tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post694281160805171186..comments2024-03-18T07:03:39.210-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: The lingering offseason quesitonsHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-81460345551902494382015-01-09T05:51:43.959-08:002015-01-09T05:51:43.959-08:00I don't think Rizzo is going to give up Cole f...I don't think Rizzo is going to give up Cole for Zobrist, let alone another guy on top of that. Maybe the Werth surgery changes things, but I doubt it. Probably another AAAA-type OF signing and more spring training atbats for Moore and McLouth. Probably another guy who could slot in as fifth guy until Taylor is ready when Werth comes back and Moore after hits .180 in April and plays crappy defense in left. God helps us if Frandsen is the backup 1st baseman...blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-40699684085047488002015-01-08T21:00:56.246-08:002015-01-08T21:00:56.246-08:00I think it would be darkly hilarious ("darkly...I think it would be darkly hilarious ("darkly" because it involves injury to an actual person, which it is sometimes hard to remember that baseball players are the way we all talk about them) if Uggla really was recovered from a head injury and was able to recover to above-average hitting, good power, slightly sub-average defense levels, after the Braves somehow missed this and ditched him. Bonus points that it was Grissom who pointed him in the right direction, since Grissom was part of one of the best outfields in franchise history (with Moises Alou and Larry Walker, a group probably even better than the Raines/Dawson/Cromartie OFs of the early 80s).<br /><br />That said, I'm not going to count on that actually being the result.DezoPenguinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-17464806180827061212015-01-08T16:34:25.870-08:002015-01-08T16:34:25.870-08:00ANyone lend any credence to this? I know guys lik...ANyone lend any credence to this? I know guys like Wright and Span were affected after beanings... I mean Uggla WAS pretty good... maybe we'll all be singing Rizzo's praises again? <br /><br />Uggla seeing things clearly after treatment<br /><br />We’ve given you the Dan Uggla story in bits and pieces the past few weeks. Here’s the rest of it.<br /><br />Uggla was hit twice in the head by pitches, in June 2012 and in spring training 2013. His career went downhill fast after the first beaning, and Uggla never recovered. He was released by the Braves in early 2014 and was paid the more than $18 million remaining on his contract.<br /><br />Dejected about how fast his career declined, Uggla had no answers. That’s when old friend Marquis Grissom called him last September and told him he knew the problem.<br /><br />Grissom was hit in the head during his career and suffered a similar decline. He hooked up Uggla with Las Vegas orthopedist Robert Donatelli.<br /><br />Donatelli and his staff put Uggla through a series of tests and determined he had suffered oculomotor dysfunction. Uggla, who had gone so far as to get Lasik treatment because he wasn’t seeing the rotation of the ball, had 20/15 vision. But the testing found that when Uggla moved his head or body, his vision was 20/100. This explained being unable to see the rotation of the ball. It also affected him in the field, Uggla saying it got to the point where he didn’t want the ball hit to him at second base.<br /><br />Uggla was given two weeks of exercises to improve the condition. And in November, Donatelli declared him healthy, his motion vision back to normal.<br /><br />The 34-year-old Uggla, who once hit 30 or more homers for five straight seasons, was signed to a minor league deal by the Nationals, who will invite him to spring training. The Orioles and Rangers were also interested, but Uggla had a relationship with Washington GM Mike Rizzo and decided it was the best opportunity for him.<br /><br />The Nationals were familiar with the condition, having gone through it with center fielder Denard Span, though his dropoff in 2013 wasn’t quite so severe.<br /><br />Unless the Nationals acquire a second baseman, they will go into spring training with Uggla getting a great chance to win the job against Danny Espinosa.Zimmerman11https://www.blogger.com/profile/14524103974207323535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-76209715925772641772015-01-08T16:33:23.614-08:002015-01-08T16:33:23.614-08:00FROM MLB TRADE RUMORS:
Ben Zobrist, 2B/RF, Rays —...FROM MLB TRADE RUMORS:<br /><br />Ben Zobrist, 2B/RF, Rays — Zobrist, 33, has one of the biggest trade markets out there. The super utilityman is being pursued seriously by the Giants, Nationals, Angels, and Cubs. The Rays recently acquired Asdrubal Cabrera on a one-year deal, sparking further speculation that Zobrist might be on the move. The Rays are said to be asking for at least one top prospect and a mid-level one.<br /><br />Multiple prospects... Harper, you still in? Or is the negotiation pricing this dude out of range??? Seems like there is a lot of competition for one year of a good player.Zimmerman11https://www.blogger.com/profile/14524103974207323535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-84675046882670237152015-01-08T15:51:36.746-08:002015-01-08T15:51:36.746-08:00Chaos - I agree, Harper will probably write about ...Chaos - I agree, Harper will probably write about that next blog.Dr Trea (formerly #werthquake) https://www.blogger.com/profile/07450504942328972974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-10566990976157835882015-01-08T13:55:44.048-08:002015-01-08T13:55:44.048-08:00Shoulder surgery for Werth, gone for 2-3 months. I...Shoulder surgery for Werth, gone for 2-3 months. I'm guessing that'll mean missing the first month of the season......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-51619318673734011352015-01-08T08:40:20.916-08:002015-01-08T08:40:20.916-08:00I like Danny for his defense. If they have to sta...I like Danny for his defense. If they have to start him against righties, I'd have him bunt 95% of the time. The other 5% I'd have him swing himself out of his shoes, just to keep the corner guys from charging in too fast.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-44170791299848706442015-01-08T06:39:14.222-08:002015-01-08T06:39:14.222-08:00It seems to me that in this day and age it is very...It seems to me that in this day and age it is very tough to field a team that has no "holes." Just because Rizzo doesn't bring in another 2B doesn't mean that the Nats aren't committed to winning this year. <br /><br />I fully believe in the concept of get in as many years as possible, rather than go all-in on one or two years. This team is set up to contend for several years in a row as long as too much of the minor league talent isn't shipped away for short term solutions.<br /><br />I say go with Espinosa and Uggla (because even with one of them getting 2B duty the team is STILL REALLY GOOD) and keep making moves that will keep the Nats in contention year after year. If someone becomes available without giving up too much future value, then do it. But don't make a deal, just to make a deal.NotBobbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-5374605310074495702015-01-08T05:57:24.465-08:002015-01-08T05:57:24.465-08:00In regards to Espinosa, while he might eventually ...In regards to Espinosa, while he might eventually come to the realization that he's not able to keep two different swings going, I'm not confident about his ability to adjust to what RH pitchers are going to throw him now in the little time he has available to see quality pitching.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-89910415980901835052015-01-07T16:09:17.768-08:002015-01-07T16:09:17.768-08:00Bjd, it's not "rumors" on the site, ...Bjd, it's not "rumors" on the site, Rizzo and Matt Williams have both talked about Espinosa giving up switch hitting. What the internet rumor mongers all assume is that, unless Espi is in winter ball, he <i>isn't</i> giving up switch hitting. And is a malingering malcontent on top of that.<br /><br />THOSE rumors are completely unsubstantiated, FWIW.John C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-48543633084727245212015-01-07T16:04:35.587-08:002015-01-07T16:04:35.587-08:00Nick, I think Rizzo "let Asdrubal go" be...Nick, I think Rizzo "let Asdrubal go" because Cabrera isn't very good. His offense is barely mediocre, and he gives back any advantage by being not very good defensively. <br /><br />As for Drew, it's quite likely that he wasn't available to the Nats for the same rate that he signed with the Yankees. Why? Remember what <i>his</i> interest is - he wants a "pillow" season to rebuild his value, prove that he's a QO level player and cash in. The Yankees offer him a chance the Nats don't: a much better ballpark to pile up numbers in and (more importantly) a spot as a full-time starter, and not as a platoon guy. <br /><br />The Nats would have to significantly overpay to trump those factors. And Drew isn't that good.John C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-59939317049296871442015-01-07T14:10:18.963-08:002015-01-07T14:10:18.963-08:00Have there been rumors from somewhere besides this...Have there been rumors from somewhere besides this (and other) fan forum about Danny giving up switch hitting?Bjd1207https://www.blogger.com/profile/08595153543505790679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-36941883432639753362015-01-07T13:08:54.704-08:002015-01-07T13:08:54.704-08:00The Nats F.O. is really good at keeping a lid on t...The Nats F.O. is really good at keeping a lid on things. There are still possibilities, and if Rizzo isn't going to add a former D-back, you know last year is telling them something more potent than his decent career #s vs. RH pitching. OTOH, I really don't think they are against one-year stopgaps, they've done that a lot with starting pitchers - the trouble with that here, is you may be looking at two infield positions and center to fill in 2016 if you let things lie because Taylor, Cole, Treinen etc are no sure things. They need to risk signing a few of these guys, and if a prospect is ready, to be able to deal from that strength or move a guy and eat money, that's the price of competing. We don't really know what they'll do since they haven't had to spend big yet on more than Werth really.<br /><br />Re-signing Frandsen and re-habbing Uggla seem like CYA insurance. I don't think there's any way this is the roster they have in mind for opening day, barring some real magic concussion cure or an "everything looks like it's down the pipe" spring from Frandsen. Those guys don't cost you much and therefore do not stand in the way of some flexibility should other opportunities arise with a better player. Maybe having a guy keeps you from getting a better guy like Zobrist as the market shrinks or it becomes reasonable to consider their asking price somehow. <br /><br />While I haven't read much of anything about the Nats being connected to those Cuban guys Fernandez and Olivera, it could also be they're ready to pounce and aren't going to pay for a stopgap knowing they can afford to blow apart their international money on a more controllable asset. After all this was a franchise that didn't much care about signing bonuses for Strasburg and Harper when it had to be done. I know the conventional wisdom Rizzo spouts is that scouts don't get enough info to be really sure about them, but I think it's been long enough that Maya's example won't hold them back, and they need infielders right now. <br /><br /><br />I think Boras would never let Strasburg sign and Storen isn't a sure enough bet to worry about buying out arbitration years. I think Rendon is the guy to try to lock up after Ramos, maybe even before thinking about him, really.<br /><br />I would guess that Moore is the lynchpin to creating a better bench since he's out of options and they're not going to release him, that will certainly mean perhaps a different piece if he's part of a trade - whether we like them or not.<br />blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-24769052464162477162015-01-07T11:02:52.138-08:002015-01-07T11:02:52.138-08:00I am really hoping that Michael Taylor gets a dece...I am really hoping that Michael Taylor gets a decent amount of run as the 4th OF/first OF injury replacement instead of Mclouth. <br /><br />Weeks was so horrendous defensively that it's tough to imagine him being a passable 3b. While he did have a nice 2014 season offensively (127 wRC+), he had a .355 BABIP, which sounds off all the regression alarms. I guess he's still better than Moore as a backup 1b though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-72673730158534005422015-01-07T10:09:58.628-08:002015-01-07T10:09:58.628-08:00Way out of the box suggestion here. Fister played ...Way out of the box suggestion here. Fister played first in college what if we tried him at third on off days and moved Rendon back to second.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-30819237791538687462015-01-07T09:56:47.042-08:002015-01-07T09:56:47.042-08:00For our free agents pay Ramos, ZNN, and Stras. The...For our free agents pay Ramos, ZNN, and Stras. The bench needs help but I hope mclouth turns it around. The bigger bench problem is in the infield as frandsen has no pop. At 2b do a gamble with weeks. If weeks hits start him and replace him with Espinosa for defense late in games. Mark twainnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-51129401966285878582015-01-07T09:33:17.546-08:002015-01-07T09:33:17.546-08:00MikeinDC - Yes. Still favorites to win East, possi...MikeinDC - Yes. Still favorites to win East, possibly for home field. Love to see these tings resolved but not necessary.<br /><br />CXP - Nats rarely overpay. They rarely spend money on bench. They also just tried it (with McLouth) and it didn't seem to work so probably gunshy for half a decade on doing it again (see: Maya, Yunesky and long-term pitcher deals) <br /><br />1/2ST>0 - By all accounts Soriano wasn't Rizzo's decision it was Lerner's. <br /><br />He could be striving for a bigger deal. I can see that. But if you do that you kind of gotta come through. <br /><br />Bench is distressing but you always pray they don't matter even when they are decent. So just keep praying. Uggla eating corn that makes him fly would explain why he has such trouble getting down on ground balls. Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-53493756881198123652015-01-07T09:24:55.140-08:002015-01-07T09:24:55.140-08:00Soriano, of course, was the one exception to the N...Soriano, of course, was the one exception to the Nats "not paying for relief pitching" but I guess you meant other than the closer. As for second base, I can't help thinking that the reason Rizzo has not gone for Asdrubal or Drew or the lesser options like Beckham is that he is still striving for a bigger deal that just hasn't fallen into place yet. I agree with everyone that the bench is distressing; I hope McLouth can redeem himself and that Uggla eats the last handful of magic feed corn that makes reindeer fly.Positively Half St.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07048223068323120438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-16199647472988813692015-01-07T09:11:39.081-08:002015-01-07T09:11:39.081-08:00I honestly don't understand how we didn't ...I honestly don't understand how we didn't outbid the Yankees for Drew. At market value, that contract suggests Drew is valued at around .6 WAR (roughly?), which is right in line with the Steamer projection of .7. But he platoons well with Danny, he wouldn't be a defensive liability, and we can afford to DFA him if he doesn't work out. So I don't know why we couldn't overpay for 1 year at $6 or $7m. I wonder whether the Nats were even in the bidding. The fact that we DIDN'T make that move makes me think a trade is on the block.Chinatown Expressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-58512918147144499132015-01-07T08:41:51.711-08:002015-01-07T08:41:51.711-08:00On the plus side, we're still pretty damn good...On the plus side, we're still pretty damn good.MikeinDCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-10896228836636355932015-01-07T08:15:54.653-08:002015-01-07T08:15:54.653-08:00Yeah, either of those guys are basically better Ug...Yeah, either of those guys are basically better Ugglas. Well I take that back Beckham is a better Uggla - a guy that you can plug on your bench right now. Weeks maybe could shift to 3B/LF/DH (or 1B if you are lacking there) and provide value as a starter but apparently he doesn't want to. He's not a great fit for the Nats but you know, sometimes you get those types and it all works out Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-9133259188343824232015-01-07T08:01:29.133-08:002015-01-07T08:01:29.133-08:00The bench is not good. I can't understand why ...The bench is not good. I can't understand why Rizzo let Asdrubal and Stephen Drew (great potential platoon mate with Espinosa) sign with other teams for relatively tiny, one year deals. I guess I'd go for Beckham over Weeks because at least Beckham can play some defense (3b in case Rendon goes down), but both of those guys basically stink.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com