tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post5651097583894675701..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Spring storylines: Harper tries to make clubMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-72378929904536379012012-02-18T19:56:33.579-05:002012-02-18T19:56:33.579-05:00Can we cease with the gibber-jabber, second guessi...<i>Can we cease with the gibber-jabber, second guessing, and the handwringing and bring this kid UP?</i><br /><br />For the record, I am not gibber-jabbering, second-guessing, or hand-wringing. And I'm not bringing him up before about May 1, nevermind what I might have to tell Davey. So get used to the idea.Mike Rizzonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-63079676234829398842012-02-18T11:46:29.470-05:002012-02-18T11:46:29.470-05:00Can't believe some people are perseverating ab...Can't believe some people are perseverating about 2017-2018. Are you kidding? The future is now. Let's see Harper on Opening Day -- no games. Just put him the lineup and leave him alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-23939307574503065812012-02-18T11:42:42.826-05:002012-02-18T11:42:42.826-05:00Can we cease with the gibber-jabber, second guessi...Can we cease with the gibber-jabber, second guessing, and the handwringing and bring this kid UP?<br /><br />Some are worried about his maturity when we just cut loose a suspected drug cartel money-launderer, and another player who was so off the chain that he was a danger to himself and others (morgan)? And how many young men plan their career as maturely as Harper did - from pulling out of H.S., to getting a GED (not as easy as many here think), go to a college in order to play wooden bat baseball?<br /><br />Lets bring this phenom up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-80540014592890794552012-02-18T10:01:22.049-05:002012-02-18T10:01:22.049-05:002017 and 2018 should not be a consideration. If th...2017 and 2018 should not be a consideration. If the Nationals haven't made the playoffs, NLCS, or the World Series by then, so what if Harper moves on. I wouldn't blame him and having him on and having him on the Nationals, at that point, didn't make any difference. That's my opinion, what's yours?Rabbitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83752510981747605812012-02-18T09:57:02.648-05:002012-02-18T09:57:02.648-05:00If the Nationals don't make the playoffs, NLCS...If the Nationals don't make the playoffs, NLCS, or World Series before 2017, then what difference would it make if Harper leaves or not? By that time, 2017 or 2018 won't make any difference. So, forget about when he becomes free-agent elegible, let the kid play if he can perform at the ML level. That's my opinion. Let's hear yours.Rabbitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88536064326968801362012-02-17T18:12:12.934-05:002012-02-17T18:12:12.934-05:00Awesome. Mark fixed it. :-)Awesome. Mark fixed it. :-)natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-37892750331890578832012-02-17T16:46:01.124-05:002012-02-17T16:46:01.124-05:00On September 5th last season his ERA was at 3.48 t...<i>On September 5th last season his ERA was at 3.48 then he fell off his last 4 starts.</i><br /><br />I MEASURED HIM ACROSS THREE YEARS and the reason why Lannan was sent to the MINORS AA was PERFORMANCE. The previous year, 2009, his closest to reaching 200 innings he had a -20.0 pRAA the worst year of all three. His adjusted ERA (forget ERA it just doesn't do the job anymore) or tRA was well OVER 5 consistently. While Livo managed to have both good and bad. Basically Lannan was all BAD. Period. <br /><br />Sorry to burst your balloon but Lannan is not as good as Tommy Milone and I was fervently hoping Milone would replace Lannan in the rotation because, well, Milone is the better pitcher by far. Unfortunately Rizzo couldn't convince Billy Beane to take Lannan instead. There are about 5 million reasons why but of the players traded I would have wished they had kept Milone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58824377478864842332012-02-17T16:42:39.897-05:002012-02-17T16:42:39.897-05:00See? We said you were jumping the gun. ; )
200....See? We said you were jumping the gun. ; )<br /><br /><br />200.Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79399037926993803342012-02-17T15:23:20.447-05:002012-02-17T15:23:20.447-05:00200!! New post.
dfh21200!! New post.<br /><br />dfh21Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-78038185655857630472012-02-17T15:22:21.599-05:002012-02-17T15:22:21.599-05:00Anytime Steve M.
I love watching Tim K on BBTN. ...Anytime Steve M.<br /><br />I love watching Tim K on BBTN. My frustration with ESPN, is the round the clock coverage of the NFL. It's the offseason.. Move On..MicheleSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-76592843536170010802012-02-17T15:21:47.360-05:002012-02-17T15:21:47.360-05:00Not to try to disrupt the excellent conversation g...Not to try to disrupt the excellent conversation going on here, but I need to make everyone aware that there's still a glitch in the blog application that prevents us from being able to read more than 200 comments at the end of any particular post.<br /><br />Since we're about to hit the magic number, I thought I'd redirect everyone to the new posting at the top of the homepage so the conversation can continue.<br /><br />I'm still trying to figure out a way to prevent this glitch and hopefully will have it fixed sometime soon. In the meantime, thanks for understanding.Mark Zuckermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-70366212813491393992012-02-17T15:17:07.505-05:002012-02-17T15:17:07.505-05:00Michele - Did I tell you how much I appreciate you...Michele - Did I tell you how much I appreciate you too?<br /><br />My prob with BBTN is that show this time of year is often delayed because of college basketball coverage. I'm very impatient.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-84878726666898036852012-02-17T15:17:00.502-05:002012-02-17T15:17:00.502-05:00PAY TO PLAY said...
David, yes, having a myst...<i>PAY TO PLAY said...<br /><br /> David, yes, having a mysteriously injured Wang could hurt his trade value if the Nats were to try to trade him after May 31st </i><br /><br />I have heard nothing about a groin injury. Which player are you talking about?<br /><br />(so proud, my first italics. HT to natsfan1a for the advice in yesterday's post)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66334582950094852302012-02-17T15:13:39.624-05:002012-02-17T15:13:39.624-05:00We now know Lannan's approximate worth. Bucs p...We now know Lannan's approximate worth. Bucs paid $5M this year (same as Lannan's 2102) and $8M next year, plus 2 low prospects. A club can walk away from Lannan at year's end or take him to arb at about the same money as that $8M, I am guessing. So, it might be fair to say Lannan is worth more than that with his better numbers recently, his relative youth and his lefthandedness, but not much more. Press SEND Mike, maybe even to the Yanks, get er done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56955556334308570812012-02-17T15:12:06.990-05:002012-02-17T15:12:06.990-05:00Steve M..
BBTN will be in Viera on 2/24Steve M..<br /><br />BBTN will be in Viera on 2/24MicheleSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-12361317365776618722012-02-17T15:11:46.223-05:002012-02-17T15:11:46.223-05:00Anon @2:57PM, Lannan was in the Minors part of the...Anon @2:57PM, Lannan was in the Minors part of the season in 2010 so your numbers don't tell the full story.<br /><br />Lannan has completed each season he has started, thats durability. His issue is going longer into games and finishing his seasons strong.<br /><br />On September 5th last season his ERA was at 3.48 then he fell off his last 4 starts.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-45202080712606800472012-02-17T15:10:22.579-05:002012-02-17T15:10:22.579-05:00Pay to Play - having a mysteriously injured wang? ...Pay to Play - having a mysteriously injured wang? All kidding aside, ( aren't we sick of the wang jokes yet?), I am certain that one of the pitchers will come down with a hangnail right as cuts need to be made. I feel so bad for Pudge - there are many players with less to offer a team than he does that have contracts. I think he would make an outstanding back up for Buster Posey right now. He can't possibly catch every day for a while. I think he is the last one un-signed. I would hate to see his career end this way. A request -- whoever goes to Viera - try to report back as much as possible. I am hanging on every eye-witness report! Glad to hear that so many of the guys are reporting ahead of schedule.gonatsgonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-49902882732453393252012-02-17T15:08:50.464-05:002012-02-17T15:08:50.464-05:00gonatsgo, from your fingers to JZimm's bat. Or...gonatsgo, from your fingers to JZimm's bat. Or something like that.JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04882101532666365432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-62319058166001300952012-02-17T15:08:20.776-05:002012-02-17T15:08:20.776-05:00Bryce might surprise us all (hope he does).
Having...Bryce might surprise us all (hope he does).<br />Having watched Gary Carter at Jarry Park then the Big Owe, I'd love to see that enthusiasm from Bryce.<br />I think we will see it and am looking forward to it. Hope it's contagious.DWSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-76931754987381420092012-02-17T14:59:35.548-05:002012-02-17T14:59:35.548-05:00Not so much progress as it is radical change. Club...Not so much progress as it is radical change. Clubs don't have to take years to chnage their dynamics. Look at the A's, in less than one off season they have completely remade their club, and they are not done yet. Not to say they will compete, but they added young talent all over the place and they have coins freed to add pieces going forward. Incrementalism is not the only path.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-17488654984832841762012-02-17T14:57:15.085-05:002012-02-17T14:57:15.085-05:00Jackson and John Lannan have been credible, durabl...<i>Jackson and John Lannan have been credible, durable starters for four straight years.</i><br /><br />Edwin Jackson. Yes to some degree. John Lannan? DEFINITELY NOT.<br /><br />When Livo first arrived on the scene for act II he was ostensibly a fifth starter signed to a minor league contract. He was 10-15 years (depending on who you talk to) older than mid twenties Lannan. Ostensibly, both soft-tossing control pitchers. Let's see what the ERA etc. look like when adjust to be park and defense neutral stats say:<br /><br />2011 Livan Hernandez 172.9 xIP, 4.94 tRA, -12.4 pRAA<br />2011 John Lannan 182.3 xIP, 5.04 tRA, -15.1 pRAA<br />2011 Edwin Jackson 123.2 xIP, 4.35 tRA, 1.7 pRAA - AL <br />2011 Edwin Jackson 76.0 xIP, 5.23 tRA, -7.9 pRAA - NL<br /><br />2010 Livan Hernandez 207.9 xIP, 4.65 tRA, -3.0 pRAA<br />2010 John Lannan 142.6 xIP, 5.74 tRA, -19.3 pRAA<br />2010 Edwin Jackson 77.1 xIP, 3.47 tRA, 8.5 pRAA - AL<br />2010 Edwin Jackson 132.7 xIP, 4.90 tRA, -5.7 pRAA - NL<br /><br />2009 Livan Hernandez 49.3 xIP, 4.57 tRA, 0.2 pRAA<br />2009 John Lannan 196.8 xIP, 5.52 tRA, -20.0 pRAA<br />2009 Edwin Jackson 209.6 xIP, 4.37 tRA, 13.3 pRAA - AL<br /><br /><br />The pRAA represents a pretty decent compendium of performance<br />and John Lannan's case it WAS ABYSMAL. Is it any wonder that Livo<br />became staff ace? That the Nats were often criticized for having<br />no starting pitching?<br /><br />Lannan's pRAA's read like a baseball horror flick:<br />-20.0, -19.3, -15.1: and fans complain about Garret Mock? <br />Just really TERRIBLE! And why Rizzo et al pursued Buehrle<br />(who basically is the same kind of pitcher as Lannan and Livo),<br />traded for Gio Gonzalez and signed Edwin Jackson relegating<br />Lannan to the 7th or 8th spot in the rotation.<br /><br />While Edwin Jackson's is about where you like to see a #4/#5 <br />power pitcher. Interesting aside even with the DH Jackson's <br />performance in the AL was clearly better than in the NL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47354636808881333452012-02-17T14:48:44.891-05:002012-02-17T14:48:44.891-05:00David, yes, having a mysteriously injured Wang cou...David, yes, having a mysteriously injured Wang could hurt his trade value if the Nats were to try to trade him after May 31st, but if you are trying to put your best 5 out there and make the playoffs, your choices are limited.I think Boz and others said it right. <br /><br />Also, the Wang of today could have been the #1 a few years ago. Talk about progress.PAY TO PLAYnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-19551276833686652532012-02-17T14:48:42.477-05:002012-02-17T14:48:42.477-05:00Harper thrives on "being in the glare of the ...<i>Harper thrives on "being in the glare of the majors." And, besides, the glare reaches him wherever he is... so that argument is not valid to me.<br /><br />So, is he hurting the team in 2012 by being up earlier rather than later? Maybe. But it won't hinder his development, in fact, it will help his development. He has spent enough time in the minors </i> <br /><br />Not sure how you know that he'll thrive since he's never played in the majors, but I certainly hope you're right. I disagree that the attention and scrutiny he received in Hagerstown and Harrisburg is anything like that which he'll face in DC or Philly or New York. By no means am I expecting him to wilt, but I do think it would be better for him to be as prepared as possible for it, by being even more confident than he already is about his abilities to play and succeed at the highest level. Tearing up AAA can't hurt, right? <br /><br />If Harper isn't expected to play at an All Star level when he first comes up, what exactly would the Nats be losing by giving him a few months to get ready to play even better when he arrives? The idea that coming up too soon will actually help his development seems crazy, and it's certainly not the way that Rizzo views player development.Section 222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-90687012876792705522012-02-17T14:35:03.635-05:002012-02-17T14:35:03.635-05:00I see I'm not the only one predicting a myster...I see I'm not the only one predicting a mystery injury to Strasburg, Zmann, Gonzalez or Detwiler... With Wang and Ejax on 1 year contracts, they make no sense to end up "injured" to start the season, so they'll both be in the rotation. Sending Lannan to AAA hurts his trade value, as would him being "hurt".Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12920783017558168652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82582940477752372592012-02-17T14:29:49.799-05:002012-02-17T14:29:49.799-05:00NatsLady,
I couldn't disagree with you more ...NatsLady,<br /><br /> I couldn't disagree with you more on the Harper issue. I think Harper had a fairly significant issue dealing with top line AA pitchers last year so it's not reasonable to assume that major league pitchers won't figure his weakness out real quick.<br /><br /> I do believe that you can delay development by forcing a return to the minors based on failure and I think there is real potential for that with BH. He won't get bored in AA until he starts experiencing consistent success and he needs a new challenge.jdnoreply@blogger.com