tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post8947070136216455904..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Willingham dealt to A's [updated]Mark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79578049790089345112010-12-16T18:03:09.558-05:002010-12-16T18:03:09.558-05:00Even if not injured, Willingham has always seemed ...Even if not injured, Willingham has always seemed to me of more dubious value as the season wears on. He appears to be mostly a mistake hitter, and all most all of the mistakes are thigh high on the inside half of the plate. And he does with them what he should do. But by August and September these mistakes occur less frequently and pitchers are going out of their way to find other ways to deal with him. <br /><br />So I'm not sure he's a big loss, as popular as he may have been. Hopefully we will be surprised by the return. No one -- see the Cuban in Cincinnati -- can throw 103 for 6-9 innings let alone for six mos. So Rodriguez is a seventh or eighth inning guy and the other guy can hit the fast ball but not the curve. (Minor leaguers end up flaming out because they can't hit the heat, not the curve. The curve ball can be learned. His big homer year says he can hit the fast ball. So this guy needs to learn to hit the curve. That's why Espinosa went to the Dom Winter League.) If this guy can learn to hit the curve, change, etc., taking Morgan's job in a year should be easy.Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-12022056263313534882010-12-16T17:57:47.776-05:002010-12-16T17:57:47.776-05:00and my capcha for that was "ashorr"
I d...and my capcha for that was "ashorr"<br /><br />I don't mind criticism, but that's just rude.sec3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32043972285725778902010-12-16T17:56:44.330-05:002010-12-16T17:56:44.330-05:00Anon @ 5:44--may I suggest that's because you&...Anon @ 5:44--may I suggest that's because you've been believing too much of what you read below the line that says "Posted by Mark Zuckerman at..."<br />Once you hit that grey line, you really need to consider the sources judiciously.sec3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69674678115749136842010-12-16T17:44:29.577-05:002010-12-16T17:44:29.577-05:00I thought Hammer was a key to securing starting pi...I thought Hammer was a key to securing starting pitching, I am lost over this one. I hope we see much more Rog in LF than we do Morse!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-85942033783805472062010-12-16T17:25:35.052-05:002010-12-16T17:25:35.052-05:00hey, 5:17, come back when you're sober, ok?hey, 5:17, come back when you're sober, ok?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-985531161526977532010-12-16T17:24:31.610-05:002010-12-16T17:24:31.610-05:00Boy, what a goofy trade! Couldn't we have sent...Boy, what a goofy trade! Couldn't we have sent the Hammer to Tampa Bay in a package for SP Shields?. Let's hope that these two prospects are sleepers. And, please lock up LaRoche sooner rather than later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7093647171288180552010-12-16T17:23:16.841-05:002010-12-16T17:23:16.841-05:00You can probably count on at least 2:1 strikeout t...You can probably count on at least 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio, probably higher if last year was any indication. So yeah, he misses the ball a lot.<br /><br />But he wouldn't be hitting higher than sixth, I'm guessing, unless Bernadina really is the everyday LF.Sec3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-8953968442163839332010-12-16T17:17:08.620-05:002010-12-16T17:17:08.620-05:00OH EVEN better the two never will be's are on ...OH EVEN better the two never will be's are on the 40 man way to F shit up Rizzo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-51455242180349071622010-12-16T17:15:15.012-05:002010-12-16T17:15:15.012-05:00For those of you worried about Beane not getting f...For those of you worried about Beane not getting fleeced, Carlos Gonzalez must not have gotten that memo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-41803478718313487852010-12-16T17:10:53.952-05:002010-12-16T17:10:53.952-05:00Is LaRoche sort of like a Dunn-light? He has some...Is LaRoche sort of like a Dunn-light? He has some pop, strikes out a lot and trades some power and slugging for slightly increased average and somewhat above average fielding? Seems like he still misses the ball alot yeah?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-38367954709572945372010-12-16T17:01:00.852-05:002010-12-16T17:01:00.852-05:00Jackson doesn't suck, but he's not part of...Jackson doesn't suck, but he's not part of any realistic Phase 2. He's not a top of the rotation guy (4.60 career ERA), and he's only under contract for one more year, at a hefty $8M. <br /><br />If he has a fluke good year in 2011, his price for 2012 and beyond goes up substantially; if he stays truer to form, he doesn't make much difference in 2011. Either way, he's not a long term building block.HHovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54286915489823026492010-12-16T16:50:00.391-05:002010-12-16T16:50:00.391-05:00The problem is..Jackson sucksThe problem is..Jackson sucksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47598996482414032172010-12-16T16:48:25.649-05:002010-12-16T16:48:25.649-05:00ESPN is speculating that Edwin Jackson might be av...ESPN is speculating that Edwin Jackson might be available again. There's another power armed starter that might come cheaper than Garza or Grienke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-48816274788203794132010-12-16T16:46:21.104-05:002010-12-16T16:46:21.104-05:00Wally, I think your premise is wrong. Willingham i...Wally, I think your premise is wrong. Willingham is by no means a lock to have more value than *both* of these guys (that was the trade, 2 for 1), especially if that balky back gives out again, or his knee does, or he just doesn't have a particularly good year, while either or both of these 23-year-olds does have a good year--in that case, they would probably be worth more in trade than he would.sec3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24806262437963538682010-12-16T16:37:14.089-05:002010-12-16T16:37:14.089-05:00I admit to being a little puzzled by this too. I ...I admit to being a little puzzled by this too. I am not 'down' on the trade; honestly, I know nothing about either one of these guys, and will trust Rizzo and his team to evaluate prospects properly.<br /><br />My puzzlement is that Willingham has to have more value in 2011 than either of these guys, and by signing Werth, even though it is for 7 years, they have to be trying to get more competitive right away too.<br /><br />So until i hear something else, I guess that I am in the camp of believing that Rizzo has something else cooking that this is a part of, like BowdenBall said.Wallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01557557989122256161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-21410647413940480662010-12-16T16:36:12.792-05:002010-12-16T16:36:12.792-05:00I think people over think this a bit. I think Bean...I think people over think this a bit. I think Beane feels that his team has a great chance of competing in their division this year; hence he added Matsui, DeJesus etc to go with their excellent rotation. Beane's MO is to stockpile young assets so he can strike when he feels his team is close; it doesn't mean he is giving you garbage in return; if that was the case no one would trade with him.<br /><br /> I think that this is a win win for both teams.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35984427941501465042010-12-16T16:34:22.522-05:002010-12-16T16:34:22.522-05:00I think he should get a shot at the job, just not ...I think he should get a shot at the job, just not without significant competition.sec3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42181668355036755092010-12-16T16:32:43.079-05:002010-12-16T16:32:43.079-05:00sec3...like February 2011 would be fine by me.sec3...like February 2011 would be fine by me.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-521048215554590772010-12-16T16:26:02.514-05:002010-12-16T16:26:02.514-05:00It was only 41 games at AAA last season. Maybe he ...It was only 41 games at AAA last season. Maybe he will adjust this season.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12049885953973744819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83991284833336487422010-12-16T16:24:54.407-05:002010-12-16T16:24:54.407-05:00"That would be very positive news if for no o..."That would be very positive news if for no other reason that it would suggest the Nats are looking to replace Morgan at some point."<br /><br />I guarantee they are looking to replace him at *some* point.<br />Some point in CY2011 would be ok with me.sec3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-72020011243349160012010-12-16T16:24:14.119-05:002010-12-16T16:24:14.119-05:00This is Baseball America's take on Corey Brown...This is Baseball America's take on Corey Brown heading into last season:<br /><br />He's got five-tool potential, but what ended up keeping him off (the A's top 10 prospect list) was his lack of a consistent approach, which was reflected in his high strikeout totals. Sometimes he'll show a willingness to use the whole field, while at other times he looks like he's trying to jerk balls. That's the big difference between him and guys like Doolittle and Cardenas, who look like professional hitters and are safer bets to hit at the major league level.<br /><br />This was BA's take on whether Rodriguez's future rests as a starter or reliever:<br /><br />The sense I got from talking to A's people about him is that it might just be time to see whether he's going to sink or swim in the majors. He seemed unmotivated at times in Triple-A last year but responded well to the challenge of facing big leaguers in September. The A's haven't ruled out returning him to starting, but he looks like he's still best suited for the back of bullpen if he can throw enough strikes.Pilchardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-53754471013032776052010-12-16T16:24:11.693-05:002010-12-16T16:24:11.693-05:00If you want to compare Rizzo to Billy B., you'...If you want to compare Rizzo to Billy B., you'll get your opportunity to do so at the trade deadline. Willingham won't stay in Oakland all year if he remains healthy. Billy will try and flip him for prospects, so I'm sure he feels he'll be able to get better prospects at the deadline than he gave up now. <br /><br />That being said, I am fine with moving Willingham now. I'll miss his hot April and May, but after that, he always declines. <br /><br />Now go get LaRoche. Derek Lee was great 5 years ago, not now.BallstonNatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-57818832052208639022010-12-16T16:22:45.281-05:002010-12-16T16:22:45.281-05:00I also think this is a fine deal. I like the Hamm...I also think this is a fine deal. I like the Hammer, but watching him run made MY back hurt. Quite frankly, considering he is up for arbitration and only has one year left, I'm surprised we got THIS much for him. Good job Rizzo. Now sign LaRoche or Lee and it will, for once, actually be fun watching this team play defense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-17804080336330325342010-12-16T16:21:58.518-05:002010-12-16T16:21:58.518-05:00Question- What accounts for Brown's sub-.200 B...Question- What accounts for Brown's sub-.200 Batting Average in AAA last year? Injuries? If he was overmatched, that would be a bad sign.DFLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-23770454482779417792010-12-16T16:19:41.251-05:002010-12-16T16:19:41.251-05:00Rodriguez has already had 27 big league appearance...Rodriguez has already had 27 big league appearances for the A's and he held his own. A 23 year who throws high 90's is well worth the risk.JDnoreply@blogger.com