Nationals Daily Evolutions 1/20/11
by David Huzzard on Jan 20, 2011 11:00 AM EST
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PrintSoon you might be getting that cold beer on a hot summer afternoon faster than ever. --Dan Wetzel at thepostgame.com
The Nationals' offense would be better if they had guys at the top of the order that could get on base, and it looks like in order for that to happen Nyjer is going to have to rebound. It would also be nice if Nyjer were to stay on base as well. --Ben Goessling at masnsports.com
Yesterday the Nationals added Todd Coffey and Jerry Hairston Jr. --Dave Nichols from natsnewsnetwork.com
By adding Hairston, Coffey, and Gorzelanny the Nationals have created competition, and say what you will about the level of competition it is still better than Jerome Williams, Jason Simontacchi, and Tim Redding. --Adam Kilgore at washingtonpost.com
In some ways I am still convinced that RFK hid the many flaws of those early Nationals teams, but some people miss the old girl. --William Yoder from thenatsblog
With Harper, Strasburg, and the Werth contract people are finally going to be talking about the Nationals. --Thomas Boswell in The Washington Post
Wang will be ready for Spring Training and J.D. Martin released. --Bill Ladson at nationals.com
Spring Training is the time for position battles and invitees to become darlings*. --Mac from section409.com
*Buck Coats is already my favorite non-roster invitee. Also from watching the DWL can the Nationals trade for Ben Guezand get a Spanish announcer just to say his name.
And after the smoke clears and the battles are over a 25 man roster will be formed. --Mark Zuckerman from natsinsider.com
These lists never used to include Nationals' prospects names. First not one but two catchers in the top ten and now Danny Espinosa as a top second base prospect. Soon Ed McMahon will show up at my door. --Jonathan Mayo at mlb.com
The Nationals don't have a set closer and that might not be such a bad thing as teams are having a harder and harder time keeping a lead for a closer to hold. --Colin Wyers at baseballprospectus.com
Mother of former National, Alfonso Soriano, has unexpectedly passed away. --Enrique Rojas from espn.com
Around the NL East
The Mets have named Pelfrey their Opening Day starter. --Mike Puma at nypost.com
General Baseball
The Twins and Pavano have finally come to terms. --Joe Christensen from startribune.com
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Martin Being Released.....
Does this hint that there was more to his lower back surgery that we may have not realized? Even though it has been reported that he will be ready for ST? I am still puzzled by his release.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
thoughts on Martin
i think they let him specifically go because they think he’s a low-ceiling, insurance type of pitcher, and they are going to be stocked full of guys at AAA and AA and by releasing him now it gives him more time to find an offer before spring training.
he’s healthy, by the way. this has nothing to do with his injury of last season.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 20, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
presumably he had no trade value
because of his perceived ceiling, plus his chances of pitching in D.C. were pretty slim this year anyway
yeah, he'll surface somewhere
he was actually pretty decent last year before he got hurt.
despite at 1-5 record, he had a 4.13 ERA (4.58 xFIP) and 1.396 WHIP with a 2.82 K/BB ratio. Bill James has his FIP this year at 4.08.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 20, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Isn’t Bill James often a tad optimistic? The other thing is how those innings look and how Martin would look if he got more than a couple trips through the league. Wish him well for sure.
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
by souldrummer on Jan 20, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
i just included that for a little flavor and independent analysis
i don’t rely solely on BJ for player projections.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 20, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
+1
Yeah, I think that this is what they’re thinking, and I have no problem with it. Martin’s a nice story in that he was able to battle back to the bigs. He had to stay healthy enough to exceed expectations during his opportunity last year and he didn’t. Barring a suprisingly good body of work, he’s now expendable.
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
by souldrummer on Jan 20, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
As for Wang.....
Very exciting news. Full season possible?
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
Wang, Zimm, Gorzo, Livo, Marquis….etc. “IF” these guys are all healthy and pitching up to their expectations…..nice. Of course, we ALWAYS have the “IF” in there….We have to be one of the most snake-bitten teams in terms of injuries and expectation failures. Syracuse must be pretty excited as well, with what we will likely be sending down….at least early. Even though we didn’t get that “Ace” we were chasing, how can a Nats fan NOT be very excited about Spring Training this year, and the Starting Rotation battle!
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
there are an awful lot of question marks...
but i’m always excited about spring training.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 20, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
Will you be going down there at all? We were planning on going, but our Christmas vacation to Hawaii, and a new transfer at my job, is kinda making that a no-go….at least this season.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
yup.
we’ll be down there 3/6-14. We’re doing the Caps two-game roadie to FLA and TBY, then 8 baseball games in seven days, including the three Nats home games 3/10-12.
3/7 TB v. PIT
3/8 WAS v. NYM
3/9 WAS v. FLA
3/10 NYM v. WAS (1:00 p) & WAS v. HOU (7:05 p)
3/11 HOU v. WAS
3/12 NYY v. WAS
3/13 WAS v. FLA
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 20, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
Well I'm going to 9 games and 3 hockey matches...
Now what? Actually, I’m not sure if I’ll make it to ST at all, though I talked to a hibernating Mr and Mrs aboot going the last weekend then going back to DC for the Opener…
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Don't anybody here have a job?
I’ll be here freezing my a**, ye’ miserable snow-birds – and if that sounds like resentment and envy, it is. What of it.
"You don't realize how easy this game is until you get up in that broadcasting booth."
- Mickey Mantle
I'm right there with you, shivering
Heck, I’ll probably be shivering on Opening Day – I’ll just be doing it at the ballpark
I just finally managed to make it through the BP piece on closers and close games
I’m always happy to see this point made, though I do love a good closer in his prime (Gagne). We try to use our best starters as much as possible, and are expected to save our best relievers for special circumstances beyond our contol?
No. 6 and no.23 now set for Nats in '11 Draft w/ Pavano signing:
RT @JonathanMayoB3: Last Type A signing sets Draft’s first-round order http://t.co/4WVDaOz via @mlb @mlbdraft
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
slugger, preferably college 1B
drafting for need is tricky, but at 6 or 23 they shouldbe able to find a 1B.
of course, I’ve done less than zero research in amateur draft so far to know what’s available.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 20, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
I hear tell she'll a deep one this here draft...
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I did some research a few weeks ago
And if my memory serves me right, the top of the draft had the usual pitching and a few OF and 3B mixed in. Of course, everything may/will change by June.
Never draft for need
Since draftees take years to reach the majors, there’s no way of knowing what your situation will be a few years from now. It’s better to always draft the best guy available and then worry about positions down the road. Having too much talent at one position is never a bad thing since you can always trade from your position of strength to get guys to fill the positions of weakness.
That sounds right
but I have some doubts. I believe it’s better to have a good first baseman and a good second baseman rather than to have two good first basemen. When you find yourself in need of a second baseman later on, it is obviously preferable to search first in the system. Another reason to try to balance the draft is that it is also harder on the organization to develop a bunch of first basemen all at the same time. I guess my point is a would want to draft something that looks like a real team, with extra pitchers, each and every time out. I also want to get the best players available. What I don’t know is which of these desires should take precedence.
Rob
"Valentines day is really the day pitchers and catchers report, and those are truly words of love.." -- David Huzzard
More from Mr. Mayo: Harp behind only Angels' Trout before he's played a game:
@JonathanMayoB3: Prospect Watch: Top 10 outfielders http://t.co/Vcbu6i0 via @mlb
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Chad Gaudin
…just signed to a minor league contract with the Nats, with a Spring Training invite.
Must have just become official...
They announced that before Christmas, but I hadn’t heard anything aboot it since.
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
...or I'm an idiot and can't read various posting dates.....
…I’ll shut up now!
Wasn't trying to shut you up, I'd honestly forgotten all about Gaudin...
With all the signings going on. At least they’ll have veteran arms waiting in the wings this season. Syracuse should have an impressive staff
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I heard he was Alaskan….
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
by souldrummer on Jan 20, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I have no idea what you're talking aboot...
[Why are you all laughing?]
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 Jan 20, 2011 12:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
poor brian
but you saying this makes me all excited!
I like numbers, and chocolate, and peanut butter :)
Ya know,
you never hear anybody proudly announcing “I hate reading”.
Except maybe Stephen Colbert, of course.
Rob
"Valentines day is really the day pitchers and catchers report, and those are truly words of love.." -- David Huzzard
I take it you have never listened to the Sports Junkies. They have had entire segments on why books are dumb. And it isn’t that I hate the existence of math I just dislike having to do it. I would gladdly employ an army of math slaves to figure out formulas and stats for me.
by David Huzzard on Jan 20, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
My kid is having a very TOUGH time with 5th grade math….which has left me with trying to find creative ways for him to learn and enjoy it. So far, we are both failing in those ventures.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
but, as illustrated in my avatar photo….he is photogenic while playing baseball! He moves up a division this spring though, and I am TERRIFIED.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
It looks like he bats RH
I suppose it’s too late to teach him to throw left-handed. Although that would significantly increase his chances of a MLB career ;-)
More standard is the throws right bats left combination.
That can be taught at a much later age.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Have fun watching your son's baseball games. Mine are 18 & 15 and it's gone by so fast.
BTW we tried some of the math computer games to get our guys into math. They’re both pretty good now and I think they enjoyed blowing up things in the name of math. ;)
Well, that's my job
… perhaps I’ve said too much.
Rob
"Valentines day is really the day pitchers and catchers report, and those are truly words of love.." -- David Huzzard
Funny you should say that….I was just saying today that the “fun” things you can do with math and chemistry should excite him. And yes….I am always thrilled to watch him, but probably much more nervous than him each time he bats. I have him signed up for two clinics in Upper Marlboro in February….one for pitching and one for hitting, to get him ready for playing in a higher division in Spring. What sucks is that I grew up a football guy….so I am not such a great baseball coach.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
"but some people miss the old girl"
RFK? Miss her like a $20 case o’ the clap that left skid-marks on my sheets.
"You don't realize how easy this game is until you get up in that broadcasting booth."
- Mickey Mantle
Parking and Transportation
It was easier to drive to and park at RFK. I like the vendors along the walk from the Metro. I expect that someday the area by New Ball Park will develop in to something nice. However, the transportation around the stadium still needs to be improved. It can’t handle a sell out.
Handling sellouts
I think the problem with traffic when the stadium reaches capacity is not with the system itself, but with the absolutely clueless traffic cops they feature. I swear that their ineptitude (and the mind-numbing “plan” they set up) for last year’s opening day cost me a full hour, waiting for traffic to clear on secondary roads that every single car was ushered onto for no particularly good reason. Nothing more frustrating than to move about one car length per minute when you’re sitting two blocks from the stadium.
Rob
"Valentines day is really the day pitchers and catchers report, and those are truly words of love.." -- David Huzzard
I'm pretty firmly against driving anywhere downtown.
After games I find the best way out is walking to the Capital South Metro.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Metro & Roads are overloaded
Navy Yard Metro can get overloaded. The green line is not that useful. Changing train is a pain. There were huge crowds at L’Enfant Plaza Station for the 1st Strasburg. The Metro system was overloaded. It took hours to go that way. Googles says Capital South Metro is 1.1 miles. I see lots of people walking that way.
With all the highway near by the ball park, it should be easier to drive. While I’m not say traffic control can’t be improved. RFK was much better design to handle the loads.
Capital south gets you to the orange line, I’d be willing to bet the majority of the fans are taking the orange line home in one direction or the other. The walk is less that 1.1 miles if your walking though, and it ends up saving time since you don’t change trains. I have never taken longer than 45 minutes to get home from a game.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Most of the time
I can get from the stadium garage to my garage in Shirlington in just under 15 minutes. It would take at least an hour most of the time via Metro. A difference of >45 minutes for each of 81 games begins to add up. That’s why I buy those spots.
Of course, if the Nats ever start winning, then those averages will begin to climb. So for my sake, maybe it’s just as well that they are expected to finish 20 games under.
Rob
"Valentines day is really the day pitchers and catchers report, and those are truly words of love.." -- David Huzzard
Well yea, You live in the perfect spot to drive to the game, and a horrible spot to get to the metro. Really if they get better at managing traffic around the stadium the traffic should be pretty consistent. The amount of parking isn’t going to change, so the difference between a 25,000 person game and a 40,000 person game should be almost all metro. I imagine more than a few of the teams players live in Shirlington for the same reason. I know several of them live along columbis pike because its easy to get to 395.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
They can improve bus options. Remember when they first moved there they had the RFK bus? Circulator can also ramp up to get people directly to the orange line. I always wonder whether there’s a good metro option to drive to a Metro station on the southern end of the green line for some of the folks. Probably not I guess.
People find a way to go to Landover and it’s hell to get out there. People will solve more and more of these issues if they actually win consistently. People will come to games earlier. Back end of the Metro. Walk up to L’Enfant. Better neighborhood options with people in the residentials renting spots out the way that they do near FedEx.
Amazing how many problems start getting solved when there’s demand for a winning product.
John Carlson: A real American hero taking names and settling scores.
Souldrummer: A regular guy trying to join Adam Dunn, Jordan Zimmermann, and Garrett Mock as one of RobBobS' guys.
Yeah, I do the Capitol South walk
And I can walk from my office in Southwest, which is a great thing.
Blessed with a Retired Military ID.....
So I get to park at Navy Yard. It is about a four block walk, but heck, it is free and easy to enter and exit.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
Buck Coats is still kicking around baseball?
Lost track of him after he left the Cubs organization. Always liked the name.
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain
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