tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post4119645311924012870..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Game 130: Nats at RedsMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-84843454702004341352011-08-27T16:00:15.533-04:002011-08-27T16:00:15.533-04:00jd, so true on salaries but you have to spend mone...jd, so true on salaries but you have to spend money on key players. Rizzo has to do what he did with LaRoche, 2 year contract with 1 option year.<br /><br />That gives the team time to develop the talent in the farm system. I expect big things out of Espinosa in the future and be a Gold Glove .260 to .280 hitter at 2nd base and when the team extends Ryan Zimmerman I believe Rendon will be the future LF for this team in an Alex Gordon way and hopefully more like Ryan Braun if he is as good as some say he is.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-73460034597219104112011-08-27T15:50:29.894-04:002011-08-27T15:50:29.894-04:00jd said...
Steve M.,
You have to look at player ...<i>jd said... <br />Steve M.,<br /><br />You have to look at player movements within the context of salaries as well. Willingham makes $6 mil a year and is eligible for free agency at the end of this year. Given his 1.7 WAR he is decent value for the money but obviously Rizzo didn't feel that he would be that or that he would stay healthy enough so he made the best move he could.<br /><br />I wouldn't declare HRod a lost cause just yet. As I recall Hanrahan looked nearly as bad and inconsistent when he was here but did put it all together in Pittsburgh. HRod not only throws high 90's but also has 2 other workable pitches. If he learns to control his slider he would be nearly unhittable. Yes he's not ready for the majors but he's also out of options so we need a little patience. <br /><br />August 27, 2011 3:36 PM </i><br /><br />I don't disagree with you on salary etc just that you don't trade a high OBP position player for a Minor League reliever. I was concerned about his health in 2010 and said over and over how they were over-using him. You have to know your players.<br /><br />I thought Willingham, if traded, would have yielded some top prospects. Rizzo sold low on him and that is the "rub".<br /><br />The contrast with departed players as you mentioned Hanrahan, Nyjer and Willingham, is other organizations have utilitzed them better and they have performed better.<br /><br />Willingham is clutch, high OBP, RBI type of guy. Could they have signed him to an extension and platooned him? <br /><br />Henry Rodriguez has little deception and his pitches don't have enough movement. He isn't fooling anybody but Rizzo. If this team is going to move ahead, 2012 Spring Training has to be his make or break or trade him prior. <br /><br />Hanrahan when he was here was slider, fastball, slider, slider. Yes, Joel would bury that slider in the dirt for some ugly wild pitches. Now Joel is devastating fastball and biting slider with better control. Henry has no options so you are having him learn on the job and not sure if he is learning.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86384201635451159812011-08-27T15:40:57.312-04:002011-08-27T15:40:57.312-04:00To expand my point on salaries; Crisp is a decent ...To expand my point on salaries; Crisp is a decent solution at center for 2 years but not for $10 mil a year, Wang would be nice to bring back at $5 mil a year etc. If you hire a player and he under performs his WAR you are not doing the team any favors because your money can be better spent elsewhere.jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86294487217385812142011-08-27T15:37:54.857-04:002011-08-27T15:37:54.857-04:00I think BLOWPU describes what I have been saying a...I think BLOWPU describes what I have been saying about the bullpen for some time.<br /><br />On Shairon Martis, he is no longer on the 40 man so he will have to keep impressing to try to compete. He had a really uninspiring 2010 so to come back and work so diligently with Randy Tomlin to add a new pitch to his repitoirein his his changeup may resurrect his career. <br /><br />Shairon told me that his big problem in 2009 with the Nats was his slider used to be his best pitch and it was hanging. He thought it was the cooler Spring weather was the problem and I really don't know but the results up until 2 months ago were not good. <br /><br />Now Shairon has 3 good pitches working for him with control of the strike zone and strikeout potential.<br /><br />On Marrero getting a callup, all I can say is, its about time. I hope he does great!Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-26936395830637410282011-08-27T15:36:46.258-04:002011-08-27T15:36:46.258-04:00Steve M.,
You have to look at player movements w...Steve M.,<br /><br /> You have to look at player movements within the context of salaries as well. Willingham makes $6 mil a year and is eligible for free agency at the end of this year. Given his 1.7 WAR he is decent value for the money but obviously Rizzo didn't feel that he would be that or that he would stay healthy enough so he made the best move he could.<br /><br /> I wouldn't declare HRod a lost cause just yet. As I recall Hanrahan looked nearly as bad and inconsistent when he was here but did put it all together in Pittsburgh. HRod not only throws high 90's but also has 2 other workable pitches. If he learns to control his slider he would be nearly unhittable. Yes he's not ready for the majors but he's also out of options so we need a little patience.jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-67297633638678835122011-08-27T15:19:55.009-04:002011-08-27T15:19:55.009-04:00Gonat said...All mediocre ballplayers are a dime a...<i>Gonat said...All mediocre ballplayers are a dime a dozen. Just ask Jim Bowden. Great players and great relievers are not.</i><br /> <br />Very nice illustration, very impressive! Lets talk quickly about relievers and clutch performers. Rizzo put together a bullpen with too much reliance on his lefty incumbents named Burnett and Slaten who overall cost the team as many as 8 games. All of the new "parts" he added with the exception of Coffey have been bad -to- awful.<br /> <br />Everyone loves Velo. Henry Rodriguez put side by side with Aroldis Chapman is what causes this false sense of the love of the 100 MPH pitch since there aren't more than a handful of people in the world that can throw that velo consistently and consistency is the word of the month. Henry Rodriguez is not consistent. He has horrible control and is not MLB ready. The question is, will he ever be MLB ready?<br /> <br />Now to segue to clutch, the guy Henry was traded for Josh Willingham has quietly put together a good season and is 26th in all MLB outfielders for Runs Created a stat where the top Nat is 45th on the list (Jayson Werth). Willingham is 10th among all outfielders with 79 RBIs and that is only with 383 ABs!<br /> <br />Josh Willingham is 3rd among all Outfielders in RBIs per AB this season and only Prince Fielder<br />Curtis Granderson, Lance Berkman and Ryan Howard<br />are ahead of Josh Willingham for RBIs per AB. Josh is at 20.63% which is All Star calibre.<br />The loss of Josh Willingham who by the way has a <b>.321/.400 slash with RISP </b> and my point last year was if you rest Willingham to keep him fresh and healthy and consider moving him to 1st base you get one of the top offensive guys in the Majors.<br /> <br />In the OF, Willingham is a liability with a -5.7 UZR but he is a 1.7 WAR. For all the Nix fans, he is a -5.6 UZR and a .6 WAR. Put Willingham and Nix together and you have a pretty good Righty/Lefty platoon.<br /> <br />I still consider the Willingham trade to have been a big mistake. Henry Rodriguez was never ready for prime-time and the Nats had the option in the off-season of moving Morse to 1st base and keeping Willingham in LF. While I realize Willingham didn't fit into the mold of defensive assets, neither was Morse as a LF so I didn't get the move then and still don't as Morse as a LF is a -4.4 UZR.<br /><br />http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/position/of/sort/runsCreatedPer27Outs/type/sabermetricSteve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-23706328577875719382011-08-27T15:15:08.139-04:002011-08-27T15:15:08.139-04:00Sunderland, I'm with you, too. The Nats are th...Sunderland, I'm with you, too. The Nats are the Nats, and while I'm happy to maintain ties with the Expos on some levels, I do think that Nats records should belong to people who played in Washington.....drywnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-197755867112751962011-08-27T15:09:29.840-04:002011-08-27T15:09:29.840-04:00Mark'd - that, actually, is a good one since y...Mark'd - that, actually, is a good one since you are crossing the lines drawn above (a 'natural' way to cheat), and get right to the heart of what I am trying to figure out.<br /><br />What is cheating, medically speaking, in the context of baseball? A general way to think about it.Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-11574330758795667142011-08-27T14:57:33.160-04:002011-08-27T14:57:33.160-04:00Some good gorse hacking definitely does seem to be...Some good gorse hacking definitely does seem to be overdue.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-1547541797915412772011-08-27T14:45:22.613-04:002011-08-27T14:45:22.613-04:00Wally, you can extract bull testosterone naturally...Wally, you can extract bull testosterone naturally. Doesnt make it ethical as that is cheating.Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64514136925696330362011-08-27T14:38:47.230-04:002011-08-27T14:38:47.230-04:00Sunderland - completely agree. Once a team moves,...Sunderland - completely agree. Once a team moves, I say start fresh. Different name, mostly different fan base, plus it doesn't happen that often to make it a real problem.<br /><br />Gonat - do you agree that where MLB draws the distinctions is good? I still don't quite get the logic around using synthetic v. natural as the point to draw the line between ok and not ok.<br /><br />For instance, <i> Andrew said 'They are performance enhancing drugs rather than using technology like cyber eye which is truly amazing that you can get Ted Williams vision legally. '</i><br /><br />This doesn't seem like a distinction worth drawing a line on. Surgery which gives you superman vision is ok, but a synthetic drug that provides quicker healing (and I guess something more around the anabolic effect on muscles, but not sure what that effect is), isn't. Why is surgery ok? I assume surgery that gives you Strasburg's arm wouldn't be ok, right? At the end of the day, if it is healthy and supervised appropriately, don't we (and MLB and the players union) want to encourage things that make the players recover quicker and stay on the field longer? I guess that I always assumed the dividing line had something to do with (a) dangerous to the player, and (b) unfair advantage to the user.<br /><br />I'll stop after this next bit, since I don't want to annoy people. But, going back to Tommy Hanson, if you had a shoulder tear that was going to keep you out for 18 months (not the prognosis in his case, just making a theoretical example), but by using HGH you could cut that to 9 months, wouldn't you want to do it and take the 50 game suspension? And why would MLB want to make him do that risk-reward analysis?Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5550914178251721732011-08-27T14:36:00.529-04:002011-08-27T14:36:00.529-04:00Kardiac Kids, GYFNG, and BLOWPU. And "hacking...Kardiac Kids, GYFNG, and BLOWPU. And "hacking the gorse".Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-2954105246833622042011-08-27T14:29:47.088-04:002011-08-27T14:29:47.088-04:00Yeah, :-(, we have not had a good gorse hacking in...Yeah, :-(, we have not had a good gorse hacking in days.sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-16037720903292279252011-08-27T14:25:25.081-04:002011-08-27T14:25:25.081-04:00Leave us not forget "hacking the gorse" ...Leave us not forget "hacking the gorse" (hat tip to Unkyd).natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35748741130863890152011-08-27T14:00:40.138-04:002011-08-27T14:00:40.138-04:00That is a new NI exclusive along with Kardiac Kids...That is a new NI exclusive along with Kardiac Kids, GYFNG, and BLOWPU.Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-50456360950740454222011-08-27T13:55:59.091-04:002011-08-27T13:55:59.091-04:00Ha. I think BLOWPU is a mistype of BLOWUP, but I ...Ha. I think BLOWPU is a mistype of BLOWUP, but I like BLOW-Pooooooooo, 'cause that's what happened.NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-920566423948411742011-08-27T13:37:15.204-04:002011-08-27T13:37:15.204-04:00Case in point, last night. If the team had 4 to 5 ...Case in point, last night. If the team had 4 to 5 runs scores, it would have been Storen for the save instead of Bally for the blowpu. August 27, 2011 1:13 PM<br /><br />Great point, just tell me what a BLOWPU is?Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64215393817492357852011-08-27T13:19:28.532-04:002011-08-27T13:19:28.532-04:00Can I offer a change in subjects?
What do you folk...Can I offer a change in subjects?<br />What do you folks think about franchise marks that include the Expos?<br />I've never liked this.<br />For example, the winningest pitcher in the history of the franchise of the Minnesota Twins is Walter Johnson. <br />I'd rather start fresh with the Nationals.sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-65820306643846636672011-08-27T13:13:21.105-04:002011-08-27T13:13:21.105-04:00On such a dismal day, I am thankful for some of th...On such a dismal day, I am thankful for some of the good discussion. Davey didn't construct this team, Rizzo and Riggleman did. The bullpen has been atrocious this year and hard to watch as has the clutch hitting.<br /><br />If this team scored more runs, it would cancel out some of the horrible play of the bullpen. Case in point, last night. If the team had 4 to 5 runs scores, it would have been Storen for the save instead of Bally for the blowpu.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-9604471094229241582011-08-27T13:10:53.535-04:002011-08-27T13:10:53.535-04:00Is HGH when used to heal a joint a health hazard?Is HGH when used to heal a joint a health hazard?sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-84928639097701501002011-08-27T13:03:25.137-04:002011-08-27T13:03:25.137-04:00Wally said...
Gonat - thanks for the reply. So ho...Wally said... <br />Gonat - thanks for the reply. So how is synthetic determined? I assume that there are a variety of synthetic supplements that are ok? Even Vitamins can be made synthetically, right? FWIW, still trying to understand, not take a position yet. Sounds like you are saying HGH converts someone to a fast twitch muscle? I appreciate the input.<br /><br />Sunderland - I find it hard to know where to draw the line, too. It seems easier to draw it on the impact on performance, rather than synthetic v. Natural. If a drug makes you stronger than you otherwise are, etc, no go. If it gets you back to your natural level quicker, yes. On HGH, still seems like the performance is diluted enough that MLB might want to allow it if it gets players back on the field more quickly?<br /><br />But very confusing to a non medical guy. <br /><br />August 27, 2011 12:18 PM <br />____________________________<br /><br />Synthetic meaning it isn't produced naturally in your own body. Now your body naturally produces growth hormone and as you get older it produces at lower levels. <br /><br />Yes, you are correct on some vitamins are synthetic but many are extracted in high potency from natural sources. Should we discuss "Rocky Mountain Oysters" as another topic?<br /><br />Andrew/Sunderland, cyber-eye isn't a health hazard unless you gave XRay vision. (LOL) It totally turned Cristian Guzman's career around.Gonatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86800830716083958812011-08-27T13:02:36.363-04:002011-08-27T13:02:36.363-04:00Stimulants? Like Diet Coke? I would be in a LOT ...Stimulants? Like Diet Coke? I would be in a LOT of trouble if Diet Coke gets banned. :) <br /><br />What about nicotine? All that chewing?NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-18917010743817357582011-08-27T12:49:19.264-04:002011-08-27T12:49:19.264-04:00natsfan1a said...
I'm neither a doctor nor a ...natsfan1a said... <br />I'm neither a doctor nor a lawyer, nor have I played either on tv, but isn't MLB drug policy based on which substances are (or are not) illegal as opposed to their effects? <br /><br />August 27, 2011 12:27 PM <br /><br />Not true. You can get anabolic steroids and HGH with a Doctor's perscription although many states have them listed as controlled substances. They are only illegal when you don't have a perscription.<br /><br />They are performance enhancing drugs rather than using technology like cyber eye which is truly amazing that you can get Ted Williams vision legally. <br /><br />I took my 18 year old son to Dr. Smithson who is the top sports eye specialist. The education was amazing what I learned there while he worked on my son's vision. Cost a lot of money and worth it for the education alone. <br /><br />BTW, there is also a ban on stimulants in the new drug program.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66644492409992029142011-08-27T12:35:36.520-04:002011-08-27T12:35:36.520-04:00Who here agrees with me that Espinosa should just ...Who here agrees with me that Espinosa should just bat Right-handed even against righties. I heard one of his reasons for doing the swith hitting batting left is to help with bunts for base-hits. Well, he his not even trying to bunt that much so why the switch hitting when he his most likely to get on base batting from the right?? I know it seems like most of his power have come from the left, but i think he could have the same power if he focuses and predominantly bats from the right. What ya think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46149460085436838962011-08-27T12:32:52.320-04:002011-08-27T12:32:52.320-04:00On another note, here's hoping that all Inside...On another note, here's hoping that all Insiders, be they in this area or at more far-flung locations, stay safe during the hurricane.<br /><br />Will be watching the game tonight (assuming we have power). At least, watching until I fall asleep on the couch as I did again last night. At one point I remember seeing Burnett with men on and seeming to be in a precarious situation. Next thing I knew, I awoke to him leaving the field at the end of the inning, with the score still the same, and Bob or FP saying that it was perhaps his best performance of the year. And I slept through it. Dang. On the bright (?) side, I did get to see the end of the game before toddling off to bed.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.com