tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post4455814047817022919..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Confidence waning?Mark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-22862826174612625792013-04-18T00:05:15.611-04:002013-04-18T00:05:15.611-04:00Omg Candide. Funniest shizzle I've seen in a w...Omg Candide. Funniest shizzle I've seen in a while. <br /><br />Lady blah blah: well said! I agree. <br /><br />Trolls annoy and make me laugh....but what really steams my clams are the overly self righteous and those who get upset if somebody has an opinion that doesn't kiss Davey/Rizzo &@$ <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11775076855630317575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-16442970356495833752013-04-17T11:39:28.850-04:002013-04-17T11:39:28.850-04:00For my part, I don't mind the trolls, I can sc...For my part, I don't mind the trolls, I can scroll with the best of them. What makes the board unreadable for me is the feeding, and the poking. <br /><br />Makes me go to the corner to see if they got my beer in yet.Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-75765871763460804852013-04-17T09:46:47.683-04:002013-04-17T09:46:47.683-04:00Wonk - I mentioned this being Morse's walk yea...Wonk - I mentioned this being Morse's walk year last night in the post following the game thread. It is now the easiest post for me to read and respond to and I appreciate the positive vibes from that post as well as this one.<br /><br />Go Nats!!sjm308https://www.blogger.com/profile/01236550495879254916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69748810187426226472013-04-17T09:25:21.092-04:002013-04-17T09:25:21.092-04:00natsfan1a said...Must be kinda hard for Zimm to st...<em>natsfan1a said...Must be kinda hard for Zimm to stay out of his own head with so many others trying to get in there. ("Poke, poke. Everything okay in there? Zimm? Hello?")</em><br /><br />Maybe it's time for a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kHmvkRoEowc" rel="nofollow">"Leave Zim Alone!" video.</a>Candidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02384645593063095481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-9487634685837571122013-04-17T09:12:26.005-04:002013-04-17T09:12:26.005-04:00(Second attempt, as the first evidently went off i...(Second attempt, as the first evidently went off into the ether.)<br /><br />Must be kinda hard for Zimm to stay out of his own head with so many others trying to get in there. ("Poke, poke. Everything okay in there? Zimm? Hello?")natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-23716661148968520142013-04-17T08:55:41.739-04:002013-04-17T08:55:41.739-04:00Zim's throwing problems have been going on for...Zim's throwing problems have been going on for a couple of years. He cannot/will not throw overhand. There's really not much reason to expect Zim to just figure it out over night. This is a big problem for the club as they don;t have great flexibility in terms of where Zim can play if he's not able to fix the arm such that he can play Third. Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08533703303439123333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-38004672554528493562013-04-17T08:53:14.902-04:002013-04-17T08:53:14.902-04:00(oh, and one more thing: isn't this Morse'...(oh, and one more thing: isn't this Morse's "walk" year? Which means his trade value would have been dropping as he's a free agent in October?)A DC Wonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09732615221598098540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-87765992248708329382013-04-17T08:49:04.236-04:002013-04-17T08:49:04.236-04:00I also disagree with Athens' assessment. Rizz...I also disagree with Athens' assessment. Rizzo has done a number of other things that show his skill. E.g., _not_ resigning Dunn when everyone wanted him to, and letting him go, and getting two sandwich picks.<br /><br />Then, using sandwich picks to pick guys who were going to go to college, and paying them way over slot (to the consternation of MLB) to sign them (if this was so obvious, why didn't other teams do that?), resulting in the consensus "best draft class" that year.<br /><br />Further, we didn't trade away the whole farm and our future for Gio -- we've got a bunch of mighty fine prospects and some darn good AAA and AA teams.<br /><br />Yeah -- we don't have Morse, but we have a mighty fine defensive outfield, and a guy (Span) who, last I checked (2-3 days ago) had the third highest OBP of any leadoff guy. For a team that's lacked a true leadoff guy for many years, that's a fair tradeoff.<br /><br />Not only that -- but "yes" to what Seamhead said at 8:21. The Nats currently have <b>five</b> (as in "five") relievers with an ERA of over 5.00. So, unless Morse could have been converted to a top-notch reliever . . . <br /><br />And, finally: judging a trade after 14 games is really the height of short-sightedness.<br /><br />As for LaRoche -- I said it in a thread yesterday, I'll say it again:<br /><br />LaRoche is a lifetime .220 hitter in April<br /><br />And his lifetime stats for July/Aug/Sept are .291, .302, .293<br /><br />Fans _always_ hate LaRoche in April. To say "he'd better get it going" is a waste of time. That's who he is. Every player has slumps. LaRoche's slumps are predictable: April, April, and April.<br /><br />(ok, except for last year, when he helped carry the team, batting .329 in April -- but even _including_ last year, he's lifetime .220 in April!)A DC Wonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09732615221598098540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-15656484671559796092013-04-17T08:48:09.090-04:002013-04-17T08:48:09.090-04:00The Nats can fix this. Rizzo has options almost ev...The Nats can fix this. Rizzo has options almost everywhere, except at starting pitcher. But the rotation has not been the problem (forgetting Haren, for the moment).<br /><br />Zim is key to the success of that team, and he is just not right. He will regain his strength and be the old Zim, we hope, but how long will it take? <br />Zim's problems are not Rizzo's fault. And last I checked, Morse, himself, was already on the DL less than 2 weeks into the season.<br /><br />ALR is almost always a slow starter, and will come around, as he always does.<br /><br />Lombo is a better hitter than Danny, and he is already on the 25-man roster. TyMo has shown, once again, that he can rake when given the opportunity. Rendon (surprise!) is raking in AA.<br /><br />I believe in putting the best team on the field, the team that gives you the best chance to win. <br /><br />I do not believe in sacred cows. Neither do the Braves. They tried several guys at SS until they found the guy who performed the best, and gave the job to him. Freeman can't perform so they are playing Johnson. McCann can't perform so they are playing Gattis. <br /><br />The Nats have options at 3rd base, 2nd base, and 1st base, if the incumbents are not doing the job. They have competent relievers in the minors who can help in the pen. For whatever reason, the Nats are content to stand pat. <br /><br />It is embarrassing to see a superb athlete like Zim unable to execute the easiest of routine plays. Let him heal and come back to play up to his abilities. Lombo is a better option at 2nd base than Espinoza. That should be a no-brainer. And TyMo can spell ALR at 1st base until La Roche gets into his groove. Rizzo has put together a team. It is the team that wins or loses. You play the guys who give you the best chance to win. No sacred cows, please.<br /><br />The Nats can fix this.Laddie Blah Blahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16474416524698003749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88954839507249629902013-04-17T08:41:47.635-04:002013-04-17T08:41:47.635-04:00Bears repeating. In particular the scroll past the...Bears repeating. In particular the scroll past the troll part:<br /><br /><em>Unknown said...<br /><br /> This is a key point - I am asking everyone to join me in "Taking Back the Blog" from the trolls and personal attackers. Here's how we do it:<br /><br /> -- <strong>Ignore the trolls. We know who they are. Scroll past. Don't read their comments. Don't respond.</strong><br /><br /> -- Post thoughtful, respectful comments and respect one another.<br /><br /> -- Refrain from personal attacks<br /><br /> We need to treat trolls like Phillies fans at Nats Park -- claim this blog as ours, show up, ignore them and all their baiting, and make Nats Insider ours.</em><br /><br />Emphasis mine.<br /><br />You will NOT persuade the trolls of the error of their ways. They will NOT wake up one fine day, slap their foreheads, and exclaim, "They're right! What a fool I've been! hallelujah, I'm reforming my ways!"<br /><br />Scroll past the trolls.Candidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02384645593063095481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-67895346963316304542013-04-17T08:40:20.457-04:002013-04-17T08:40:20.457-04:00And we're just the guys [ed note: and gals] to...And we're just the guys [ed note: and gals] to do it.<br /><br />Let's do it.<br />Let's do it!<br /><br />Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!<br /><br />Unknown said...<br /><br /> OK folks - the note above on Rizzo is something I disagree with, but it is written respectfully and thoughtfully.<br /> This is a key point - I am asking everyone to join me in "Taking Back the Blog" from the trolls and personal attackers. Here's how we do it:<br /><br /> -- Ignore the trolls. We know who they are. Scroll past. Don't read their comments. Don't respond.<br /><br /> -- Post thoughtful, respectful comments and respect one another.<br /><br /> -- Refrain from personal attacks<br /><br /> We need to treat trolls like Phillies fans at Nats Park -- claim this blog as ours, show up, ignore them and all their baiting, and make Nats Insider ours.<br /> Who knows, maybe the renewed positive vibe here, which has been missing, sadly, will transfer to our beloved Nats, and they'll start playing the way we know they can!<br /> (Also - SF Giants were 7-7 last year and looked bad....everything changes everything!)<br /> April 17, 2013 7:18 AM natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86975909067962975382013-04-17T08:38:50.712-04:002013-04-17T08:38:50.712-04:00Joe Seamhead....exactly right. It is a team effort...Joe Seamhead....exactly right. It is a team effort, winning or losing. Rabbit34https://www.blogger.com/profile/15914662294717993725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-78641656380665059062013-04-17T08:38:13.757-04:002013-04-17T08:38:13.757-04:00I do appreciate Athens's thoughtful analysis, ...I do appreciate Athens's thoughtful analysis, but there's at least one thing in it with which I disagree strongly:<br /><br />"He insisted on resigning La Roche when the guy clearly did not want to come back."<br /><br />Is this true? Maybe I didn't pay close attention, but I had the strong impression that ALR wanted to come back so much he really wanted a full 3-year deal instead of just 2 with options (which is what he got). <br /><br />I also share a slight bafflement with the rather alarming title of this post. I don't think, at least, that Davey's confidence is waning. If he can convey that to the players, the ship can get righted again.<br /><br />And as somebody posted on Twitter last night (or maybe here?), the Nats were not going to go 18-0 against the Marlins. Even a blind Fish finds a marine acorn once in awhile.<br /><br />But I look forward to the next couple weeks with more than a smidge of trepidation, I must say.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07243007019646325480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-62751834523114715012013-04-17T08:34:49.232-04:002013-04-17T08:34:49.232-04:00SJM308: the post I wrote today has been on my mind...SJM308: the post I wrote today has been on my mind for a long time and a slightly different version of it was first written (as I mention above) in mid January. For some reason it did not publish. <br />I want to thank you all for the respect you show to divergent opinions. It is a good sign for the quality of the board.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52148692870879945522013-04-17T08:30:41.060-04:002013-04-17T08:30:41.060-04:00What struck me last night was that they missed som...What struck me last night was that they missed some chances on the bases. For instance, Desmond was on second and Sanabia never even looked at him - he could have jogged to third base and it probably would have been an easy run.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88395728058522763102013-04-17T08:21:47.258-04:002013-04-17T08:21:47.258-04:00Athens had things to say that I don't agree wi...Athens had things to say that I don't agree with, either, but agreed that they were put forth in a respectful way. <br /><br />Unknown, I've just been leaving the game thread to those folks for the past few games. I don't like it, but I have more important things to worry about in my life. Like how come my local market was out of my favorite beer yesterday. I will still post if I feel the need.<br /><br />As to everybody claiming how the parting with Morse is the problem, I say,"Really?' Do tell. Would Michael be relieving a struggling starting pitcher? Would Michael be making the throw from third to first? Would Michael put up 16 runs, 10, runs, or 9 runs respectfully to offset the 15-0, 9-0, and 8-2 trouncings that have been laid on us? Our bullpen has had more failings so far then the loss of Burnette, Gorzo, and Gonzo would have overcome, too. We have lost games in a wide variety of ways, but mostly because we're playing crappy defense and because we're not pitching well.<br /><br />I still think this team has the talent, and management, to excel. But the time to get off the pot is pretty much now.Joe Seamheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17000259234420985114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-76730507731247349432013-04-17T08:21:28.009-04:002013-04-17T08:21:28.009-04:00Haren needs to command his fastball ALL the time a...Haren needs to command his fastball ALL the time at this point. I suspect he'll adjust. Zim needs to do the same with his throwing arm, but I'm less certain he can after a few years of this.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-45190791521784062342013-04-17T07:58:14.974-04:002013-04-17T07:58:14.974-04:00Unknown, Swami, Joe:
Absolutely. Before the seas...Unknown, Swami, Joe:<br /><br />Absolutely. Before the season started we all anticipated this. The Nats will lose 3 in a row and Legion of Doom will be out in full force. They did and they are. No matter. the Kool-Aid tastes fine. This is a hiccup. Nothing more. Everybody should save their favorite "the sky is falling" post and plan on re-posting it in September.<br />3on2outhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01403834315633093774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66757036397134138302013-04-17T07:46:09.818-04:002013-04-17T07:46:09.818-04:00Seems like a lot of teams that are being predicted...Seems like a lot of teams that are being predicted to win big are struggling in April- operative word here is - April. Interesting that the blogger asking for us to take back the blog is unknown :). I will admit I sometimes rise to the bait. I love chatting about all things baseball, don't like the nasty stuff, scroll past long screeds. Yes, we miss Morse and DeRo in the dugout , but you can't keep players around just for that if they don't fit long term. There are good things going on. Some concerns, too. It's not how you start it's how you finish. baseballswamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473384422940931212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-37268708226940586902013-04-17T07:39:33.564-04:002013-04-17T07:39:33.564-04:00On one positive note, look who is "leading of...On one positive note, look who is "leading off" Other Nats Blogs this morning. Way to go Natslady!!<br /><br />I am not sure who trolls are but since I stopped reading the in-game posts, I bet I miss most of them. It seems we have so disappointed fans and I don't blame them. I also disagree with a lot of what our friend from Greece said but like Unknown mentioned, he did it in a respectful way. He was not totally wrong on that long post but it is easy to look at things in hindsight and make judgements. <br /><br />On the Morse/LaRoche situation, which can't be reversed by the way. Do any of you remember how much Davey wanted LaRoche? Don't you think that went into Rizzo's thinking? I mean, your manager of the year has already announced he is in his last year and is screaming off the roof top to sign LaRoche. I don't know if LaRoche was the right move but you sure can't totally blame Rizzo for that. I hope Adam returns to form and that this is a total non-issue as we fight for the playoffs. I am looking to be 9-6 after tonight and that will be better than a whole bunch of teams.<br /><br />Go Nats!!! Win this series!sjm308https://www.blogger.com/profile/01236550495879254916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-17673050997341109422013-04-17T07:35:35.921-04:002013-04-17T07:35:35.921-04:00Gee, maybe I am too optimistic in my .500 season f...Gee, maybe I am too optimistic in my .500 season for the Nationals! Started off not being too serious, but we need bats! Come on guys. The back end of the Braves bus is getting mighty small. Rabbit34https://www.blogger.com/profile/15914662294717993725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-71292894239296985522013-04-17T07:29:48.986-04:002013-04-17T07:29:48.986-04:00Swami and Joe, thanks for that. I'm usually fu...Swami and Joe, thanks for that. I'm usually full of kool-aid, but I needed a little reminder this morning!Dryw Loves the Natshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15409550585766614668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24857193941417687062013-04-17T07:18:10.865-04:002013-04-17T07:18:10.865-04:00OK folks - the note above on Rizzo is something I ...OK folks - the note above on Rizzo is something I disagree with, but it is written respectfully and thoughtfully.<br />This is a key point - I am asking everyone to join me in "Taking Back the Blog" from the trolls and personal attackers. Here's how we do it:<br /><br />-- Ignore the trolls. We know who they are. Scroll past. Don't read their comments. Don't respond. <br /><br />-- Post thoughtful, respectful comments and respect one another.<br /><br />-- Refrain from personal attacks<br /><br />We need to treat trolls like Phillies fans at Nats Park -- claim this blog as ours, show up, ignore them and all their baiting, and make Nats Insider ours.<br />Who knows, maybe the renewed positive vibe here, which has been missing, sadly, will transfer to our beloved Nats, and they'll start playing the way we know they can!<br />(Also - SF Giants were 7-7 last year and looked bad....everything changes everything!)Steve Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655507539507628825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-53427652894560465622013-04-17T07:12:54.316-04:002013-04-17T07:12:54.316-04:00let me add 1 more item, trading Morse was a mistak...let me add 1 more item, trading Morse was a mistake, not just his bat is missed, but his club house energy and presence. mickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11829941762393424812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-33918419636931476642013-04-17T07:11:02.290-04:002013-04-17T07:11:02.290-04:00Let me just say this, the Nats confidence better n...Let me just say this, the Nats confidence better not be waning after only 14 games! Mark's premise is bothersome and surprising to me. This team is built like the Braves of the 90's. Even if there is as a slip in record this year, the club will be solid the next decade. I am looking historically at teams that go on the rise, fall back 1 year then put it together in year 3 or 4. The only red flag I see is that 2013 was suppose to really be the break out year. It still may, as we have 4 stud starting pitchers. Haren I believe was a major gaffe. Every great team makes mistakes, this was ours. But, great teams make adjustments and I believe Mike and Davey will do just thatmickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11829941762393424812noreply@blogger.com