tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post2192331323331238796..comments2024-03-27T19:05:25.362-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: Paging Ryan ZimmermanHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-79472358094009049972011-07-25T08:29:55.607-07:002011-07-25T08:29:55.607-07:00I tend to agree with you on Zim. Hopefully he'...I tend to agree with you on Zim. Hopefully he'll turn it on but even if he doesn't I'll go into next year thinking he'll be good. Worrying that he won't be, true, but thinking he'll be good. As for Bernie, I consider "just below average" passable. You want better but it's not going to kill you. <br /><br />As for Desmond, I'd wager that if we looked at all SSs that took a big step back in their 2nd full year around age 25 we'd see alot more Russ Adamseses then Ozzie Smithesess.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-89925774839208636522011-07-24T17:42:28.417-07:002011-07-24T17:42:28.417-07:00Man you give a lot of credit to pretty small sampl...Man you give a lot of credit to pretty small sample sizes. <br /><br />Desmond will hit far better than he is now because nearly everyone who plays at 25 all year then plays all year at age 26 gets much better as long as they do not get hurt. Desmond is to young to give up on! period! Ozzie Smith, relative to his league, was 22.7% worse offensively in his second full year than Desmond is relative to the NL in his second full year (use wRC at fangraphs). The Padres then went and traded Smith to the Cardinals and he went on to the Hall of fame. I am not saying Desmond = Ozzie Smith just that Desmond is far to young and talented to ditch! <br /><br />Now if Desmond was putting this numbers up at Morse's age (29) then I would drop him in a second. But he is 4 peek years younger. A big difference in baseball years!<br /><br />Zim is clearly playing hurt. His defense and offense are both way off his norms. <br /><br />Bernadina is not passable at anything, but below average at everything, and at his age should be a far better defender. However, he is to young to fire. Nonetheless, he is probably a 4th OF in the long run.kick me in the GO NATSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-31502464538137252192011-07-22T07:04:37.167-07:002011-07-22T07:04:37.167-07:00Donald - There really is only one thing the Nats w...Donald - There really is only one thing the Nats will lack and that's the ability to get on base. They generally have low average, low walk guys right now. <br /><br />But really it's not a question of having it as of having enough of it. It's about being better than the other teams making the playoffs. Really as you note the pieces are there but we'll have to see how they develop and what the dvision looks like before we can say if it's enough or not. <br /><br />Hoo - you mean this blog post wasn't better than when I stormed the beach at Normandy? It's just something I thought when Zimm went 0-9 in the last two games when I felt he was "back". Up until then I figured it would solve itself and then it did solve itself. Now I'm keeping an eye on it, where I wasn't even bothering before. Nothing more. <br /><br />Anon - I can see that. And an offseason would help because it's easier to put it all behind you. As for Werth - hell after what it did for Guzman I say everyone gets lazer beams shot in their eyes. <br /><br />JDB - I'm with you on the not being sold. This team kind of projects like John Lannan. Good enough as is but walking a thin margin between playoffs and also-rans. Not much depth... yet (starting pitching could be there in a year depending on Cole and Solis, Rendon could add alot too) But to be fair, this is they way most teams operate.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-79771637118447147152011-07-21T19:14:20.101-07:002011-07-21T19:14:20.101-07:00Harper, you just took a ton of flak for simply sta...Harper, you just took a ton of flak for simply stating that Zimm is playing poorly, which is true. I am not gonna rip you for it. He's not hitting. Yes, he will hit at some point. And I agree, with what they have, Zimm needs to hit like a star in order for this team to win. He can, and I'd bet that he will. But I'm with you in saying that it would be disconcerting if he finishes the year poorly. Hopefully he'll turn it around sooner rather than later so that we can just chalk this up to fan paranoia. I'm not sold on very much with this team. I like our pitching, and most of our infield. I'm even fine with Werth and his contract. I'm a little concerned about Morse moving back to left. Maybe he is the kind of player that needs constant fielding reps to hit well. Kinda keep his adrenaline up or something. Hopefully he'll be fine. Bourne would be real sweet, we really need a leadoff hitter, and a center fielder. I'm even okay with Desi, assuming we get a leadoff hitter in center field. I'm not okay with a bad Zimmerman. That's unacceptable.JDBrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-53615638440816770962011-07-21T12:23:23.181-07:002011-07-21T12:23:23.181-07:00As much as athletes like to put it out there that ...As much as athletes like to put it out there that they are superbeings, in effect they are very fragile when it comes to injury recoveries. It's always tossed about that guys who have knee or elbow ligament surgeries need a full year before they are back to 100%. But I'd wager much of that time is fixing their brains. Zimm has changed his throwing motion, as if that is what strained his oblique. Nonsense. It's a mental game they are playing with him. He's gun shy about hurting his abs again. He stands 50 feet away from the plate because he worries if he turns to hit an inside pitch, he'll be under the knife again. He needs to rip a 450 foot home run to left and feel fantastic about rounding the bases again and he'll start hitting again.<br /><br />As for Werth, I'll bet dollars to donuts he needs contacts or Lasik. He's 32 and every man whose gone into their 30s will tell you your vision/prescription changes in early to mid-30s.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-27046729588539545962011-07-21T12:02:57.523-07:002011-07-21T12:02:57.523-07:00Not your finest hour. You're getting antsy ov...Not your finest hour. You're getting antsy over 75 Abs when he's coming off an injury. This is a bit cherry picking. The concern about Zim have gone from 0% to 1%(ok, higher if you count health). <br /><br />He has 2 straight silver sluggers so let's not worry about a 75 AB dip. I'll agree if the dip gets to 200+ ABs.Hoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-73223110792048152102011-07-21T11:59:28.132-07:002011-07-21T11:59:28.132-07:00So what are the keys to success? Obviously strong...So what are the keys to success? Obviously strong pitching rotation. Stras, ZNN, ???, Lannan, ??? has some holes, but you'd hope that Wang, Milone, Peacock, Gorzelanny, Detwiler should fill at least one of those if not both. <br /><br />You need power, which we probably have enough of in Morse, Werth, Espy, Zimm, particularly if Bryce is there.<br /><br />You need clutch relievers which we probably already have covered in Storen and Clippard if they stay.<br /><br />You need speed, which we are probably also fine with in Espy, Desmond, Werth, Harper, Bernadina.<br /><br />You need a catalyst, which is the lead-off guy they are truely missing.<br /><br />What else?Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-62788702503691088732011-07-21T11:51:02.810-07:002011-07-21T11:51:02.810-07:00cal - I think Zimm can get more than 4 years on th...cal - I think Zimm can get more than 4 years on the open market. If he is like... well like most everyone else in the world, he'll go out and get that if the Nats are offering less. <br /><br />Anon - nope. not questioning now. Saying I'd be questioning about 2012 if he doesn't have a good finish to July and subpar August and Septembers. And even then I'd be optimistic for Zimm to have a good 2012. I just wouldn't bet the house on it.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-91251682217765152292011-07-21T09:49:59.838-07:002011-07-21T09:49:59.838-07:00Um...did you just question the abilities of the be...Um...did you just question the abilities of the best 3rd Baseman in the league? He's just readjusting after missing a lot of time. Next season when he hits .300+ with 30+ HR and 100+ RBI you will regret everything you just said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-4414487639175061702011-07-21T09:30:16.649-07:002011-07-21T09:30:16.649-07:00@Harper
Zimm's signed thru the 2013 season. C...@Harper<br /><br />Zimm's signed thru the 2013 season. Crossing my fingers and toes, the Nats should be competing and will probably offer him a 3-4 year extension. Or, of course, the they could tank the next two years and we will be talking about what we can get with a 29 year old 3b with 30/100 potential if he doesn't miss 40 games each year.calindchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355202565483144956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-77992174405043474162011-07-21T09:29:45.700-07:002011-07-21T09:29:45.700-07:00Bryan - I did mean that maybe post-injury Ryan <...Bryan - I did mean that maybe post-injury Ryan < pre-injury Ryan. Sorry that that wasn't clear. You're right in that he's too young and has too much past success for a drop-off to below average to be anything but shocking. <br /><br />I think you have to keep Espy and Ramos as question marks until well into next year if only because of Desmond. It would have been tempting to say "not great - but not a question mark" for him after last year and now look. <br /><br /><br />Donald - It's tough to say because it depends on what type of production and what's going on around the division. Most likely no. At least not in a easily take the division sort of way. That seems to me more of a WC team assuming the other 3 offensive spots are below average. It would be a very interesting WC team if Strasburg and ZNN were dominant.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-77519790962010568342011-07-21T09:21:47.670-07:002011-07-21T09:21:47.670-07:00Oh, I'm not betting on Rendon, I'm just sa...Oh, I'm not betting on Rendon, I'm just saying we have other options.cassnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-61297061988044387332011-07-21T09:01:09.727-07:002011-07-21T09:01:09.727-07:00Maybe this is for another posting, but where's...Maybe this is for another posting, but where's the tipping point? Even the best teams have holes somewhere. You can't have all-stars at every position. If Zimm, Espi, Ramos, Werth and Bryce all produce in 2012 or 2013, along with Stras, ZNN, Lannan, Peacock, Gorzelanny, is that enough to carry them all the way?<br /><br />I totally agree, btw, that we have to be able to count on Zimm. I'm just wondering if it matters if we have Morse vs. LaRoche at 1B and Desmond vs. Lombardozzi in the middle infield or not if the core produces as hoped.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-50595435546919615032011-07-21T08:41:24.245-07:002011-07-21T08:41:24.245-07:00Unless you are arguing that Zimmerman's injury...Unless you are arguing that Zimmerman's injury in some way affected his ability to hit, I think you are overplaying his struggles. You don't appear to be saying that, so I have to assume you are questioning his ability to hit at the big-league level. Rarely do guys who hit as well and as consistently as Zimmerman just drop off the face of the earth.<br /><br />Glad to hear you are sold on ZNN. And the last two games haven't been bad for Werth. I think Espi can hit, and maybe hit better than he is currently, average wise at least. Desmond is a sunk cost this year, but I'd trade him if you can. He's a nothing. I need to see more of Ramos.<br /><br />In summation:<br />Zimmerman - not a question mark<br />ZNN - not a question mark<br />Espi - most likely not a question mark<br />Ramos - leaning toward not a ?<br />Desmond - AAAA player.Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-65336323543246341222011-07-21T08:11:25.111-07:002011-07-21T08:11:25.111-07:00cass - that's a bit premature don't you th...cass - that's a bit premature don't you think? Betting on a guy injured in college yet to hit in AA? Then again what do I know. I still won't be sold on Bryce till he starts dominating AA. <br /><br />cal - do you mean 4-5 years after 2013? I think the most likely years left numbers are 2 and 7+Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-90811684341253463522011-07-21T07:55:51.238-07:002011-07-21T07:55:51.238-07:00Zimmerman puts butts in seats and sells many jerse...Zimmerman puts butts in seats and sells many jerseys (not to mention, being the franchise player). Unless he becomes injury prone, he'll be a Nat for 4-5 more years.calindchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355202565483144956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-28106049878868839472011-07-21T07:41:29.297-07:002011-07-21T07:41:29.297-07:00Actually, there is an alternative to Zimmerman, wh...Actually, there is an alternative to Zimmerman, who is only signed for two more years. The alternative has "gold glove defense", or so we are told, and was the best hitter in college a year ago. Oh, and he'd be free for six years.<br /><br />Look, I want Zimmerman to spend his entire career in DC and win multiple MVPs and go to the hall of fame. He's been the core of this team for a long time and deserves to be here when the Nats win. But in terms of building the team, assuming they get him signed, the Nats do have a good alternative in Rendon.cassnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-47723573710066643422011-07-21T07:40:12.512-07:002011-07-21T07:40:12.512-07:00Ryan had to change his throwing motion after the i...Ryan had to change his throwing motion after the injury, so maybe he had to tweak his swing a little bit as well. Just guessing, but he might also be holding back a little at the plate.calindchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355202565483144956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-75076696211273305222011-07-21T07:30:57.757-07:002011-07-21T07:30:57.757-07:00I still believe in Ryan and expect a decent August...I still believe in Ryan and expect a decent August and/or September. This is a mid-season post. Not looking at problems but things that might be problems "if". It's a long season.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-90869198225052164652011-07-21T07:17:41.268-07:002011-07-21T07:17:41.268-07:00The only problem with looking at this as a problem...The only problem with looking at this as a problem, is that there is no solution. Zimm will hit in the middle of the order and will be manning third base for the next few years. Maybe you can try and pick up another run-producing type hitter, but i doubt they'd be able to do that. They pretty much have to bank on Zimm's body of work, and roll with that. There is very little reason to think that Zimm will not be that number 3 hitter that we've all known the last few years. A bad month or so is nothing to be concerned about. Yes, he has to hit well in order for the team to succeed. But he will. He has since he came into the league, and he will again. I'd do just what they're doing: plug Zimm into the 3-hole playing third base and forget about it. Just my opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com