Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Reportedly Held Private Workout With Cuban OF Yoenis Cespedes.
by Patrick Reddington on Nov 30, 2011 11:59 AM EST
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Print• THE RZO: MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported last night that D.C. GM Mike Rizzo had made a detour to the Dominican Republic on the way to Dallas, TX for next week's Winter Meetings to have a closer look at 26-year-old soon-to-be international free agent Yoenis Cespedes. We wrote about Cespedes yesterday before the MLB.com's writer's report. Reports this morning from FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal say that it was actually a private workout. Apparently the Nationals are legitimately interested in adding the outfielder whose YouTube video a few weeks back got the whole baseball world talking. Will D.C. GM Mike Rizzo find the center fielder he's looking for in the Dominican Republic?
• THE BIG STORY:
• "According to a baseball source, general manager Mike Rizzo is currently in the Dominican Republic scouting outfielder Yoenis Cespedes..." - "Nationals scouting Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• Your Daily Message From FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal On Twitter (@Ken_Rosenthal): "Source: Cuban OFer Cespedes had private workout for #Nationals yesterday. GM Rizzo was in attendance. #MLB"
• MOAR YOENIS CESPEDES STUFF:
• Your Daily Message From FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal On Twitter (@Ken_Rosenthal): "Cespedes workout for #Nationals took place in Dominican Republic. Expected to establish temporary residence in DR and become FA soon. #MLB"
• NATS BEAT:
• "'I’m not going to miss the whole year,' Marrero said. 'If you talk to people who had this injury, it takes a couple months to rehab from.'" - "Chris Marrero tears hamstring, leaves Nationals looking for insurance at first base" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "When paired with the fact that Adam LaRoche is coming off shoulder surgery, Marrero's surgery is certainly an unnerving development..." - "Revisiting the Nationals' first base situation" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "The Nationals' top priority during that week in Dec. 2005? Acquire a veteran starting pitcher." - "Nats have surprised at Winter Meetings before" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• Your Daily Message From The Nats On Twitter (@NationalsPR): "2B Danny Espinosa named to TOPPS MAJOR LEAGUE ROOKIE ALL-STAR TEAM. #Nationals"
• "[Don] Lock was a slugging outfielder from Wichita, Kan., who signed with the Yankees out of Wichita State in 1958." - "Looking back at Lock" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa, who finished sixth in the National League Rookie of the Year race, was named to the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team." - "Danny Espinosa named to All-Rookie team" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• NATS MINOR LEAGUES/WINTER LEAGUES:
• "The Harrisburg Senators today were named winners of the annual Bob Freitas Award, given out by Baseball America magazine to the top Class AA franchise in the minor leagues." - "Harrisburg Senators win AA award" - Mark Zuckerman, CSNWashington.com
• "'On behalf our our ownership group, front office and game day staff and Senators fans throughout Central Pennsylvania, I humbly and gratefully accept this honor,' said Senators President Kevin Kulp." - "The Senators are the 2011 Bob Freitas Award Winners" - Terry Byrom, Harrisburg Senators News
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Aragua 5, Caribes 3 - Wilson Ramos (ARA) - Wilson Ramos - 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB - Box Score.
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Margarita 3, Zulia 2 - Carlos Maldonado (ZUL) - 1 for 3, 2 RBI's, 2 K's; Sandy Leon (ZUL) - 0 for 1 - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Dominicano: Toros 1, Licey 0 - Atahualpa Severino (LIC) - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K - Box Score.
• Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico: Caguas 9, Ponce 5 - Hassan Pena (PON) - (BS) 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K's; Joe Testa (PON) - 0.2 IP, 0 H - Box Score.
• "Crowdsourcing Redux" - NationalsProspects.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "Even as our world continues to develop materially, there is increasing need for similar progress in our sense of inner values."
• NATSTOWN:
• "[Chris] Marrero, who was likely gonna be the back-up first baseman next year because... well because..." - "The ChrisMarreroEra Part I comes to a close" - Harper, Nationals Baseball
• "Jayson Werth - Age 32 - Due $110 Million through 2017. How he became a Nat: Signed a 7 year - $126 Million deal in December of 2010." - "A Few Good Men: 33 - Werth" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• "Mike Rizzo stuck to his guns though, with the firm belief that Desmond had to get better at shortstop." - "Biggest Surprises Of 2011 - #3: Ian Desmond's Defense" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog
• "A source who is right more often than he is wrong about Nats-related things gave us a little wink about the headline above..." - "Did the Nationals ask the Orioles about Adam Jones?" - Nats Enquirer
• "More than anything, Pudge’s influence has always been more important off the field. He has played a key role in helping to develop the younger pitchers on the staff..." - "Nats 2011 Grades: Ivan Rodriguez" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• "Ask Boswell 11/28/11 edition" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race
• "Here are a few of the names that keep popping up, and my thoughts on whether they should try to sign them..." - "Yay or Nay on Free Agent Possibilities" - The Nationals Review
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "When we inadvertently created the 'Who?' meme to describe Nick Evans's lack of attention from the organization two or three years ago...." - "Saying Goodbye To Nick Evans" - Eric Simon, Amazin' Avenue
• Phillies: "The Phillies on Tuesday made three of the least sexy moves you will find in a transaction column this offseason..." - "Phils add depth with Podsednik, Misch, Frandsen" - Corey Seidman, CSNPhilly.com
• Marlins: "The Marlins have never had a manager like Ozzie Guillen. Nor has any other team – except the White Sox, who had eight years of Ozzie." - "Ozzie Guillen offers glimpse at his life on personal web site" - Craig Davis, SunSentinel.com
• Braves: "Will they fork over a very large amount to sign the local kid who’s become a team leader and the best-hitting catcher in the NL..." - "Will Braves pony up to keep Brian McCann in Atlanta long-term?" - David O'Brien Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Margarita 3, Zulia 2 – Carlos Maldonado (ZUL) – 1 for 3, 2 RBI’s, 2 K’s; Sandy Leon (ZUL) – 0 for 1 – Box Score.
There is no Maldonado, only ZUL
I'm missing something here?
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 Nov 30, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
For the curious ...
… more information is here
OK, I thought it was a mistake of some sort...
Couldn’t figure it out.
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 Nov 30, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
But what about ZOD?
#mixedmoviereferences
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
Kneel before him.
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 Nov 30, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Hopefully,
if the Nats do sign Fielder, he isn’t the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man …
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
rats, that didn't work.
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
The Michelin Man would be okay though.
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
TOPPS rookie all-star team
They chose JP Arencibia (.219/.282/.438) over Ramos (.267/.334/.445).
Words fail me.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
What, just because
Ramos had a higher OPS (.779 to .720) OPS+ (113 to 90), CS% (32% to 24%), bWAR (2.5 to 0.9; and fWAR (3.1 to 1.5)? The only stat they actually tied in was fielding % (at .993), but I do note that Arencibia actually had a negative defensive WAR on both B-R and Fangraphs, all while playing in a similar number of games (113 for Ramos, 129 for Arencibia).
I can't imagine why you would be speechless
Can't give them Natinals too much credit, don't y'know?
Gotta share the love. 
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
is it like the for reals big league allstar team?
each team needs at least one rep and the jays didnt have anybody?
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
They only chose 10 total
and, it should be noted, the Jays got two! (Arencibia and Lawrie)
I blame Canada.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
This!
The 51st state strikes again…
/ducks
Ross Detwiler will have a breakout year...Believe It!...and I'm serious this time!
52nd!
You call yourself a Nats fan? DC is the 51st!
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
"...is and never will be"; that sounds zen.
by chubias on Nov 30, 2011 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
"... I thought turkeys could fly"
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
It will be before Canada.
That’s mostly because if Canada and the US ever merged, we’d make each province a state. :)
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
A Nats fan in VA
Hence I care nothing of your taxation without representation and all.
Ross Detwiler will have a breakout year...Believe It!...and I'm serious this time!
Yeah, there we go again...
Wielding all that international prestige and power to influence a bubble gum company’s list of good rookies…
Sorry about that…
So...
The SB Nation has new t-shirt shops, and I was thinking of Federal Baseball t-shirts.
With #27 or #37 on the back? Anyone? I’m asking a friend to make a different font/design etc., that was what I could do in 30 seconds of fooling with the editor.
Should we ask MissB to make an OmNomNom Double play guy w/out the Nats’ logo?
Any other ideas?
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 Nov 30, 2011 5:30 PM EST reply actions
Would mean slogans about Slaten be inappropriate?
"I was a victim of a series of accidents. As are we all."
---Malachi Constant
by The Herndon Kid on Nov 30, 2011 6:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
apparantly goessling is gone
Anyword on next seasons play by play?
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
Do you know that?
Or are you gue—no, I just can’t do it.
"If you ain't got the pants, you ain't got a chance." --PerryMason (on the sartorial component of being a Real Ballplayer)
I kind of liked Ben
I met him once, and he seemed like a decent sort. If he’s really gone, that’s too bad.
Looks like he is going back to Minnesota to cover the Twins and Wild.
I think he is originally from there.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents. As are we all."
---Malachi Constant
by The Herndon Kid on Nov 30, 2011 6:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That is bad news.
Goessling was a great guy who did try to reach out to fans. He had an offseason event last year and was present at some other get togethers by a great lady Nats fan whose name escapes me at the moment. Both Zuckerman and Goessling impress me in their willingness to reach out to readers. I have a hard time seeing how they’ll get someone as knowledgeable as Goessling to replace them.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Just a thought, but does anyone else here think that
Cespedes could be a real-life Pedro Cerrano?
“I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.” – Major League, 1989.
"Things are going great, and they're only gettin' better..." Timbuk3
My bigger concern is
he could a(nother) real-life Wily Mo Pena.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
by RobBobS on Nov 30, 2011 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He doesn't have half the power of Pena
very few people even in the Majors do.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
But maybe he's found a home
Wily Mo’s signed with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the NPL
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
I think he is a fair gamble!
They throw curveballs in Cuba and he was second in the Cuban league in batting average last season. He is not all power! He looks like an outfield version of Ozzie Smith on defense.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
if anything
He would make the in-stadium pre-game video where all the guys are lifting weights more interesting.
by DC20 on Nov 30, 2011 8:34 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I thought Dukes had a ton of talent. I thought he was a very smooth (but still maturing) outfielder with a great arm. He had good speed though admittedly his base running skills often made one want to avert their eyes. Great power, though (like this new guy perhaps) a problem with off speed stuff. I had high hopes for him, but in the end I thought it was the right move to release him. He wasn’t worth the baggage and nobody on the team ever had a good thing to say about him, which in fact spoke volumes.
I think that you summed him up pretty well…..I was very disappointed in Elijah…..a real lose-lose situation. Not having his head on straight literally cost him millions, and unfortunately cost us a very valuable OFer. I believe he “could” have been one of the better OFers in the league.
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do" - USAF Core Values
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