tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post6199364486605867647..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Shifting focusMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-89004870773107917002010-03-25T14:53:34.999-04:002010-03-25T14:53:34.999-04:00Maxwell is just making it easier for Michael Burge...Maxwell is just making it easier for Michael Burgess to move into that slot. Which probably would not be a bad thing in management's mind. Be interesting to see if Burgess gets placed at Harrisburg and how that plays out. <br /><br />That's your long-term plan B I would imagine. Can't be all that much worst than waiting for Wang, JZimmnn, and now Olsen (if they keep him). They aren't going anywhere this year.pericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64119127676143048012010-03-25T14:52:14.811-04:002010-03-25T14:52:14.811-04:00This statement really caught my eye.
"Manager...This statement really caught my eye.<br />"Managers and talent evaluators usually don't pay much attention to offensive numbers early in the exhibition schedule, because pitchers are always ahead of hitters."<br /><br />I guess Nat's pitchers were the exception?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-21274903099437187292010-03-25T14:32:28.177-04:002010-03-25T14:32:28.177-04:00We don't have to get into the basics of saberm...We don't have to get into the basics of sabermetrics, do we? Two things: first, I was being sarcastic. I don't really care about a one month or two month sample. I was using the September example to illustrate that Spring stats do not matter.<br /><br />Second, batting average, really? Why? It's obvious Dunn isn't going to hit higher than .260. Does that make him bad? You guys definitely know better than to use batting average to judge a hitter.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02623009442776550453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-43057637044280342462010-03-25T14:23:22.264-04:002010-03-25T14:23:22.264-04:00Regarding "no plan B" and rightfield aft...Regarding "no plan B" and rightfield after Elijah Dukes, I think the team believeed that he was such a cancer in the clubhouse (regardless of the fact that he hadn't killed anyone) that anyone in right was better than Dukes.<br /><br />And just because we don't see a "plan B" yet doesn't mean there isn't one. You all know how tight-lipped Mike Rizzo is about signings and trades.<br /><br />There could be a huge trade that might go down any minute for a great right fielder.<br /><br />You just never know. <br /><br />Were this Jim Bowden we were talking about, I'd be worried. But Rizzo has earned both my respect and my trust -- I'm willing to believe that he knows what he's doing.<br /><br />For now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-88479516215253852292010-03-25T13:59:37.428-04:002010-03-25T13:59:37.428-04:00erocks33: Wow, good stuff! Thanks for calculating ...erocks33: Wow, good stuff! Thanks for calculating all that.Mark Zuckermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-22056992695374097812010-03-25T13:57:17.314-04:002010-03-25T13:57:17.314-04:00Dave Nichols said...
cutting Dukes without a soli...<i>Dave Nichols said... <br />cutting Dukes without a solid Plan B was a bad idea, regardless of his popularity in the clubhouse.</i><br /><br />You are right. It was bad baseball as the only one that seemed to come forward with a problem seemed to be Dukes heir apparent Mr. Maxwell and he has faltered himself greatly. Nobody seemed worried about Dukes except JayB regarding Dukes winter schedule. Look, Dukes wasn't looking like an All Star or anything but like you said, no Plan B was in place.<br /><br />I thought there must have been a Rizzo blockbuster working to get a new RF which would probably be in a trade for a young arm.Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-68268443045023306842010-03-25T13:47:27.399-04:002010-03-25T13:47:27.399-04:00Chad Gaudin was released today by the Yankees, he ...Chad Gaudin was released today by the Yankees, he could be worth a pick up. This guy was a very good pitcher when when he was with the A's and I would say easily as good as our fifth starter.<br /><br />This guy is still young too.<br /><br />Rizzo please look into this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-48014724670931013712010-03-25T13:45:03.769-04:002010-03-25T13:45:03.769-04:00what erocks said. it would be 2yrs/$2m.
but no t...what erocks said. it would be 2yrs/$2m. <br /><br />but no thanks. i'd rather see willie harris play every day than bring matthews over.greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848419973469239512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42384865212669918942010-03-25T13:20:26.040-04:002010-03-25T13:20:26.040-04:00I believe that the Angels are paying most of Matth...I believe that the Angels are paying most of Matthews remaining contract (I think the Mets are only on the hook for 2 years and $2M).<br /><br />Still, I wouldn't want him on the Nats even if he were free. He stinks.<br /><br />And speaking of bad contracts, I know the Royals would love to get rid of Jose Guillen's! Maybe the Nats can pry him from KC and bring the entire 2005 lineup back (he says mockingly).erocks33noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-27989596500985980802010-03-25T13:15:04.118-04:002010-03-25T13:15:04.118-04:00Matthews is a terrible idea..he has at least 2 yea...Matthews is a terrible idea..he has at least 2 years and over $20 million left on his contract..why tie up money on a man who will not produce commensurate #'s..better off with a Livo/Marquis platoon in RFjoNAThannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-38661292845627972142010-03-25T12:51:29.106-04:002010-03-25T12:51:29.106-04:00For the time being, platoon Maxwell & Bernadin...For the time being, platoon Maxwell & Bernadina. Harris & Morse need to be available off the bench. It is merely the best of a bad situation right now.alexvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16607068733172426326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-10419271956269557522010-03-25T12:48:59.241-04:002010-03-25T12:48:59.241-04:00Someone asked if ST stats are taken into considera...Someone asked if ST stats are taken into consideration, then shouldn’t last September’s too? Well, I decided to add in last Sept’s stats to this years ST stats. Look them over if you want:<br /><br />Morgan: didn’t play in September, on the DL<br />Guzman: .189 (18-95), 1 HR, 10 RBI, 3 BB, 15 SO<br />Zimmerman: .301 (44-146), 11 HR, 24 RBI, 12 BB, 28 SO<br />Dunn: .205 (26-127), 3 HR, 16 RBI, 21 BB, 35 SO<br />Willingham: .198 (23-116), 7 HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 32 SO<br />Kennedy: .336 (49-146), 1 HR, 18 RBI, 15 BB, 22 SO<br />Rodriguez: .260 (26-100), 1 HR, 16 RBI, 3 BB, 18 SO<br />Harris: .277 (31-112), 3 HR, 12 RBI, 22 BB, 19 SO<br />Desmond: .297 (38-128), 5 HR, 24 RBI, 10 BB, 21 SO<br />Morse: .244 (20-82), 5 HR, 17 RBI, 5 BB, 24 SO<br />Maxwell: .213 (23-108), 5 HR, 12 RBI, 16 BB, 39 SO<br />Taveras: .333 (11-33), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 6 SO<br />Bernadina: didn’t play in September, on the DL<br />Bruntlett: .256 (10-39), 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 16 SO<br />Gonzalez: .323 (30-93), 0 HR, 11 RBI, 6 BB, 9 SO<br />Nieves: .270 (20-74), 0 HR, 9 RBI, 8 BB, 8 SO<br />Dukes: .233 (24-103), 0 HR, 6 RBI, 21 BB, 19 SOerocks33noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-13425549414575170032010-03-25T12:26:44.510-04:002010-03-25T12:26:44.510-04:00If Gonzalez or Tavares make the team out of spring...If Gonzalez or Tavares make the team out of spring training we're screwed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-11760772599357488472010-03-25T12:18:43.879-04:002010-03-25T12:18:43.879-04:00I sold cars for a couple of years (yes, I'm mu...I sold cars for a couple of years (yes, I'm much better now). <br /><br />Twice in that time, the top seller from another store moved over to our dealership. I mean, these guys were top-notch.<br /><br />One guy started off really slow (2 cars the first month when the average is 9)and the boss threatened to fire him (he had averaged 13/mo at his other store). Half way into his second month, he was still having trouble and was fired.<br /><br />He moved to another dealership and sold 15 his first month there.<br /><br />Long-winded story, but the point is that great players have bad springs and bad players have great springs. <br /><br />It makes no sense to add a player to the roster for Opening Day, or not add him, based on his spring stats seems very strange.<br /><br />When I lived in Seattle in '81-'83, the Mariners had a 29-year-old named Steve Straughter who made the team one year based on an unbelievable spring but did terribly with the Mariners and was released. He had failed to make it to the majors in a decade as a minor leaguer -- why suddenly should he take the spot of another player because of two hot months?<br /><br />Spring numbers should be just one of many factors a team looks at to decide who comes north.<br /><br />Just my point of view.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-18390757428022081872010-03-25T12:15:09.355-04:002010-03-25T12:15:09.355-04:00The Dukes' Plan B: Heard on XM this morning, t...The Dukes' Plan B: Heard on XM this morning, that the Metsies are looking to move Gary Mathews, Jr. I'm not in love with him, but I like him better than the current options. What about a salary swap where we send the Guz to NY as Reyes insurance and we take the Little Sarge's contract in exchange?Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03839939495474934696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-18209206912959502162010-03-25T12:14:07.726-04:002010-03-25T12:14:07.726-04:00The lack of BB out of everybody is a little concer...The lack of BB out of everybody is a little concerning... Spring training sees a lot of bad pitching, and the Nats' hitters (aside from Willie Harris- Maxwell doesn't count because he is striking out 45% of the time) are chasing every wet biscuit out of the pitcher's hand.<br /><br />I know guys want to get up into the box and take their cuts, make something happen, but you can't score if you can't get on base...Deacon Drakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17827411603052143857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79077255161156512042010-03-25T11:56:36.766-04:002010-03-25T11:56:36.766-04:00enlightened commentary from the readers today.
th...enlightened commentary from the readers today.<br /><br />that the team is basing decisions on spring training statistics goes a long way in explaining still how far this franchise has to go.<br /><br />cutting Dukes without a solid Plan B was a bad idea, regardless of his popularity in the clubhouse.Dave Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05310191107811609232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83278116248672016342010-03-25T11:51:30.825-04:002010-03-25T11:51:30.825-04:00Willy certainly doesn't clog the bases with hi...Willy certainly doesn't clog the bases with his sub .300 OBP.<br /><br />I can see why Dusty loved him so much.Lintyfresh85http://www.wnff.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-8981346421101136942010-03-25T11:48:12.157-04:002010-03-25T11:48:12.157-04:00I agree completely with Sam's comments on Maxw...I agree completely with Sam's comments on Maxwell. I don't understand the point of cutting ties with Dukes if you aren't going to give Maxwell a chance to produce at the big-league level. Harris and Taveras are known quantities. A 40-AB stretch should not put Maxwell out of the picture after the September he had last year. And I don't even really like Maxwell as a player that much.jcj5ynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-73835315722301126922010-03-25T11:39:11.025-04:002010-03-25T11:39:11.025-04:00Any thoughts on whether Dunn's contract situat...Any thoughts on whether Dunn's contract situation is weighing on him? Be nice to get that done before the season starts because high-walk, 40 HR guys aren't exactly a dime a dozen.Tom Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10824491987786508694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-18784098116947981812010-03-25T11:36:52.601-04:002010-03-25T11:36:52.601-04:00If Spring Training were a consideration, shouldn&#...If Spring Training were a consideration, shouldn't last September be one too? If we are going to take small spurts and say, look, this guy hit well, he deserves to be on the roster, then we can apply this to any time frame, right? Maxwell hit really well in September last year. Shouldn't that be as much under consideration as March?<br /><br />If Adam Dunn is hitting .210/.300/.350 after April, should Riggleman bench him?<br /><br />One of the reasons I am ranting about these numbers is Willy Taveras. He is just not a Major League caliber player. He is absolutely awful at the plate and provides marginal defense. It would be an absolute shame to grant him a roster spot and possible platoon with Harris (especially at right field). Leave this guy for managers like Dusty Baker who don't understand baseball.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02623009442776550453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-43471617767472412622010-03-25T11:21:07.934-04:002010-03-25T11:21:07.934-04:00I really want Gonzalez to succeed. I like the kid...I really want Gonzalez to succeed. I like the kid, love his glove, but I just don't trust that bat in the slightest...Nats fan in NJnoreply@blogger.com