Where does Maxwell fit in next season?

by Potomac Fan on Oct 6, 2009 1:45 PM EDT Comment 22 comments

Until this September, Justin Maxwell hadn't shown that he could hit major league pitching. In his first stint of 2009, he batted just .125 in limited action. Many thought, justifiably, that Maxwell wasn't cut out to be a major-league ballplayer. Then something happened. He figured "it" out. He was recalled on Sept. 1 Over the one month-plus since that date, he has hit .311 over 26 games. He has also hit 4 HR and provided a spark to the offense in their current winning streak, along with Ian Desmond. Has Maxwell earned a roster spot for next season? He'll be 26 years old by next spring. If he can help to solidify the OF and provided good numbers on offense, he could help the Nats have more winning streaks in 2010.

Maxwell could split time in RF with Dukes. He could also give Nyjer Morgan and Josh Willingham a few days off over the course of the long season, giving him up to 10 starts in CF and 10 in LF to go with a possible platoon situation in RF. When Morgan went down with the hand injury, the Nats' offense went in the tank. But in recent weeks, Justin Maxwell and Ian Desmond have taken over Morgan's role of charging up the offense. If these two guys can play like this, and Morgan makes a full recovery, the offense could be much better next year. Not that it was that bad this season but the team was inconsistent until Morgan came along. Dunn, Zimmerman and Willingham will provide plenty of power but the Nats also need hitters like Morgan, Desmond and Maxwell to keep things flowing.

Poll

Will Justin Maxwell be a key contributor for the Nats in 2010?

Yes

42 votes

No

15 votes

Too early to say

41 votes

98 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

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Comments

I think he'll be the 4th OF

Im not sure what that all means for TAWH, but I think Max is a good solid OF and should be able to give any of the 3 OFs a day off and split some time. The problem is that Hammer and Dukes both can be slumpy and streaky…so I wouldnt put it past Rizzo that Max will see some time whereever he is needed.

I think TAWH is probably on the way out…

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 4, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we signed TAWH to a 2 year deal. Not sure though.

I wonder if we could trade him for some bullpen pitching.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Oct 4, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

$1.5m for 2010

So it’s probably worth him and Morse fighting it out for the utility…although between him, Morse and Orr… we’ve got a decent bunch of utility guys with enthusiasm.

I think he could net a decent trade tbh. Some bullpen pitching for Harris would be a decent deal.

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 4, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See you Willie

As much excitement as Willie has delivered over the last two years, he just hasn’t hit very well this season. Maxwell is capable of taking over as the 4th OF next year and he can’t hit worse than Harris did this year. (At least I hope not!) It would be nice to pick up some bullpen depth for Harris.

-------------------------------------------------
Washington, first in war, first in peace, last in the NL East :(

by Potomac Fan on Oct 4, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just checked fangraphs WAR data

Harris is the 5th most valuable Nat this season still with the team (1.1 WAR) Dunn was .1 WAR better with 1.2 WAR. Had TAWH played as much as Dunn he would have far outpaced Dunn’s value. Why get rid of TAWH? he is reasonably priced and very useful.

TAWH wOBA was .342 for the 2009 season. Here are comparable players offensively (wOBA) this season: C Granderson .341, Adam Jones. .343, N Morgan only .340 (entire season was better as NAT), D Ortiz, O Hudson, Posednik all .341. Maybe TAWH would not have that high of wOBA if he played everyday like these other players, but he is hardly a bad offensive player. He lacks alot of power, but he is really hard for RHPs to get out. I will never understand why we do not make him our regular LF since he has proven gold glove quality defender at that spot.

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Oct 4, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

J max deserves to be a primary backup in the majors next season.

He is better defensively in CF than TAWH and has similar speed. So I see the OF as Willingham, Morgan, and Dukes with TAHW and Jmax as the backups. However Tahw is also a key backup in the infield so J Max will likely be used more in the OF than TAWH. Who knows an injury could lead to him then getting regular playing team and earning a starting spot in 2011. Morgan is fragile thus far.

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Oct 4, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's actually a nice situation to be in with TAWH

Between him, Orr and Morse… im comfortable we’ve got some decent bench players for next season. No reason we couldnt keep all 3 and have J-max as the 4th OF.

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 5, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

changed my mind

I would start Jmax in rf now. until I did my statistical analysis of the team I did not realize how much better Jmax hit in sept. I would give every opportunity now.

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Oct 6, 2009 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball come back, any kind of fool could see
There was something in everything about you
Baseball come back, you can blame it all on me
I was wrong, and I just can’t live without you

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Oct 6, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A Man without a Position

Assuming no trades….Willingham has 1 corner…..Morgan in center……and Dukes in the other corner……..he’s a back up at best even on this team….but he still has to prove he can hit with average to stay in NOTStown….

by The Mamba on Oct 6, 2009 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy cow, is anyone watching Twins-Tigers? Good game!

Friend of Dukes and Desmond #3

by Doghouse on Oct 6, 2009 9:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First AL game I've watched all season...

Guess baseball can be exciting even w/ the DH…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 6, 2009 9:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Think of the number of players remaining if there was no stupid DH.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Oct 6, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pete Orr would be pitching...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 6, 2009 9:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Rauch to the playoffs. He pitched well.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Oct 6, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Orlando Cabrera........Hero of 2004...

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
"Freakish things are happening."

by cat daddy3000 on Oct 6, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MEZZA!!!!!...... It's barbaric!!!!........(and it's not The Onion...)

Aussie fans limited to 24 beers a day
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/strange/offbeat_dpgo_Aussie_Fans_Limited_to_24_Beers_a_Day_mb_20091006_2933278

“Australian police are once again cracking down on drinking by racing fans — sort of.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald , for the third straight year spectators at the Bathurst 1000 — a three-day auto race — will be told to stick to just one case of beer, 24 cans, while at the racetrack. If fans choose to drink light beer, they will be allowed 36 cans per day.

Restrictions also apply to one case of pre-mixed drinks a day or one cask of wine up to four liters.

Police hope the limits will prevent the famous New South Wales race from being marred by alcohol-related violence."

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
"Freakish things are happening."

by cat daddy3000 on Oct 6, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lol!

Just because the police say it…doesn’t make it so…I suspect you’ll see the everyday Australian ingenuity with mass smuggling of alcohol (hollowed out car engines, etc). Failing that there will be some kind of bootlegging operations to rival the Simpsons (‘Beer Baron’).

And you do realise its just one case PER DAY… not for the whole 3 days (which would ensure a riot and it’s own version of ‘alcohol-related violence’).

Which is a nice 9 litres of beer a day (and dont be surprised if the punters go for the extra strength stuff)…which is roughly 18 times more than average person should drink in a day (im in a health department so I should at least have the obligitary health message)

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 7, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe a case of beer a day could possibly be viewed as a "restriction".

No mention on the size of the cans. I’ve seen those giant cans of Fosters…

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
"Freakish things are happening."

by cat daddy3000 on Oct 7, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or the alcohol content

some of those Belgium beers can be upwards of 30%

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 7, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

**** the DH

They would have had back up catchers pitching if it was a NL games……….

Nothing more lame than seeing some STIFF like Randy Johnson walk to the plate annoyed as HE!! he has to leave the dugout…..WIFF at three balls and then walk briskly back to the dugout…….cussing all the way because of the inconvenience……

WAS A GREAT GAME !!!!!!…..Definitely NO NOTS would have been ALLOWED on that field tonight in Minneapolis…although the Tigers bull pen sure reminded me of the crew in NOTStown……

by The Mamba on Oct 7, 2009 1:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs