a nicked up ankle (he played hurt a lot last year as well). I have to admit, I was also going to poke Peric because there is no way Peric will ever do what Kilgore did today in the Post and say "I Was Wrong". Peric can't do that. Yes, he does make many valid points but I would just like to see him one time apologize & let something go. Maybe say he "might" have misjudged a talent and move on. By the way, didn't he also post early in the year that LannEn would never pitch another game for the Nationals? Again, no big deal, he was wrong but he will continue to talk about Duke or Maya or one of our young bucks or anyone else and it gets old.

OK - that is my peric rant for the night - he will tell me to take a nap or make some other witty (to him at least) comment and I will go out into the night crying and gnashing my teeth.

Hope this didn't bore those of you who are really important reading to this old fan.

Go Nats!!

Drew said...


Since the beginning of July the Braves are 27-13.

The Nats are 29-13.

nats guy said...

I know this is getting old but I for one am so tired of Peric picking a AAAA olayer from Syracuse and deciding that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. He has done this every year since 2007. None of them have ever panned out. He acts like he has some kind of insider knowledge when all he is doing is getting stats off of the Internet. Let it die Peric we have all had it with you. A lot of us moved to this site from WAPO to get away from you and you turned up like abad penny. For the Love of God just go away.

Depot Master said...

For the most part, I have seen more debate than acrimony from peric. While he may appear to be a negative ninny or a contrarian, that doesn't necessitate silencing him. On the other hand, some of the comments calling out peric have been vitriolic.

I don't even look at comments sections on most other blogs (anyone ever seen WaPo or Huffington Post or Fox News before they engaged the censors?), because they don't even care about the subject matter, just flaming their opposition. Let's use this rule going forward - if the post is about the Nats, disagree as vehemently as you want but keep away from commenting about the personality of the poster. If someone posts about another reader/poster, remind them that it is everyone's right to disagree, but protect their right to be wrong as if it were something that our capital city stands for...

GYFNG said...

He could make hundreds of people's lives better by being quiet, but he chooses to make himself happy by being negative. About something none of us have any control over either.

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Let's use this rule going forward - if the post is about the Nats, disagree as vehemently as you want but keep away from commenting about the personality of the poster.

peric is the master at commenting about the personality of another poster. He spews paragraphs of abuse and threats at other posters, but because he spews so much verbiage in general the vile stuff gets lost in the shuffle. Go back and re-read the comments on this thread. He abuses Sofa, NatsLady, Seamhead and myself, and then tries to smooth it over as if he's the poor victim. Hard as it may be to believe, people buy that argument from him - just like you just did.

Holden Baroque said...

Maybe. But when we engage, nevermind taunt, them, we make it worse, not better. I'm not going to do that again.

Depot Master said...

Thanks, Sofa. Whether or not I believe peric is a playground bully or not (and honestly the majority of his posts have been more about alternative viewpoints on the Nats to what most of the readership believes while some have responded to or called them out by name) - the bottom line is that you got it right. It takes two to tango (tangle?) If we all keep it about the Nats and not each other, those that don't won't get a reaction and the bullying will be ineffective and they will go troll somewhere else.

Let's try to be as classy (all of us) as the team we all love!

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