tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post8854773753382457782..comments2024-03-27T19:05:25.362-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: Monday Quickie - Is this the week? Harperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-81777166342523351402019-02-06T06:44:18.939-08:002019-02-06T06:44:18.939-08:00There was a great column from Bos in today's P...There was a great column from Bos in today's Post. Since he is often the subject of ridicule here (with merit) I thought I'd point out this example of work worthy of praise.<br /><br />I also think it illustrates the value of this site and the service Harper provides us.sircnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-14879442136850046062019-02-05T21:30:47.114-08:002019-02-05T21:30:47.114-08:00Just saw on MLB Trade Rumors that Hellickson is in...Just saw on MLB Trade Rumors that Hellickson is in talks to come back. Definitely better than counting on Fedde/Ross but is he yet another "question mark" due to injury? I have had moments where I've thought, ah heck, bring back Gio and slot him #5 and leave him off the post-season roster but give him thanks for his 175 innings. I'd still take Gio, but Helly is an upgrade on what we've got at #5. <br /><br />Helly, maybe Harper, and one reliable reliever and we are set. But for relievers...any left at this point? Seems like a lefty's come off the board every day for a week.Johnny Callisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06517288347359334617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-40246919469250310642019-02-05T15:59:54.648-08:002019-02-05T15:59:54.648-08:00Agree to disagree. Every team has question marks, ...Agree to disagree. Every team has question marks, yes. But of the 18 question marks on the Nats projected 25-man roster, the list includes EVERY member of the bullpen aside from Doolittle (one could even argue he should be in their due to injury history). That is a problem few have addressed.Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-83879635493536821392019-02-05T15:42:31.505-08:002019-02-05T15:42:31.505-08:00Check out the ? marks on the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, ...Check out the ? marks on the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers. The entire Dodgers outfield, is Seeger back to form, is Kershaw going to pitch an entire season. I could do this for all those teams mentioned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-65475678251581935792019-02-05T14:14:35.736-08:002019-02-05T14:14:35.736-08:00But with that many question marks? I don't thi...But with that many question marks? I don't think so. Only reliable pieces (to be good or bad) are Rendon, Trea, Max, and Doolittle. That seems pretty worrisome.Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-7042336182105439132019-02-05T13:32:22.951-08:002019-02-05T13:32:22.951-08:00Lose the is...Lose the is...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-14691154090955361872019-02-05T13:31:17.569-08:002019-02-05T13:31:17.569-08:00You can do that with every major league roster...a...You can do that with every major league roster...all have big question marks. The big "IF" is keeps the conversation going.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-31074137176576227372019-02-05T11:43:56.931-08:002019-02-05T11:43:56.931-08:00An item of concern: Nearly every signing we've...An item of concern: Nearly every signing we've made this offseason is a gamble. Barraclough, Rosenthal, Corbin, Sanchez, Dozier all come with big question marks (some more expensive than others). They join the list of existing question marks: Will Stras stay healthy? Will Glover produce? Was Miller a fluke? Is Suero legit? Will Robles live up to the hype? Can Soto repeat? Will Eaton stay healthy? Will Kendrick be back in time, or be out until July? Did Martinez learn anything from last year?<br /><br />I'm excited for the season, don't get me wrong, but there are A LOT of caveats to our roster. Looks almost ridiculous, to the point that Rizzo would have to hit on these signings at a ridiculous rate, while also hitting on the current guys, for this team to be successful.Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-90900698396307828892019-02-05T11:28:42.271-08:002019-02-05T11:28:42.271-08:00I have not read nor heard that from the Nats. If R...I have not read nor heard that from the Nats. If Robles is terrible in the Spring, perhaps. But there is no benefit to sticking Robles in the minors that I can see. The team control ship has nearly sailed due to nearly 2 months in the bigs. <br /><br />He had nice plate discipline in winter ball. The only way I see Robles not being in the Nats opening day lineup is if they sign Bryce. Otherwise it's Robles, imo.sircnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-1229639816230763642019-02-05T10:59:39.924-08:002019-02-05T10:59:39.924-08:00They're gonna start the season with Taylor sta...They're gonna start the season with Taylor starting in CF and Robles in Las Vegas... so yeah I'm not thrilled with a Bryce-less outfield.Zimmerman11https://www.blogger.com/profile/14524103974207323535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-63361264551655544302019-02-05T07:59:13.653-08:002019-02-05T07:59:13.653-08:00They can't move to Richmond bc it is not a AAA...They can't move to Richmond bc it is not a AAA team I believe. Evidently that is a big deal from what I heard. Durham would be cool.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-61655066272152774412019-02-05T06:51:17.683-08:002019-02-05T06:51:17.683-08:00@Kubla
I'm a Durham resident also and love go...@Kubla<br /><br />I'm a Durham resident also and love going to Bulls games. So sad that I won't be able to see future Nats at the local stadium. Still remember TT hitting a homerun over the bull and thinking that he was going to be amazing.NotBobbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-39885590635899131312019-02-04T19:24:01.704-08:002019-02-04T19:24:01.704-08:00I personally would have loved the Nats taking over...I personally would have loved the Nats taking over Durham. Then I could see their guys every game instead of having to wait for Syracuse to come through (or now, never getting to see the once and future Nats). Sure, the Bulls just celebrated 20 years of Rays affiliation, but when have the Rays ever been serious about hanging onto any asset?Kublanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-86725767047986530732019-02-04T19:00:03.712-08:002019-02-04T19:00:03.712-08:00They should try to trade for the Richmond Flying S...They should try to trade for the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Theyre affiliated with the SF Giants so a trade if they could figure out the leagues would be great for both. Though Im sure the giants dont care as much about where their double A team isAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-33581095176462231622019-02-04T18:58:41.584-08:002019-02-04T18:58:41.584-08:00@Anon - they agreed to a two year dear with the Gr...@Anon - they agreed to a two year dear with the Grizzlies. Definitely lost out on the round table of triple A teams this year...KOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-88514788300274010842019-02-04T15:35:59.714-08:002019-02-04T15:35:59.714-08:00Is the Fresno Grizzlies association a temporary th...Is the Fresno Grizzlies association a temporary thing? Seems somewhat inconvenient having your AAA club on the opposite coast, no?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-91078708074849676182019-02-04T11:20:35.686-08:002019-02-04T11:20:35.686-08:00I assumed that in a 7-man pen Suero would be in AA...I assumed that in a 7-man pen Suero would be in AAA since he's the only one of the bunch who can be stashed there. Then when/if Barraclough craps out, Glover gets hurt, or Miller turns back into a pumpkin, Suero comes up to replace that person. I absolutely second the notion of signing a LH reliever who can bounce Solis right into the DFA category. Most of our relievers are guys who come with risk, but Solis is just a poor pitcher: low risk, low reward. Kimbrel is an interesting suggestion because he would immediately give us a shutdown-grade LH pitcher by moving Doolittle out of the closer spot. Then Rosenthal and Doolittle could be deployed as the RH/LH back-end tandem to put out fires while Kimbrel works the 9th. Kimbrel does seem to be on the downslide and his playoff sample was scary as heck, and his price would likely be too much, but at the least he'd still improve the overall pen quality.<br /><br />I think Difo starts the season with the team simply because he's the only guy who can reasonably back up Turner at SS. Kendrick, Rendon, and Dozier can't just move there. The only way they go with an 8-man pen, I think, is if Kendrick is hurt to start the season.<br /><br />I really do wish that the Nats would address SP5, though. Ross is a question mark and Fedde isn't so much a question mark as he is an answer we know and don't like. Bringing back Hellickson in the hope he can repeat last year would be an upgrade, and also gives us Ross to plug in as SP6 if (when) we need one. Unfortunately, the only other viable options available in FA appear to be Keuchel (fine pitcher, particularly since he'd be our #4/5, but way too expensive), Gio (riskier than Hellickson, but capable of going deeper into games), and Buchholz (far, far too variable in terms of outcomes).DezoPenguinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-62520960060452491822019-02-04T10:47:33.905-08:002019-02-04T10:47:33.905-08:00Maybe Gio can call up Andy Pettitte to learn his c...Maybe Gio can call up Andy Pettitte to learn his cutter and while he's at it - his balk move - that would get rid of some runners.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-24916136675236035082019-02-04T10:45:22.742-08:002019-02-04T10:45:22.742-08:00My worry is 3B if Rendon misses time. I don't ...My worry is 3B if Rendon misses time. I don't care for Kendrick or Difo playing there an extended period, hell, they played Reynolds there last year! I suspect Kieboom could do it, but I bet he hasn't played a game there. It may be that the biggest key for the 2019 Nats will be Rendon, he's going to be asked to provide a lot.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-24888732542840865292019-02-04T10:40:54.170-08:002019-02-04T10:40:54.170-08:00Grace is probably the defacto long man, it's w...Grace is probably the defacto long man, it's why I agree that they really need a loogy and to just cut bait on Solis. Sipp is probably the best option. I like Suero because his good cutter is a handy thing in a bullpen that will probably be full of fastball/sinker/slider guys.<br /><br />An outside the box idea would be using Ross in the bullpen and limiting his post-TJ innings that way. It would expose him to lefties less and his stuff will play up. He may even become an option throughout the possible postseason instead of being shut down.<br /><br />I think the Nats will absolutely need a guy in town who can back up short, so Iglesias isn't a bad notion, but not all that exciting. I doubt it would cost much and would help the depth having Difo in Fresno, but I'm thinking that Kieboom would get called up if there's a significant problem. Kendrick and Dozier can't hack short, but I'd like to see a little bit of 2019 Dozier before I write him of as a guy needing a defensive caddy like Murphy. I'm guessing the defensive replacement needs really won't be there provided Soto can be worked with in a spring training camp devoted to more fundamental instruction. I'm betting substitutions would be more about rest and safety with minor ills.<br /> <br />blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-29610695209478839262019-02-04T10:15:06.972-08:002019-02-04T10:15:06.972-08:00I wonder if the Miley deal kills Gio's expecta...I wonder if the Miley deal kills Gio's expectations for a multi year contract. Mid 30s guys with velocity drops are out. Mid 30s guys with velocity drops BUT have developed a cutter are in.<br /><br />Dear Gio,<br /><br /><br />Why haven't you been loading videos on social media working on a cutter? It might be that simple. It certainly couldn't hurt. There are probably some reputable cutter coaches in the world, too. Just pay one of them to spend an afternoon with you, and be sure to take some pictures.<br /><br />Just a suggestion. Also don't sign with the Mets please and thank you.sircnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-34861081428754008312019-02-04T09:56:51.825-08:002019-02-04T09:56:51.825-08:00BX - problem is Suero is the defacto "long ma...BX - problem is Suero is the defacto "long man" in the pen. I don't think he's going 4 but he's probably the guy you go to first to get 2+ innings in a pinch. If you make him focus on something more I'm not sure who scales up to take him place. (unless you bring someone in) <br /><br />Kubla - not a huge deal but I bet he's looking for three years. <br /><br />Anon - but that's not as pretty as MLB! Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-70440029502122343212019-02-04T09:44:26.221-08:002019-02-04T09:44:26.221-08:00Harper, you should use roster resource for depth c...Harper, you should use roster resource for depth charts: https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-washington-nationalsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-27081553836992923572019-02-04T09:36:14.176-08:002019-02-04T09:36:14.176-08:00Is Gio seeking a huge deal? I understand that fans...Is Gio seeking a huge deal? I understand that fans may think he's bad, but front offices have to look at the numbers and see a solid back of the rotation guy. I wouldn't mind the Nats bringing him back for a year or two as the fourth/fifth starter instead of digging through the clearance rack of negative WAR/out-of-baseball guys. The current depth — or lack thereof — makes me concerned for what will happen when Strasburg takes his 2-4 weeks of PTO.Kublanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-53424733304424087052019-02-04T09:17:07.470-08:002019-02-04T09:17:07.470-08:00I would stay away from Kimbrel. I get he’s still r...I would stay away from Kimbrel. I get he’s still real good, but that’s a 3+ year deal and he looks like he’s definitely post-peak with a possibility of rounding into mediocrity or injury in next 2 years. He was terrifyingly erratic in playoffs. Keuchel I would love and would slot into Nats really nicely, maybe a change of speed and arm between max and Stras. I actually really liked what I saw from Suero last year. I wonder if he’s a guy capable of taking the step from guy who is capable of pitching a late inning to guy who can be depended on in late innings. BxJaycobbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841583667789907324noreply@blogger.com