We're trying something a little different with some of our Beltway Baseball episodes this season. Instead of staying back in the CSNwashington.com studio, we're taking the show on the road. Er, actually home. To Nationals Park. When the team's in town.
Because we'll be on location this afternoon, we can't broadcast the show live. It'll be posted on the site once its been recorded and edited. But we still want to answer your questions on the Nats. So submit yours here in the comment field, and Chase Hughes and I will pick the best ones to answer when we record the show this afternoon.
Then check back later to watch the show.
84 comments:
What is your take on Davey's comment from last night that "Werth missed two fast balls that he should have hit eight miles"?
If Detwiler is pitching well as the number 5 starter when Wang comes back, what happens?
Ignoring contracts and the element of minor league options, what major league GM's, if given the option of trading their 1 through 5 starters for the Nationals,' would say no? The only ones I can think of are (maybe) the Dodgers (giving up Kershaw and Billingsley..oy) and San Francisco...and possibly Philly and Detroit (Verlander would be painful to give up)... thoughts?
Do the starters have an agreement with the coaches, that if the Nats lose a game 1-0, they get to pelt the outfielders with rotten tomatoes? And if not, why not?
Any more on Stras Tipping his pitches?
Mark
A few prospect questions: we can see that Harper has had a few errors at Syracuse, but is there a scouting evaluation of his time so far in CF? Better, worse or SSS than expectations?
Purke appears to be on the disabled list. Can you tell us anything more about his situation?
Critical Questions:
What is up with Ryan? Yes, I know he knows he is stinking up the joint, but is there a reason for it? Look, I love the guy, but he seems to be getting a free pass on the lack of hitting. (As opposed to LaRoche/ Werth/Desi who get crushed if they have one bad at bat)
And how much is Espinosa pressing? Seriously, he looks like he is wound tighter than a drum (which is probably why he got the mental break day). Plus he got the kiss of death from DJ "ESPI is my 2b" (like LannEn was his #5)
Lombo? When does he get more playing time? (and besides at 2b) Will he play the LF or will he play SS/3B?
Is there any chance that the Nats will add a bat sooner rather than later?
Happy Question:
How Awesome is GIO? Does his personality really play in that locker room? We have some guys in there that would be described as a little intense. The guys all seem to love him (or at least that's what it looks like when we get the shots of the dugout). I mean, I actually saw JZ and Stras smiling and laughing.
What's Edwin like, he seems like the laid back type? Does he interact with the others as much? Are the Starting 5 of K Street bonding?
Tyler Moore has been outstanding in Syracuse. The chiefs are now going to give him time in the outfield. Could the nats call him up soon?
And Finally:
Do umpires get graded? Can they actually get demoted or something because the in the last week we have seen TERRIBLE calls - both the stike zone and on the bases.
That guy Larry Vanover got into it with the Red Sox as well.
If Detwiler is pitching well as the number 5 starter when Wang comes back, what happens?
Rizzo already answered that. They are taking their time with Wang. These things usually work themselves out ... unfortunately in the form of an injury. In any case no one should expect Wang to be able to start 33 games. I am certain management would be ecstatic with 23 or 24 and then perhaps playoffs from Wang.
Will Davey continue to alternate btw Lidge and Henry Rodriguez until Storen's return, or will he designate one or the other as the temporary closer? Lidge has the experience, but H-Rod has the better stuff.
I know this is looking way down the road, but what do you think our chances are of picking up a big bat before the trade deadline this year as the Nats make a move for the postseason? Are they going to go all in or is the Stras inning limit really dictating the goals and expectations for the current season?
Will Davey continue to alternate btw Lidge and Henry Rodriguez until Storen's return, or will he designate one or the other as the temporary closer? Lidge has the experience, but H-Rod has the better stuff.
Davey has already answered this, but unless one of them is ineffective, why fix it if it ain't broke?
What do you think is going to happen to John Lannan?
Did they already do the traditional rookies-dress-as-smurfs thing, and I missed it? And is Storen hanging out in the dugout, or the bullpen?
Davey has already answered this, but unless one of them is ineffective, why fix it if it ain't broke?
Followup:
And we're still a very long way from seeing Storen. A lot can happen between now and then. Best to wait until then to ask this?
Have either of you ever had players get pie-d or gatoraded during an interview? Is there an custom or expectation the interviewer is supposed to warn/not warn the guest?
And we're still a very long way from seeing Storen.
And that's true, too.
Davey has already answered this
Davey also said: "John's my guy." Nothing wrong with asking Mark and Chase to opine on whether he will stick to his answer or change his mind.
Is Steve Lombardozzi actively working with coaches to get ready for outfield duty? Davey's on record saying he needs to play, but so far his time has been limited. Will they play him or demote him?
Is DJ as satisfied with his current bench/outfield options as he says he is, or might he be asking Rizzo to find him some guys who can hit?
Nothing wrong with asking Mark and Chase to opine on whether he will stick to his answer or change his mind.
Yes, thanks. I don't mean to imply otherwise. It's a free country, ask away. Would be nice if there were a particular reason for asking, since nothing has changed, but whatever.
Lombo just had a 4-hit game and they're going to demote him? "Mr. Rizzo, Mr. Lombardozzi's agent is outside, and his veins are popping out of his neck. Should I let him in?"
At what point in the season can we stop saying: "It's early," "small sample size," and other such things and start proclaiming that the Nats are for real and have a legitimate shot at the postseason? May 1, June 1, All Star Break?
I second the Tyler Moore question. I'd really like to get a better feel for their plan with him and/or possibly Corey Brown to help out in the OF.
Joe said...
Tyler Moore has been outstanding in Syracuse. The chiefs are now going to give him time in the outfield. Could the nats call him up soon?
Ditto. What are the chances of a Moore sighting in DC, soon? And how much added motivation would that give Harper to start owning AAA pitching?
Section 222: September 1..that's when things start to get REALLY SERIOUS..but the better answer would probably be the day they clinch or the day they are mathematically eliminated...everything else is just talk...
What do you think is going to happen to John Lannan?
Unless he has direct deposit, given his luck lately he'll probably get mugged trying to cash his paycheck at the bank in whatever podunk town the bus has pulled into on the first and 15th of the month.
Wally made a great post on the previous thread. Good job on comparing Desi and Espi from this season to last year.
Visually, I concur. I was hoping the talk about Espi's hamate bone and left-handed grip and power hand yadda yadda yadda and no batter's eye issues would turnaround his numbers and his BA is actually worse from the left-side.
1st question... when Wang comes back who get sent down? Have a hard time believing Stammen gets optioned.
2nd... best guess, do you see Teddy winning this year?
At what point in the season can we stop saying: "It's early," "small sample size," and other such things and start proclaiming that the Nats are for real and have a legitimate shot at the postseason? May 1, June 1, All Star Break?
At 30-40 games the sample size is then considered large enough to get a pretty close approximation of the mean. That's when we can make some pretty decent prognostications. Of course injuries and other extraneous factors can make it more sensitive to change.
Mark, I noticed on Tuesday that Bryce was back in RF and Corey Brown in CF. I thought Bryce was going to be the every day CF in Syracuse.
Feel Wood: kinda funny..he must get some verbal abuse on the road...lord knows if i was at a game i would let him have it...and at a minor league park there's no doubt they can hear that stuff..some of those stadiums you are right there...i enjoy going to minor league games..pure americana...don't miss lannan one bit..but i woudl be very surprised if he doesn't start some games for the nats this year..my guess would be 7
Did they already do the traditional rookies-dress-as-smurfs thing, and I missed it?
That's always done at the end of the season, typically on getaway day for one of the last road trips. The thing to watch out for now is other rookie hazing, like making one of them carry the pink Hello Kitty backpack out to the bullpen before games. Detwiler did it in Sept 2007 at RFK, and Storen when he was called up in 2010.
1st question... when Wang comes back who get sent down? Have a hard time believing Stammen gets optioned.
Rizzo has already indicated that they have the luxury of making sure Wang is completely healthy before he is returned. I expect it'll be another 30 days at least. Again, a lot can happen in that amount of time. That is why Davey convinced Rizzo to bring Wang back ... keep in mind Strasburg gets shut down come hell or high water probably after 20-24 starts.
What does Boston have that we could use? Their pitching is in terrible shape and surely they could afford Lannan's salary?
Do we have any true rookies on the Team? I thought most of them were smurfs last year.
Mark, I noticed on Tuesday that Bryce was back in RF and Corey Brown in CF. I thought Bryce was going to be the every day CF in Syracuse.
Courtesy of Byron Kerr and his Nats Insider show: Bryce Harper will play CF 2 games out of 3. The third game Corey Brown plays CF. Tyler Moore will play left field 1 game out of three from here on out. As I stated in the earlier post, Davey is a shrewd son-of-a-gun ... he is using competition to bring the best out of those three players. All three now have a pretty decent chance of making the 24 man roster before too long.
A corollary from MichelleS's question about Stras tipping his pitches. I noticed that when they got runners on second last night, Flores was walking to the mound a lot to talk to with the pitcher. Do they think Strasburg is tipping pitches, or are they concerned about the runner stealing the signs?
A lot of that looked mighty shady to me.
Also, what's DeRosa's leash looking like right now? I know Davey let's his players play, but DeRosa wasn't brought on to be an everyday player and he's being totally exposed right now. Davey just gave a "mental break" to Espinosa, does he plan on sitting DeRosa at all and maybe giving Nady some more looks in LF?
What do you think is going to happen to John Lannan?
He, Maya and Harper will probably draw straws each night to see who has to pick up the check for the postgame spread in the Syracuse clubhouse. Or maybe they'll just take turns.
Is Davey feeling OK? He always mumbled, but seems like you can't hear him at all now. Or is it maybe just allergies?
What does Boston have that we could use? Their pitching is in terrible shape and surely they could afford Lannan's salary?
Boston has a prospect rich system and could do better than Lannan. Right now Mitch Atkins, Yunesky Maya, Tanner Roark, and Zach Duke are pitching better than fifth starter in Syracuse John Lannan.
Natslady, do you actually believe Boston would trade for John Lannan? Given that league has a DH? He wouldn't last 3 innings in the AL.
NatsLady said...
What does Boston have that we could use? Their pitching is in terrible shape and surely they could afford Lannan's salary?
The only thing Boston has that we could use are cream pies for the nightly MVP award. Seriously, that is one dysfunctional team right now.
Is Davey feeling OK? He always mumbled, but seems like you can't hear him at all now. Or is it maybe just allergies?
Great QUESTION! He seems to get hoarser and hoarser after every game? It is getting a bit frightening ...
Nationals fans are beginning to see the Adam LaRoche I enjoyed watching as a Brave.
Is there any chance that the team picks up his option for next year and keeps Michael Morse in left?
Do we have any true rookies on the Team? I thought most of them were smurfs last year.
Lombo is the only rookie at the moment, but there will be plenty in September.
A few prospect questions: we can see that Harper has had a few errors at Syracuse, but is there a scouting evaluation of his time so far in CF? Better, worse or SSS than expectations?
Again, from Byron Kerr's Nats Insider show and his interview with Chiefs manager Tony Beasley:
Harper is far more comfortable in right field. Most of his errors are coming in CF. But he is learning and adapting. He has learned to hit his cut-off man. He is improving.
Is there any chance that the team picks up his option for next year and keeps Michael Morse in left?
Davey's made it pretty clear that Morse is his left-fielder. First base is for Marerro, Moore, and perhaps LaRoche.
Plus he got the kiss of death from DJ "ESPI is my 2b" (like LannEn was his #5)
Let's not forget Davey also said: "Ian's my leadoff guy." No kiss of death there!
I have a question to the crowd here: everybody's saying that Moore is tearing it up -- but I see his BA is .269. (.214 against righties) Granted, he has 5 HRs, but ordinarily one likes to see a higher BA in AAA, no?
Am I missing something?
Do we have any true rookies on the Team? I thought most of them were smurfs last year.
Lombardozzi is still a rookie. A September callup is not enough service time to remove his rookie status. Other than that, probably not until they make some callups during the season. Marrero, Harper and Tyler Moore would be possibilities.
Wonk, you asked Am I missing something?
short answer: Yes
Granted, he has 5 HRs, but ordinarily one likes to see a higher BA in AAA, no?
Yes, you are.
Moore is hitting the ball very hard as the clean-up hitter. He actually now has SIX XBH and AN ISO OF .390!!! Dad burn it when are you people going to stop looking at stats invented when the stats experts (mostly in England) were inventing the science? C'mon people!
He has FIVE walks against 9 K's. Which is better at least for him. And that leads to an OBP of .362. That combined with an ISO of .390? His wOBA is .352. His bRAA is a tad low but still good at 4.4. His OPS is a solid 1.045.
If he keeps that up he will likely have hit 10 home runs and 15 XBH before April is over.
They don't have anyone else other than Morse who is capable of that.
When is the show gonna air?
DC Wonk, Moore is slashing .289/.353/.644 with 5 homers in 45 ABs. That's a ton of power.
Batting average is a terrible stat and you shouldn't let it fool you.
I think Espi is the 2nd baseman against LH pitching. Against RH hitting, I think you have to see what Lombo can do and give Espi a few games against RH pitchers he has good numbers against and see if he can improve.
The bigger question is how Lombo will do once the other teams have scouting reports and try to exploit his weaknesses to see if Lombo can adjust.
Ooops sorry ... Tyler Moore's wOBA (weighted on base average which is a better measure then batting average) is .452 currently. He is killing the ball in AAA.
Do we have any true rookies on the Team? I thought most of them were smurfs last year.
Another thing. For hazing purposes, I doubt that the vets adhere strictly to the MLB definition of what constitutes a rookie. They probably expand the zone as much as they can get away with.
Grandstander said...
DC Wonk, Moore is slashing .289/.353/.644 with 5 homers in 45 ABs. That's a ton of power.
Batting average is a terrible stat and you shouldn't let it fool you.
April 18, 2012 2:50 PM
________________________________
Batting average isn't a terrible stat, it just needs to be used in context hence all the debate in 2010 on the value of Adam Dunn.
Actually, I think its .293/.362/.683 Grandstander, again for an OPS of 1.045.
About as good as it gets.
Batting average isn't a terrible stat, it just needs to be used in context hence all the debate in 2010 on the value of Adam Dunn.
Its not a "terrible" stat. But it is biased in one direction or the other. Making it dependent on many factors. Preferably one would use a stat or stats that are independent of defense and park conditions and neutral to pitching excellence. You want an accurate mean.
One year Joe Dimaggio struck out, I believe, 13 times
During one 162 game stretch during his career Tony Gwynn batted over .400
Those are juicy
Feel Wood.. Vets defining a rookie.. I think it is anyone that didn't get hazed the year before which is why Stras and JZ got hazed last year. Stras was out when the rookies would have gotten hazed in 2010 and I don't think they even did it in 2010 (which is why JZ got hazed).
Feelwood can't pick on Desi, LaRoche or Werth which makes Lannan his Target today.
A real shame where you think cutting down a guy who can't defend himself is fair game.
Hey Anon at 1:34, 2:24, 2:26, 2:29, 2:32, 2:37 and 2:38 -- Last time I checked, these questions were being directed to me, not you. If you'd like to offer up your expertise to your loyal legions of readers, you're more than welcome to create your own blog and online TV show.
Mark'd said...
Feelwood can't pick on Desi, LaRoche or Werth which makes Lannan his Target today.
A real shame where you think cutting down a guy who can't defend himself is fair game.
I'm pretty sure they have internet in all the towns in the International League, so Lannan can come on here and defend himself all he wants. For all we know, he may already be posting anonymously. Although I doubt he is boldanon aka Periculum.
A real shame where you think cutting down a guy who can't defend himself is fair game.
i've read some immature stuff on here, but this stands out...come up with an original thought..use facts, something...Lannan is making millions for mediocrity...he'll be fine (as long as he doesn't start for the Nats)
(sheepishly going back to see if I answered any questions addressed to Mark)
Mark can be very sensitive
On July 22 of 2011 I disagreed with Mr. Zuckerman’s description of Lannan as an innings eater. I wrote" I have to disagree with your description of Lannan as someone who "churns out innings" I think 3 out of his last 5 outings or so he has failed to get out of the 6th...he's the kind of pitcher that will hurt the team the next day even when they win because they have to use their pen for 2 or 3 innings at least...he pitches his heart out and is a serviceable #4/5..but not an inning eater like Livo can be when he's right.
I was prepared for a differing opinion from other fans and was looking forward to some not-necessarily –friendly dialogue, but was surprised when Mr. Zuckerman responded in the manner in which he did.
"Lannan has pitched into the 6th inning in all but 3 starts this season. And one of those early departures came when he took a line drive to the face (he had been dominating to that point). After tonight's start, he'll rank in the top 30 in innings pitched among all NL starters. To my recollection, he's only missed one start in his career due to injury (May 2010 when he was dealing with a forearm issue). With all due respect, that to me is the definition of an "innings eater.""
I replied "I wasn’t counting the shot to the face game (a game where the pitcher was hit in the face with a line drive early in the game and came out) but I went to a game a few weeks ago when he came out after 5 2/3 and got a standing O...for 5 2/3?...granted, he has stayed healthy and not missed many starts, but to me an inning eater is a guy who goes 7 or even 8...i think a some pitchers are obsessed with going 5 so they can qualify for the win and everything else is gravy... I looked it up..Lannan is 61st in the NL in innings per start..61st does not an inning eater make
And for good measure. And also, the description of the game he got hit in the face is not accurate. "he had been dominating to that point." In fact, the ball that hit him in the face was the third of three straight line drives, and the first of those missed hitting him in the face by about a foot. That's three straight hitters who were were teeing off. I will say, he was sharp those first 2 innings or whatever it was.
A couple of fans chipped in, and finally, after Lannan came out of the game:
Scott, you make good points and you're certainly entitled to your opinion. Maybe "innings eater" isn't the best description of Lannan. Maybe he's just "reliable" or a "workhorse" or something else. Point is he's established himself as a solid, big-league starter and an important part of the Nats rotation.
That was fun
And the point of rehashing the exchange with Mark would be what?
Any word on a general time this will be posted? Before or after the game?
Maybe Scott will transcribe it for us.
it spoke to my opening statment..he's senstivie..doesn't like to be disagreed with...or have others answer his questions..and i felt like it..i want a rain out so i can concentrate onthe NY Rangers tonight
Also, while batting average isn't the worst stat created, like say, pitcher's W-L record (and if you don't believe me on that ask Jordan Zimmermann), I do think it's antiquated and not very useful in evaluating players.
It doesn't really tell you what you need to know about anything. It doesn't tell you about walks, it doesn't tell you about power, it doesn't tell you about sac flies and bunts.
On its own, it's just a meh stat, what makes it terrible is its misplaced importance among baseball writers and fans.
Look at Danny Espinosa. He gets no shortage of grief for his low average but his OBP is .333 and he's tied for 5th in the league in walks (with Zimerman, who is also coincidentally suffering some flak for his low average).
Over his 49 PAs, he's got 8 hits, 8 walks and 2 sacrifices, meaning .367 of his PA have been productive. But no one (well almost no one) talks about that because his batting average is .205.
That's why it's a terrible stat.
In 1988 someone argued with me that Roger Clemens deserved the AL Cy Young, that he had outpitched Bob Welch. Welch won 27 games that year. Wins for a starting pitcher are a wonderful stat...i get your point on J Zimm and run support, but give me wins..lots and lots of wins.
Welch won 17 games in 88. He won 27 in 90 and he won the Cy Young that year. He was also helped by the fact the As won 103 games that season.
Wins have so little bearing on how a pitcher pitches it's laughable the frequency with which they're cited to evaluate pitchers.
Also, a lot of people would consider your comment about Mark pretty offensive. I wouldn't be too happy about it personally. It's like going into a man's home and calling him "sensitive" when he tells you to keep your feet off his furniture.
We can debate around here, but ad hominem attacks are a pretty crappy way to do it, especially against the guy who runs the freaking site!
offensive? you must have lived a sheltered life..soem people consider being senstivie a compliment..beats the alternative//thanks for correcting me on Welch...the Dodgers faced him in 88 WS...a few years after pitching for LA against the yankees and striking out Reggie..I read his book, 5 oclock comes early..big fan
Dunno if this is an appropriate question for the broadcast, but I've long wondered: If OPS is the single most telling stat for a hitter, why isn't anyone keeping track of OOPS (Opposing OPS) for pitchers? In other words, what the OPS is for all batters facing a particular pitcher. Should be easy enough to calculate, and would certainly be a more useful metric than W/L or ERA.
Plus it's a great acronym...
Ask a starting pitcher what stat means the most to him..it's wins...the pitchers job is to keep his team in the ballgame and give them a chance to win..laughable? i don't think so
That's not what a Win shows though. A win only tells you that the pitcher went at least 5 innings and his team was ahead when he came out and never gave up that lead. A guy could give up 6 runs in 5 innings and still get a Win. Conversely, a guy could pitch 9 innings or perfect baseball and still not get one.
Zimmermann went 8-11 last season, do you think that stat is an accurate reflection of how he pitched?
Zimmermann is the best pitcher on the staff and he gets poor run support...but if you're team scores 1 your job is to shut them out...no doubt the team you're on contributes to team record...it's not a perfect stat, but era can be misleading as well..if a team has an 8-0 lead a pitcher is likely to throw lots of fastballs to reduce strain on his elbow..you have a point, and I like your passion...i like strikeouts also..takes pressure off defense...
The video is posted here.
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