Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Rendon on 2B, H-Rod on getting DFA'd

Photo by USA Today
Called up on Tuesday as part of a significant overhaul of the Nationals’ roster, rookie Anthony Rendon is expected to play primarily at second base while up with the big-league club. He played some at the position in the team’s minor-league system and knows it could be his ticket to staying in the majors for good.

“I think I'll be all right,” he said. “Obviously the more reps you get at a position, the more comfortable you're going get. I think it just takes time to where I actually get it down to be my best.”

Rendon said second base was actually the first position he remembers manning as a young baseball player, at 5 or 6 years old.

“I feel comfortable there,” he said. “I grew up playing second base. That was actually my first position growing up, because I was always the small guy on the team so they just threw me at second base. I guess it kind of brings back memories of doing the same stuff over there. Brings me back to being a kid.”

Rendon was moved to shortstop when he was around 10 and became a third baseman in high school. He continued at third through college at Rice University and was drafted at the position.

Rendon was promoted to Class AAA Syracuse on Saturday with the idea he would focus on learning second base. Chiefs manager Tony Beasley was a former minor leaguer at the position and was able to tutor him.

But three days later, Rendon was headed to Washington to learn the ropes at the major-league level.

“It's pretty crazy how that works,” he said. “You really don't realize how much of a mess it could be until you're actually in the middle of it. It's been pretty quick, but it's for the best.”

Also a former second baseman, manager Davey Johnson thinks Rendon can pick the position up quickly.

“He did a crash course with me in the spring, and he said he played in Little League and he had a pretty good memory, because he had pretty good footwork around the bag and transitioned real well,” Johnson said. “He should be all right. I was real pleased in the spring with his footwork and his transition, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

Rendon is back with the Nats after going back to the minors on May 2. He was called up and made his major-league debut on April 25, playing in eight games with a .240 average before being sent back down. This time he could be up for much longer.

Rodriguez reacts to being DFA'd

The Nationals held out hope for relief pitcher Henry Rodriguez for nearly three years, waiting to see if the right-hander with triple-digit heat could figure out how to command the strike zone. Some days he would look dominant, but others he would find the backstop as often as he did the plate.

Washington traded Josh Willingham to the Oakland Athletics for Rodriguez in 2010, a decent price for the reliever even though they also got minor-league outfielder Corey Brown in return. Giving up what they did for Rodriguez may have been a reason for their continued patience over the last few years.

“He was a guy we traded for, we liked at the time to trade,” general manager Mike Rizzo said. “We thought that we could make him an impact-type of reliever, and it just didn’t work out for us.”

Rodriguez pitched three seasons in Washington with a 4.22 ERA in 111 appearances and posted 11 saves. But his continued tendency to be wild made him a liability for the Nationals. On Saturday, he allowed a walk-off hit to the Atlanta Braves in the 10th inning. This after firing wild pitches and walking two batters.

“I tried to make it consistent. I didn’t want it to be inconsistent,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes I look at my videos, and I throw a strike and the umpire doesn’t call it. I get behind the hitter in the count.”

Rodriguez also had elbow surgery during the offseason, forcing him to sit out part of the winter.

“I had a long time off not pitching,” he said. “I started coming back and it started feeling good. I think I got a little bit bad luck. I worked every day and tried getting better. It’s hard to understand it.”

Rodriguez attributed some of his troubles to not playing winter ball.

“I used to do winter ball and I think it helped me," he said. "Staying working, practicing, working on my pitching. This is my first year not playing there and maybe that didn’t help me.”

Now Rodriguez has three days to pass through waivers. If he does, there will be a seven-day period in which he can either be traded, released or outrighted to the minor leagues.

“I feel good, and I am waiting for another team to give me an opportunity again,” he said. “I’m going to keep my head up.”

121 comments:

Nats 128 said...

“He was a guy we traded for, we liked at the time to trade,” general manager Mike Rizzo said. “We thought that we could make him an impact-type of reliever, and it just didn’t work out for us.”

It didnt work out! Really. 2 years 2 months + 3 days. It didnt work out from Day 1. Lets be real Rizzo.

Its a performance game. The good news for Rizzo is that you eventually figured it out. Use it as a learning tool. Dont repeat this type of mistake. Move foward.

BigCat said...

Good luck HRod. I hope you knock them dead where ever you end up

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

mick said...
As mad as I have been with Davey, after listening to him this morning with the junkies EB, JP and Lerch, Davey was awesome

Lombo in LF and Rendon at 2b tonight according to Davey

June 05, 2013 10:03 AM
mick said...
question of the day...who will be found first, P---- or Jimmy Hoffa? lol

June 05, 2013 10:06 AM


Jimmy Hoffa I hope! Davey sounded great with the Junks.

MicheleS said...

Good Luck to HRod and Duke, appreciate your time with the team. HROD can be sooo great, I hope he finds it in the AL though.

ESPI, please take this time to completely heal from all your injuries and take this time to evaluate everything.

mick said...

Ghost LOL

SCNatsFan said...

Sometimes he threw a strike and the umpire didn't call it... and sometimes he hit the backstop. But you can't blame the ump for not holding runners on.

Wish him well, as I do Duke. No doubt in my mind these guys were giving it their all.

And HRod will always be remembered in this forum by the act of HRodding a player.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Big Cat, no doubt the vets are going off campus for hitting advice and that is why Eck has lost a lot of luster.

I have stood up for him but I am turning more neutral from bullish.

Jayson Werth needs to give lessons on how to waste pitches and I'm hoping there is a lesson on how to handle the bat in a 2 strike count. I'm hoping they stress how to get "your" pitch in a count.

There's other points to work on like situational hitting and I would also make Eckstein and Johnson watch George Brett's speech on his philosophies on hitting.

I still think the personnel is a problem. Chad Tracy needs time away with a DL excuse and TyMo needs a stint in AAA to get his confidence back as he is a shadow of what he was last year.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MichelesS, don't be surprised if Henry doesn't end up in Baltimore but I hope it's Houston.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Rizzo is on in a hour. Here's the link if you are out of town or not near a radio:

http://betaplayer.radio.com/player/1067-the-fan/

baseballswami said...

I think this dfa was a favor to Duke. I feel that everyone knew this was just not a good fit and now he can look for a better opportunity. I like the way the Nats respect these guys like Chris Young and allow them to move on if they need to. I would not imagine Duke sees this in the same way HRod does. Hope he catches on somewhere. Good guy, bad fit. Jayson seemed to have a nice spring in his step last night. Nice to see but I wish he had not jumped the rail! Werth, Bryce and Mattheus all did that - use the stairs!!!!

alexva said...

some players just don't have it and some players have it but can't produce it consistently.

the second group includes Henry and those guys get a longer leash

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I didnt like neither HRod nor Duke on the team... but i wish them well in wherever they end up..

I think HRod ends up in Houston.. He has the talent, just cant seem to execute it properly...

As for Duke - well I think he will get looked at since he is a lefty but I actually wouldnt be surprised if he werent picked up by anyone...

A DC Wonk said...

It didnt work out! Really. 2 years 2 months + 3 days. It didnt work out from Day 1. Lets be real Rizzo.

Were you around last year? It didn't work out from day 1? Really?

In fact, HRod was awesome and showed the potential that he could be. When the red-hot Nats were sitting at 14-4, HRod had appeared in nine of those games, getting 5 saves, and compiling an ERA of 0.00. HRod was one of the key factors of that hot start

By the middle of May he had _nine_ saves. In his first 20 appearances, he allowed zero earned runs 17 times. The night before the fateful game when he blew up against the Reds, he also pitched against the Reds in a tight 2-1 game. He came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth, and shut 'em down completely -- he struck out the side in 10 pitches.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Henry will get work because he has rare ability and every Coach thinks they can fix the Armando Benitez prototype.

A DC Wonk said...

mick wrote:

As mad as I have been with Davey, after listening to him this morning with the junkies EB, JP and Lerch, Davey was awesome

Ghost wrote:

Davey sounded great with the Junks.

So, nu?, give us some details!!

SCNatsFan said...

There is a post on NatsProspects that says Ohlendorf (?sp) has opted out

Tcostant said...

HRod said “I tried to make it consistent. I didn’t want it to be inconsistent,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes I look at my videos, and I throw a strike and the umpire doesn’t call it. I get behind the hitter in the count.”

Me: Just excuses. If you're known as wild, you won’t get close calls. Bottom line, he will pitch in the bigs again, maybe as soon as next week for a team like the Astros, in low stress situations. And he could excel there, but you just can’t have guy like this in you pen on a contending team. Just can’t have it. I wish him well, but glad he is gone.

Espi: Glad he is on the DL, no doubt in my mind he would have struck out last night in the ninth with the bases loaded.

Duke: I think he doesn’t get claimed, goes back to AAA as a starter and possible gives us that spot start if needed in July or August. Maybe.

SCNatsFan said...

And I want Henry to go to the AL because I don't want the Nats to face him, not because I think he'll get better but because at some point I think he hits someone and ends their career

A DC Wonk said...

Joe Seamhead said...

Another oddity, Wonk. Right now, Steve Lombardozzi has more RBI's than five tool CF BJ Upton, 13-12.


BJ had a HR and 2 RBI's last night.

But you're still correct!

Doh! Joe, you mentioned that last night, I intended to include it this morning (with a credit to you), but I forgot -- sorry!

Holden Baroque said...

“I started coming back and it started feeling good. I think I got a little bit bad luck. I worked every day and tried getting better. It’s hard to understand it.”

Nearly 100 years, and baseball players never change.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

peric said...
Finally Rendon isn't replacing Espinosa. Lombardozzi is period. His back up will likely be Mr. Kobernus who is making a name for himself down in Syracuse. Some of you have noticed Zim's struggles in the field, some believe he has lost his range. Rendon is playing third base whether you like it or not for the same reasons and rationale Mr. Espinosa might have to consider surgery.


And last I looked LaRoche's OPS and ISO are still pathetic Mark. Whereas Zim smashed a double off the wall the other night. When's the last time you've seen LaRoche do that? He's done. Zim is moving to first base.

Done deal as you'll see soon enough.

May 15, 2013 11:35 AM


That was the BOLD print in response to my pleads on that day after Espi was finally called out by the media.

Peric, you know it all.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Some of you act like Espinosa is done with the Nats. Not so fast. Several more chapters need to be written.

natsfan1a said...

So, folks complained about him when he posted here and now we're trying to summon him? Sigh.

Knoxville Nat said...

BigCat (on HRod) said:

"I hope you knock them dead where ever you end up"

You are speaking figuratively aren't you???

Nats 128 said...

natsfan1a, Hes gone but we all know he still reads here. Hes not coming back however if you like his thoughts he is on the MASN Blog right now and Nationals Prospects.

Section 222 said...

I agree that Espi will be back. But unless Rendon underperforms, the next chapter will start next spring. Espi has great talent as a fielder. But 2B has become a position that is played by men who can hit. Cano, Kinsler, Phillips, Uggla (well, sometimes he can hit), Utley, and now, hopefully, Mr. Rendon. Maybe Danny will get his act together enough to interest a team that needs a light hitting shortstop with occasional pop. Lucky for us, we have a better option for years to come.

Tcostant said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Some of you act like Espinosa is done with the Nats. Not so fast. Several more chapters need to be written.

Me: I think he is done being handed a job. It is very telling his locker was cleaned out for a DL stint. Moveover, Rizzo said a minor league stint is needed. If he ever is going to start on this team he will need to prove he can hit (either in the minors or in a reserve big league roll). And Rendon will need to not hit or an injury will need to happen.

This is his bottom line now; he is no longer the starter unless someone else fails or gets injuried.

Anonymous said...

GoSM-


I don't know why anyone takes that guy seriously any more. Remember he also tried to tell us that Denard Span was gonna be a fourth outfielder on this year's team after the trade. I appreciate his passion for the team and for its prospects, but sometimes (often?) he lets it blind him to roster realities and the fact that there are 29 other organizations in baseball that have talent on them, and that just because a player comes from one of those 29 teams doesn't make him useless.

Maybe you should file that one away and bring it out the next time he starts in telling posters that they don't know anything about the team and its present and future roster questions.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Re: previous post, I thought there were runners on second and third; my mistake.

Eric said...

"Maybe you should file that one away and bring it out the next time he starts in telling posters that they don't know anything about the team and its present and future roster questions."

That would be very p---c, baby!

Section 222 said...

Ghost, peric is an easy target right now, but remember, you were not the only person who tangled with him. We could all dig out choice quotes, many in bold. He also touted Karns, Abad, and Erik Davis, who some of us seriously doubted would see a major league mound this year.

I don't know if he's reading, but, for whatever reason, and I hope it's not health related or something, he's not here to defend himself. So I propose a timeout on the bashing, gloating, and self-back patting. We've all been wrong at least once, right?

Coolhandbane (formally Bob Saget) said...

So does Rendon start at 2nd tonight while Lombo is in LF?

Also, I am usually a reader of article and comments here. I am a bit lost but what happened to Peric?

Anonymous said...

Theo-

Even if there were runners on second and third, a walk would have been a fine result. It would have put the game in the hands of Suzuki and Rendon, two guys who handle the bat well and know how to draw a walk, which at that point would have won the game.

Lombardozzi came through with what was needed in the final AB, but by no means was he the hero. By the time he came to the plate in the 9th the Nats would have had to really fall on their faces NOT to win the game. Zimmerman and especially Desmond were the heroes last night.

Section 222 said...

Very true that the odds were definitely in the Nats' favor when the put men on 2nd and 3rd with none out. And Zim and Desi both came through big time, not to mention ALR. But we had the murderer's row of Shark, Lombo, and Zuki coming up. And we've "fallen on our faces" in that situation this season many times. Lombo was the guy with the pressure on, in a long at bat, mostly with two strikes. He deserves huge props I think.

Someone said before that Werth should give lessons in fouling off pitches with two strikes and waiting for your pitch. Lombo can definitely be his assistant instructor in those classes. The at-bat may not qualify as epic, but it was pretty darned impressive, especially when you see how few pitches were in the strike zone.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section222, give NatsLady and others credit. NatsLady had Abad. Others saw Karns in Spring Training and marveled. NatsJack had Erik Davis, and I had Ian Krol before I could even recall his name and just called him the lefty in Harrisburg.

This is a smart group in many facets.

Rendon will determine much of the course of the near-term future of this team. I've said it for months that Rendon is a better version of Polanco I hope and can toggle between 2nd and 3rd and his value is enhanced.

The new Manager will have a lot to say about his lineup next year and much of that will be how Rendon performs going forward.

Holden Baroque said...

I don't know if he's reading, but, for whatever reason, and I hope it's not health related or something, he's not here to defend himself. So I propose a timeout on the bashing, gloating, and self-back patting. We've all been wrong at least once, right?

Geeez, Deuces, there you go bringing class into a perfectly good Internet discussion.

I wonder if Danny will get mentioned as often, being out of sight.

Laddie Blah Blah said...

"Some of you act like Espinosa is done with the Nats. Not so fast. Several more chapters need to be written."

You may be right, but I hope Danny lands elsewhere. He could use a fresh start somewhere else. First of all, he needs to get healthy. The Nats gave him lots of rope, and he finally hung himself, bad shoulder, bad wrist, and all. The organization seems to have endless patience with their guys, until, suddenly, they don't.

Danny will have to prove himself if he wants to remain with the team. I will believe that when I see it. And I'm not sure Danny wants to be back, regardless.

My intuition tells me Rizzo will try to move Danny to give him a better chance, elsewhere, and because that would probably be in Danny's best interests, as well. Rizzo is a player's GM, like Davey is a player's field manager. That's one of the things I like most about Rizzo and Davey, and is also one of the things that drive me nuts about both of 'em..;o).

natsfan1a said...

I'm not looking for him, but it seemed as though Ghost was.

Nats 128 said...

natsfan1a, Hes gone but we all know he still reads here. Hes not coming back however if you like his thoughts he is on the MASN Blog right now and Nationals Prospects.
June 05, 2013 10:49 AM

natsfan1a said...

Exactly.

222 said...

I don't know if he's reading, but, for whatever reason, and I hope it's not health related or something, he's not here to defend himself. So I propose a timeout on the bashing, gloating, and self-back patting. We've all been wrong at least once, right?

SCNatsFan said...

Remember some people are like beetlejuice, say his name three times and he appears.

I don't think Danny's career is over; I think, if Rendon stays at 2B, Danny could be a stellar backup, a 'superLombo'. Don't know if he'd accept that if he didn't win the job.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Bob Saget Nats Fan 101 said...
Also, I am usually a reader of article and comments here. I am a bit lost but what happened to Peric?


He slithered away after Rendon was promoted to play 2nd base. He has been telling me since the day he was drafted that he wouldn't play 2nd base.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Henry -- history of excuses, phony trips to the DL to work on his control, pig-headed disregard for fundamentals. Hope he enjoys 100 percent inflation back in Venezuela.

As somebody noted re Espinosa, Rodriguez's option year is coming up -- what team in its right mind would want to give him a raise in arbitration?

Section 222 said...

Ghost, all good points. And you're right that various people have identified promising prospects. All I'm saying is that peric wasn't always off base. And it would be nice to think that people who make predictions and express opinions here are doing it for fun and camaraderie, not to garner "credit," or score points against those that disagree with them.

But maybe that's too much to ask.

Theophilus T. S. said...

Bowdenball -- w/ respect to the hypothetical walk w/ first base open, it is what NYM would have wanted as it would have set up an out-at-any base play. Either way they're playing the IF in for a play at the plate. The runner on second was superfluous.

Laddie Blah Blah said...

Peric is a grown-up. He can come and go as he pleases. I did not mind, at all, his strong opinions. Most of us have strong opinions. I did not like the way he sometimes personalized his attacks against those of us who sometimes had different opinions. There was no need of that.

I agreed with Peric on a number of discussion points. He often did his homework, but sometimes he did not. Fans like Peric are a part of the game. Sometimes the game becomes so much a part of you that you can lose perspective and allow yourself to go beyond discussion all the way to gratuitous invective.

Peric was not the only party who did so, but he was the most consistent - at least on this blog. I would welcome him back, and would request that he keep it civil and reasonable, if he returns.

Actually, I had not noticed that he had left. He can only irritate you if you let him.

Anonymous said...

Theo-

If a team wants to walk a guy, the guy is ALWAYS better off taking the walk than flailing at pitches way out of the zone. If the base had been open and the Mets didn't want to let Lombo beat them, then Lombo couldn't beat them. You don't swing at terrible pitches, ever, no matter who is behind you.

JaneB said...

I truly hope Danny gets the shoulder surgery now, so that this stint actually results in true back-to-playing-form health. He's probably been compensating so much he just lost his swing. He will be back in the Bigs, I am sure.

My heart breaks for Henry. For all of them, when the talent isn't enough to do what they want to do (and what we want them to do). Sometimes people say they aren't trying hard enough, or don't care. But NONE of them gets up to this level unless they care.

Now, on to listening to Rizzo (thanks for the alert Ghost).

Holden Baroque said...

BBall, Lombo went up with a plan--get the ball out of the infield--and dammit, he wasn't going to let anybody stop him from executing.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

natsfan1a said...
I'm not looking for him, but it seemed as though Ghost was.


I know where he is if I ever want him. He's referenced NI on other sites which means he is still reading here.

This is the #1 place to talk Nats baseball. We won't have to debate Ryan Zimmerman to 1st base until the off-season and the talk of that wasn't like discovering fire. It's been in the back of Rizzo's mind for a few years now as is Werth's future. That's what happens to your players with long-term contracts.


Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Rizzo coming up on 106.7

Holden Baroque said...

JaneB, agreed. You can't play this game better by trying harder.

SCNatsFan said...

I'm not sure about Peric but I know some complained about some blantant derogatory posts to Mark, the posts and peric dissappeared. I enjoyed the back and forth and hope he returns but leaves some attitude behind.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

JaneB said...
Now, on to listening to Rizzo (thanks for the alert Ghost).


You're welcome!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Det and Stras will throw today!

Tcostant said...

Based on was Rizzo said, I think Det will start Saturday, not Stras.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Tcostant, not sure how you concluded that from what Rizzo said. These side sessions will determine how they move forward with both pitchers.

Section 222 said...

Bowdenball, am I understanding that you're being critical of Lombo fouling off pitches instead of taking a walk-off walk? That seems pretty harsh since the guy won the game for us last night.

It's easy in retrospect to look at the pitch chart and say, "wow, he swung a balls three and four several times." But in the heat of the moment, I'm sure he wasn't positive that the pitches were out of the strike zone. And with two strikes, the one thing he absolutely, positively didn't want to do was strike out with the bat on his shoulder. So I give him great credit for battling until he got a pitch he could elevate successfully. That's a skill I wish others on the team could acquire.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Rizzo keeps staying Espi's issue is the wrist and not mentioning the shoulder other than saying he did see a shoulder specialist.

Tcostant said...

I really don't think they pitch Stras, so the fact the he said Det is already feeling well and that he should pitch somewhere on Saturday either a rehab start or in the bigs; think he he'll go Saturday. Again, mostlty because I don't think stras will pitch then.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section222, the walk would've been better as that is a sure thing but he was also working Parnell for a mistake pitch. A wild pitch would have scored the winning run also. I loved the overall approach as he was protecting in a 2 strike count.

The end result was beyond exciting. What a way to win!

SCNatsFan said...

Plus if Lombo stands there and Parnell gets one of those high balls for a strike and gets caught looking there then the sinking ship just takes on more water. This team, for the moment, has to be proactive about making plays.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Tcostant, they have to re-ramp Det up. He could start but will be on a strict pitch count.

I think he is hoping to take Stras 5 innings and pull him and have Det go 2 to 3 and pull him.

mick said...

A DC Wonk said...
mick wrote:

As mad as I have been with Davey, after listening to him this morning with the junkies EB, JP and Lerch, Davey was awesome

Ghost wrote:

Davey sounded great with the Junks.

So, nu?, give us some details!!


good post... here is what Davey said that was interesting, not in any order

- he is 1000% behind Eck and says he is the best coach on team.

-Eck works harder than everyone, if Eck is fired, he may as well be fired because he agress with ecks philosophy on approach and hitting

- told us that Rendon would play 2b and Lombo LF tonight

- say Bryce should be ready to go in 5 days and will hopefully stay healthy and won't run into any more walls

- says how hard it was to part with Hrod and Duke

- says he has not done a good job of managing

3on2out said...

I attribute the disappearance of Peric to a series of his posts (about 5 in a row, I think) last week that were all deleted by the blog administrator.

Two observations:

I second Triple 2s comment about us all being WRONG at least once. Come to think of it, I wonder if I have even been RIGHT at least once!

I believe Danny Espinosa could have struck out nearly 3 times against Parnell if it was him last night instead of Lombardozzi.

mick said...

3on2out you are spot on about, Espi striking out 3 times last night. He has K'd 48 out of 130 AB, so it is about 1 K'd every 3 AB

I actually like Peric... he has good insight and most important, he takes the pressure off me and everyone else who explodes now and then in here, LOL

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Mark Zuckerman @ZuckermanCSN Rizzo says on his radio show Detwiler will start Sat. either in D.C. or on rehab. Sounds to me like he doesn't expect Strasburg to be ready.

That's Mark's take so Tcostant he's with you. I had a different take because I think it comes down to Strasburg and Detwiler's health in their side sessions today.

Laddie Blah Blah said...

"I truly hope Danny gets the shoulder surgery now, so that this stint actually results in true back-to-playing-form health. He's probably been compensating so much he just lost his swing. He will be back in the Bigs, I am sure.

"My heart breaks for Henry. For all of them, when the talent isn't enough to do what they want to do (and what we want them to do). Sometimes people say they aren't trying hard enough, or don't care. But NONE of them gets up to this level unless they care."

Jane B., if you are not the team mom, you should be. You've got me feeling sorry for them, too.

mick said...

Laddie Blah Blah said...
"I truly hope Danny gets the shoulder surgery now, so that this stint actually results in true back-to-playing-form health. He's probably been compensating so much he just lost his swing. He will be back in the Bigs, I am sure.

great point and to add, remember in 2011, ALR had surgery in May and look what he did in 2012. Espi is young, why not have him sit the season out???

Nats 128 said...

Laddie my obliques hurt from laughing.

mick said...

as far as Hrod goes, i wish him well, but i honestly think what you see is what you will always get

Nats 128 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Poor Lombo. He wins the game last night and today gets replaced at second base by a guy who basically last played the position in Little League.

Rendon is flavor of the month, for sure. But I honestly didn't see all that much from him at the plate or in the field during his cup of coffee earlier. I hope he turns out to be the next Davey Johnson at the position. But for now I'm skeptical.

But mostly I feel sorry for Lombo. Team is being two-faced with him. Publicly it says lovely things about the guy, but steadfastly refused to let him win the 2B position and instead stuck with an injured player who was batting .165.

Lombo may not look like much at the plate. But after Zook and the Kid, he's probably our best clutch hitter.

Nats 128 said...

I listened to Rizzo and my take is he hopes to have a backup plan which is Detweiler starts Saturday and Strasburg could go to the DL.

Best case scenario is they can both pitch Saturday against the Twins.

Other thought is Det could get start a minor league facility to pitch.

Didnt sound like anything has been decided other then guessing outcomes prior to the side sessions have been thrown and evaluating how the pitchers feel afterwards and tomorrow.

TexNat said...

If the A's got Willingham for only HRod and Brown, what could the Nationals get for a similar package of decent but not great prospects right now? How about a decent bat to function as a fourth outfielder? Maybe Willingham himself?

The recent moves are a step in the right direction, but they need to strengthen this team from the outside as well. Especially with both Harper and Werth chronically dinged.

mick said...

FYI....45 years ago today, RFK killed...I remember it like last week... that was third strike. John and Martin were 1 and 2 and we all have been out since...thank God for baseball.

Nats 128 said...

Sunshine, Davey said Lombo is starting in LF tonight.

Rendon will get reps at 2nd base and they will evaluate.

Also sounds like Rizzo has discounted any discussion that Espinosas shoulder is a problem. He said over and over that its his wrist.

adventurehouse said...

Here is a summary of what I see is the typical HRod inning of relief.

Strike Out
Strike Out
Walk on 5 pitches
Stolen Base [because he never looked]
Walk on 4 pitches [not an intentional walk...he had lost his composure and focus]
Wild pitch [runners on 2nd and 3rd]
Wild pitch [winning or tieing run scores]

Right or wrong...this was his typical inning when it counted most.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

How did Lombo hit 98mph at his shoulder level and pull it like he did. This kid deserves so much credit for what he pulled off.

Look at this chart WaPo published. I'm in awe:

http://translator.wpdigital.net/translate/pitchfx?atbat=8232290&9007c2deaf3237e10d7c9702ee3232

Get Your Re(n)d On said...

Mark Zuckerman @ZuckermanCSN Rizzo says on his radio show Detwiler will start Sat. either in D.C. or on rehab. Sounds to me like he doesn't expect Strasburg to be ready.

The real question is this. If Det has a rehab start on Saturday and Strasburg isn't ready, then who does pitch on Saturday? Can't be Zimm, Gio, Karns or Haren, they'd all be on short rest. So I think that if Stras throws today and looks ready, he'll pitch Saturday and Det gets the rehab start. If Stras doesn't look ready, then Det pitches against the Twins on Saturday. Keep in mind that Det is on the DL and Stras is not. A roster move would need to be made to bring Det back, and that move could be Stras to the DL.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Caps Fan, either Karns to AA or AAA or Stras to the DL retroactive to his last start.

adventurehouse said...

Showing my age, but Tim Cullen hit better for average than Espi and didn't strike out nearly as often...sorry to see the potential in Espi slide back to AAA...but sometimes that's what it takes. A good number of other batters seemingly have taken a bite from the same apple of knowledge that Espinosa has been eating for the last several years...swing from your heels and one day it might make it over the fence. Lombo realized we didn't need a homerun...we needed to get the bat on the ball and put it into the outfield one way or another. Good plan...and execution...now if only the rest of the bench can see...learn and repeat that lesson.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

“I love him. He thinks I hate him. This is the best for him. He needs to get things worked out.”

That was Davey on Espinosa.

Jimmy said...

I know we've written off the Zim to 1st talk (and I'm happy to see it go). Funny the Nat's website is running this article from Sports on Earth right now: http://therotation.sportsonearthblog.com/put-zimmerman-at-second/

Zim to 2nd? I'm still reading it, so I have nothing to offer yet. Feel free to tawk amongst yourselves.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I throw this out as a solution to both our Espinosa and fifth outfielder problems.

Why can't we package Espi and a couple of hot prospects to Minnesota to get Josh Willingham back?

Holden Baroque said...

How did Lombo hit 98mph at his shoulder level and pull it like he did.

It was to the opposite field; I wouldn't say he pulled it. That *would* have been something.

Holden Baroque said...

Why can't [Rizzo] package Espi and a couple of hot prospects to Minnesota to get Josh Willingham back?

Because it would cost a couple of hot prospect they can't really spare, to get a RH DH they don't really need, and that's assuming the Twins would want him, and assuming Rizzo has given up on Danny, which I doubt.

Eric said...

"I actually like Peric... he has good insight and most important, he takes the pressure off me and everyone else who explodes now and then in here, LOL"

Now that's funny! Good one, mick ;)

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

"Manager Davey Johnson often needed to have another reliever warming when he inserted [Henry] Rodriguez into games, and he was unable to trust Rodriguez in high-leverage spots."

Kolko on Henry. Sounds familiar to my continued posts on high-leverage spots and my comparison to Storen.

Glad Kolko could say it in Henry's eulogy instead in on-going analysis. -Sheeshing-

Holden Baroque said...
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Holden Baroque said...
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Section 222 said...
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Holden Baroque said...
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Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sec. 3, My Sofa said...
How did Lombo hit 98mph at his shoulder level and pull it like he did.
----------
It was to the opposite field; I wouldn't say he pulled it. That *would* have been something.

June 05, 2013 12:30 PM


Thank you for the correction. Duh on me and I'm glad you picked up on that. Meant to say push it like he did since it was on the middle half. That velo certainly helped get the distance.

Still in awe as one of the hardest things to do is make contact on a high fastball and get your hands up there. 98MPH 98MPH

Holden Baroque said...

don't know my own strength ...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sect222, Haren is pitching tonight.

natsfan1a said...

Dang, y'all totally buried the lede on the Johnson interview:

Dan Steinberg ‏@dcsportsbog 4h

Davey Johnson tells the Junkies that he has shaved his horrific facial hair

Holden Baroque said...

Still in awe as one of the hardest things to do is make contact on a high fastball and get your hands up there. 98MPH 98MPH

Everything Parnell threw was 95-98 up out of the zone in that AB, according to the chart. Amazing piece of hitting, even allowing for the fact that he probably should have taken a strike to begin with, but you don't hit 98 at your eyes by even having TAKE in your mind.

Still, lousy inning for Parnell--one good changeup would probably have gotten the out, maybe 2.

Section 222 said...

The real question is this. If Det has a rehab start on Saturday and Strasburg isn't ready, then who does pitch on Saturday? Can't be Zimm, Gio, Karns or Haren, they'd all be on short rest.

Didn't Davey say that Stammen had earned a spot start after his fantastic job in long relief of Stras? He hasn't pitched since, so I'm guessing that Davey will save him just in case, and we'll see some of the trio of new guys -- Abad, Krol, and Davis -- over the next few nights.

Almost noted that Lombo was batting LH against Parnell. Whew. I owe too many drinks already.

Ghost, you refreshed too quickly for me to avoid being called out on my error by deleting. Darn!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

http://washington.cbslocal.com/audio/354-the-sports-junkies/

Here's Davey's podcast

Steady Eddie said...
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Holden Baroque said...

Davey Johnson tells the Junkies that he has shaved his horrific facial hair

Davey's Beard! That could replace Sweet Fancy Moses!, or even Great Stevem' Ghost!

natsfan1a said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NCNatsie said...

I've just read through this string and am having trouble. There seem to be a lot of comments about various missing persons, and expressions ranging from "good luck wherever he goes, "good riddance," and "I sort of liked him, he deserves another chance." But sometimes I can't figure out if people are talking about Espi, Henry or Peric.

natsfan1a said...

Thanks for the link, Ghost.

Steady Eddie said...

222 -- I'm totally with you on Lombo protecting the plate with two strikes rather than depending on the HP ump to call what were clearly balls as balls. I expect his mindset -- and I agree that we need A LOT more of it as a team -- is that he was going to swing at anything he could reach until he got one that he could hit, and that he wasn't going to depend on anyone else, including the HP ump, to drive in the run unless Parnell threw him something that was a ball to anyone because he couldn't reach it.

After seeing the disproportionate number of clear balls that were called strikes against the Nats this year, as recently as the called "strike" three to ALR in the fourth last night, Lombo had the right plan. And even better, was able to execute it.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section 222 said...

Ghost, you refreshed too quickly for me to avoid being called out on my error by deleting. Darn!


Also imagine this that you weren't called a disparaging name or put down. ;)

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Any time 1A!

Holden Baroque said...

I don't recall the strike zone floating that much last night, especially on pitches up, although there was that one ball called right down broadway for some reason. I always wonder what the catcher or somebody just said, to get a call like that.
But the ball outside off the plate to leftys was a strike most of the time. "Maybe it wasn't over the plate, but it was a strike. Here, see my indicator? Says right there, 'Strike'."

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

http://washington.cbslocal.com/audio/354-the-sports-junkies/seg-08-davey-johnson-calls-in/

Eric said...

"After seeing the disproportionate number of clear balls that were called strikes against the Nats this year, as recently as the called "strike" three to ALR in the fourth last night"

Is it just because I'm paying attention more that I've seen this so much, or is this actually happening more often to the Nats than to other teams? I have to think it's the former, but seriously, it's really maddening to watch.

JD said...


Atlanta is playing 4 games at the Dodgers starting tomorrow yet they miss kershaw. Talk about luck !!!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sec. 3, My Sofa said...
or even Great Stevem' Ghost!


That's creative but Caesar wants his ghost back!

Tcostant said...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...
Tcostant, they have to re-ramp Det up. He could start but will be on a strict pitch count.

I think he is hoping to take Stras 5 innings and pull him and have Det go 2 to 3 and pull him.

Me: Then they need to make two moves. Better is to start Det (sending Karns down) and let Stammen fill in the meddle and give Stras some extra rest until another start is needed.

See Mark's tweet, he read it how I did:

Mark Zuckerman @ZuckermanCSN
"Rizzo says on his radio show Detwiler will start Sat. either in D.C. or on rehab. Sounds to me like he doesn't expect Strasburg to be ready."

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NEW POST

Eric said...

On the bad pitch calls, I believe Teheran had been perfect through 4 and 2/3 until McCutchen walked on two pitches that were low in the zone on the outside corner.

"Atlanta is playing 4 games at the Dodgers starting tomorrow yet they miss kershaw. Talk about luck !!!"

They missed him at home earlier, too, no? Jerks!

TexNat said...

Section 3,

Your comment on Willingham seems off to me. First, no reason to think that it would take a couple of hot prospects to get that done. It certainly didn't cost the A's that. He isn't an allstar and the Twins would undoubtedly like to move his salary.

The idea that the Nats don't need him is somewhat hard to even comprehend. They need bats in the worse way. Championship caliber teams have good hitters on then bench. And it should be clear by now that he would have to start a bunch. Picture what the Nats were trying to get out of Moore. They would actually get that out of Willingham and then some and would be able to let Moore go down and get better.

If Willingham is too expensive, then find someone else. The idea that you should continue to roll with a bench full of hitters struggling (or flat out failing) to get to the Mendoza line is silliness. You can't tell me there aren't better players available that would not cost you a fortune in prospects.

Iowa Nats Fan said...

While the idea of adding Willingham back to the roster is intriguing, it begs the question "Who are you going to sit?" Harper, Span or Werth? Also the farm system has been somewhat depleted so the thought of giving up some more prospects for another starting OF seems ill conceived to me.

RaleighNat said...

Espi: Talented player that is still relatively young and can be very valuable. Needs to get healthy and then needs time in the minors to regroup. This change is going to be great for him in the long-run.

HRod: Man, I always liked him, and I really wish him well. Unlikely but possible he turns the corner. I hope so.

Duke: Wish him well, but I just don't think he's good enough. If its not the end, its not far off.

Rendon: Time to shine.

Nats: Need to get rolling, and I'm feeling good.

Adam said...

No typical unless one of the wild pitches hits the backstop....

Adam said...
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Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Nats Iowa Fan asks of my suggestion that we should try and get Josh Willingham back: "While the idea of adding Willingham back to the roster is intriguing, it begs the question Who are you going to sit? Harper, Span or Werth?"

That "choice" is made for us. We have probably had those three as our starting outfield for fewer than 15 games this season. Somebody is always hurt. And Harper's injury looks like the lingering-type thing that could last all season. So Willy fits well as a RH power hitter when we decide to sit the Kid against tough lefties (We're not talking about you, Colbert; we mean the ones who win games).

Willy proved while he was here to be injury-prone himself, so I'm not looking at him as a 150-game-a-year guy. If he played 60 games with 200 at-bats rest of the year for us, I'd bet he'd hit 15-20 homers. And his glove isn't ridiculously bad in LF; he's an upgrade from TyMo and probably a wash with Lombo.

Free Willy!

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