tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post7065306591895418948..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Where'd the offense go?Mark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-87666314865175906422010-05-19T22:20:19.825-04:002010-05-19T22:20:19.825-04:00@ Anon 12:57
I'm definitely not a newbie and ...@ Anon 12:57<br /><br />I'm definitely not a newbie and I would consider myself to have a well above average knowledge of baseball and this team. I'm not saying to not have an opinion, I'm just saying the same bunch of people criticize every move and contradict themselves a lot. It is those people who seem to be newbies.<br /><br />You have people saying we could have gotten "great" prospects for Willingham. If that were the case, I'm sure Rizzo would have pulled the trigger on a deal.<br /><br />Other people are saying we should trade for a RFer. Who do you think is available to be traded for that will be any better than Bernadina? It is mid May, nobody has completely ruled themselves out. Look at what the Rockies did last year, they were not good through the first quarter of the season, then made the playoffs.<br /><br />If anybody legitimately believes Rizzo isn't on the phones daily talking to other GMs that is pretty sad.<br /><br />Sure we need a true ace, a RFer and a better bat off the bench but it is too early in the season to get anybody worth a damn in a trade. Give it another couple weeks, loosen up some and enjoy good baseball.<br /><br />Oh an Mr. Anon, that post made me laugh out loud.PDowdy83noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32197083279199580942010-05-19T15:23:09.902-04:002010-05-19T15:23:09.902-04:00If this is ST then:
- Hope that Dukes had suddenl...If this is ST then:<br /><br />- Hope that Dukes had suddenly learned how to hit and field less<br /> lackadaisically. <br />- Hope that Maxwell had suddenly learned how to hit.<br />- Hope that some combination of Bernadina, Taveras, Guzman,<br /> Desmond, Morse and Harris would perform at a major league level in <br /> right field.<br />- Hope that Guzman's arm would work at shortstop because Riggleman<br /> was planning to play him there nonetheless.<br />- Hope that by some miracle Desmond would convince management to <br /> let him play shortstop instead.<br />- Pray that Marquis would straighten up and not look as horrible as he<br /> did in ST.<br />- Pray that Rizzo could find other starting pitchers for the rotation<br /> other than Lannan. That was all they seemed to have at the time.<br />- Pray that Dunn would learn to play 1st base well enough to at least<br /> break even in terms of his UZR versus his offense.Hocus Pocus (Hoc est nostrus dominus)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47162751901324673372010-05-19T15:19:09.349-04:002010-05-19T15:19:09.349-04:00Let's go Bucs!Let's go Bucs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46269820698322197262010-05-19T15:15:57.132-04:002010-05-19T15:15:57.132-04:00I know we all love Riggleman and what he's bro...I know we all love Riggleman and what he's brought to our once-woeful Nats, but someone's gotta say it, so I will: He's costing us runs with his smallball strategy of bunting and base-stealing. <br /><br />Look at the data on run expectancy. First and second with nobody out is <i>better</i> than second and third with one out in terms of expected run production in the inning. This situation has come up at least, what, 4 or 5 times during the losing streak? Yet Riggleman bunts every time. <br /><br />By playing to get a run or two home, and to avoid having to answer tough questions about making unconventional plays, Riggleman is costing us the chance at the big inning.<br /><br />Even when he's right to bunt in that situation, like with pitchers, he refuses to adjust. Once Olsen went 0-2 in that critical spot there's not a fan alive who thought he'd get a sac bunt down successfully, so why not let him swing away? Similarly, when a great-hitting Stammen when 2-0 while trying to bunt, why not call it off and let him work the count or tee off on a pitch down the middle?<br /><br />And don't even get me started on the steal attempts against Olivo and Molina.<br /><br />I love Riggleman's skills with the players and keeping the troops happy and motivated, and he's a great guy. Any chance he could hire Acta to sit in the dugout and make the baseball decisions for him?Bowdenballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-6690635364224541322010-05-19T15:04:30.649-04:002010-05-19T15:04:30.649-04:00Kevin Rusch,
You ask "Who was available at 2...Kevin Rusch,<br /><br />You ask "Who was available at 2b?" I think he was a FA - <br />Kelly Johnson .259/.346/.583/.929 with HR11, RBI 23,Runs 26,SB 3<br />He is 28. Granted he had some bad seasons and would have cost a little more but he would be and upgrade.<br /><br />And I would say I am happy we are 20-20 but not content.Water23noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58393163242317605072010-05-19T15:03:22.516-04:002010-05-19T15:03:22.516-04:00Hey Sec Pie. Look up strawman arguments as no one...Hey Sec Pie. Look up strawman arguments as no one has said to trade Maxwell for Tex.Dopenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-20083058492786001302010-05-19T14:56:31.845-04:002010-05-19T14:56:31.845-04:00Doom and gloom and the Lerners are cheap posts, wh...Doom and gloom and the Lerners are cheap posts, what the heck, is it preseason again?<br /><br />The Lerners are cheap (I am the VP of that club) but we got Dunn last year and Pudge, Marquise (sp), Kennedy, Bruney and Walker this year. Pudge and Kenedy are working out - Marquise and Bruney, not so much and the jury is still out on Walker.<br />Let's give Roger a chance in RF and spell him with Morse, he seems like he may be able to get the job done.<br />I couldn't believe that Riggs batted Willie instead of Morse last night or that Batista is still on the team.<br />I love baseball and having a team that is competitive again.<br />Go Nats!alm1000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-43347386145852628912010-05-19T14:51:13.372-04:002010-05-19T14:51:13.372-04:00Sunderland said...
"We came into spring with...Sunderland said... <br />"We came into spring with the RF plan being:<br />- Hope that Dukes had suddenly learned how to hit..."<br /><br />That was a reasonable hope. He was a SERIOUS clubhouse problem that came to a head in Spring Training.N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-8125096453051755392010-05-19T14:36:06.538-04:002010-05-19T14:36:06.538-04:00If it's normal in a "baseball town" ...If it's normal in a "baseball town" to fart and fume over the owners, the players, the manager, the umps, whatever, isn't it also typical to complain about how stupid all the other posters are, too? Srsly, the "they should trade Maxwell for Mark Teixeira" posts are coming in two and three a day lately. Almost as bad as the "trade the top pick" posts last year, which, thankfully, we've been spared this time. Which is nice. So there's that.Sec3.14159265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-67329220486930672572010-05-19T14:26:55.766-04:002010-05-19T14:26:55.766-04:00THIS is the Post of the Day (so far):
___________
...THIS is the Post of the Day (so far):<br />___________<br />Mr. Anonymous said...<br /> PDowdy83 said...<br /> "Oh, and stop posting ANONYMOUSLY! Enter a freakin name if you are going to post. It's not that hard!"<br /> Okay.<br /> May 19, 2010 12:42 PMSec3(not his real name)MySofanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46059549499122442712010-05-19T14:24:05.898-04:002010-05-19T14:24:05.898-04:00My frustration, with the RF production, with the l...My frustration, with the RF production, with the lack of MLB depth & with the lack of AAA offensive depth is a frustration with the Lerners for being tight with cash over the years.<br /><br />They have chosen to make Nats fans wait for years for a good team, and at this rate we're still a few years away. We've got very good starting pitching on the horizon, in that sense 'the plan' is showing progress, but why is it that 'the plan' can't also allow for getting better by spending some of the Lerners billions? (Recall, for three years in a row, Forbes has estimated that the Nats have been in the top 3 for profit. How can you read this and not be frustrated with the Lerners?)<br /><br />It's not like we are suddenly hurting for offense, suddenly realizing we have a hole in RF. We've had a hole in RF ever since the 2006 version of Jose Guillen. We came into spring with the RF plan being:<br /> - Hope that Dukes had suddenly learned how to hit<br /> - Hope that Maxwell had suddenly learned how to hit<br /> - Hope that some combination of Bernadina, Taveras, Morse and Harris would perform at a major league level<br /><br />That's a lousy plan.<br /><br />And to the "well what would you do about it crowd", the answer is very simple.<br />I would give Mike Rizzo the money and freedom to do what Mike Rizzo does.<br />Because it's obvious from the way we draft and the way we deal with free agents that Rizzo has little money, and therefore little freedom.<br /><br />I trust Rizzo to make good baseball decsions, and good business decisions when it comes to baseball matters.<br /><br />Apparently, I trust him more than the Lerners do.Sunderlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30215144418139586792010-05-19T14:21:11.981-04:002010-05-19T14:21:11.981-04:00On another topic, does anyone know if Rizzo and co...On another topic, does anyone know if Rizzo and co. are going to be in the DR on Friday to watch Yunesky Maya work out? We were so close on the Chapman bidding, and even with SS and the injury brigade on the way, we're pretty dangerously thin til late summer in the rotation.<br /><br />You can never have too much pitching. You can never have too much pitching. You can never...NatinBeantownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-48072795419033255952010-05-19T14:07:45.045-04:002010-05-19T14:07:45.045-04:00Jaxpo Nat,
You hit the nail on the head. This te...Jaxpo Nat,<br /><br />You hit the nail on the head. This team has what it has and they have to use what they have. Besides, no one is making trades right now because the trade deadline is still a few months away. If the Nats are fortunate enough to be contenders and decide to buy instead of sell, then we can criticize the front office if they can't get it done. Until then, no other team is going to take Bergmann or Maxwell in exchange for a top RF or 2B. That's just unrealistic.The Great Unwashednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36937452132733111632010-05-19T14:04:09.976-04:002010-05-19T14:04:09.976-04:00aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaaaaa... [breathe, damm...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaaaaa... [breathe, dammit!]<br /><br />aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaaaaa...<br /><br />ok, seriously, kevin rusch's comment about waterboarding clint isn't the best post of the day (although i'll agree with it).<br /><br />it's his comment that if you could "teach [guzman] to take a walk..."<br /><br />*snicker*<br /><br />lol...<br /><br />hahahahahaaaa...<br /><br />seriously. <br /><br />for realz. <br /><br />this is christian guzman we're talking about, right? the guy who has 250 BBs in more than 5000 ABs? who's only once had more than 30 BBs (and that was in 2000)? who last year had 16 BBs in 531 ABs? the guy with the career OBP of 308? who'll be 33 and in his 12th ML season in 2011? <br /><br />i'm sure the light will go on for him. soon. really. <br /><br />*chuckle*<br /><br />sorry, i can't stop sniggering about teaching him to take walks.greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848419973469239512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-6805029363979001082010-05-19T13:43:39.066-04:002010-05-19T13:43:39.066-04:00You got a point on the outfielders, and the value ...You got a point on the outfielders, and the value on young cheap talent. But I’ll bite and pretend the below is possible. DISCLAIMER: Mumblings of a Neophyte – I am not an expert nor member of a front office nor claim to know more than Rizzo. <br /><br />For young outfielders that might be MLB ready I think the Nationals can get….<br /><br />Jose Tabata of the Pirates (he'll take a lot of young talent, i.e. good pitcher and good prospect)<br />Josh Reddick of the Red Sox (the Red Sox NEED a catcher)<br /><br />For RF’ers already in the Majors that the Nationals can get….<br />Hunter Pence --- maybe. He is having a down year. And the Astros *believe* that they can compete.<br />Xavier Nady --- May not be healthy. Doesn’t play much.<br />Garrett Jones --- Pirates. I don’t see the Pirates keeping anybody anyway.<br /><br />Anyway slim pickings and something that should have been addressed in the off-season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59862332999453286842010-05-19T13:42:17.972-04:002010-05-19T13:42:17.972-04:00Nyjer Morgan needs to get his head back into the g...Nyjer Morgan needs to get his head back into the game. Did you see him dancing off of 1st base in the 9th last night? Dan Radison pulled him over (luckily) because the next move by the pitcher was a throw over to 1st. <br /><br />If Radison didn't do that, Nyjer would have been picked off and game over, although in the end the Nats lost anyway but still, this guy is just not playing smart.<br /><br />Nyjer may have thought he was cool Tony Plush based upon what he did in DC in 2009 except right now in 2010 he is Tony FLUSH as in flush the toilet and leave the seat down!<br /><br />NEWSFLASH to Tony Plush, in sports its "what have you done for me lately". Just ask Brian Bruney that!Steve M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74393289019994795552010-05-19T13:35:09.401-04:002010-05-19T13:35:09.401-04:00Kevin Rusch Section 406:
Waterboarding Clint? The...Kevin Rusch Section 406:<br /><br />Waterboarding Clint? The best idea in any post here today.Nats2005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36656452628604236412010-05-19T13:31:40.369-04:002010-05-19T13:31:40.369-04:00Here's mine.
Morgan / Bernadina CF
Willingham...Here's mine.<br /><br />Morgan / Bernadina CF<br />Willingham LF (HIGH OBP)<br />Guzman / Kennedy 2B<br />Zimmerman 3B<br />Dunn 1B<br />Rodriquez C<br />Bernadina / Morse RF<br />Desmond SSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-10088915425843144732010-05-19T13:14:42.319-04:002010-05-19T13:14:42.319-04:00Maybe they should just move the AL and then they c...Maybe they should just move the AL and then they could have a DH?<br /><br /><i> I mean, really. Where's the available talent??</i><br /><br /><b>Exactly! Other than a YOUNG under 30 FA who hits someone like a BJ Upton who happens to be a free agent? It AIN'T THERE. JayB YOU sound clueless!</b><br /><br />You may be right Bernadina could end up in center if Morgan flounders. Okay so where is your lead off hitter? Your #2? With Guzman sucking up those spots its hard for anyone to determine who might be able to do the job? Again, this is Riggleman trying desperately to keep Guzman, and for some odd reason he still plays the guy at shortstop? Okay why not take out Zimmerman and put Guzman at third base then Riggleman? Its pretty ridiculous if you ask me. <br /><br />Desmond should play short every day. When he needs a blow, Gonzalez. He should bat second. <br /><br />This is still a rebuilding team I guess? So, what are we learning by putting Harris at lead off? Guzman batting second? <br /><br />And yeah JayB, someone who is a far better judge of talent like Michael Burgess. His name is Mike Rizzo. Are you saying you know more than he does? Really???<br /><br />Espinosa, Lombardozzi, Hood, Bloxom, Ramirez, Higley. They may be better than you seem to believe. And Chris Duncan plus Mench are still in Syracuse?<br /><br />The problem with this is still Riggleman. He will not try the younger players unless he is forced to. Or unless he likes them a lot (see JMax). He won't change. He will play HIS veterans even if they are hitting .179? So, how do you find out if someone else can do the job? Through Osmosis?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-57029278661451798332010-05-19T13:13:05.445-04:002010-05-19T13:13:05.445-04:00And about Guzman's future... I don't like ...And about Guzman's future... I don't like him starting anywhere, but he probably realizes as much as anyone else that he's on the downside of his career. If we could have him for cheap, teach him to take a walk, you could do worse than a utility man who can play defense anywhere and hit better than the pitcher in the 7th.Kevin Rusch, Section406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-53624091419750173352010-05-19T13:09:41.227-04:002010-05-19T13:09:41.227-04:00In regards to those posters who think Riggleman is...In regards to those posters who think Riggleman is bound and determined to make Guzman a full time shortstop and move Desmond to the outfield, may I submit that often times what Riggs has to say about Desmond is in reply to a question asked of him and not necessarily his intentions or preferences. I for one believe that Riggleman has no intentions whatsoever of moving Desmond to the OF and furthermore I believe that Guzman will not be part of the 2011 Nationals, especially at his current contract rate. Guzman will most likely be available as a free agent after the season as I don't see a big demand in the trade market for someone with his limited defensive capabilities. On the other hand there may be a manager in Cleveland who would like to reunited with him.Knoxville Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-15185946147044800812010-05-19T13:02:40.857-04:002010-05-19T13:02:40.857-04:00Personally, I'd like to see what Bernadina can...Personally, I'd like to see what Bernadina can do for the rest of the season and, since RF is the only "open position," play him there. My only question for all those clamoring for a trade for a RFer is WHO EXACTLY DO YOU THINK WE COULD TRADE FOR? Do you think the Phillies will fork over Werth? Maybe we can pry Heyward from the Braves. I know, I know: the Dodgers would certainly be willing to part ways with Ethier. Wake up people. Any trade would involve some questionable has been/never was such as Francoeur or maybe Cody Ross. Face it, we aren't exactly trading with a stacked deck of prospects. Whoever we could get in a trade would be only measurably better than our current situation. No, let Bernadina play and see what we have. That is, of course, unless the Mariners call dying to send us Ichiro for Derek Norris.Jaxpo Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54414488697781080662010-05-19T12:57:15.689-04:002010-05-19T12:57:15.689-04:00@pdowdy83
Welcome to a Major League Baseball town...@pdowdy83<br /><br />Welcome to a Major League Baseball town! Right now Red Sox Nation is talking about their terrible starting pitching and looking to trade anybody. Yankeeverse is wondering about Joba and Rivera. Phillie Phanatics are fretting over the closer role. The NY Mess is calling for Manuel's and Reyes's head. And here in Natstown we want a run producing RF. Geeze, its like you are newbie or something. What baseball town has a bunch of autonomons talking sunshine and stating that we should enjoy the season? Even Reds fans got some quibbles (i.e. Dusty Baker). It's part of being a baseball town. It's like some of you guys take criticism of the team super personal. Get over yourself!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-25523945484483081482010-05-19T12:49:47.483-04:002010-05-19T12:49:47.483-04:00JayB - you're right that the Lerners had their...JayB - you're right that the Lerners had their time and squandered it. And they're paying the price in terms of an empty ballpark. Fine.<br /><br />BUT, what would you do about it? If you don't think anything of the guys the nats have in the minors, what makes you think any other team's GM would like them enough to part with a good RF? <br /><br />If not, then you're looking at the FA market. OK, fine. Who's a good free agent RF? Jermaine Dye? Please, he's more done than David Ortiz. Austin Kearns was available... har har. Who was available at 2b last winter, for that matter? I mean, really. Where's the available talent??<br /><br />Anyway, my point is that even though we as fans deserve better, there's not much the Lerners can do, is there? (Short of absorbing our rage, waterboarding Clint, and letting Teddy win)Kevin Rusch, Section406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79853209560310072822010-05-19T12:47:00.396-04:002010-05-19T12:47:00.396-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384823698218319042noreply@blogger.com