tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post7700040123504541410..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Organizational depth chartMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82414692787408905742011-02-06T22:16:32.266-05:002011-02-06T22:16:32.266-05:00Off topic - GREAT DAY IN SPORTS!!
Pittsburgh 0-2Off topic - GREAT DAY IN SPORTS!!<br />Pittsburgh 0-2N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-785020757276356942011-02-06T20:43:58.900-05:002011-02-06T20:43:58.900-05:00God I wish the stupid Super Bowl would get over so...God I wish the stupid Super Bowl would get over so we can focus completely on baseball.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58800520901001265062011-02-06T18:55:20.245-05:002011-02-06T18:55:20.245-05:00Theo - I agree, I was just noting that other teams...Theo - I agree, I was just noting that other teams seem to be paying a lot for them, so should we try take advantage of the current market by trading some of ours? It is the one area that our stats from last year are impressive. Sounds like you think the market is overvaluing that segment too, so if they could get value at another position, go for it. Do I read your reply right?Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59534123228012375712011-02-06T18:18:46.362-05:002011-02-06T18:18:46.362-05:00Wally -- Trading for relievers (or signing as free...Wally -- Trading for relievers (or signing as free agents) is a crap shoot. Often they are whack jobs (F. Rodriguez)(or as difficult to maintain as tropical fish), get hurt (Cordero, Wagner), lose their confidence (Lidge as an Astro), forget where the strike zone is (Lidge as a Philly), etc. The number that are consistently good (the Riveras, Hoffmans) are few and far between. Papelbon had a 3-4 year run and now the Red Sox are itching to be rid of him. The best approach is to develop your own (Storen) or get one off the scrap heap (Capps) and try to have someone standing in line when the inevitable happens.Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5431047641881072472011-02-06T17:46:58.487-05:002011-02-06T17:46:58.487-05:00In honor of the last week of the hot stove (hallel...In honor of the last week of the hot stove (hallelujah), here is a question: what are good bullpen guys worth? Seems like they are a highly valued part of the market right now - contracts to FA much higher than I would have thought in october, and some of the trades seem like they brought back some pretty good pieces. We gave up Hammer for Rodriguez (who I hadn't even heard of); Tampa gave up Bartlett for two more guys that I hadn't heard of; Balt got Reynolds for essentially David Hernandez and a lesser bullpen guy. So it seems like they have value.<br /><br />Do Burnett and Clippard reach that reputational level? If we packaged them together, could we get 1 good piece, like a Jake McGee, Anibal Sanchez, Gavin Floyd or Travis Wood, somebody like that? Should we, if we could (weaken a strength for a young guy with upside?) I think that I would, since we have some (unproven) but promising candidates behind them, if we could get a good young SP prospect or position player at need. If this works, it probably only works to a team really on the cusp of competing for a playoff spot.<br /><br />I am curious what others think.Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-12920309450115859872011-02-06T16:51:06.579-05:002011-02-06T16:51:06.579-05:00I don't see any of that helping the long term ...I don't see any of that helping the long term development of anyone likely to help this team past this year, BinM.....I think you are going to see Cora and Stairs on the opening day roster. I think Rizzo is so mad and hurt by the likes of Lee, Zack G. and about 10 others who he had to hear them say...."Mike, I do not believe you are going to be any good any time soon...sorry I am signing with the Cubs or the O's, for less money.....that has to hurt....Rizzo will do what he can to win now with his plan R.....which I think is all he can do...but it is too late now in my view.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36379615125359975192011-02-06T16:44:06.766-05:002011-02-06T16:44:06.766-05:00JayB @3:48 - Who's worth either 'calling u...JayB @3:48 - Who's worth either 'calling up' or keeping? - Brown is a low-level possible, as is Nix, particularly if a trade is made involving a LF or CF from the 40-man (Bernadina, Morgan, or Morse). Ankiel is a 'bubble' player in the OF mix, imo; Cora looks to be SYR-bound, unless Espinosa utterly collapses at the plate in Viera. Stairs should start the 2011 season in SYR as well (or be released), unless Riggleman demands a 2nd/3rd LH bat off the bench.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-6922812684924376892011-02-06T16:35:11.094-05:002011-02-06T16:35:11.094-05:00Theo....are you saying that this 40 man roster has...Theo....are you saying that this 40 man roster has enough talent to win more than 81 games next year? 2013? Time will tell but I do not think so. They have a lot of holes to fill......CF, LF, SS and 1B, SP and Closer all need to be addressed...where do you see the talent already with the team needed win 90 games in 2012/2013?JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64961710343541919322011-02-06T16:25:26.511-05:002011-02-06T16:25:26.511-05:00I see signs -- it's like tracking bread crumbs...I see signs -- it's like tracking bread crumbs -- of JayB coming around.Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-15013736108205858182011-02-06T16:16:19.126-05:002011-02-06T16:16:19.126-05:00BinM -- I'm hoping you misunderstand me. (In...BinM -- I'm hoping you misunderstand me. (In addition to which, I'm not certain which is the apples and which is the jerky.) I'm saying the current roster has (A) vastly more talent and (B) vastly more potential, and the way they got there was to sacrifice immediate gratification to a long-term vision. <br /><br />And the current roster may well win 81 games (or not) and that part of it that moves on to 2012 and 2013 will win quite a few more than 81 games in a season.Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7267333505093716342011-02-06T15:58:03.668-05:002011-02-06T15:58:03.668-05:00Theo @2:53 - You're out of bounds with that po...Theo @2:53 - You're out of bounds with that post. Counting the players from the '05 Nats remaining in MLB vs. the current roster is an inequitable comparison - not just apples to oranges, but more like apples to beef jerky. <br /><br />The 2005 Nationals was an aging roster, with few 'stars'; The fact that players like Schneider, Guillen, NJohnson, and a few others have survived may speak more to their actual ages in 2005, than it does to their relative skills.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42890650887250138922011-02-06T15:51:34.227-05:002011-02-06T15:51:34.227-05:00ABM are you really comparing Griffy to Milledge......ABM are you really comparing Griffy to Milledge....I remember seeing Jr with as a 8 year old....that kid loved baseball....he had fun and played the game the right way.....you may hate me but don't say stupid stuff just to try to show me up.....Griffy vs. Milledge.....you are a dope.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-51329444057296380982011-02-06T15:48:12.482-05:002011-02-06T15:48:12.482-05:00BinM makes an interesting point....it goes to the ...BinM makes an interesting point....it goes to the focus of the season and cost of past failures. What is the purpose of this year. Win as much as they can and gain some respect...if so they should carry Stairs to PH. This approach hopefully will lead to a 82 win season and a great winter FA signing season going into 2012.<br /><br />OR is the purpose of this season to continue to try to find some young cheap controlled players that could someday be MLB contributors on a winning team...in that case they would need those spots for Rule 5 types and Maxwell types.....My question to BinM is who the 40 man roster is worth taking that risk with....Brown?<br /><br />I think Rizzo has been clear that he hates watching players learn at the MLB level....Rizzo hates the word Prospect....It is clear to me he is going to try to win now....get respect...he hates what happened to him this winter...everyone disrespected him......I hope they get lucky and win enough because I do not see enough young talent to make a difference...they are going to have to fix this with money, trades and FA signings.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7350144505953659972011-02-06T15:46:22.365-05:002011-02-06T15:46:22.365-05:00BinM --
With all respect, I think any good team...BinM --<br /><br /> With all respect, I think any good team needs a LH pinch-hitter (for historical reference, see Gates Brown or Terry Crowley), to keep the other mgr from IBB-ing your No. 8 hitter (who might be Espinosa or Bernandina, guys w/ extra-base power, and both of whom would be batting LH against a RH pitcher). Last year's LH PH was Harris, who was, as I remember, 0-16 or 0-22 or something similar at one point. I think Stairs is better for the job than Ankiel. I know he didn't do much last year but am hoping he's still got some hits in his bat, and by reputation alone he would make some managers think carefully about their options.<br /><br />I don't think they signed Cora to send him to Syracuse -- the guy is 35 -- although I could be wrong. I don't see both Stairs and Cora making the Opening Day roster -- in both cases I would see Ankiel as the loser. Although for the first few weeks they could get by w/ 11 pitchers, not 12. (Twelve pitchers seems like such a waste of a good roster spot. You seem to end up w/ guy like Bautista who may be useful every now and then but has to be brought in, or warmed up, every day to keep osteoporosis from setting in.)<br /><br /> We shall see. Enjoy the SB.Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-6305879388592767522011-02-06T15:44:49.808-05:002011-02-06T15:44:49.808-05:00I wonder if JayB saw this old video clip of Ken Gr...I wonder if JayB saw this old video clip of Ken Griffey Jr. on MLB Network the other day. Kid was wearing his cap backwards and had a sh*t-eating grin all over his face. The Mariners should have cut him, right JayB? He was never going to make anything of himself in the game.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47558372002054500392011-02-06T15:39:44.024-05:002011-02-06T15:39:44.024-05:00JayB's learning curve is negative. He gets dum...JayB's learning curve is negative. He gets dumber as time goes by.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69489224399043233092011-02-06T15:32:29.425-05:002011-02-06T15:32:29.425-05:00Not true Theo..but you are a funny guy it seems......Not true Theo..but you are a funny guy it seems......I have struck out against Roger Clemens...twice in one game in college and played with more than a few players who had long major league careers. That is why I know this team has underperformed year after year and until very recently I hope, allowed players to expect to lose and feel good about it.<br /><br />No I was not a Senators fan....and proud to say so....those of you who think that is some kind of rational to enjoy bad baseball and poorly run franchises.....you sirs are a big part of the problem here in current DC baseball.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-123412100620352632011-02-06T15:23:08.574-05:002011-02-06T15:23:08.574-05:00@Theophilus: I was more concerned with the possibl...@Theophilus: I was more concerned with the possible lineup for SYR when I posed the question - If either Cora or Stairs finish Spring Training with the Nationals, I'd be very worried. Cora's not in camp just to become a future coach, he's a possible player; Meanwhile Stairs is purely a bat off the bench, offering nothing else at this point, imo. Cora would still a nice 'insurance policy' in SYR, should either Espinosa or Desmond falter or get injured, as long as he can't 'opt-out'. <br /><br />Riggleman & Rizzo would be short-changeing the team with either of these players moving to the 25-man roster; The Nationals don't have the kind of overall talent / depth to carry a pure PH at this point, let alone two.BinMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-55134655454230354032011-02-06T14:53:36.631-05:002011-02-06T14:53:36.631-05:00JayB -- To see how much the Nationals (cumulativel...JayB -- To see how much the Nationals (cumulatively, including the Bowden era) have learned, compare the 2005 roster (two pitchers still in the majors, three position players -- including luminaries Nick Johnson and Jose Guillen -- who have started since leaving the team) with this year's. The only way that team won 81 games has already been explored in "Angels in the Outfield." <br /><br />If you had grown up as a Senators fan, you'd understand the true meaning of patience. Or have you noted how much progress Peter Angelos has made on the learning curve? <br /><br />(Theo suspects the baseball experience claimed on JayB's curriculum vitae was of the Negamco or Strat-o-Matic variety. Spin away, meister.)Theophilusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-31892798938443906712011-02-06T13:57:57.411-05:002011-02-06T13:57:57.411-05:00Well that was the point of the Question to Mark ea...Well that was the point of the Question to Mark earlier in this post.....What signs will we see in Spring Training that the team has learned. That the focus is on sound baseball and fundementals. I know you spend time their....much more than I do so I would be interested in your view...... and I have seen some signs from last Spring that the days of Lastings and Dukes goofing off during drills with their hats on backwards are gone.....but then you watch them make well over 120 errors again last year and watch pitches look clueless bunting and Morgan being an ass.....and you have still ask yourself....what have the learned and where can you see it in the product.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82984195146226636462011-02-06T13:52:27.957-05:002011-02-06T13:52:27.957-05:00Yep....So they learned. Move on.Yep....So they learned. Move on.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-80915697999372578862011-02-06T13:45:12.189-05:002011-02-06T13:45:12.189-05:00Baseball is not a new business Njack....Learning c...Baseball is not a new business Njack....Learning curve is not that step for a new ownership group...that was the point of Stan K.....Lerner's are accountable for their decisions to keep Jimbo and ignore Stan's well documented advice to do things differently.JayBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11448827055342357809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-75038326535897124952011-02-06T13:31:58.307-05:002011-02-06T13:31:58.307-05:00Dagnabit JayB!!!! Do learning curves not exist in ...Dagnabit JayB!!!! Do learning curves not exist in your world???? <br />Any new business starts out with a business plan and while most new businesses fail in their first three years, the ones that survive are the ones that are able to adjust their plan to the things learned in executing that plan.<br />Understanding that one simple premise would make your additions to this blog less inane.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-9199434364553900322011-02-06T13:02:48.934-05:002011-02-06T13:02:48.934-05:00Cora and Stairs? Stairs can't field and Cora c...Cora and Stairs? Stairs can't field and Cora can't hit. I hope they have improved to the point where they won't need these guys. Still, Cora makes a good infield coach ... something Hairston doesn't have a rep for ... but Hairston is the better player.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-25615767662432167852011-02-06T12:58:52.338-05:002011-02-06T12:58:52.338-05:00Fangraphs shows that last year, the Nats pitchers ...Fangraphs shows that last year, the Nats pitchers spent more time on the average on the DL/games lost than any other team. Last year the Nats were second in games lost due to injury ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com