Wire Taps: Washington Nationals/Bryce Harper/Josh Willingham/Jordan Zimmermann...
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 18, 2010 8:45 AM EDT
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PrintIn announcing the Nats' deal with 2010 1st Round pick Bryce Harper, the no.1 overall pick in the draft, Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) quoted Nats' team President Stan Kasten on Twitter Monday night saying that the two sides, "...agreed 'seconds' before 12, Kasten says. 'With a full minute, Mike and I thought we were not going to have a deal.'" How close was it this year? According to Las Vegas Review-Journal writer Matt Youmans' article entitled, "$9.9 MILLION, FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT: Las Vegas baseball phenom inks deal", Harper himself said that he officially became a Washington National, "'Twenty seconds before the deadline,' he said, we got it done.'"
Harper's 6'3'' and 225lbs as a 17-year-old. In an interview on the Sirius/XM MLB Network Radio show "Power Alley" with Jim Duquette and Kevin Kennedy, Harper's agent Scott Boras described the phenom as having, "...the body-type of a 22-year-old at 17," while predicting that the Nats would be sending their first round pick to the Arizona Fall League where the Nats' no.1 overall selection should be the center of attention for the second consecutive season.
Harper tells the Las Vegas Journal-Review's Mr. Youmans that the young hard-hitting converted outfielder is determined to prove he's worth the second-biggest deal ever given to an MLB Draft pick, with Harper quoted in the article saying, "I'm really excited to go prove myself..I want to prove that that's what I'm worth," but he may have trouble living up to the comparisons his college coach Tim Chambers throws around in the article:
"'In my opinion, Bryce is the best amateur baseball player of all time...Nobody did what this kid did, not even Mickey Mantle or Alex Rodriguez."
• Bad News:
Just before the game started yesterday, WaPost beat writer Adam Kilgore reported via Twitter that the Nats' Skipper Jim Riggleman had said, "It is 'very possible' Josh Willingham goes on the DL." Hammer's knee has been the subject of much debate recently when some noticed the veteran outfielder having trouble getting around the outfield, and reports from different sources disagreed on the diagnosis, but as Mr. Kilgore wrote in an follow-up note, "Josh Willingham probably going to have season-ending surgery next week."
• Good News:
Softening the blow of the loss of the Nats' everyday left fielder just a little was the news MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats) delivered via Twitter:
"RHP Jordan Zimmermann will get one more Minor League start before coming up to the big leagues."
Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Livan Hernandez, John Lannan and Scott Olsen/Jason Marquis. The Nats' 24-year-old '07 2nd Round pick has pitched his way back to the majors in a little over a year after he underwent elbow reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery last August. In 9 GS and 34.2 IP during a rehab stint which started at Hagerstown, then Potomac, Harrisburg and Syracuse, the 6'2'', 220lb right-hander, who was (3-5) with 92 K's in 91.1 IP in his rookie campaign before going on the DL, is (0-2) with a 1.82 ERA, 5 walks (1.3 BB/9) and 26 K's (6.8 K/9) on his way back up. The top pitching prospect in the Nats' system before Strasburg is about to join the new Nats' ace at the top of the rotation, at least until Stras is shut down for the season...Zimmermann gave up 6 hits a run and walk over 5.0 innings in which he threw 70 pitches in his last start for Syracuse on 8/15.
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Fixed.
“Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Livan Hernandez, John Lannan and Scott Olsen/Jason Marquis.”
This…This actually looks like a decent rotation. Holy s***.
"Inconceivable!"
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
-The Princess Bride
I wonder
Where guys like Maya, Meyers, Peacock, and Rosenbaum come into play next year.
by David Huzzard on Aug 18, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd hope Maya would be here next year.
um, please visit my soccer (football) blog. it's interesting, I promise. por favor? (filbertway.com)
Sunshine will come to Nats Park, I promise. (visit por favor? my website)
Maya over Livo/Olsen....
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 Aug 18, 2010 10:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Maya those only guy from that list who is close to DC
Meyers is hurt at AA. His job next year is to quickly advance from AA to AAA and show that he can stay healthy for a whole year. Peacock has good stuff (from what I’ve heard) but again he just got promoted to AA and has to show his stuff plays there. Even at Potomac, his ERA was high for K/BB ratio and he was not as good 2nd and 3rd time through the order. Rosenbaum’s still just at Potomac. He was very strong for Hagerstown but old for his level.
But we’re paying Maya to get into the big league rotation quickly and you hope that he does that.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
by souldrummer on Aug 18, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately I think Marquis' contract is going to mean...
…he’s a part of things unless he really tanks and doesn’t get better by season’s end or next Spring. But an extreme ground ball pitcher giving up 3-4 HR’s in a game is unacceptable…
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 Aug 18, 2010 10:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's still a 1.5, a 3, and a bunch of 4/5 guys to me.
Certainly better than what we’ve had in prior years, but I think the real rotation will be ready for bear in 2012. If they want to contend next year, there still a 3 starter via free agency with a good year I feel. Have no idea what Rizzo is going to do with all of this back end pitching inventory.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
by souldrummer on Aug 18, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Some to pen like Stammen...
But the Atilano, J.D. Martin’s of the world are a big ? in my book. They won’t bring much in return, but will be piled up with a bunch of 4-5’s at the back of the rotation.
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 Aug 18, 2010 10:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
At least 2 of those guys will be Syracuse depth
Pitching as starters and holding the fort in case of injuries, with the other 3 Syracuse starters being developing prospects. The rest may be trade bait for organizational depth at other positions; you’re certainly not going to get a real prospect for them. Other than that, they may get DFA’d.
Atilano to Syracuse I believe. JD Martin could be on the outside looking in. He’s really a AAAA guy. They’ve got so much 5/6 pitching starters it’s so hard to figure out what they’ll do for Syracuse.
Martis, Mock, Detwiler, Atilano, Millone at AAA? To me, Millone at AAA next year is a high priority. He’s been outstanding at AA this year and certainly deserves a shot at AAA. Of course, I’m probably jinxing his important start for Harrisburg tonight. I just don’t see room for Martin even at the AAA level. Tough for me to see him embracing a swing man Kown/Arnesen kind of role after he’s shown that he probably deserves a legitimate AAA to 5th starter slot somewhere. Hope he finds either a trade or a free agency gig where he gets a chance to shine more than he has here. He’s got to show his back is healthy first.
Strasburg, Zimmermann, Lannan, Maya, Livo, Marquis in the bigs with Maya or Marquis starting in the pen?
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Strasburg a 1.5 for 2011 because he's still innings-limited and learning the game?
He certainly has #1 starter stuff. When his curve and change are on, it’s just comical. “Video game stuff” is right.
Yep, that's it for me.
He’s on track to be a 1. But the maximum number of innings he can pitch is 180. Either that limits his starts or he’s a 6-7IP. To me a 1 is a guy who is capable of going 8 or 9 every time out and sparing your bullpen when he’s out there.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Makes sense ...
My first reactions was “wha … ?” but then when I thought it through those considerations occurred to me.
Hmm.
It makes me sad that you are so down on Zimmermann. And by “down”, I mean “not up enough”.
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
Is it fair to expect him to be a 2 out of the box?
He wasn’t a 2 when he was here last year. He’s probably going to have limited innings as well. I think his ceiling is a 2. I don’t think that he will reach that ceiling next year.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
I fully expect him to have an ERA in the upper 3's
with a K/9 ratio of 7.5-8. That, to me, sounds like a 2. Maybe you expect more.
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
Again, it's like Strasburg.
There’s likely to be an innings limit. But hey, I hope I’m wrong and he dominates enough in the innings he has to be a 2. Shouldn’t his innings limit be similar to Strasburg’s was this year except he’ll be starting at MLB. He seems to me to be on a similar 150-180 IP with less stuff than Strasburg. Again, I hope that I’m wrong.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
Marquis and Livo
All year there have been posts about how Livo can’t keep it up, that “he is what he is”, that it’s just a matter of time, etc.
Is this still the general consensus?
I take the view that he can and will continue to be an effective starter for the Nationals and pencil him into next years rotation.
I’m as frustrated as the next person with how poorly Marquis has performed , but for those who use the “he is what he is” rational, shouldn’t he be expected him to get back on track and become a solid 3-4 spot pitcher?
(Obviously, if he has suffered a career altering injury, then all bets are off.)
I have a hard time thinking he'll be as good as he has been this year.
He has seemed to me to be awfully lucky. I think he falls back to an ERA hopefully around the better side of 4.50 next year and becomes a quality 5th starter. He’s certainly earned the right to make the Opening Day roster for me barring a total and complete collapse. You never know, though, they could always go young. Livo would help with Maya’s transition, be positive in the clubhouse, has pitched well, and remains a fan favorite.
I expect him to get back on track next year. It’s going to be hard to keep him out of the rotation. I wish Detwiler would get back healthy and pitch well. He’s probably the one that I’m most confused about. I guess if he has options you could start him at AAA, but he’s really the one that’s the biggest enigma. You don’t just wave bye-bye to young lefties. But he hasn’t stayed healthy and he’s been inconsistent.
On a desperate search for Sunshine at Nats Park. In Rizzo and Ramos we trust.
I disagree that he’s been awfully lucky. I say he’s been awfully good and maybe a little unlucky in that he doesn’t have more wins to show for his effort.
It will be interesting to see what he does vs. the Braves tonight.
What odds do you give for him making it into the 7th inning?
Josh going down hurts big time.
No errors please and a good job from the bull pen, thank you.
Livo's BABiP and Strand Rate both say...
he’s been extremely “lucky” this year, meaning for both (advanced metrics to signify how well he keeps batters off base and prevents runs) he’s under the major league average.
luck can last a whole season. the Nats should be very careful how they proceed with Livo if they want to factor him into the equatino next season.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 18, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Livo's style naturally leads to a low BABiP
but yea, the strand rate is lucky
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Gotta disagree
Livo’s .310 career BABIP dwarfs his .276 2010 BABIP. He hasn’t has a season this low since 1997.
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
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