Nationals Daily Evolutions 2/8/11
by David Huzzard on Feb 8, 2011 11:00 AM EST
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PrintAfter the Smiley Gonzalez scandal the Nationals tore down their presence in the Dominican and two years later it looks like they are finally heading in the right direction. --Adam Kilgore from washingtonpost.com
If you are interested in learning more about how Dominican baseball is run then check out the documentary The Road to the Big Leagues. --imdb.com
When Luis Ayala recorded the final out for Mexico in their victory against Venezuala Monday evening he still had to wait until the Dominicans beat the Peurto Ricans to know that he was a champion. --Jesse Sanchez from mlb.com
To say Bryce Harper is a super prospect might be an understatement as he has exceeded every unrealistic expectation placed on him. Ok then, I expect Harper to go 1.000/1.000/4.000 in Spring Training, exceed that Mr. Harper. --William Yoder at thenatsblog.com
The two biggest additions made to the Nats this off-season were Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche. Jim Duquette breaks down those moves and more as we are now in the final stretch to Spring Training. --nationals.com
Most Nationals fans would have three different questions for the team in 2011, but outside perspective is always welcome and the outside world views the important questions as: Werth a great signing or awful, Zimmerman a true superstar, and can the team win in 2012 or 2013? --The Common Man at platoonadvantage.com
The team might be more talented in 2011 but the record might take a step backwards before taking a leap forward in 2012. --Steve Henson from yahoosports.com
Some of these fantasy projections seem quite hopeful. --nationals.com
If last years numbers are any indication then the Nationals will continue to have trouble getting on base in 2011. --Harper at natsbaseball.com
Some of these names were surprising to me as to who has had the best season by position for the Nationals. --nationalsreview.com
When Spring Training begins position battles will heat up, but aside from back-up catcher and a few spots on the bench not much appears to be open. Of course did anyone think right field was an opening this time last year? --Adam Kilgore at washingtonpost.com
Nats Park is one of the worlds greenest stadiums. --Nicholas Mukhar from sierraclub.com
Strasburg is only the latest pitcher to have TJS, and while guys like Chris Carpenter, Josh Johnson, and Tim Hudson have bounced back it is no guarantee. --Mac at section409.com
It is the new names that were added in 2010 that helped the Nationals move up 10 spots in Baseball America's rankings. --Sue Dinem from nationalsprospects.com
The Nationals signing of Jayson Werth did accomplish one thing. It might have weakened the Phillies offense slightly, but Domonic Brown should be able to fill that hole in short order. --Rob Neyer at sbnation.com
Baseball Proespectus is having a book signing event in D.C. on March 7th. --Mike Henderson from nationalsdailynews.com
When Adrian Nieto tested positive a Metabolite was sited. That is the residue left behind after the body processes the steroid. --Maury Brown at bizofbaseball.com
General Baseball
Andy Pettitte's stats in the post-season aren't much better than Andy Pettitte's stats in the regular season, but only good teams make it to the post-season so those stats should be more valuable, but that exact value is unknown. --Joe Posnanski at si.com
Michael Young has a bad contract and doesn't want to bounce from position to position anymore, but for years he was the face of the Texas Rangers franchise, and moving him could prove difficult for many reasons, but the Rangers are going to try. --Rob Neyer from sbnation.com
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One of the best things Kilgore's written
I wish WaPo would do more of these “use your muscle to do features” kind of stuff. So many good points about our DR operation. Right now we’re going young and cheap it seems while focusing on rebuilding infrastructure. But equally valuable are specific names that they are mentioning to track as we look at this year’s DSL season. Articles such as this where you get a sense of the experience and the life impact of the game on the players as well as specific names to follow are so valuable.
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.
I expect Harper to play as second line center and score an ovechtrick for the caps this month
OTLs are worthless in the playoffs
So if the Nats score 9 runs to we call that an ovechtrick?
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.
heh hehhehheh HAHAHAHAHA
Sorry – just picturing the play that has Livo hitting a triple :-D
It probably involves
the Astros’ center fielder running smack dab into the pole on Tal’s Hill.
I’m just not sure how Livo gets the ball out that far.
Rob
"Valentines day is really the day pitchers and catchers report, and those are truly words of love.." -- David Huzzard
I love me some Luis Ayala
Glad to see he’s doing relatively well and I wish him the best of luck wherever his career takes him
Saul Rivera pitched in relief for Puerto Rico in the night game. Alex Cora finished near the top in batting average with Ruddy Yan over taking him near the end for the Caribbean batting title.
by David Huzzard on Feb 8, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
Zuckerman's got a nice article about the Spring Training experience
First in a two part series and some nice give and take from the commenters about their experiences. Sounds like autographs are easy and field access helps make up for some of the town of Viera’s flaws.
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.
NPUT
Patrick’s got a link/fanshot on a Danny Espinosa fan interview.
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.
Werth and LaRoche
I think Werth and LaRoche are an upgrade over Dunn and Willingham. Offensively, I don’t think the numbers will be much different. Defensively it is a massive upgrade.
You have to pay some guys, and the Nats decided that Werth was that guy. I agree with them.
Werth is a much better investment than Dunn, even if it is a longer deal for more money. He is a good defensive player who can run. Dunn was a dud who could only hit home runs and walk.
With a young team, a good veteran is an important part of the team. Werth can be that guy, and more importantly I think he wants to be that guy. Zimmerman is probably now considered a veteran, but Werth has won and lost a World Series, the man has experience and can bring a lot to a young team that needs to learn how to win throughout a full season.
The talent at the majors and approaching the majors has the chance to be pretty good.
The contract for Werth may look like too much money for too many years, but it is a better investment than re-signing Dunn for many reasons.
"It's not how deep you fish... It's how you wiggle your worm"
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