tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post8112410326739966867..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Burnett signs 2-year extensionMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-15497965768076256562010-12-24T01:13:13.165-05:002010-12-24T01:13:13.165-05:00Count me in the Lee camp for 1st base.
If Rizzo in...Count me in the Lee camp for 1st base.<br />If Rizzo intends to stick with his plan of defense, character and athleticism, there's really no question who to pick. LaRoche, while better than Dunn, isn't the kind of gold-glove caliber player Lee is/was. For those that have concerns about his age, he has an athletic frame that should age well. I say sign him on a one year deal at 9 million, platoon Morse as seen fit at first and left, and if Lee has a first half more like his 2009 season, deal him at the deadline and eat the rest of his salary to get a pitcher under control beyond 2011.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11226944309030149378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-80268229690246062092010-12-23T16:54:15.416-05:002010-12-23T16:54:15.416-05:00Anon 2:35
Sorry for the snide comment. I understa...Anon 2:35<br /><br />Sorry for the snide comment. I understand your point just the Braves aren't the example I'd use to prove it. The Braves actually won the division 14 times in a row and when their young pitchers were the most dominate they went to the WS 4 times in five years not counting the strike.<br /><br />I went back and looked it up because the memory not as good as it used to be but in the 3 WS that the Braves lost they actually outscored their opponents collectively. So hitting is not what failed them. <br /><br />Steve M brought up a better example the 1966 WS and I like this comparison because it is pre-steroid baseball which is what I think the game is closer to today. <br /><br />The original statement was that "if someone had stated a lineup of Posey, Huff and Uribe is good enough to win the world series, they'd be run outta here."<br /><br />I know that pitching will not "always" win but in a short series the better pitching will prevail. Cliff Lee is a fine starter that had not lost in postseason until this year but Lincecum out-pitched him. You could look at it that the Giants hit better than the Rangers however I don't think most baseball people would agree with that. <br /><br />I think that baseball may have changed back to 1966 baseball. I think most of the steroids have been removed. I think pitching and defense is even more important now. If you have the pitching and defense you just need an offense that will get you into the playoffs. <br /><br />Everyone know the importance of pitching but position players are now rushed to the big leagues and many don't even know how to throw the ball to the cutoff man. It will be interesting this year to see if first the Nats defense improves and second what difference that will make to the pitching and the won lost total.<br /><br />BTW I can tell you know your baseball and I'm sure I could have a beer with you sometime and talk baseball. <br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Tegwarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014621891563545863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-62924503809514669182010-12-23T15:24:34.517-05:002010-12-23T15:24:34.517-05:00So we agree with Susan Sontag, that people who use...So we agree with Susan Sontag, that people who use illness as a metaphor are a cancer on the body politic.self-indugent toonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30361125144733278712010-12-23T15:18:50.542-05:002010-12-23T15:18:50.542-05:00I used to be a basketball coach, and there were ti...I used to be a basketball coach, and there were times when I couldn't (or wouldn't)give up on a player when everyone else begged me to. It was all about potential. In retrospect, it was also irrational. But I kept hoping and hoping in spite of what I saw (stats and performance). I think something like that is going on with the Nats and Maxwell, JayB and NatsJack. The Nats are hoping against hope that Maxwell will finally "happen." Is he coachable? That is the issue. And I would take Lee or LaRoche, too. On the spot. I hope you're right about the timing. Thanks for your 2:46 post, NatsJack.<br />fpcsteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42983058755486110462010-12-23T15:04:29.218-05:002010-12-23T15:04:29.218-05:00Agreed...He has a huge stride and he is all arms.....Agreed...He has a huge stride and he is all arms....no wrists at all....Just trade him and get a injured single a pitcher with some years left before he becomes a Minor L FA......He is a complete waste of roster spots...hate to lose a LF pitcher with a fastball over 92 MPH to keep MaxJayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52365837744556191012010-12-23T14:57:14.612-05:002010-12-23T14:57:14.612-05:00Looks like everybody has taken the day off.
1. ...Looks like everybody has taken the day off. <br /><br />1. I haven't watched Norris play so have no idea about his technique. From accounts (two CS in AFL finals), however, he has a really good arm. If true, that alone makes it worthwhile to be patient w/ his development as a catcher. <br /><br />2. As to choosing between Lee and LaRoche, I fear Lee is going to be injury prone. (And there is no hope of him becoming left-handed.) I don't think it is fair to pronounce about LaRoche based on last year. I can't imagine a more difficult position than batting either in front of or behind a .196 Fences or Bust hitter. There's either (1) no one on base ahead or you or (2) no reason to be petrified of the batter behind you -- or both. LaRoche reminds me of Jeff Conine, and I'd take that, happily.Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59065589746739063042010-12-23T14:56:58.001-05:002010-12-23T14:56:58.001-05:00You and I are both baffled by this. I guess they t...You and I are both baffled by this. I guess they think Rick Eckstine can get him to shorten his stroke but it hasn't happened in 18 months and I don't see it happening period.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-27656192744431461652010-12-23T14:52:07.892-05:002010-12-23T14:52:07.892-05:00How does Maxwell do it?
We lose A Thompson....loo...How does Maxwell do it?<br /><br />We lose A Thompson....looked good in spring training but had a bad year and was from Marlins for Nick Johnson a few years back and KEEP MAXWELL......NJack...do you have any idea why they refuse to give up on Maxwell.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-51693050754820619152010-12-23T14:46:21.846-05:002010-12-23T14:46:21.846-05:00fpcsteve... as someone who is in a 10+ year relati...fpcsteve... as someone who is in a 10+ year relationship with a bi-polar woman, and having been through the "rough patches" on many occaisions, I can tell you that she and I both use lite ribbing to keep us alert and cognizant of the condition.<br />I certainly didn't mean to make lite of anyone elses situation and aplologize for doing so.<br /><br />Inspite of that, I still want a firstbaseman and am willing to take Lee for 1 year instead of LaRoche for 3. Ideally, LaRoche for 2 would be my preference.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69527468836478494132010-12-23T14:35:14.372-05:002010-12-23T14:35:14.372-05:00Hiya David. The Braves had 3 dominant years from ...Hiya David. The Braves had 3 dominant years from Smoltz, 3 from Wohlers, 2 fom Rocker, they had closing.<br /><br />I'm just trying to point out that there is no "always" in baseball. But that went way over your head.<br /><br />But it's good of you to teach me that closing is part of pitching. That was instructional.<br /><br />I'll just go back to stupidly building a fanatasy team of hitters....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-37763242001375146452010-12-23T14:35:08.740-05:002010-12-23T14:35:08.740-05:00http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1966_...http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1966_WS.shtml<br /><br />I just looked up the 1966 for exact numbers. 2 games of the 4 game series were won by 1-0. <br /><br />The Dodgers had the big pitchers, Koufax, Drysdale, and Osteen against the O's McNally, Bunker and Palmer.<br /><br />Koufax with a 0.95 ERA in the Post Season looked like a lock and guess what, the Dodgers were held to a .226 OBP for the series.<br /><br />Pitching, defense, execution and clutch hitting!Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-34429056771611269032010-12-23T14:32:59.650-05:002010-12-23T14:32:59.650-05:00Tim, thank you for your 1:31 post. My daughter is ...Tim, thank you for your 1:31 post. My daughter is just now coming through a tough stretch, and the whole bi-polar thing is rough and raw for me. That doesn't excuse my language, however. I would like to apologize for failing to take my own advice. I thought once and posted. I got the meaning of your first post, and it was funny. I enjoy NJ and didn't post my name earlier because I didn't want to lose the camaraderie and conversation that is so great here. But that wasn't particularly courageous on my part, and for that I'm sorry. Thanks again for the second post. <br />fpcsteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-39144911962807977252010-12-23T14:24:10.682-05:002010-12-23T14:24:10.682-05:00David is correct on the Post Season as it is pitch...David is correct on the Post Season as it is pitching, defense, but also execution and clutch hitting as you have to score at least one run! Ask the team the Dodgers faced in 1966 when games were won and lost at 1-0.<br /><br />That is why the Nats have to get in contention and get their "Cliff Lee" at the trade deadline just as the Rangers did.<br /><br />When I look at the potential of home grown pitching studs here, it could work out for the Nats just like the Giants. I have a lot of faith in Strasburg. Rizzo has to stay away from any urge of trading away the future for a short term fix and I still dont think Greinke will dominate in Milwaukee for his 2 years there.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88608763590691089282010-12-23T14:09:39.640-05:002010-12-23T14:09:39.640-05:00If I remember correctly the Braves fell short on h...If I remember correctly the Braves fell short on have a dominate closer that also counts as pitching. <br /><br />Poor Braves 10 non strike years in a row as division champ guess that proves it hitting wins.<br /><br />You can build your little hitting fantasy leagues I'll take pitching and defense.Tegwarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014621891563545863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-44720037807185487162010-12-23T13:57:04.339-05:002010-12-23T13:57:04.339-05:00"Good pitching always beats good hitting in t..."Good pitching always beats good hitting in the short run."<br /><br />Tell that to the Atlanta Braves.<br />They had plenty of great pitching teams that lost in the short run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-68746361470591186972010-12-23T13:53:18.501-05:002010-12-23T13:53:18.501-05:00replace Sanchez with Bumgarner.replace Sanchez with Bumgarner.Tegwarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014621891563545863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-60449811463250946892010-12-23T13:45:05.339-05:002010-12-23T13:45:05.339-05:00@sparky
Not me, with Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez ...@sparky<br /><br />Not me, with Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez you can easily win the World Series if you can get there. The season is a marathon the post season is pitching and defense. You need two top notch pitchers to win the World Series if you have 3 it helps. San Francisco being in a weak division this year helped a lot. Good pitching always beats good hitting in the short run.Tegwarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014621891563545863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86924883038208662602010-12-23T13:40:21.134-05:002010-12-23T13:40:21.134-05:00Yes, I am, Anon@1:35. How did you know? ;-)
(And ...Yes, I am, Anon@1:35. How did you know? ;-)<br /><br />(And I second Anon @1:35, TimDz. Nicely done.)natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7642350856000437752010-12-23T13:35:51.493-05:002010-12-23T13:35:51.493-05:00Nice Tim. - aAdifferent anonymous.
And somewher...Nice Tim. - aAdifferent anonymous.<br /><br />And somewhere 1a is smiling.<br />Tis the season!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-68027287008966065952010-12-23T13:31:31.566-05:002010-12-23T13:31:31.566-05:00To anon @12:06:
I probably should have used the wo...To anon @12:06:<br />I probably should have used the word waffle or waffling. It was never my intent to talk disparengly about what I understand is a serious medical issue. I apologize for offending you.TimDznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-6994001771020505482010-12-23T13:29:39.855-05:002010-12-23T13:29:39.855-05:00But if someone wrote a few months ago that a lineu...But if someone wrote a few months ago that a lineup of Posey, Huff and Uribe is good enough to win the world series, they'd be run outta here.sparkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-77870907498001428112010-12-23T13:20:52.388-05:002010-12-23T13:20:52.388-05:00Why was Dunn offered a 3 year deal if Rizzo didn’t...Why was Dunn offered a 3 year deal if Rizzo didn’t want him?<br /><br />There are many answers to this question but the shortest one is Rizzo never wanted Dunn in the first place he was a Bowden signing with the Cincinnati connection. As far as I can tell Katsen and the Lerner’s wanted to keep Dunn because he was a fan favorite and he provided good offensive numbers. Rizzo thinks he can actually build a winning ball club and he wants to make this his team. Rizzo did not want to upset his owners and did not have the same type of leverage with Katsen around. Once Katsen left Rizzo negotiated hard and fair for Dunn but would not go the extra step need to sign him the fourth year. He also kind of new as Boswell did also that if a deal was not done before the seasons end Dunn most likely would not sign with the Nationals, its sort of a pride thing for baseball players. If Dunn had sign a 3 year deal Rizzo could still work around Dunn and possibly trade him in a year of two or compensate in other ways that would take to long to go into. <br /><br />Rizzo is a practical man, yes he wants pitching and defense and athletic players who doesn’t but you can’t always get what you want. That is why I think there is a distinct possibility that he will sacrifice some athleticism and defense for Prince Fielder next year. A line up with Zimmerman, Fielder and Werth at the heart of the order should be good enough to compete for a playoff spot if the pitching is there.Tegwarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05014621891563545863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-28879776315945156692010-12-23T13:06:53.345-05:002010-12-23T13:06:53.345-05:00"So the explanation regarding a commitment to..."So the explanation regarding a commitment to pitching, speed and defense doesn't fly. If that was the explanation, Rizzo wouldn't have offered him the 3-year deal."<br /><br />Rizzo never said he didn't want Dunn because of his defense. That whole train of thought came from the press hearing Rizzo talking about wanting to improve the team's overall defense and athleticism, seeing that they had not yet re-signed Dunn, putting two and two together and getting five. The press is excellent at that kind of thing, and readers are lemmings who just lap it up and believe it as if it was gospel. Rizzo always would have been content to trade off Dunn's defensive liabilities in order to keep his offensive strengths, but only for the short term. One or two years, three years at the absolute max. He was never going to go four, and Dunn was never going to come down from four unless he absolutely had no other choice. In the end, Dunn had several other choices, so he left. That's all there is to it.Feel Woodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-6697091397294970312010-12-23T13:05:59.812-05:002010-12-23T13:05:59.812-05:00CiL, there's also the possibility that Rizzo o...CiL, there's also the possibility that Rizzo offered Dunn a contract that he knew Dunn would not accept. Then he doesn't have to deal with "The Nats never even made an offer".<br />They made an offer. An offer they were very confident Adam Dunn would refuse.Sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-60465488785231462732010-12-23T12:54:01.084-05:002010-12-23T12:54:01.084-05:00Attaboy, Sean.
Anon @ 12:06, I agree with you re....Attaboy, Sean.<br /><br />Anon @ 12:06, I agree with you re. inappropriate use of that term (and "schizophrenic" as well, for that matter), but I'm afraid it's a losing battle.natsfan1anoreply@blogger.com