"Harris to be Opening Day starter; Bernie in outfield mix" - MLB.com's Bill Ladson
"Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said if the regular season started Sunday, Willie Harris would be the Opening Day right fielder against the Phillies."
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Good, Willie can play
Harris is underappreciated and has been a solid player the last three years. His defense is stellar and will certainly aide our pitchers. Like everyone, he should improve by starting instead of coming off the bench. He will also improve by playing the OF as opposed to 2B where he is a poor defender.
I think we all want to see the young guys get a real shot and I agree. They will with Harris there but he is also a good player to have. He won’t be part of the future but he is good now and there is no reason to spend money on another inferior player. I wonder if Harris could even be dealt at the deadline. With all the teams stressing defense these days…
Morgan and Maxwell/Bernadina would have to be playing well for that to happen because Harris is really the most stable guy out there. They need him in case Plush isn’t playing well
J-Max certainly hasn't been earning it so far.
"And everybody lived happily ever after. Except the Phillies and the Mets. The End." --Sasskuash
Friend of Dukes and Desmond #3
Yeah he has looked bad
But let’s also give him some credit for drawing walks. He does have a good eye. Otherwise he has been terrible at the plate.
it’s still worth giving him a decent shot because if he does turn into a good player he will be cheap and under team control.
Harris is a lifetime .235 hitter
that’s all.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Mar 21, 2010 8:28 PM EDT reply actions
Harris has been worth 5.9 WAR over his last 1208 PA
Is that all? Nope
He should be worth even more if he never plays 2nd base and only plays the OF. He should also be worth more because he will be starting instead of coming off the bench which makes your bat cold according to many credible studies.
He will be one year older than last year but don’t we think a 3 year sample 1200 PA sample is pretty good. Don’t we think Fangraphs Wins Above Replacement is better than Batting Average?
i'm just trying to say that he's no all-star
and if he’s forced to play regularly i think he’ll be overmatched. i certainly value his defense, but it’s least effective in RF, where his infielder’s arm will be even more exposed.
if Harris gets 400 at bats, this team is in BIG trouble.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Mar 21, 2010 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Harris is Solid and we all KNow it ....
This is a good move.. it may not be the sexiest thing in baseball but Willie plays the game hard and with dedication….I thought he should have been starting more games last season…. let maxwell grow up off the bench like so many others have had to….. Willie is just a solid start … thats all.
My favorite Bernadina's gonna make it!!! Please no injuries this year, Bernie!!!
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 Patrick Reddington on Mar 21, 2010 8:56 PM EDT reply actions
well its certainly a better defensive combination
And on the basepaths. Whether they can be productive with the bat will be the big question.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
The bats are the questions for every outfielder other than Josh Willingham...
Can Morgan repeat his first stint in DC, can Harris, Maxwell and Bernadina replace Dukes’ potential output? If not those three then who?
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 Patrick Reddington on Mar 21, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Whom?
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 Patrick Reddington on Mar 21, 2010 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
good question
the top of the order better get things done, cause the bottom is going to look awful rough.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Mar 21, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Kinda always has been that way with this team. Last year the offense did decent job so hoping they back up and play the same again this season. I have to say – that (and still hoping for Desmond at SS) I think we wont go anywhere near committing the same amount of Es as last year.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
i hope you're right on the last point
but i’m not going to hold my breath. they sure haven’t looked great in the field this spring.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Mar 21, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
fair point
But was always of the view that defense always improved (usually anyway) as the season goes along…always some rust at the start. I think im being overly hopeful.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
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