tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post6683311544717276692..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: Disregarding Livan?Harperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-91802891542995281162011-08-29T08:26:20.594-07:002011-08-29T08:26:20.594-07:00The jury might still be out, but I'd rather ha...The jury might still be out, but I'd rather have Wang as the innings eater than Livo, based on potential. My guess for the rotation at the start of next year is Strasburg, ZNN, Lannan, Wang, Detwiler with Gorzelanny and Milone in long relief.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-86420203194171531082011-08-27T23:17:42.456-07:002011-08-27T23:17:42.456-07:00Can Werth genuinely play an adequate CF? Because i...Can Werth genuinely play an adequate CF? Because if he can, even in a hellishly down year his bat suddenly looks a lot better then it does for a corner outfielder.<br /><br />As for Livan...*shrug* He's a low-cost innings-eater, and a known quantity. He's put up numbers that are adequate for a #5 starter for the past two years with the Nats. If guys like Peacock and Milone need more seasoning and Detwiler can't cut it, then Livan's about as good as anyone to plug the hole. A better question is whether they can sign or trade for a genuine #1 or #2 caliber of pitcher, someone who's at least of Znn's caliber, to shore up the front end of the rotation. If they're signing Livan to be #5 because they traded Detwiler as part of a package for a new 2B or CF and Peacock isn't ready for the bigs, great. If they're signing Livan to be the #4 because they couldn't sign anyone better ahead of him and are still fishing in the Wang/Maya/Detwiler/etc. pond for another starter, then we have a problem.DezoPenguinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-9131124913410542232011-08-27T15:32:59.938-07:002011-08-27T15:32:59.938-07:00I like Livo for those things that Harper and Livan...I like Livo for those things that Harper and Livanonymous mentioned, and he will probably come cheap, so resign him. You can't put a dollar figure on that experiene and presence in a clubhouse/dugout. Also, I like it when he gets a little lighthearted out there on the mound. Kind of reminds you that this 'is' a game after all, and he seems to really enjoy the moments. That can be contagious. <br /><br />**Spoiler Alert** and a comment more to the point of the previous days post (Rick Ankiel stinks)...did you see tonights lineup? <br /><br />Desmond<br />Werth in CF<br />Zimm<br />Morse in LF<br />Espi<br />Nix in RF<br />Marrero at 1B<br />Ramos<br />etc<br /><br />Was Davey reading your blog or what?Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-24107467309558361482011-08-26T18:25:41.520-07:002011-08-26T18:25:41.520-07:00Exactly WilsonR.
His intangibles are what make hi...Exactly WilsonR.<br /><br />His intangibles are what make him such a great asset. World Series ring, WS MVP, NLCS MVP. He's been there, he knows how to win, he knows what it takes to get the job done. The importance of those things becomes forgotten to some nowadays.<br /><br />Not to mention, he's one of the smartest pitchers in baseball. How many other guys could have the same success he's had with the stuff he has? 80-85 fastball, 60-65 curve, mid 70s slider. The fact he can get anybody out, nevertheless contribute to a team is a testament to his knowledge of the game.Livanonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-30135326797904906112011-08-26T17:59:16.406-07:002011-08-26T17:59:16.406-07:00I love the way Livo approaches the game. I'd...I love the way Livo approaches the game. I'd like to see him back for that reason alone. That said, I think the Nats need to go with youth. Maybe Livo can come back as bullpen coach or something.WilsonRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-63302506193348438142011-08-26T15:52:14.654-07:002011-08-26T15:52:14.654-07:00I come out the same way as Harper's last post:...I come out the same way as Harper's last post: bring back Livo but I really hope that they have better options for the rotation.<br /><br />Re: Lannan, I think that the thing holding him back from taking the next step is walks, and there is some reason to hope that he can still take the next step. IIRC, Lee took a big step forward on walk rate around this age, after a stint in the minors. Not saying Lannan has the same ceiling as Cliff, but if he got his walks down to 2BB/9, that could probably move him solidly into #3 territory.<br /><br />Matt/DCNatty/Cory - appreciate the support on the last post. Just caught up on all of it now.Wallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01557557989122256161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-56641006118310461962011-08-26T13:44:56.355-07:002011-08-26T13:44:56.355-07:00mK- quickly I don't think they should bring ba...mK- quickly I don't think they should bring back Livan for the rotation. I think they should start two rookies. BUT if the team has decided to go the "innings eater, cheap FA" route for one of the two spots - Livan is as good as any.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-52432268080179897702011-08-26T13:23:59.909-07:002011-08-26T13:23:59.909-07:00Granted, the Nats are looking to improve next year...Granted, the Nats are looking to improve next year, but this post + Lee's comment seems to be weighted far to much in the "win now" direction. Start 37 year old Livan over Detwiler, Peacock, Milone, and even Wang? Why??? He's been mediocre this year at best.<br /><br />Of course, more will be known after September when Detwiler and Wang have more starts, and hopefully Peacock and Milone are called up. But I don't see why the Nats, in what will be their last rebuilding year, should start two rookie starters in the pen so 37 year old Livan can put up a 4.50 ERA. Just start them. So they fail - so what? At least then you know what you have. Then you can send them back to the minors, where they will start, and try to earn their way back. IMO, you only put starters in the pen if they've fully failed as a starter or you're in win now mode and doing so makes you marginally better. But perhaps I'm biased because I'm also a Yankee fan and ^%*$&^%$ Chamberlain.<br /><br />BTW, the reason why I like Lannan better is because of ERA. I know, ERA isn't a better predictor than all the sabermetric stuff. But isn't the POINT of the sabermetric stuff to predict what a player's long-term ERA is? After all, all we really care about in baseball at the end of the day is runs. Normally I'd go sabermetric, too, but Lannan has put up very good ERAs for 3/4 years, and that includes in similar conditions to Livan. I think 4 years is long-term enough to tell you what type of pitcher he is, so in this case I take it over sabermetrics.michael Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-17004184025351322442011-08-26T10:29:51.233-07:002011-08-26T10:29:51.233-07:00@Cory couldn't agree more; I'd love to see...@Cory couldn't agree more; I'd love to see him in that long relief role. Also, consider this: Stras will have a fairly significant innings limit next year. He also throws every pitch about 20mph faster than Livo. Can you imagine the confusion that would ensure bringing the big man on in relief of Stras?Natsochistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-21289742208788822542011-08-26T09:40:15.339-07:002011-08-26T09:40:15.339-07:00I will now strictly post as Livanonymous. Probabl...I will now strictly post as Livanonymous. Probably the greatest nickname ever.<br /><br />How about this: Livo retires, gets hired as the new pitching coach? Then we get his immense knowledge of the game and clubhouse presence without people worrying about his age and ability.Livanonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-31400094565188815852011-08-26T09:14:47.424-07:002011-08-26T09:14:47.424-07:00Why not employ Livan as long relief and spot start...Why not employ Livan as long relief and spot starting, similar to Wakefield's role for the BoSox in many years and postseaons? As mentioned, he's a good change of pace guy, and fits best when facing lefty-heavy teams.Corynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-19369681288850640332011-08-26T09:10:57.862-07:002011-08-26T09:10:57.862-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11912374115639059679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-53720748121700867862011-08-26T09:08:40.512-07:002011-08-26T09:08:40.512-07:00I see no harm in re-signing Livan for next year. ...I see no harm in re-signing Livan for next year. He'll come cheap and do so on a one year contract. If he collapses, we should and can drop him faster than we dropped Matt Stairs. Let one or two of the younger guys start the season as a long reliever. Davey has hinted that he prefers his teams to have 2 long relievers. I figure Stras, ZNN, Lannan, Livan, plus whomever will be our starting five. I'd go with Detwiler if they don't pick up a free agent. <br /><br />Livo will be the innings eater while the Nats figure out if Detwiler, Peacock, or Milone can hack it. I wouldn't be surprised to see a revolving door there with those guys spot starting and appearing in long relief. If they start performing well, Livo can go to long relief and then eventually into retirement.Leenoreply@blogger.com