tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post7298018589390730339..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Same old, same oldMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-19873812409862329732011-05-31T15:07:56.049-04:002011-05-31T15:07:56.049-04:00This team is better than its record. A few ground ...This team is better than its record. A few ground balls that squeaked through inside of being picked up, a couple of hard-hit balls that were a bit longer or a bit wider, etc., etc., and we would be at or close to .500. We are snake bit, no doubt, and we are not yet a good team, though we are certainly average at least. It will change. Guaranteed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-3153615064358226212011-05-31T14:52:40.395-04:002011-05-31T14:52:40.395-04:00How I see it:
Starting pitching - Still an overall...How I see it:<br />Starting pitching - Still an overall positive<br /><br />Michael Morse - Better than average defense at first and much better hitting than we had gotten all season<br /><br />Espinosa - excellent defense, above average clutch hitting<br /><br />Ian desmond _ continues to improve defensively and seems to be improving on avoiding those outside pitches<br /><br />3rd base - the situation sucks but for what it is at least we are not blowing games through poor defensive play at third, we just miss the spectacular defense that saves runs and the the clutch as well as consitent bat of the Z man<br /><br />Catcher - an overall improvement whitch is continuing<br /><br />Left field - Nix is a pleasant surprise.<br /><br />Center field - I think I prefer Bernadina because he gets on base more an can steal when he is on. Bring in Ankiel as a late defensive substittion<br /><br />Werth- mediocre in the field. He has made some nice plays but bobbled some he shouldn't. His hitting has been a big dissapointment and at this point I think you would have to label him a bust.<br /><br />Bullpen- sucks now, was great earlier. Hopefully it bounces back.<br /><br />Bench, led by Matt Stairs is attrocious. I think it has become ridicously absurd. Get rid of him! They talked about him being a player/coach because of his knack for hitting. If that is true then maybe that explans our team batting average. I cannot think of one single move to improve the team that would be better than to retire Matt Stairs.Ivan Tuskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10277723831630111319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-15581466688246073452011-05-31T13:47:05.311-04:002011-05-31T13:47:05.311-04:00on a positive note (from the minors at least), the...on a positive note (from the minors at least), the Harrisburg Senators finished a 5 game sweep of the Bowie Baysox yesterday.BowieNatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-49580992588938989882011-05-31T12:48:00.448-04:002011-05-31T12:48:00.448-04:00jd - no doubt any adult would take the cash. And ...jd - no doubt any adult would take the cash. And it is not 'just' seven figures, it will be at least $5m, is my guess. But a 17 yr old kid is more impressionable than that, and could make a different (ie irrational to a grown up) decision. Gerrit Cole turned down $3m+ from the Yanks a few years ago to go to UCLA (granted, not to play FB, but still, he could have gotten hurt). Several guys turn down seven figures every year to go to college. That being said, I think he winds up taking the money. It is just too much money to walk away from. And I don't consider it deceitful by him to be in summer school, even if it does help his negotiating position. <br /><br />I would love to see us get the kid. But I have my doubts that we do, simply because he is perceived as being 4 years away from the bigs (he wasn't like Harper in the competition that he has faced). Despite all the talk and our own theories, I really think that Rizzo is building towards a 2013-2014 timeline. So I bet Rizzo goes college pitcher, like most people are saying. Meyer, if those others aren't there.Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-57789513779878426992011-05-31T12:25:18.154-04:002011-05-31T12:25:18.154-04:00Let's Bottom Line it without all the periphera...Let's Bottom Line it without all the peripheral stuff: If the losing continues ... it will only prove that either "smart ball" is just another name for "losing ball" or else the manager implementing it is not competent enough to do it.<br /><br />"Smart Ball" is Riggleman's idea. Rizzo gave Riggleman a set of players in ST from which to choose a 25-man roster to implement his "smart ball". Odds are very good that Riggleman had a lot of say about which position player free agents turned up in Viera in early ST 2011. Bet on it.<br /><br />If it fails. It really means that Riggleman's worst winning percentage in the history of modern baseball is REAL and not artificially induced by the rosters he was given in the past.<br /><br />That is the bottom line period.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-81533628821871907762011-05-31T12:19:56.014-04:002011-05-31T12:19:56.014-04:00I'm hoping Rendon or especially Gerritt Cole f...I'm hoping Rendon or especially Gerritt Cole falls to the Nats. That guy is another Strasburg. Two Strasburg's in your rotation? The Phillies Phans will be crying in their Nats Park beers before too long. <br /><br />Rendon would provide insurance in case Zim decides to skip town. He has an injury so you have to think he could drop to the Nats. <br /><br />In the end its who Rizzo draft with the next two picks that ought to interesting. I suspect he will surprise Mr. Harvard with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56057952523272153232011-05-31T11:53:39.979-04:002011-05-31T11:53:39.979-04:00I can't believe NatsJack doesn't want to p...I can't believe NatsJack doesn't want to pile on the Matt Stairs thing. If Stairs had any integrity he would retire. How can that man cash his paycheck with a straight face? BTW, I have read little comment (because they won) about Desmond swinging at a 3-0 pitch Friday after the pitcher had put runners on 1st and 2nd with walks??????? That is terrible baseball and that falls on Riggleman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-76164297148482711772011-05-31T11:40:31.264-04:002011-05-31T11:40:31.264-04:00agree with you NatsJack. If you look at the everyd...agree with you NatsJack. If you look at the everyday roster over the last 3-4 years, this is by far the most athletic/talented team we have had. The pitching staff is also by far, much better than previous years. God, I still shudder thinking about Matt Chico and Atliano starting in the majors. But here is the thing. It ain't working with Riggs and Eckstein. They need to go. Riggs is a fine man and a good baseball guy, but he is the Norv Turner of baseball. He is not a leader. and as far as Eckstein....I have benn watching baseball for 40 years and I have never seen more horendous ab's from professional hitters in my life. Taking pitches down the middle, swinging at balls in the dirt...or 4 inches off the plate. Swinging at first pitches after a pitcher has walked 2 guys on 8 pitches. Do you really want to bring a guy like Harper up to talk with Eck? eck would ruin him. Maybe we can make Harpers dad hitting coach. but I will continue to root for them.....regardless<br /><br />Hmmmmm.....just checked out this Trevor Bauer on youtube. I would take him in a minuteBig Catnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30552883666367788012011-05-31T11:36:56.099-04:002011-05-31T11:36:56.099-04:00JD said...4) By the 2nd half of 2012 you won't...<i>JD said...4) By the 2nd half of 2012 you won't have: Stairs, Marquis, Bixler, Livo, Hairston, Pudge.<br /></i><br /><br />Not sure why you are saying 2012 or if you meant 2011. I think Marquis should be extended for another year to give the Nats some leverage on getting him into a Type A or Type B free agent status. Right now, if you can't extend him you do have to trade him to get value.<br /><br />Pudge should also be considered for extension or trade and consider trading Jesus Flores instead as you may get much more for him.<br /><br />Stairs better not be around till mid 2012.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-28980115012759231832011-05-31T11:19:30.668-04:002011-05-31T11:19:30.668-04:00fpcsteve,
The Kid's agent is Scott Boras and...fpcsteve,<br /><br /> The Kid's agent is Scott Boras and being torn over this type of decision has always been a part of his negotiating strategy. Last year Harper was 'considering' returning to his JUCO so he can win a championship.<br /><br /> I don't claim to be clairvoyant but I would bet heavily on Starling signing to play Baseball.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-4370058584131533432011-05-31T10:51:50.895-04:002011-05-31T10:51:50.895-04:00sorry for too many "kids" in one post......sorry for too many "kids" in one post...fpcstevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74720910790841395242011-05-31T10:50:08.962-04:002011-05-31T10:50:08.962-04:00I would suggest that if you don't live in Nebr...I would suggest that if you don't live in Nebraska, you may be underestimating the power that attaches to playing QB for the Huskers. IHOP, Pizza Hut, fill in the blank... The kid is in summer school and is on record as being torn over the decision. I don't know what you can do beyond taking a kid at his word. Who wants to draft a kid who is practiced at deceit?fpcstevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-71479763463182079372011-05-31T10:42:04.353-04:002011-05-31T10:42:04.353-04:00Wally,
No one who is not an idiot turns down a 7...Wally,<br /><br /> No one who is not an idiot turns down a 7 figure check to play QB where you are one nasty hit away from a career at Pizza Hut.<br /><br /> Show him the money and he will sign. My feeling is that if they don't get one of :Bauer,Cole or Hultzen they will draft Starling.jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-156321149147384552011-05-31T10:33:08.611-04:002011-05-31T10:33:08.611-04:00MASN - my take on the draft is that you have to go...MASN - my take on the draft is that you have to go best player, not try to fill needs at the major league level. Baseball prospects are just harder to predict with as high a hit rate as other sports. That being said, college pitching is a strength in this draft, and that is where the Nats are rumored to be looking. Free agency and trades are for immediate needs. CF and 1B (big time hitter) are the places I expect the Nats to focus on this offseason. Maybe SS if they could get Reyes. otherwise I see them sticking with Desi. Would you trade Meyers, Eury Perez and something else for Michael Bourn? That would solve CF. I am not sure if that gets it done, but I would make that trade. Maybe Prince for 1B? I am not a fan, actually, but the guy can hit. I don't know where the top SP comes from, though. Adding Reyes and Bourn with a healthy Zim and LaRoche to Werth, Espy, Ramos? Pretty good, in my book. Pitching is still iffy, though.<br /><br />fpcsteve - do you think that he turns down $5m to play QB? Seems like that would be a hard one for the kid. Does he come from an affluent family?Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-25129981587281866382011-05-31T10:11:52.973-04:002011-05-31T10:11:52.973-04:00Wally, exactly! Knorr and Porter aren't the so...Wally, exactly! Knorr and Porter aren't the solution. If the Nats are going to upgrade at manager, they actually have to choose someone who is an upgrade. That said, I don't care for Valentine because of his work-related history. FWIW, Starling is in summer school at NU and has a chance to start at QB this year. Out here, that is worth a lot.fpcstevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74519205090161034892011-05-31T10:11:39.671-04:002011-05-31T10:11:39.671-04:00So - what's on our wish list already for the d...So - what's on our wish list already for the draft and free-agency, trades? A Lead-off, center fielder? More starting pitching? Where are we set? Third, for sure, probably middle-infield and left and definitely catching. How many pieces do we still need? I like the perspective on talking about the future, because then you see that some of the pieces are already in place - just unrefined right now and in need of a few holes to be plugged.masnstinksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83810927991005146892011-05-31T09:59:59.851-04:002011-05-31T09:59:59.851-04:00I am with NatsJack. Not only more competitive, (a...I am with NatsJack. Not only more competitive, (a) also being done by players (some) that you could see being part of a playoff team (Werth, Ramos, Espy, maybe Desmond), and (b) more fun to watch, although if I didn't enjoy watching defense, I probably couldn't say that.<br /><br />The record is awful, feels like it is also trending downward and there is a general feeling that they will find a way to lose the game. But there is progress being made if you are willing to accept that the team will not be good this year, and instead look for progress from some individual pieces. I get that people may be so sick of the losing that they don't want to accept that. I am tired of it too, and I gave up my STH status last year because of it. But I still like the team and find that I am more optimistic about the FUTURE than I have been before.<br /><br />Say whatever you want about Riggs, Stairs, Hairston, Bernie. I am not saying that the criticisms are wrong, just that they will have a marginal impact on results. They need more talented starters. Forget about Stairs and start thinking of who can be a quality CF. There isn't one in sight (and it ain't Bernie). At least 4 position player starters and two SPs need to be found for that playoff team, and one of those position players needs to be a big bopper. The good news is that last year, it would have been 6 players and 3 SPs.<br /><br />I am not a big fan of Riggs, but I am also one of those that don't think a baseball manager influences the results of a game too much. But what could help is a manager that gives the team an identity. Take the media scrutiny off the players. Torre, La Russa, even Showalter add a lot by doing that. So if they do get rid of Riggs, which I think is a clear possibility later in the year, this isn't the team for a Bo Porter or Randy Knorr. It should be a Bobby Valentine or Davey Johnson type who has a wide rep in the game.Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46922299231907110822011-05-31T09:59:09.365-04:002011-05-31T09:59:09.365-04:00Here is my version of the bright side:
1) In 6 d...Here is my version of the bright side:<br /><br /> 1) In 6 days the Nats are projected to draft Trevor Bauer- in a complete game on Saturday he was still throwing 95 in the 9th inning; think of a rotation in the 2nd half of 2012 which includes: SS,Zimm and Bauer.<br /><br /> 2) if we don't get Bauer we may well get high school phenom CF Bubba Starling; think of a lineup with Harper, Zim, Espinosa, Ramos/Norris and Starling.<br /><br /> 3)With their second pick the Nats may end up with another great pitcher like Alex Meyer or center fielder Brian Goodwin.<br /><br /> 4) By the 2nd half of 2012 you won't have: Stairs, Marquis, Bixler, Livo, Hairston, Pudge.<br /><br /> 5) By 2012 the manager of the team won't be Riggleman.<br /><br /> Cheer up everyone.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-37838424864937881252011-05-31T09:57:25.709-04:002011-05-31T09:57:25.709-04:00"He" being Desmond. Sorry about that."He" being Desmond. Sorry about that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-61177415347638850772011-05-31T09:56:15.291-04:002011-05-31T09:56:15.291-04:00And on that note, I would like to advocate for tra...And on that note, I would like to advocate for trading Desmond and playing Espinosa at SS. He is the Nats' younger version of Stairs. I mean, if we're going to pile on the Nats, let's have at it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58093204087798957742011-05-31T09:37:01.963-04:002011-05-31T09:37:01.963-04:00I get frustrated too, watching things like Cora ge...I get frustrated too, watching things like Cora getting in that run-down from third, watching pick-offs and runners caught stealing. So, I went to baseballprospectus.com and found something surprising: acc. to the "Equivalent Baserunning Runs" (EQBRR) metric, the Nats are SECOND BEST IN BASEBALL (behind the Giants) on the basepaths. Given all the broken hit-and-run plays and runners caught stealing, you might think that it's the steal attempts that are the problem. But no, we're third best in baseball in "Equivalent Stolen Base Runs" behind the Astros and the Rangers. This means that appearances are deceiving on the baserunning – or at least that my casual take on the performance on the basepaths is wrong. <br /><br />In the end, you're not going to score a lot of runs if you run up to the plate a lot of guys hitting below .250. Acc. to baseballprospectus.com's "True Average" stat, Nix is mashing, and Werth, Ramos, and Morse are hitting better than you might think. Even Espinosa is above league average in that stat. But Desmond, Cora, Ankiel, and LaRoche are just not hitting. I don't understand why they're playing Ankiel in CF over Bernadina. Bernadina is hitting much better, is a far better baserunner, and can field almost as well. He's young and needs the experience.<br /><br />My two cents' worth.Bill Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14323117833275622081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-16880614235111640452011-05-31T08:41:06.972-04:002011-05-31T08:41:06.972-04:00Sorry NatsJack, I root for this team too, so I wil...Sorry NatsJack, I root for this team too, so I will pile on Stairs based on this from Mark's post, "pinch-hitter Matt Stairs grounded out to second (dropping to 3-for-34 for the season)." Replace Stairs with ANYBODY and you'll get at least as much production out of them if not more! Why is Stairs still here???BowieNatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86162112828715887182011-05-31T08:36:27.356-04:002011-05-31T08:36:27.356-04:00Suppose no one cared about wins and losses - the o...Suppose no one cared about wins and losses - the only goal was to do everything you can to get ready for next year? This year's record wouldn't count - except that you get the first draft pick again. What should be done to prepare for next year? Play Ankiel? Or Bernie? Is Bixler a piece of the puzzle? Is Matt Stairs on the roster? If the fans weren't clamoring for the curly w's, if it wasn't "expected" , if everything that was done was with the express purpose of building next year's team -- what would things look like? Will we see that in the second half? Or will we see more of the veterans curtain calls in mlb. I think we have had more players end their careers here than any other team.baseballswaminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32626620567127702242011-05-31T08:21:37.518-04:002011-05-31T08:21:37.518-04:00OK... I'm not here to defend Riggs or Rizzo or...OK... I'm not here to defend Riggs or Rizzo or the Lerners for that matter but I am here to say that the team I have watched for the past 4 months (including Spring Training) is still the most competitive team put on the field since 2005.<br /><br />I know we lost 2 out of 3 from the "lowly" Padres but did anyone notice that they squeaked out another one run win in Atlanta yesterday?<br /><br />The Phillies won yesterday on a couple of breaks including the ball Halladay got a glove on and the ball Howard squeaked through the infield on Burnett.<br /><br />In a 6 run loss neither of those things get much notice but in a one run loss they become huge.<br /><br />I am constantly disappointed by the losses yet somehow am able to see rays of light in the teams developement.<br /><br />And while I agree, I see no need to pile on the Stairs issueNatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-25673318542326927012011-05-31T07:51:17.373-04:002011-05-31T07:51:17.373-04:00The team is playing well defensively. That's w...The team is playing well defensively. That's what Rizzo said was one of his goals - to put together a stellar defensive team. Do the results so far this year undermine his vision for the team? Is defense overrated? Or do we just have the wrong defensive players? Did he err too far on the side of defense?Ernienoreply@blogger.com