Nationals News, Fresh Start Edition

by John Quinn on Jul 16, 2009 9:57 AM EDT Comment 40 comments

Let me begin with a prediction: the Nationals will announce that they've signed Stephen Strasburg when it looks like the team is backsliding again (oh, and another prediction: it will). They haven't signed him yet not because they aren't interested or the negotiations are hard, but because they need to space out the few bright spots they know are coming to maintain interest in the team. They've generated press by trading for Morgan and Burnett, and more recently by firing Manny and hiring Riggleman, so they're going to hold off on signing Strasburg until they feel the fans need another boost. We'll see if I'm right.

Now, on to the news!

If you plan on parking at RFK to see the Cubs series, parking will be in lot 7 rather than lot 8.

It seems that the Nationals are trying to come to grips with the fact that they got their boss fired. At least Nick Johnson has it right: "We're getting our [butts] kicked every night."

Although I was less than impressed with Riggleman's press conference, he also, according to the Washington Times, "vowed to remove whatever sheen of nonchalance exists around losses as they pile up." That's the kind of attitude the Nats' manager needs right now, though I'm not quite convinced yet.

Over at the Post, Chico Harlan put together a smattering of fact...erings about Riggleman, while Thomas Boswell wrote about the DC connection to Riggleman.

No jump today, as there really isn't news of any consequence... anywhere, except that Pedro Martinez is returning to the bigs with the Phillies. I, for one, am excited to see him play again.

Finally, something to keep in mind: most teams fight to make the playoffs. The Nationals are fighting to avoid the worst record in the history of modern baseball. I've recently resigned myself to that fact, and I have a feeling it'll make this season a lot more bearable.

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The Chicago Cubs will begin their four-game series against the last-place Washington Nationals with a pair of strikeout artists, Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano. In addition, their lone representative in All-Star Game – Ted Lilly – didn’t pitch, so he’ll get to take his regular turn in the rotation on Saturday.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well with 4 games

I could of told you we would get 4 of their five starters, haha… maybe a little wil nieves magic again this year.

by pas493 on Jul 16, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rotten luck that Lilly didn't toss a couple innings in the ASG

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but he did get a good booing

by pas493 on Jul 16, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet he gets a nice ovation from the Cubs faithful in DC.

…and what about naming rights. I think that train has sailed.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Waste Management Field at Nationals Park???

Well, ummm, ahhh, maybe not…

by Berndaddy on Jul 16, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Sox need another bat in their lineup, and they have the prospects to put together a deal for some of the big names out there.

They are one of a handful of teams that has what it takes to land a big name: the prospects, the money and the motivation.

The most recent rumors are that Boston is looking at two different players, Garrett Atkins of the Colorado Rockies and Nick Johnson of the Washington Nationals.

Both can play first base, which is a good spot for the Red Sox. With Mike Lowell’s health still up in the air, the team would likely move Kevin Youkilis to third base and try to fill the hole at first.

Neither Johnson nor Atkins has shown much pop at the plate as both have just six home runs. But Johnson is hitting .305, while Atkins is hitting .230.

From: http://www.seacoastonline.com/

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think this makes a lot of sense. Nick is on the older side (at least in terms of the Nationals’ long-term plans), but the Sox are contenders every year and Nick could certainly add something up there.

by John Quinn on Jul 16, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anything but the guy on the Giants.

I don’t know Nick’s worth, but it has to be more that that Giants guy.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see Nick go to a contender

his horrible bad luck with injuries has to change sometime

by gengreen17 on Jul 16, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'd just like to see Nick go

it’s passed time. pennies on the dollar, Rizz, just get him out so you can get Dukes back in the lineup.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 16, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another quote that was skipped over in most articles about Riggleman:

“”http://masnsports.com/2009/07/nats-begin-second-half-against.html" >He’s going to jump-start us," said Dunn. “He brings a totally different kind of demeanor, a more serious, tough, demeanor to the team, and I think that’s what we need right now.”

Although this is exactly the opposite of what Riggleman himself said, I hope it’s true. The Nats’ first test is going to be a tough one tonight.

by John Quinn on Jul 16, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dunn's clearly one who wanted his manager to manage more when it counted.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dunn's just pi$$ed no one told him about the whole stepping on second thing...

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 16, 2009 11:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

heh...... is there a pool on the first player to get reamed by the Riggler?

I say either Dunn or Zim as an example for the others………..

I would take the circuitous route and ream an innocent player for the crimes of another. That’ll get the ball rolling…

"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 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anderson Hernandez. Just a feeling...

but I think the Riggler will have the tact to take him down the tunnel to roast him…unless he wants the PR, which is possible.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw man,....... not AH.... but yeah, it has to be public or it doesn't count.

"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 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its gotta be a reliever or maybe someone who doesn't speak english

One time I was having a full conversation with Christian Guzman’s brother and then about 2 minutes in I realized he didn’t speak English.

by pas493 on Jul 16, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love it if it were a reliever...

Comes in, goes to 3-0 on the first batter they see, and then goes and yanks them. Message. Throw freaking strikes.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought crucifying a releiever was just not looking at him when you take the ball and no butt pat...

Por que, guero…?

"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 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hah, not sure what happened… lemme try that again:

Another quote that was skipped over in most articles about Riggleman:

"<a href=“http://masnsports.com/2009/07/nats-begin-second-half-against.html>He’s going to jump-start us,” said Dunn. "He brings a totally different kind of demeanor, a more serious, tough, demeanor to the team, and I think that’s what we need right now."

Although this is exactly the opposite of what Riggleman himself said, I hope it’s true. The Nats’ first test is going to be a tough one tonight.

by John Quinn on Jul 16, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BAH! I give up, but here’s the un-messed-up Dunn quote:

“He’s going to jump-start us. He brings a totally different kind of demeanor, a more serious, tough, demeanor to the team, and I think that’s what we need right now.”

by John Quinn on Jul 16, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think that is Dunn trying to get HIS opinion into the mix

because although he is quieter and seem more serious than Acta, who is a genuinely outgoing guy, Riggleman’s track record is not one of having a tough demeanor, and he said as much himself yesterday.

maybe Dunn is trying some self-fulfilling prophecy magic, or he’s playing a Jedi mind trick on Rigs.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Jul 16, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

…If Riggleman’s spiel is true that people make errors but if you walk after the ball after your error, you’re in trouble….maybe Dunn will hustle to the wall a little more. One speed Nats and that’s full speed.

What ticks me off the most is when a ball gets over the outfield and they just jog to it because it’s a double…then the guy goes to third ARGH!

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've asked this before, can anyone spot the difference between Dunn's home run trot and when he's burning for the extra base?

I did notice he trots in a little to field the single rather than letting it roll to him.

“New Plan” Riggleman -“We’ll just keep hitting them balls and finally they will catch them…Eventually that work is gonna pay off. And if it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.”

"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 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, are you saying the home run trot is a sprint for Dunn?

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I've seen really is the missed base play......

I believe they call it “granny gear” on a tractor.

"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 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HA. I used the granny gear on the old bush-hog.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've posed this questions several times over the past month and a half and still do not have an answer from anyone...

If/when Nick goes who is our 1st baseman next year? The FA crop sucks (NJ/LaRoche will be the two best 1B)… Willingham at 1B? Is Dunn more or less of a liability at 1st?

I think we should trade NJ for either JSanchez or an arm from Boston (Bard or Delcarmen or Bowden), sign Hank Blalock to play 1B next year.

by pas493 on Jul 16, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brad Eldred!!!

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 16, 2009 11:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we should do like the Indians used to do with Lofton...trade Nick, then buy him back.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was thinking abou that, too...

Rent him out and than buy him back in the winter….

by Berndaddy on Jul 16, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take that back

by pas493 on Jul 16, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moving Dunn to first was the best solution I could come up with. Here are some numbers:

In 104 games started at 1B, he has 19 errors, meaning he commits errors in 18.2% of games started at first.
In 1058 games started in the OF, he has 66 errors, meaning he commits errors in 6.2% of games in the OF.

Despite this, if the Nats trade Johnson (and I think they will), putting Dunn at first would give him regular playing time in one position. If he knows going into the winter that he’ll be the starting 1B, he can work on his fielding skills, and hopefully improve. Dunn’s bat is crucial, and, given time, I think he can become a passable 1B.

by John Quinn on Jul 16, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh, he knew in ST he might be the starting 1B. He was mostly signed to be Plan B at 1B.

He bragged he’d been working on his fielding skills we’d be surprised…….

“Asked if the current players don’t show improvement on defense if there was a “Plan B”, Riggleman said, “Our lineup is what it is…..”

"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 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just thinking that I can remember over half the wins from the first half without looking at the schedule. The multiple complete games…the Dunn granny, 2 of 3 from NY and Blue Jays. The Sox win, 2 Orioles wins. First win of the season. The Wells save in LA. The good series in AZ with Kearns’ force out at home and Dunn & Zimm massive HRs…..

When they come so rarely, each win seems really substantial.

by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 16, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs