tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post9007696572518162845..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: What to do with Guzman?Mark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86122201503296111622010-06-05T12:54:04.988-04:002010-06-05T12:54:04.988-04:00Sam: When it comes to advanced stats/metrics, I ha...Sam: When it comes to advanced stats/metrics, I have the same philosophy as Mike Rizzo: I like it when the numbers confirm what I'm seeing with my own eyes.Mark Zuckermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-63665395819319643892010-06-05T12:42:00.683-04:002010-06-05T12:42:00.683-04:00The best position for Guzman is on somebody else&#...The best position for Guzman is on somebody else's team. Fossilized thinkers in other front offices will find a .313 hitter an attractive option when their second baseman/shortstop breaks an ankle and give the Nats either a Ryan Church-caliber outfielder or a Class A pitching prospect for him.Theonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47457849198389201712010-06-05T12:27:22.429-04:002010-06-05T12:27:22.429-04:00Hey Mark, it's good to see you coming around t...Hey Mark, it's good to see you coming around to the dark side and using statistics like UZR. Be careful, though. After only 50 games, and splitting time between three positions, it is probably too small of a sample to be using UZR. Even a full year's worth is a little small. That being said, I completely agree with you. Guzman's bat is not good enough to hinder the team's defensive ability. He should never be playing right field.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02623009442776550453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54597006811439689862010-06-04T21:01:45.766-04:002010-06-04T21:01:45.766-04:00A DC Wonk
Your comparison of Riggleman to Joe Tor...A DC Wonk<br /><br />Your comparison of Riggleman to Joe Torre doesn't wash, because his stats include his years with the Mets who were terrible during those years. Torre had a winning record during his years with the Cards and Braves before being hired by the Yankees.<br /><br />As for your precious Riggleman last season, he managed the Nats to a .440 winning percentage, 6 points lower than his current lifetime average. I'll say it again, Riggleman is not a good manager.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11021420959564812072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-44982752633872674382010-06-04T17:12:39.431-04:002010-06-04T17:12:39.431-04:00Guz has played in 48 games, Kennedy in 52 and Desm...Guz has played in 48 games, Kennedy in 52 and Desmond 53 so he has played in the LEAST number of games of the THREE main middle infielders! Here is where Guz ranks amongst everyday Nats THIS SEASON: <br /><br />5th in runs scored<br />1st in hits<br />T 4th in doubles<br />2nd in triples<br />T 5th in RBI<br />5th Total Bases<br />6th in OBP<br />6th in SLG<br />2nd in BA<br />5th in OPSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-63123458876346429442010-06-04T16:13:39.234-04:002010-06-04T16:13:39.234-04:00I did not have a problem with Riggleman trying Des...I did not have a problem with Riggleman trying Desmond in RF in September because last season was a disaster anyway (especially the first half)and September is a good time to try your rookie call ups either at SS or the OF if you think a potential switch could be in the works.<br /><br />As for Riggs lifetime record, have some of you ever looked at the clubs he has had to work with in his career? The Padres in '93 and '94 were awful with many older and overpaid veterans, a team that was in firesale mode for quite sometime and very unstable ownership and front office leadership. The Cubs in the years 1995-1997 were nothing to brag about but then again, how often in the past 100 years have the Cubs ever been a team to shout out about? The fact that Riggleman managed to get them into the playoffs in 1998 is a testament to some pretty fine managing in my opinion, especially without benefit of having Kerry Wood down the stretch and a Kevin Tapani (a #3 starter at best)as your "ace".<br /><br />Riggleman is a fine manager. The move to put Gussie in RF yesterday is puzzling and I don't give him a pass on it however I do wish that Mark or some other media person would question him on that one and hold him accountable for an explanation thereof.Knoxville Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83029341173041336482010-06-04T15:54:58.653-04:002010-06-04T15:54:58.653-04:00I don't hate Guzzie and I certainly don't ...I don't hate Guzzie and I certainly don't think yesterday's loss can be pinned on him, I think this one's on Riggleman, frankly I am confused as to why he put Guzzie in RF at a critical time - the ball always finds you. I think I'm just really disappointed that we came away from Houston with 3 losses on games "we were supposed to win". I saw a comment yesterday that said something to the effect that it seems the Nats play to the level of their opponents and it sure looks that way to me too. Nothing like playing the Nats to heat up the other team's bats. But, I'll turn the page and look for a Curly W tonight. I think we were all just hoping for good season after what we've endured the last 2 years and some respectibility in the game, I'm tired of being referred to as the "lowly Nats".cadeck13noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-3010410854000459782010-06-04T15:45:44.898-04:002010-06-04T15:45:44.898-04:00OK, it was not as close to .500 as I thought, but,...OK, it was not as close to .500 as I thought, but, still, he was 33-42, and this with a team that was dead last in team ERA for NL, *and* in errors (and FA), and with a team that was 26-61 (under .300!) when he took over.<br /><br />I'm not saying he's a genius -- but I am saying one can't judge from record alone. Torre had a miserable record for the Mets -- his best year he finished fourth, and the following year he came in first with the Braves. Did Torre go from idiot to genius in one year? Doubtful.A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69699977209090643042010-06-04T15:30:43.314-04:002010-06-04T15:30:43.314-04:00edit for clarity - use Stammen out of the bullpen ...edit for clarity - use Stammen out of the bullpen when SS arrives.Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-91160050200991006282010-06-04T15:28:58.143-04:002010-06-04T15:28:58.143-04:00Maybe Riggs is a good manager. But he didn't a...Maybe Riggs is a good manager. But he didn't achieve "approx .500 record" last here. Three weeks of September were kinda awful, including the infamous Desmond in RF. The Nats were saved from more humiliation by a highly unlikely 7-0 finish. If the nats had finished 3-4 they'd have been 55-107 and the record under Riggs would've been mediocre. How many times is Maxwell going to hit a walk off homer?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35570622878220731452010-06-04T15:24:38.301-04:002010-06-04T15:24:38.301-04:00What to do with Guzman? Given where the team is no...What to do with Guzman? Given where the team is now, play him half-time at 2b, once a week at SS, pinch-hit him as often as possible and deal him in the summer if someone is looking for middle-infield insurance. Don't play him in the outfield – give his time to Morse for now, and Justin Maxwell when Maxwell returns to DC. More generally, it would help if the Nats didn't use five relievers to complete three innings. That would lessen the need to juggle positions in the field. I think Craig Stammen is a major leaguer, despite his recent problems – when SS arrives, use him out of the bullpen when the pitcher's spot will have to bat soon, because he can hit. Having an OF-IF type of player on the bench is a real asset - but trying to have 2 or 3 creates confusion, in addition to restricting further AG's playing time. What they lack on the bench, and could well use, is a left-handed home run threat.Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42204300091982332562010-06-04T15:10:21.042-04:002010-06-04T15:10:21.042-04:00I feel like I'm reading Orioles Insider.
Inte...I feel like I'm reading Orioles Insider.<br /><br />Interesting road trip that we played in 2 of the best parks in baseball and one of the worst parks in baseball (if not the worst). Minute Maid field is an abomination and should be condemned.<br /><br />You know we had bad karma when we lost because a fielder could not find a ball in the lights DURING A DAY GAME.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-11309643197063098762010-06-04T14:46:41.706-04:002010-06-04T14:46:41.706-04:00I think Riggs is a great manager as I'm person...I think Riggs is a great manager as I'm personally a fan of Whitey Herzog and really enjoy that approach to baseball.<br /><br />But I'm absolutely flummoxed as to why Riggs would choose to put in Harris over Willingham but leave Guzman in Right. I mean, it makes zero sense, none. The only reason I can think of is that it's been a long and brutal road trip and he just forgot to take him out.<br /><br />Has anyone asked Riggs what he was thinking there? The only thing I've heard so far is that he said Guzman "lost the ball in the lights" but nothing on why he left him there in first place.Grandstandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-16449247804657830792010-06-04T14:46:29.767-04:002010-06-04T14:46:29.767-04:00How was the eye surgery last year?
.284 BA
.306 OB...How was the eye surgery last year?<br />.284 BA<br />.306 OBP<br /><br />A Career .308 OBP doesn't mean Guzman never gets a hit with a runner in scoring position. .308 is still making an out 7 out of 10 times at the plate.<br />Of course BA is important. All other things being equal, I'd rather have a guy with a .320/.360 than a .260/.360.N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35658249526057091072010-06-04T14:33:02.554-04:002010-06-04T14:33:02.554-04:00I agree with the contrarians here.
First off, jus...I agree with the contrarians here.<br /><br />First off, just because Riggs has had a losing record before doesn't mean he's a bad manager. If I recall, Joe Torre also had a lifetime losing record before the Yankees signed him. Just last year, Riggs took over a team that was on it's way to a record breaking losing season, and got the Nats to play approx .500 after that.<br /><br />As for Guzy, he's consistenly hit over .300 since his eye operation. Yesterday showed exactly why BA is important -- there was a guy on third with two out -- a walk would not have gotten the go-ahead run in. When you have a team that's average in hitting, and below average in team ERA, you need .300+ players to play. And if he's only a slap-hitter with no speed -- how does he have more triples (except for Nyjer) than anyone on the team, and tied for fourth in doubles?<br /><br />Yeah -- so maybe he's in a slump, but did anyone else on the Nats get a two out RISP hit yesterday?<br /><br />It seems like folks just haven't forgiven Guz for his awful years with the Nats. But that's past.<br /><br />(I'm not saying he's a great hitter -- but he's certainly better than average)<br /><br />That said, I don't understand why Harris didn't move to RF yesterday. But that mistake doesn't make Riggs an idiot (Umpire Joyce is still a good ump, despite blowing a perfect game).A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64956558560074879352010-06-04T14:27:36.833-04:002010-06-04T14:27:36.833-04:00anon 1:37, a pretty bone-headed and stubborn move ...anon 1:37, a pretty bone-headed and stubborn move by the manager after his team fought back to score the tying and winning runs against the other teams closer. Its bad when you let them return the favor? Moving Guzman to right instead of removing him from the game and leaving Willingham and Harris would have made more sense particularly given the problems Capps recently has. That was a game that Riggleman lost.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-4360202167090974122010-06-04T14:18:21.765-04:002010-06-04T14:18:21.765-04:00There seems to be a lack of balance, reflection an...There seems to be a lack of balance, reflection and perspective my a great many of the commenters here. Two weeks ago, Riggleman was a universally well-respected baseball guy who was pushing all the right buttons with the Nationals. Now he's a moron because of some double switches that didn't work out. A lot of things in baseball don't work out. Ask Armando Gallaraga and Jim Joyce. Hopefully, this is not a reflection on the attitudes of the majority of Nats fans, but is rather a creation of a non-stop world of internet chatter that encourages strong opinions and partisan debate, whether or not anything warrants them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32336167332824754582010-06-04T13:37:34.771-04:002010-06-04T13:37:34.771-04:00Wow bunch of haters on here today, funny how some ...Wow bunch of haters on here today, funny how some are so quick to hate but yet didn't hear much praises when we were #2 in the standings, just sayin. Lose some win some, let's look for todays win and leave yesterday where it is, in the past. There aren't enough fingers on two hands to start pointing to when it comes to why games are lost so let's just get over it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79897552271179100472010-06-04T13:24:20.861-04:002010-06-04T13:24:20.861-04:00Riggleman should have apologized to the team yeste...Riggleman should have apologized to the team yesterday for costing them the game. He should have apologized to Guzman for making him look bad. Yesterday was on Riggleman!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69281269552811475782010-06-04T13:22:49.415-04:002010-06-04T13:22:49.415-04:00"I know his BA is high but that is one of the..."I know his BA is high but that is one of the least meaningful hitting stats."<br /><br />I may be being a bit contrarian with this but "Least meaningful?" While sabermetrics has shown the importance of OBP, the largest components of OBP are generally hits and at bats, to say BA is least meaningful is a bit dramatic and flawed. Not to say OBP is not important, but let's keep perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64869364232077536872010-06-04T13:04:04.278-04:002010-06-04T13:04:04.278-04:00Overall, I really like Riggleman but there have be...Overall, I really like Riggleman but there have been a couple of losses now where it's really hard to put the blame anywhere else than on his late game moves.<br /><br />No excuse for ever having Guzie in RF late in a close game. <br /><br />Speaking of Guzie, he is a good glove at 2nd but I feel strongly he is a badly flawed hitter. I know his BA is high but that is one of the least meaningful hitting stats. His OBP is horrible, he has just about zero power and doesn't steal bases. I'll take OBP over BA every time.Avarhttp://natsinsider.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-10286062177943352102010-06-04T12:13:16.024-04:002010-06-04T12:13:16.024-04:00This is just another example of what a mess the ri...This is just another example of what a mess the right field situation is. Further, that's at least two games Riggleman blew on this road trip by his dumb managing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52720439532616277142010-06-04T11:54:24.030-04:002010-06-04T11:54:24.030-04:00Earl Weaver made a statement once something to the...Earl Weaver made a statement once something to the affect of a good manager knows how to use the 25th man on his roster.<br />I don't believe Riggs falls into that category.N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-13982610549794991592010-06-04T11:51:00.515-04:002010-06-04T11:51:00.515-04:00I agree with the others. I cannot understand why ...I agree with the others. I cannot understand why Riggleman did the other switch. He had an outfield after the first switch of Willingham, Morgan and Harris. Why didn't he just have Clippard in Storen's spot and then pinch hit Desmond in the ninth, leaving Harris in right? Am I missing something here?bumsfan4noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-89928801976710870832010-06-04T11:48:28.938-04:002010-06-04T11:48:28.938-04:00Anonymous said...
"I am sick and tired of th...Anonymous said... <br />"I am sick and tired of the Guz haters who have hated him since day one and continue to hate even when he is one of the offensive leaders of this team...enough..."<br /><br />I gotta respond to this nonsense.<br /><br />Most logical thinking baseball people know Guzman doesn't have power, can't steal bases and is a liability in the field. What does that leave him that could make him "good?" On Base Percentage.<br /><br />Guzman has had a very good month of May at the plate, but have you even looked at his career stats? He has a career OBP of a LOWLY, OUT-PRODUCING .308!! Wow! That's bad.<br /><br />How many good OBP seasons has he had in 10+ years (missed all of 2006)? Two, plus<br /> .337 in 2001, where a bad May and September kept him from having a real good year<br /> .345 in 2008, where a bad July torched him<br /> .380 in 2007, in an injury-shortened season (only 174 AB)<br /><br />2-1/2 out of 10? That sucks.N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.com