The Washington Nationals' "Acting" GM Mike Rizzo On Riggleman, Team Defense And The Second Half...
by Ed Chigliak on Jul 15, 2009 1:15 PM EDT
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(ed. note - "Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo was on Sirius/XM's Inside Pitch with hosts Jeff Joyce and Joel Sherman on Monday to talk about Manny Acta's dismissal, Jim Riggleman's move to "Interim" Manager and what the future holds for the lineup in the second-half... Here are some of the highlights or noteable quotes..."):
Riggleman's Future...
Rizzo: "I have the greatest respect for Jim, I think he's a great baseball guy, and uh, you know, he certainly would be a candidate for the full-time position. What it's gonna take for him? I just need to see the team play the game the right way. For them to continue to play the game hard, stress fundamentals, be more fundamentally sound, keep the team focused, have the players take accountability for their performance on the field and their preparation, and to continue the developmental process of, specifically, our young starting pitching and our good young core players."
Biggest Disappointment...?
MORE AFTER THE JUMP...
Biggest Disappointment?:
Rizzo: "Well probably the biggest disappointment and the most unanticipated part of it is our poor defense. Even good defensive players such as Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman, who is, you know, Gold Glove caliber at third base, have made their fair share of errors. And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times...but I would think defense has been very troubling, because it not only effects your young core of starting pitching and it effects your bullpen also by giving...it's just so tough in this game and especially in the National League East to give up extra outs to teams and we've been burnt many, many times by giving up extra outs..."
What Are You Trying To Find Out In Second-Half...?
Rizzo: "I think you have a young good-looking controllable player in Josh Willingham, he's a 29-year-old player, playing on an everyday basis and really coming into his own, I think he's got a strong future here. Alberto Gonzalez, we have to find out if he's an everyday middle infielder in the major leagues or not. He's hitting .327-ish I think as we speak right now in limited at bats. We have to find what is the role for Anderson Hernandez?...The second-half of the season we're going to be doing further evaluations of our roster...and as the season progresses, Elijah Dukes will be back in the major leagues and we will, we'll certainly see what type of player we have there on an everyday basis. It's an evaluation process, so we can go into the offseason and the winter and make good prudent baseball decisions."
(ed. note - "More later this afternoon...")
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Mike says...
“It’s an evaluation process, so we can go into the offseason and the winter and make good prudent baseball decisions.” PRUDENT = Rizzo IDIOTIC = Bowden
What this man the actual GM not the interim GM, please. NOTE TO LERNERS: Do this and leave him alone!!! Please !
by Berndaddy on Jul 15, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can Willingham still catch?
Would be a good way to get him some more ABs
by pas493 on Jul 15, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His back is the problem. Do the Nats really want more back problems with him?
I like the right and left field action. If we keep him I’d say put him at 1b in the spring to give him a go at it and keep Dunn at LF only
by Berndaddy on Jul 15, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1B? What aboot Nick Joh...
Ohh…that’s right. You’ve all traded him in your minds already…
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 Jul 15, 2009 2:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Must TNJ.
So, Rizzo mentioned Hammer as a potential trade candidate…to get his name and situation out there. Put General and Elvis on notice that they are audioning for their future with the Nats. Dukes…everyday basis…where?
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 15, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its not that we have him traded in our minds its that NJ is a FA, if Willingham could make the transition to 1B he would probably better then any option other FA option at first.
by pas493 on Jul 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RF is all his now, til Dukes returns Hammer should get all the starts in right...
…whether or not a 29-year-old fits into this team’s future is a big ? for me…
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 Jul 15, 2009 2:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Uh...yes? Wait is that a trick question?
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 Jul 15, 2009 2:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I loved the Milledge info that came out…like how often he was late and ignored advice from more experienced players on the team.
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 15, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MIlledge = Immature
He’s goning to be out of baseball in a few years, looking back and realize all the crap he put himself into. It’s ashame. He could have been good. Let’s hope for him, he gets cut as a Bucco and than has to go into the independent league(s) to finally grow up and learn to do the work. My prediction is at the age of 30 someone takes a chance on him and he becomes an All-Star last bloomer. Otherwise he goes into law enforcement like his Dad in Florida. Nothing wrong with that but “could have beens” really suck as you’re booking someone for something stupid. I wish him well, though…
by Berndaddy on Jul 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nup
If he hasnt worked it out by now…it an’t probably going to happen. He’s a loser.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 15, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not true
He is very young. The game has had later bloomers before. Heck Nijer Morgan found himself at 27. Millage could late bloom. Particulalry if his dad is a cop.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
by PhDBrian on Jul 15, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, Id argue that 24 isn’t that young to be a professional athlete (I know 14 yr old gymnists that are more professional than this kid). True, when I was 24 I was different to what im like now… but if he doesnt focus and knuckle down…he simply will have lost too much ground. If he gets it together at 27-28… he might find he only has a few seasons at ‘peak’.
I think if he doesnt change his attitude (and judging from reports, he doesnt take advice well), he maybe be making himself unemployable at the big league level.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 16, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but Nyjer Morgan is 29?!?
and they already said he was part of the future.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 15, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe all these guys peak in their mid-30's...
…though that’s so 5 years ago.
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 Jul 15, 2009 3:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
So next year...taking a lot of things for granted...
1B Dunn
2nd Anderson H
SS Guz/Alberto
3B The FOF
LF Hammer
CF Nyjer
RF Dukes
C Jesus
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 Jul 15, 2009 3:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
2010 A National's Odyssey...
The National’s Best Lineup For 2010 (Or 2009 For That Matter)….
1)NYjer CF 2)Guz SS 3)Zimm 3B 4)Dunn LF 5)SuperDukes RF 6)NJ 1B 7)Flores C 8)FatAlbert-o 2B 9)??? P.
ThrillyHarris Replaces Dunn Defensively When Ahead in The 7th Inning or Later And Replaces Him In LF When Dunn DH’s(His Best Defensive Position) In Interleague Games.
Am I Nuts…? This Lineup Looks Like It Can Win Some Ballgames If Someone Can Throw A Quality Start, Right ???
Now The Staff For Next Year Is A COMPLETE Mystery, For Me, At Least……
"Oh no sir, this has been embarassing for quite some time. " ~Bagger Vance
by BloggerVance on Jul 16, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, that looks like it, although Bernadina might make a case instead of Morgan.
Only a Hammer trade you say? Rizzo likes him……
"And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times..." -Rizzo
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 16, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For me the linup next year should be
1B [Someone else] (traded NJ for a handful of magic beans)
2nd A-Hands
SS [NOT Guz. but Gonzo or a trade]
3B The FOF
LF Hammer
CF Nyjer
RF [Someone else, possibly TAWH]
C Jesus
Traded Dunn and NJ for future talent (and possibly bullpen). Traded Guz for baseballs. Given Kearns, Belli and DY a kick.
Starters
1. [Proven Free Agent.]
2. Lannan
3. Olsen
4. Stammen
5. Stras + Bally + Det (learning)
(possibly Smarty and others from the pen)
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 16, 2009 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
check out this article by Heyman at SI...
by Berndaddy on Jul 15, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I read your article
and for the sake of the Royals Moore has to go!
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
by PhDBrian on Jul 15, 2009 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick: “Washington absolutely, positively must sign Strasburg to bring hope to a dispirited fan base.”
by John Quinn on Jul 15, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hammer has 5 more real good years in him. Plus a handful of decent years on top of that
Morgan has 2-3 real good years in him. and 2-3 solid ones on top of that.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
by PhDBrian on Jul 15, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
id keep Hammer and Morgan
Both seem like they are good team guys too. Both perform well and play hard.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand."
by Mezza on Jul 16, 2009 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you figure the years left for Hammer and Morgan?
Not criticizing, just wondering if you have a rule of thumb, or what. I know almost nothing about player skill vs age except for a vague notion that it peaks somewhere a bit after 30 and then tails off.
"It's not a secret, you don't need to be an expert on math to know that walks plus errors equals runs...." --Mannyger Acta
by Doghouse on Jul 16, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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