Monday, 10:05 p.m. -- LHP John Lannan (5-5, 3.40) vs. RHP Ervin Santana (3-8, 4.22)TV: MASN Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
Tuesday, 10:05 p.m. -- RHP Jason Marquis (7-2, 3.53) vs. RHP Joel Piniero (3-3, 4.09)TV: MASN2 Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-6, 2.85) vs. RHP Dan Haren (7-5, 3.05)
TV: MASN2 Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
ANGELS UPDATE
On the verge of a sweep of the Dodgers in their annual Freeway Series, the Angels blew a ninth-inning lead yesterday and fell, 3-2. They've played well of late, though, winning five of seven. And they always play well against the National League; they're 127-83 all-time in interleague play, the best record in the majors.
As has been the case for plenty of teams this season, offense is the No. 1 concern in Anaheim. Only one player has reached double digits in homers so far (rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo with 13). The club ranks 11th in the 14-team AL in runs scored, slugging and OPS, and it's been without center fielder Torii Hunter (sore ribs) for three games. Hunter hopes to return to the lineup sometime during this series against the Nationals.
They may struggle to score runs, but the Angels don't give up many, either. The pitching staff owns a sparkling 3.47 ERA, and right-hander Jered Weaver (9-2, 2.01) is an early favorite in the AL Cy Young Award race. The Nats won't have to face Weaver, but they will get No. 2 starter Dan Haren in Wednesday's series finale. Haren's command this season has been phenomenal; he sports a 92-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The bullpen is solid, let by 23-year-old closer Jordan Walden, who has posted 17 saves and a 2.94 ERA. Walden did, however, blow his fifth save opportunity yesterday. Also of note in the Angels' bullpen: right-hander Trevor Bell. What's notable about the 24-year-old recent call-up? His grandfather, Bob Bell, was the original Bozo the Clown on WGN in Chicago from 1960-84. (Now that's inside information.)
WASHINGTON BATTERS VS. LOS ANGELES PITCHERS
Nats' best vs. Santana -- Alex Cora (3-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, K), Matt Stairs (4-for-10, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, BB, 2 K), Jerry Hairston (1-for-3, HR, RBI, K).
Nats' worst vs. Santana -- Ivan Rodriguez (2-for-18, 2B, 3 K).
Nats' best vs. Piniero -- Jerry Hairston (8-for-16, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Matt Stairs (5-for-10, 2 RBI, BB), Ivan Rodriguez (6-for-17, 2B, RBI, BB, 4 K), Ryan Zimmerman (3-for-6, 2B, HR, RBI, K).
Nats' worst vs. Piniero -- Laynce Nix (3-for-23, RBI, 6 K), Alex Cora (2-for-11, RBI), Brian Bixler (1-for-5, 2 K).
Nats' best vs. Haren -- Jayson Werth (3-for-8, HR, RBI), Jerry Hairston (3-for-9, 2B, 2 RBI, 4 K), Ivan Rodriguez (6-for-21, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 K).
Nats' worst vs. Haren -- Matt Stairs (1-for-10, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K), Roger Bernadina (0-for-3, K), Laynce Nix (2-for-8, 2B, 3 K).
LOS ANGELES BATTERS VS. WASHINGTON PITCHERS
Angels' best vs. Lannan -- Never faced.
Angels' worst vs. Lannan -- Never faced.
Angels' best vs. Marquis -- Maicer Izturis (1-for-2, RBI), Erick Aybar (1-for-2), Torii Hunter (1-for-3, RBI, K).
Angels' worst vs. Marquis -- Bobby Abreu (4-for-23, 2 2B, RBI, 9 BB, 6 K), Russell Branyan (3-for-15, HR, 2 RBI, 6 BB, 4 K), Vernon Wells (1-for-6).
Angels' best vs. Zimmermann -- Vernon Wells (2-for-3).
Angels' worst vs. Zimmermann -- None.
138 comments:
Dear God,
Please keep Mike Wise and Jason Reid away from my Nationals. I promise to be a good boy and be nicer on NatsInsider.
Amen
PS I think both would be great sports writers in Saskatoon.
I second that, NCog.
Re. yesterday's game @ the Dodgers, was watching MLB Network yesterday as the home team tried to rally in the bottom of the 9th (evidently they'd been stranding runners like crazy). Runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, and who should come to the plate but old friend Jamey Carroll. Do I really need to tell you that he laid down a nice bunt, exactly as called for? No, I didn't think so.
Re. the game tonight, gotta set the DVR, as I can't stay up that late. But I've love to receive a happy game results email in the morning. I posited at the start of the road trip that we'd know something about this team after it was over. Actually, I think I have a pretty good inkling about their character right now, and I'm loving it! And, apropros of nothing in particular, I love the smell of pine tar in the morning. It smells like...victory. :-)
It's been crazy since Thursday, I won't re-hash everything. But we sit here starting Monday with a manager upgrade, so it's a net positive to me.
Wait...if it weren't for Mike Wise,how would we stay up to date on how Albert Haynesworth changes his underwear, and when Donovan McNabb cries himself to sleep? Jason Reid is quickly making himself a joke in town as well. I scan his articles and try to wipe the memory as quickly as possible. Good news is GOOD NEWS, boys. It's still news.
Tom Boswell is a good columnist. I could always read him in the Baltimore Sun, though. What happened to the likes of Shirley Povich? An actual fan who can actually write.
There's magic happening in D.C., folks. Read about it here.
It won't be in the Post.
Kudos to Adam Kilgore, though. The Journal is my morning's first stop. This is second.
Agree with N. Cognito on the WaPo coverage. I don't know anything abouyt Jason Reid, but I have found his recent Nats columns mostly uninformed and missing the message entirely. I like Mike Wise when he's on the Sports Reporters on ESPN 980, but his last Nats column was in bad need of a fact checker.
The White Sox also had a great record of interleague wins dating back three years, until this weekend. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.
Great info re. Bozo's grandkid. Maybe we can set the Angels' bullpen to singing about la malédiction before this thing is over. The curse of the pine tar? :-)
For the record, the Journal was once my first stop, but the Insider pulled ahead of it some time ago. Your mileage may vary, as always.
I'm with Natsfan1a. Here first, then the Nats Journal.
at the expense of sucking up, this is why we are lucky to have this forum and Mark Z. one of the drawbacks of not having a MLB team for all those years is not having savy baseball writers.
Back in the day we had the best in S. Povich and some up and comers like R. Justice.
the in place local media are facinated with all things Redskins and the NBA.
You have only to listen to local radio for half an hour to see what short shrift the Nats and Baseball in general get.
Hopefully, this will change as the Nats continue to give them more o talk and write about!
Wise's and Reid's areas of expertise seem to be basketball and football. They often fall flat when they venture into the great unknown land of baseball.
Same here. NI first then Kilgore.
Where are the Shirley Povichs, the Morrie Siegels, the Bob Addies of the world?
So here we are back in South? LA just like it's 2005 and the Nationals are at another period that will define the, oh, next 5 years. And the manager will be someone who is a HOF player/coach and who once coached in Charm City. As Shirley Povich once wrote (and I borrow) " Hollywood's most imaginative writers on an opium jag could not have scripted a more improbable".....scenario. And the manager for the Angels is the same person. So here we go the best reality TV on ...well TV and in person ...your 2011 Washington Nationals
Definately come to NI first...
I'll check out NJ from time to time, but those trips are becoming less frequent...it's ashame what one troll can do...
I agree with this morning's posters about the columnists who don't usually give a rat's a$# about the Nats until there is some off-the-field soap opera. Or something Strasburg or Harper related. I hope things calm down so they can crawl back into their NFL holes. As much as I hope they shoot themselves in the foot, if there is no nfl this fall, then the columnists might keep meddling where they have no knowledge. Even Tracy Hamilton, who used to be more in the Nats fold, said in a column this weekend that the Nats were "sputtering" or some such thing. Really? Also - every now and then I turn to wjfk in the car during regular programming - those guys really know nothing about the nats and don't really care. I watch mlb for general baseball stuff, go to Mark and wapo for the nats. Third manager in a week tonight, late game. GYFNG!
The new comments interface was what really did it in, imo. I do read the posts (after the NI) but that interface is soooo cumbersome.
The next time Jason Reid writes an insightful article will be the first.
man, i gotta figure out a nap time...10PM!
im not missing DJ's opener.....hope he has some of the 97/98 magic left
natsfan1a, you're right on. The NJ comments section is horribly constructed. I'm not sure why they made the change, but I have stopped visiting as a result.
This is my first and only stop for Nationals news. I am a subscriber to few other Nationals blogs, but I never read the whole articles except here.
We will be facing 3 RHP so Nix will be there for all 3 games I suppose. By looking at the pitching match-ups, we seem to have an upper-hand. But our numbers (splits) are so not pretty. It is amazing that they have managed to keep their ERAs down.
Ncog, I said almost exactly that this morning, after reading Wise. Jeez Louise. Keep up guys; it's part of your beat. They have been seriously disadvantaged by the depth of coverage by our own personal sports writer. This is my first and frequent stop through out the day. And sometimes, through out the middle of the night.
Interesting that Matt is best against two of these guys. And notice how often we see JHJr on the "best against" lists?
Mark, why are there no Angels who are in the worst bs. JZimm category? Is it because they all hit him? Or the haven't really seen him?
All you need to know about the WJFK sports "experts" is that I heard one of them enthusing this weekend that "Davey Jones" had been hired as "head coach" of the Nationals. I kid you not. And don't get me started on Reid and Wise, who are just worthless.
Our host, Mr. Zuckerman, however, is a prince among journalists. All hail Nats Insider!
I go to NI first, too, then Nationals Baseball (Harper's site) for some analytical fun. I'll usually check broader baseball sites after that if I have time, but I'll go to other Nats blogs, WaPo or MASN, or prospect stuff like Nationals Prospects or Nationals Arms Race, if I like the headline on Mark's links. Generally speaking, I think WaPo has fallen down quite a bit in the last several years, but I don't think that I am saying anything new. I like Kilgore and think that he offers a good balance of coverage and skepticism (I tend to like his tweets more than his articles), but Reid is very, very poor. Wise is ok, and I always enjoy reading Boswell, even if he gets it wrong a decent amount. He should bring an editor into his chats though; typos almost make it hard to read.
Two evenly matched teams. Keeping Weaver at bay is a big advantage.
Not sure that you can keep winning too many games getting 3 hits, but these guys are full of surprises.
Just me, or does Jason Werth look bad on just about any pitch that is thrown to him?
Here was my post on Wise's column today
What has happen to the quality of sports writing in this town? Here is another example of bad premise filled with bad information leading to a obvious conclusion. I do not know which is worse at covering baseball and hockey. Wise or Reid ?
I, too, used to read NJ first, but the new comments section killed that, and I find myself looking at it less and less.
Though I cannot wait for the Boz chat this week
For any of you closest to Harrisburg, what is up with Shairon Martis? All of a sudden he pops back on the radar screen with another impressive start.
Has he added a new pitch or finally figured out how to throw his slider for swing & miss? Did he ever get his sinker to work?
JaneB, Jordan's numbers against Vernon Wells are from 2009's start against BlueJays. He has never faced Angels before. We face them as a team back in 2005 when JZ was not part of the team.
Anon @ 10:38 - that gave me a chuckle, thanks. Pardon my ignorance, but if that is the Sports Junkies, I will say that I thought that they did a decent job asking Riggleman and Rizzo some direct questions, rather than the usual patsy, fluff stuff. I don't ever listen to them, so I don't know what they are like normally.
Two predictions for 'Davey Jones' - (i) I bet Werth and Desi really respond to him, and come alive. (ii) I think that he and McCatty have some conflict. Riggs left the pitchers alone, but Davey has a rep for being very involved with them.
Go Nats. Super pumped to realize JZimm has a 7:00 start on Wednesday.
FlapJacks, yeah, that chat could be verry interresting. :-)
Generally speaking re. interleague play, the idea is that we face teams from a given AL division every three years (other than our local AL "rival," which has been every year after we faced our "local" Toronto rival at the start), right? And we alternate between our house and theirs. That said, it doesn't always seem to work out that way, as with this year where we have to AL West and one AL Central. Maybe because of the disparity in the number of teams per division?
Um, make that "two" AL West.
Maybe the (evidently clueless) WJFK guys were thinking of Davey Jones' locker and the law of the briny deep?
Wally said... Two predictions for 'Davey Jones' - (i) I bet Werth and Desi really respond to him, and come alive. (ii) I think that he and McCatty have some conflict. Riggs left the pitchers alone, but Davey has a rep for being very involved with them. June 27, 2011 10:50 AM
Wally, they have moved Desmond all around in the order and he has been hampered with that leg injury. I bet he can't wait for the All Star break. He needs to get back to being around that .310 mark for OBP.
With Werth, the guy really looks lost at the plate. Not sure what is wrong with him. Just not seeing any 'clutch' with him. Too many strikeouts lately as he had 8 in the Chicago series!
NI first and foremost, then the WaPo journal. Don't read the WaPo comments because they are inane!
Still love Boz - even when he goes off the deep end. Shenin is great. Reid has baseball chops.. he did the baseball beat in LA for awhile, most of his articles do push limits, but that's his job. Never liked Wise, never will. Go to MASN, sometimes, but I know they are basically a mouthpiece for the team.
Having our own personal sportswriter is the best. He actually responds to our questions and provides actual insight!
Wally,
I was thinking the same thing about Johnson and the other coaches in general although it's hard to argue with the pitching results so far, no?
On another note I can't see the winning continued without any contributions from Werth and Zim. Zim will be fine if he's healthy; hopefully he's still getting his timing straight. Werth is shaping up to be our version of Carlos Lee, Alex Rios and Vernon Wells; horrible long term contracts which you can never get out of; I was at least hoping for a couple of strong years before the decline starts.
I don't buy Ian Desmond at all. I don't see anything in his minor league history or his 2 years in the bigs to suggest that this is just a down year. I wish they had traded him in the off season when he still had some value. When does the Steve Lombardozzi era start?
SteveM, on Martis, he is throwing fastballs, slider and changeup.
Davey Johnson has always been very involved with the pitchers. I believe that McCatty's role will be reduced.
This is my favorite sports stop on the net. NJ is ok, but a bit clunky.Mark gets all kudos for the great job that he's done and for the fantastic site that he's given us to hang out in! My only complaint with NI is the neg-anons that rear their ugly heads in such a mean spirited, childish manner.
As to Reid and "Not So" Wise, I can sometimes tolerate Wise. The newspapers aren't what they used to be and the overall quality is at a low point right now. As to Reid, he's without question the worst sports columnist that we've had in DC newspapers in my 58 years here. What Jason Reid is: a sports muckraker, and not a very good one. Where he pulls some of the junk from that he writes is right out of his mis-informed imagination.I disagree with Jim in MD, neither of them are very good football, or basketball writers either, though Jim's right about they both fall flat with baseball.
Looking forward to a new Nats era!
GO YOU FREAKING NATIONALS GO!
JD... did you see anything in Desmonds minor league history that explains his gold glove play at shortstop since May 1?
I'm willing to withhold judgement until Davey (one Desmonds biggest backers in the organization)has had some time up close and personal with him.
Random question. Does anyone know if Riggleman is still coaching the all star team or did that leave with him?
LoveDaNats - I saw somewhere that Bochy was considering replacements, so I am pretty sure Riggs is out.
SteveM & JD
I certainly can't argue with the pitching or anything else over the last month or so, I was predicting more on personalities than anything else. My reasoning was that Desi and Werth seem like emotional players, with a little bit of the old school in them, and I think that Davey is great with that kind of guy. And since confidence is a big part of batting (I think, anyway), I was guessing that they really respond. Same kind of point on pitching - I doubt that Davey will be able to help himself on the pitching, and McCatty looks like he has had a free reign (and success), so I am guessing that he won't be that excited about the involvement. Btw, one other coach thought I had is, wouldn't it be cool if Davey reached out to Mac and asked him to reconsider bench coach? I think that ship has sailed, but it would be a feel good story.
As for my views on Werth/Desi, I have high confidence that Werth will be fine. He has been too good a player for too long to suddenly just suck (and I don't think that he has sucked, just not been real good). I agree that he has looked terrible the last few weeks, but I think that hitters go through this and work themselves out of it. I also agree that he'll underperform the contract over time, but if he can age like Mike Cameron, it won't be a team killer. No reason that he can't be a 3 WAR player at 35/36 (if he goes back to catching balls with two hands, anyway). If he is, then the Nats will 'only' be overpaying about $5m/yr at that point. That is manageable for a team like the Nats.
Desi, that is another story. I don't know what to make of him. He looks so, so bad at the plate that it is hard for me to feel confident in improvements. Yet, last year followed this pattern so far, right? Poor 1st half and strong 2d half. So I am with NatsJack - I at least want to see him there for the rest of the year to see if he has a 2d half bounce. If he doesn't, I would strongly consider paying the $$ for Reyes.
It will be interesting to see Davey Johnson's first line-up. Bet Bernadina will lead-off and the pitcher will bat ninth.
Wally.... Desi will have to bounce to the moon for me not to prefer Reyes. I went on record in ST that Reyes was on my wish list.
NatsJack - for pure play, of course I agree. But contract has to play into it, to a degree. If Desi could be reliably .260/.325/.425 with his D, with 4 more years of pre-arb/arb salaries, v. Reyes at 7/$125m? I would take Desi there, I think. You?
Most people will say move Danny over to SS, and fill 2B with Lombardozzi or Antonelli (or Rendon). Maybe that is what happens, but I am just not sure that Espy is as plus at SS as he is right now. He is a force of nature at 2B, and I am reluctant to tinker with something that obviously is working so well.
Wally, I am not down & out on Desi, just rather in a wait & see & hope mode.
On José Reyes, how convenient in his last season before Free Agency that he becomes an MVP calibre player. He is still young (28) but has also been bothered by injuries. I think teams will be lined up for him and won't ever see his 2011 production again. Still, his career averages are good and if Rizzo got him then Desi could be turned loose to being a super utility type of Jerry Hairston guy but before we get carried away, let's hope Ian Desmond has a HOT 2nd half of 2011 and be no need for a Reyes.
Wally.... If Rendon pans out to be the player he's projected to be, imagine an infield in 2013 with Rendon at 3rd and 23 yo, Reyes at short and 29 years old, Espinosa at 2nd and 25 years old and Zim at 1st base and 28 years old.
You wouldn't want to have a run of 5 years with that group?
Wally said... I am just not sure that Espy is as plus at SS as he is right now. He is a force of nature at 2B, and I am reluctant to tinker with something that obviously is working so well.
June 27, 2011 11:57 AM
You leave Espy at 2nd if you can and if Desmond can't cut it then you have to weigh all options. Rendon will certainly play into all of this too as he needs a position.
Davey Johnson has to figure out Werth, Desi, Zim, and Stairs in that order in the short-term.
José Reyes is going to be available on July 31st and if the Nats are BUYERS, he would be the guy I get to give it a 'test drive' unless Desi turns his offense around.
José Reyes also slips right into lead-off too so that problem is solved for a playoff push.
NatsJack in Florida said... If Rendon pans out to be the player he's projected to be, imagine an infield in 2013 with Rendon at 3rd and 23 yo, Reyes at short and 29 years old, Espinosa at 2nd and 25 years old and Zim at 1st base and 28 years old.
You wouldn't want to have a run of 5 years with that group? June 27, 2011 12:04 PM
Only problem(s) with your fantasizing for 5 years is that Zim still needs a contract extension and José Reyes will now cost Werth-like dollars with his MVP calibre season, OTHERWISE, I love your infield.
OF of Morse LF, BHarper CF, and Werth RF. Ramos catching. Strasburg and JZim anchoring the starting pitching.
That looks good to me but the numbers are going to get crazy as a threesome of Zim/Reyes/Werth will be $55 million per season!
This is becoming Fantasy Island and NatsJack is Ricardo Montalban playing Brian Cashman.
Mark'd said... This is becoming Fantasy Island and NatsJack is Ricardo Montalban playing Brian Cashman. June 27, 2011 12:23 PM
That is hilarious but isn't Ricardo Montalban dead?
Maybe he can be Bob Barker in "it can all be yours if the Price Is Right"
I really think people are being too hard on Desi. Last year, he was critisized for being poor defensively. Now, after working his tail off to become a very good defender,he is critisized for his poor offensive output. One day he will put everything together and become one of the better shortstops in the league. Maybe not a superstar, but a good one. I like Reyes a lot, but like one poster put it, I wonder how much of the great season he is having is due to his pending free agency.
Nope. Last I saw Bochy had not yet named a replacement, but there will be one.
LoveDaNats said...
Random question. Does anyone know if Riggleman is still coaching the all star team or did that leave with him?
June 27, 2011 11:39 AM
natsfan1a - Talking of replacements, I am still waiting on the announcement of whether or not Matt Stairs retires to become the bench coach!
Come to think of it.... I did own an 1979 "Autumn Gold" Chrysler Cordoba complete with "Corinthian Leather".
I think NatsJack asked in another thread, but where did the Stairs-as-Nats-coach meme come from? Has the team ever said anything like that?
Because it seems really unlikely, on the face of it. I can't think anybody who took that path directly.
LMAO, too funny Mr. Roarke. Maybe you can be NatsJack aka Mr. Roarke. I may become Mike "Cashman" Rizzo.....
Actually, it was a 1976 Cordoba. I bought it in 1979. It completely fell apart in 1981.
Sec 3, Mr Sofa - The Stairs and Cora to coaching was discussed in Spring Training as their next step after playing.
I wouldn't fall off of my chair if Stairs retired today to become the 3rd base coach. Heck, he is old enough! Then Bo Porter could become the Bench Coach.
Look... I think the only reason Stairs is on the team is through some quirky clause in Werths humongous contract that allows him to have one good drinking buddy on the team.
Really looking forward to this series.
Hopefully that Wednesday pitching match up lives up to expectations as I will be in attendance with my father, my brother and my son.
Thanks, SteveM. I still can't see them going straight to an MLB job, but what do I know?
His grandfather, Bob Bell, was the original Bozo the Clown on WGN in Chicago from 1960-84. (Now that's inside information.)
Beating Willard Scott (also the first Ronald McDonald) on WTTG? Say it ain't so!
Stairs seems to have done well against Santana. For that reason alone, if he is not in the line-up tonight, then there is no reason for him to be on this team. I'd love to see a breakdown of he Nats' use rate of him compared with the last man on the bench on other teams around the league. Instead, USA Today is writing puff pieces about how he's had a great career: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2011-06-23-matt-stairs-professional-hitter_n.htm
This is an actual quote from that story: "I take batting practice. I don't watch video. I try not to watch my swing, because the majority of the time I'm getting out. I just try to stay happy."
Are you kidding me? Some guys in Triple A would kill for the opportunity to be the 25th man, and they would work their butts off, but Stairs doesn't even watch film. This is the Matt LeCroy situation all over again, except that LeCroy actually seemed to slightly care that he was terrible. I predict he will be DFA'd when Ankiel comes of the DL.
José Reyes is going to be available on July 31st and if the Nats are BUYERS, he would be the guy I get to give it a 'test drive' unless Desi turns his offense around.
José Reyes also slips right into lead-off too so that problem is solved for a playoff push.
INOUYE. Ain't No Way dude. He would cost way too much and the farm cupboard is still way too bare for anything other than a top-of-the-rotation starter. (See Grienke.)
Remember, Desmond at short was Davey Johnson's edict. Riggleman wanted him as a utility guy with Guzman playing short. Johnson said Desmond is the shortstop. Desmond's leash is longer than what you are giving him.
So, everyone please give up on Reyes. He costs too much in prospects. He isn't enough better than Bernadina at lead off. Bernadina continues to progress and improve before our eyes. If they really want Reyes they will wait until he becomes a free agent.
I predict he will be DFA'd when Ankiel comes of the DL.
Given Roger Bernadina's continuing and consistent improvement? Where do you play Ankiel? On the bench? Behind Hairston and Cora? Maybe but he has no bat. He seems to have been more a personal favor situation from Riggleman. I suspect Ankiel gets traded or released sooner not later and you see ex-Oriole Michael Aubrey as the 25th man and left-handed backup to Michael Morse. As for the outfield we'll have to see if Corey Brown manages another 2nd half resurrection in Syracuse as he did last year. Then I expect you'll see him as the fourth of fifth outfielder.
@N.Cog 9:07am. That was funny, but so true.
I don't want Reyes at trade deadline. I want to spend some of that Tyson's Corners monopoly money during free agency.
I wouldn't fall off of my chair if Stairs retired today to become the 3rd base coach. Heck, he is old enough! Then Bo Porter could become the Bench Coach.
They need him more as a hitting coach in A+ Potomac or AA Harrisburg. That's where he could be tutoring Rendon and Harper. But, he'll probably be just like El Duque and chafe at the idea of being in the minors when he still thinks he should be in the majors. Even if he is more valuable to the organization down there.
"NatsJack in Florida said...Wally.... If Rendon pans out to be the player he's projected to be, imagine an infield in 2013 with Rendon at 3rd and 23 yo, Reyes at short and 29 years old, Espinosa at 2nd and 25 years old and Zim at 1st base and 28 years old. You wouldn't want to have a run of 5 years with that group?"
Hey, sign me up, boss! Agree no trade for Reyes, just evaluate in FA. Don't agree that this is a contract year drive, tho. He has been exceptional (on average) throughout career, except for injuries. Payroll will be the thing, of course, with that lineup, as SteveM said. But I see no reason that the Nats can't get to a $120m payroll circa 2014-15, in this market if they are winning. No reason other than it isn't my money, that is.
Btw, on first cars, mine was a 1977 Pinto, the kind that blew up if hit from behind. Bright orange, too, to make it an easier target. No 'fine Corintian leather', but it did have 'pleather seats', kind of a vinyl.
How are people utilizing italics here?
Wally... Hey! We agree. Reyes has been terrific in seasons that he's healthy. And this organization can spend that kind of payroll money and much to the shock of some people, they will.
I agree with Anon 1:24. Reyes will cost a lot in a mid-season trade. Better to sign him as a free agent if Desmond does not improve offensively by the end of the season. I mean not Troy-like numbers, but at least league average. Similarly leave Bernie at lead-off until this season's end to prove whether he is a solution. Instead of Reyes, if there is a way we can get Bourn on our team. That would be great. I don't know how he is defensively but at lead-off, he is one of the best.
Did Werth start taking batting lessons from Stares? Looked just like a right handed version yesterday.
GYFNG!!!
Reyes is an elite player, but this *is* an exceptional year for him, in part due to crazy high BABIP (.362 this year, vs. .313 career). His slashline #s are all about 50-70 pts above his career averages. He's on track for a 9+ WAR, or about 50% over his highest year to date.
So yes, consider him in FA. But if he keeps up at this pace, his price will be so high that the money will be better spent elsewhere. If they do sign him, expect to be hearing some buyer's remorse this time next year, when his 2012 #s fail to match his 2011 numbers.
DFL said...
It will be interesting to see Davey Johnson's first line-up. Bet Bernadina will lead-off and the pitcher will bat ninth.
I can guarantee you DFL if the pitchers bats 9th in Davey Johnson's lineup that the game has past him by. I would bat Desmond 9th. I would bat Nix 4th as the DH.
Yep, Fantasy Island. I can't tell if most of the last 2 hours has been tongue in cheek or not.
If today was July 31st and you are 3 1/2 games off the Wild Card and can get some moving parts to compete, why not!
There will be plenty of teams that are sellers but keep in mind, at what price? I don't like short-term rentals so I think most is pie in the sky but then again, let's dream on NatsJack's Fantasy Island. Tattoo, bring me a drink!
The Nats have two shortstops and a second baseman on the rise in Lombardozzi. And the Nats will have Renson for 2013. They don't need Reyes. Better to keep to their current guns and play it out with the team they have. Barring a top-flight starting pitcher being offered, the Nats should build within the organization with youth.
NatsJack and Wally -- in that infield scenario for 2013, where do you play Morse? Because -- though he can play outfield, it sure seems to me like he has slipped into the 1B role in perfect fashion. LaRoche isn't any better defensively. Zimm, at 28, could still play third.
If we got Reyes as a FA, we'd break the bank. I love him. But Desi and Danny are killing it, defensively. I want us to be peaking with talent juuuuust about the time the Phillies are getting too old, and too poor to buy new talent. Even with the Wilpon's money troubles, how could they let Jose walk away? If I am them, I buy him again.
I get my Nats fix at NI first, then NJ usually, and MASN and the team's web site occassionally.
I'm all for giving Desi a chance to improve his hitting as I really like the guy.
As far as being BUYERS or SELLERS, I just don't want to trade away any of our good prospects. It was too hard to get our farm system supplied again after what MLB did to us. Its kinda nice to have options out there.
JaneB.... Unless somebody throws 2 top minor leaguers and another one close to the top (similar to what the Red Sox sent to San Diego) Alderson and company would prefer the draft picks.
Morse goes to LF with Werth and the "Kid" in the other two OF positions. I'll let the field personnel figure who goes where.
Hate to say it but I'll be SHOCKED if Chien Ming Wang gets through the third inning in his rehab assignment tonite in Hagerstown.
I posted before that the situation with Davey Johnson becaoming the Nationals manager is a net gain. Maybe I wish things wouldn't have happen as they did, but we ended up with an upgrade at the manager position.
I grew up a Mets fan, moved to this area in '97, and watched the O's but remained a Mets fan until that first Nationals season in D.C. By the end of my 20 game package that first year, I was a full out Nationals fan.
Well, I do remember Davey foundly and think he'll be great here. Boswell pointed me to this article which speaks well for our Nationals future.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110626&content_id=21020988&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
As regards Werth-less, I sat next to a guy at the Father's Day game who said he was a Phillies fan and hated Werth because he got his hits with no one on base and always failed in the clutch. That seems to be a good description of the Jason Werth that we've got now. I hope DJ can light a fire underneath him. Right now, he looks lost and uncaring at the plate.
Wally -- use "<" then "i" then ">" to get italics. Basic HTML code. Same with 'b' for bold.
Tcostant -- same here. I was a Mets fan (pre 1969!) and stayed a Mets fan after moving here until the Nats came to town (no "AL" for me!)
Davey Johnson was great. Brilliant. He was a players manager -- supporting those who needed supporting, needling those who needed needling -- as well as possibly the first ever sabermatition-manager. He *might* have lost control of his players during the Mets' run, but I attribute that to Johnson's age at the time (about Matt Stairs' age ;-)?). Johnson proved himself again with the Orioles 10 years later.
NatsJack,
I like you thinking and would love it if the Nats must miss the playoffs the miss by enough to be in the bottom 15.
Adding Reyes as a FA SS top of the order hitter from a division rival - nice.
Denying them a 1st round Comp - priceless.
Seems like a lot of free agent signings have not gone well this year, Werth, LaRoche for us, Dunn, Uggla. Some of the others started slow and have improved - Carl Crawford for example. Are big league clubs maybe going to hesitate to pay big time money when they see things not working out? At least with Tulo, CO knew what they had and were keeping one of their own. I am taking a wait and see stance with DJ - I don't know much about him but it does sound like he would not tolerate players calling the gm to whine about him. Maybe he can do something with Jayson. The Stairs situation is quite a puzzle, too. I don't think I have been aware of a team just keeping a 25th player around who doesn't actually do anything at all. Or is he an unofficial bench coach? In any case, at least bring up another reliever. something really has to give.
FOTB-
Your Phillies fan friend was wrong. There is no such thing as "clutch" in baseball.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2656
And with respect to Werth in particular, his OPS this season is higher with runners in scoring position than with the bases empty. This was also the case in 2009; it was not the case in 2010 and 2008.
Werth has been a disappointment this year, but he's been equally disappointing no matter what the game situation. The only thing that changes in the clutch is the extent to which you feel frustration with his lack of production.
Italics
Bold
(Re. the Pinto, not my first car but I had an aluminum engine Vega that had been modified with steel sleeves. It was still a piece of cr*p but I did end up carpooling with my husband-to-be because of it so a net positive. :-))
Awesome. Put a backslash before the "i" or "b" to close the code (thanks, Wonk and Google).
Okay, back to baseball - how about those NATS?
"As regards Werth-less, I sat next to a guy at the Father's Day game who said he was a Phillies fan and hated Werth because he got his hits with no one on base and always failed in the clutch."
Dude must not have been watching when Werth hit that walkoff HR off Storen up in Philly last September.
Well, let me make a bit more Kool-Aide here, by pointing out (again!) how many core players on the Nats have not yet reached their 27th birthday:
Starters: Lannan, JZimm, Strasburg
Relievers: Clippard, Storen, HRod
Infield: Zimm, Ian D, Espi
Catcher: Ramos (& Flores)
Outfield: Bernadina (just turned 27 this month), and, of course, Harper
That's some amazing youth movement. Add in the draft class of 2011 . . . perhaps a free agent down the line . . . mix in a manager that's been in this exact position before and won a world series . . . .
JaneB - LF. Can't have too much talent, in my book. PS - Morse good at 1B, Laroche better (sorry). Since we are on circa 1980 Mets theme, in his limited time here, Laroche was close to Keith Hernandez good.
Trades - I am worried that Rizzo follows thru on his longtime BJ Upton love (not a big fan here). I would rather see a Denard Span or Peter Bourjos type - cheaper and just as good, if not better, defensively. I would give up some prospects for them.
DC Wonk I am clearly doing something wrong since I cannot get it to work. Thank you for trying to tell me, though. I keep getting this
'Your HTML cannot be accepted: Tag is not closed:'
Wally -- as natsfan1a noted -- put "<" "i" ">" to start the italics, but then you need to "close" the italics with "<" "/" "i" ">"
give it a try!
FP ( who I love by the way , and I am terrified that the MLB network is going to steal him away), often says of Danny - that he gives "big boy" at bats. The Fox broadcasters said one intelligent thing on Saturday - that Danny came out of the Long Beach State " infielder factory". I have grown children.They are great, but they and their friends pretty much act like people in their early twenties. Does anybody besides me find most of these young players to be pretty mature for their ages? Storen seems to have grown up in a matter of months, Danny is pretty poised, Zim has been pretty together since he came up. Is this good scouting of mature kids or is this game so tough that they have to grow up or fail horribly? They just seem like a good, solid bunch of young men who happen to be talented as "heck". I just don't see any 'tudes coming from them. Or was it - gosh it can't possibly be- Riggs' influence? I guess we'll see how things go with the new guy.
test
It took me a while to find this site and see where everyone had gone. It's harder to post here, so will take a bit of getting used to. Adam Kilgore thorough and responsible Nats guy, posts at very strange times. Have no use for Reid. Never noticed Mike Wise until now, has he ever written about the Nats before this?
"N. Cognito said... test"
Wise guy.
Here goes nothing. Woo hoo
Thank you, DC
"Never noticed Mike Wise until now, has he ever written about the Nats before this?"
Mike Wise does his best work in crayon, usually while eating paste.
The decorum of this board does not allow me to adequately describe Mike Wise.
Here is my question about trading Marquis, which everyone seems to assume Rizzo will do. Who would be his replacement in the starting rotation? I get that he is a free agent, I get that he would want a 3-4 year deal. But if we would not give him that, what other team would?
I get that we have Stras coming back to head up the rotation. But Livo (someday) will have to head to the bullpen. What I'm saying is, aren't both parties better off if Marquis stays?
You're welcome, Wally!
-- Wonk
Anybody else would like to see Werth batting 5th or even 6th in the lineup. Thats where he had most of his success, I think leadoff or 2nd is just messing with his head.
EAT AT JOE'S
Messing with his head, huh? God only knows what is in Jayson Werth's head at this point. He seems to be a head case who might need a head shrinker.Everybody else is going wherever they are asked to go in the field or in the line up. He seems to be the only player who is being catered to. He needs to grow the heck up and be as mature as most of the guys who are younger than him and have less experience.
Was watching the Cubs broadcast, and they just announced that Jim Riggleman is now part of their pregame and post game shows starting Friday.
Exposremains said...
Anybody else would like to see Werth batting 5th or even 6th in the lineup. Thats where he had most of his success, I think leadoff or 2nd is just messing with his head.
I hear you -- and I keep thinking that's the right thing to do. Until I remember, again, that, other than Morse, Bernadina and Werth have the two highest OBP's on the team. Werth leads the team in walks by a huge amount.
I'm just hoping that DJ can straighten him out. (And, after that, perhaps he can fix the US budget, create world peace, and solve climate change ;-) )
NatsLady - it's harder to post here? The Wapo site is a freaking maze! I think you'll catch on right quick.
Manassas Nats Fan said...Was watching the Cubs broadcast, and they just announced that Jim Riggleman is now part of their pregame and post game shows starting Friday.
Is that a joke?
NatsLady, I am with you and hope the Nats can extend Marquis for 1 to 2 years. Just doesn't make sense going beyond 2014 with all the young arms that need to move up.
Is this red?
Strasburg threw 20 full steam fastballs in his BP session today and said he feels "great".
Test test Thanks folks.
Should I write that good news in BOLD
Strasburg threw 20 full steam fastballs in his BP session today and said he feels "great".
Gonat, I can't find that Strasburg good news anywhere. Where did you get that.
Bowdenball and Feel Wood -- thanks for pointing out that a Phillies fan is wrong. That does my heart good. Regardless, right or wrong, clutch or not, Jayson has been Werth-less at the plate for too long this season.
Here is what I found
http://www.wgntv.com/sports/chi-riggleman-to-serve-as-analyst-for-cubssox-series-20110627,0,6009728.story
Werth looks lost to me - he's got this look in the eyes at the plate like he doesn't know what's going wrong, or what he can do, or where he is. I can't find it in myself (yet) to get on his case because I don't think he's failing for lack of trying. If anything, it's the opposite. I'm hopeful that Davey will be able to shake the troubles out of him.
... in reply to N. Cognito,
"… both would be great sports writers in Saskatoon"
… I don't know much about either, except to say that when I communicated with Jason Reid, his reply was … well, shall we say, rather intemperate.
… but I doubt they'd be able to dislodge Cory Wolfe from his desk-chair any too soon at the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. [http://www.thestarphoenix.com/columnists/cory_wolfe.html]
… nor would they do much to improve the already high status of baseball on the prairies. [http://www.prairiebaseball.com/]
Go Davey J! Go Nats!!
Mark'd said...
Gonat, I can't find that Strasburg good news anywhere. Where did you get that.
June 27, 2011 4:25 PM
_________________________________
I got a text message from a friend of mine that gave me the news.
LOL, NCog, I like what your style. ;-)
NatsLady, re. posting methods, have you tried using Name/URL option? That way you don't need a profile.
All, not too long ago we were comparing the 2010 and 2011 records after an equivalent number of games. Was watching Baseball Tonight replay and they mentioned how the Nats were well ahead of their pace from last year. Just looked at baseball reference site and found this
6/29/10, 34-44
6/27/11, 40-38
How about that?
Is it me, or have the number of posts on Mark's entries tripled in the past few days?
Werth looks lost to me - he's got this look in the eyes at the plate like he doesn't know what's going wrong, or what he can do, or where he is.
What I find most fascinating is that -- even though I was a Mets fan during those 1980's years when DJ was leading them to a 1st or 2d place finish every year -- I was unaware of his apparent skill (mentioned by so many players during the past week) that DJ has in getting players to be confident of themselves.
It strikes me that's exactly what Werth needs to get back on track again.
For Mark'd and Gonat:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43552334/ns/sports-player_news/
Stephen Strasburg (elbow) tossed 20 fastballs in a bullpen session Monday with no issues.
Strasburg threw at 100 percent effort for the first time since undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last September and told reporters after the workout that he's feeling great. "Today was the first day they allowed me to let it go, and that's the hard thing about Tommy John rehab," said the right-hander. "You can feel great, but you don't really know what's going on inside there. You have to listen to the people that have gone through this before." The 22-year-old should be ready by the start of spring training next February.
TimDz said "Is it me, or have the number of posts on Mark's entries tripled in the past few days?"
It's not just you. Here are are at 115+ comments 5 hours before game time.
Re: Marquis, We don't need Marquis next season. With Strasburg returning, we do not have a place for him. Yes, he has been good this season (better than his career average I believe), but we need to create space for an ace in our rotation and Marquis is not the guy.
I think this offseason our top priority be again signing an ace. Let everyone else fight over Reyes, Fielder, Pujols, Rollins, etc. We have few options like CJ Wilson, Buehrle, Sabathia (if he opts out), etc. We should concentrate on that, trade for a lead-off hitter, and lock up Ryan Z.
@DC Wonk -
I was there for Davey's Mets run, too, and I don't remember any such commentary. I think the dominance of the team pushed individual issues into the background (except for the really dramatic ones like George Foster's meltdown). Also, looking back at some of the contemporary coverage, it seems that 80's mainstream baseball writing wasn't the hallmark of technical sophistication...
I've been reading Jeff Pearlman's The Bad Guys Won but that's more of a... ahem... lifestyle book.
Nevertheless, I've heard enough testimony about Davey's player-handling that I'm optimistic he can help Werth straighten himself out.
Re: Marquis, We don't need Marquis next season. With Strasburg returning, we do not have a place for him.
I'm curious -- why is it that Marquis has to be the one to go, over, say, Gorzy?
Alan_A wrote: I was there for Davey's Mets run, too, and I don't remember any such commentary. I think the dominance of the team pushed individual issues into the background
Right. What's new to me is that I've read, just in the view days, guys on that team like Wally Backman talk about DJ's skills in boosting confidence, etc.
Interestingly enough, after I wrote the above entry, I see that Kilgore's latest entry is entitled: "Davey Johnson might be exactly what Jayson Werth needs right now"
So, we're all agreed! ;-)
What we really need to see is the Lineup for tonight - Then we can start disecting DJ's managerial ability..
So what did the over/under end up being on when the Neg-anons would call for Davey to be fired?
Also as far as the lack of good baseball coverage in this area.. We have Mark and this blog post (where we end up finding more info - See Strasburg information). Good to know that the Nats Fan base is growing!
Trivia Time!
Without looking -- the four youngest guys (on the 25-man roster) on the Nats who were born in 1987. Who are they?
See if you can guess without looking.
MichelleS asked: "So what did the over/under end up being on when the Neg-anons would call for Davey to be fired?"
My guess: the first mistake that DJ makes, or the first substitution that backfires, or the first time the Nats lose two straight, whichever comes first.
I'm curious -- why is it that Marquis has to be the one to go, over, say, Gorzy?
--------------------------------------------------
Because Marquis will be a free agent and Gorz, while arb. eligible, will still be under team control. We can always trade him and go after him again on the FA market. But if he stays healthy, his value won't be higher than it is right now.
Ask and you shall receive.. Mark just posted the lineup! And just heard... MASN is covering the DJ press conference at 7
Going to the game tonight and Wednesay to see our boys in Red and White take on the Angels. Looking forward to the games since I only get to watch on TV. Going to see Lannan tonight and Zimm on Wednesday couldn't have picked to better games to go to. Let's go nats bring it home tonight. I love Davey and am excited to see what he can do. His firing from the Orioles made me quit being a fan (that and the Peter Angelos is a jerk he also fired one of the greats in commentating Jon Miller don't forget that) and hold out until we got a team in Washington so now we have a proven winner of a manager and a team that is exciting. Heck ya Natties big bat explosion tonight!
@NCognito
"I think both [Mike Wise and Jason Reid] would be great sports writers in Saskatoon."
Nah, they'd stink there, too.
Regarding the 2012 rotation:
The next five weeks will tell us whether Marquis stays or goes. If the team continues to play well, Rizzo might keep him for the duration, then take the draft pick if he walks. Can someone here enlighten us as to what determines whether he is a class B free agent?
As for a 2012 rotation without Marquis, figure on Strasburg, Zimmermann and Gorzy for starters (NPI). I'd imagine the Brads (Peacock and Meyers) will get a long look, too.
Yes, Lannan has pitched well this year. We'll see how the season plays out.
Then there's:
Old Man Livo
that Old Man Livo..
He just keeps rollin'
He keeps on rollin' along....
The future of the rotation appears very bright, with A.J. Cole, Robbie Ray, Solis and Meyer on the way.
A DC Wonk, Gorzo is under team control for couple more seasons. We might need another lefty in the bullpen so maybe we can move Tom there (which I might doubt considering what we gave up to get him) to create space for an ace. I am just laying out possibilities of acquiring an ace. We could also trade Lannan to acquire a lead-off hitter and keep Gorzo in the rotation.
yes, it's hard to post. You have to "select profile" and then it asks you again if you want to post, and then you have to type in goofy letters. Much easier on WaPo.
I doubt Marquis will be a type B free agent because of his atrocious last season. So letting him walk does not get us anything. Since we do have a chance of contending this season, we can not trade him until we are sure that we are not in it anymore. Again Marquis is not that big of a loss if we add a good FA pitcher.
Right this minnit, I sure like LannEn better than Gorzo...
My understanding of class B is that the determination O's based upon the last TWO years' production, which means Marquis walking brings no comp, after the season. If he can bring a decent prospect, we could trade him, and if we can strike a deal, bring him back for a couple of years. Right now I like the idea of Stras, Zimm, ace, LannEn, and TBD from current stock..,
Someone was asking for the rules on free agency for types A and B.
Short version: the top 20% of eligible players at their positions over the past two years, as determined by Elias Sports Bureau at the end of the season, are Type A free agents. The next 20%, or the players in the top 21-40%, are Type B.
Teams that lose a Type A get two picks: the signing team's first available pick EXCEPT if that pick is in the first half of the first round, picks 1-15, in which case the signing team gives up its second-round pick; and an extra "sandwich round" pick between the first two rounds, not from the signing team.
Teams losing a Type B get only the sandwich pick.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Sports_Bureau
This is our first series w angels since the Soscia vs. Robinson bout?
One of my favorite NATS memories.
Agreed (though Morse = better than expected, imo).
Wally said...
PS - Morse good at 1B, Laroche better (sorry). Since we are on circa 1980 Mets theme, in his limited time here, Laroche was close to Keith Hernandez good.
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