More cuts on Friday, still no surprises

Posted by Mike Henderson on Mar. 12, 2010 at 10:56 AM
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Friday morning saw the Washington Nationals trim their major-league Spring Training roster by two more players, from 53 to 51.  Catcher Devin Ivany and first baseman Josh Whitesell were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Ivany, 27, was selected by the then-Expos in the sixth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.  While he's shown himself capable of nailing wayward baserunners at the high-A level, Ivany -- like his better-known organization mate Derek Norris -- is a bit more error-prone behind the dish than a major-league club would like.  Unlike Norris, Ivany hasn't been a particularly patient or powerful hitter, though his .269 / .360 / .474 batting line over 52 games at Potomac in 2009 was his best yet as a pro.  Barring a continued breakout, it's hard to imagine Ivany's career extending past the end of the 2010 minor-league season.

Whitesell, 28, was another Expos sixth-round draftee (in 2003) and remained in the system until Spring Training 2008 when he was claimed off waivers by Arizona, in whose organization he saw some major-league service time in both '08 and '09.  The Snakes put him back on the wire in December, enabling the Nats to reacquire him to add to their first-base depth chart.  Whitesell possesses decent range, an average glove and some bat pop, so should start the season at triple-A Syracuse and might get a cup of Nats Park coffee if Adam Dunn or Mike Morse should become unavailable for any non-trivial length of time.

     

Will Jesus Flores ever be 100 percent?

Posted by Jeff Bergin on Mar. 12, 2010 at 7:56 AM
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I am not a doctor. I have no knowledge of the labrum other than what I read from sports stories and the random "guest doctor" columnist on ESPN. What I do know is that a 25 year old who makes his living catching a ball and throwing it 60 feet 6 inches over 120 times a game must be completely freaked out by a recurring problem with his shoulder, and he must be more freaked out that he has to go back to talk to Dr. James Andrews (cue ominious music). 

Jesus Flores was once the talk of the system after Bowden picked him up as a rule 5 draftee after Flores torched A ball to a tune similar to Derek Norris last year:

Even when Flores arrived at the MLB level, he built on a promising 2008 with a solid 2009 (.300+ batting average) before being knocked out in May with the shoulder injury.  With Wil Nieves and Josh Bard filling the spots, the Nats FO obviously saw his recovery as imminent, however the moves by the FO in the last few months suggest a different route.

Say what you will about Pudge Rodriguez, but he is a Hall of Famer who wants 3,000 hits, and to do that he needs AB's and games (discussion of his effectiveness is for another column).  There has been talk that he was "guaranteed" 100 games this year.  Would you do that if you thought your catcher of the future was coming back at full strength?  The word has always been that Flores would not be ready for opening day, but his availability keeps getting pushed further and further away, and one has to wonder just how healthy he will be at all this year.

So take this scenario:  Flores labors through another year of rehab with Pudge getting most of the time while Derek Norris continues to rake at A, AA and learns the position, and the Nationals draft Bryce Harper with the #1 overall pick (who also happens to be a catcher).  One must ask themselves, where does Flores fit in?  If healthy, he is a good player, but has he missed his window?

The bright side is that 2-3 years ago, an injury to Flores would have set this team back a couple of years, but the FO has started to stock the minors and now, there are prospects coming through who can buoy a loss like this, and have Nats fans optimistic about the next crop of talent. With that being said, I am hoping Flores pulls through and gets that shoulder squared away--just dont hold your breath.

     

UPDATED: Nats make first Spring Training cuts of 2010

Posted by Mike Henderson on Mar. 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM
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As the Washington Nationals approach the end of the third week of Spring Training, the time came Thursday morning to update and whittle down the big list of players they invited to Viera.

Not much if any of the news came as a surprise.

• Catcher Derek Norris and outfielder Jerry Owens were assigned to minor-league camp. Norris, while a legitimate high-level prospect, is not yet a big-leaguer (and eventually may not be a catcher, but that's something to ponder another day). Owens is a 29-year-old quad-A veteran of the Mariners and White Sox organizations.
• Four pitchers are also on their way to minor-league camp: left-handed reliever Victor Garate and right-handed relievers Logan Kensing, Joel Peralta and Ryan Speier.  All would appear to be candidates for the staff at triple-A Syracuse; none would seem to be on track for promotion to the big club, although Garate did have a good 2009 season at double-A Chattanooga.
• Meanwhile, two late-30s veteran lefties -- starter Shawn Estes and reliever Eddie Guardado -- were released.  No mystery there, except maybe as to what if anything they'd been expected to have left in the tank when they were signed.

One wonders also what bounceback the club expects from 34-year-old right-handed reliever Tyler Walker, who has been thrashed to the tune of a 37+ ERA so far this spring.

UPDATE 11-Mar-2010 6:15 pm: Brian at Nationals Farm Authority reports that high-single-A outfielder (and would-be knuckleball pitcher) Aaron Seuss has also been released by the organization…

     

The NL East, position by position: third base

Posted by Mike Henderson on Mar. 10, 2010 at 4:00 PM
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If you need an excuse to check out some National League East divisional rivalries this summer, three good reasons are contained at third base.

The Braves' legendary Chipper Jones and the Mets' David Wright are scheduled to visit Washington nine times each. And, of course, the Nats' own Ryan Zimmerman will be starting his fifth full season under the curly W.

What can each of the division's teams expect from the hot corner? Here they are, ranked top to bottom based on expectations for the season at both offense and defense.

• If Wright enjoys a comeback after his subpar 2009, the Mets should lead the third-sack pack. As at second and short, Alex Cora will be the backup at third.
• Then again, there's Zimmerman, who had a breakout 2009 campaign in Washington and is also a couple years Wright's junior. If Zim -- who can expect to be spelled occasionally by supersub Willie Harris -- can keep it at the '09 level, this could be a close one-two.
• Were Jones able to turn back the clock by ten years, it'd be a close one-two-three. But he can't, so while it'll still be one-two-three, it won't be close. Jones' backup in Atlanta will be Omar Infante.
• Some Phillies fans may be trying to convince themselves that letting 35-year-old Pedro Feliz depart to the Astros and picking up 34-year-old free agent Placido Polanco was an upgrade. And it was: from what rates to be a Quad-A performance in 2010 to what rates to be a recognizably major-league performance, but not much more than that.  It could be worse, as will be evident on the days the team deploys Greg Dobbs at the position.
• Jorge Cantu is again slated to cross the diamond in Florida, where the fans will still miss the performance of Miguel Cabrera if not his drama.  Much as they might like to, they probably won't have the opportunity to miss the performance of backup Emilio Bonifacio on Cantu's days off.

     

The TV Watch: Strasburg"s Debut

Posted by Jon Desenberg on Mar. 9, 2010 at 4:52 PM
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I got pulled in by the hype and watched Stephen Strasburg’s debut on MASN.

“Stras-y” in the words of guest analyst John Lannan looked great, but if you turned away you would have missed his two quick and efficient innings. The three straight ground ball outs to start his career were a very nice touch.  Mike Rizzo insisted they might leave him in for a third, but when he gave up two hits in the second it was obvious he was gone. 

The real surprise was how strangely comforting it was to hear the voices of “Bob & Rob”, kind of like old friends that you hadn’t spoken to in awhile.  Even the annoying Debbi Taylor wasn’t quite as annoying.  Some highlights:

• They are in love with Ian Desmond.

• Bob quoted from his own blog, “Extreme Makeover: Clubhouse Addition” 
  

• Rob is impressed at “how many guys 6 foot 5 and higher are on this team right now.”

• Bob sees Curly W hats all around the country.
  

• Bob covers Okalahoma Sooner Women’s Basketball in the off-season.

• Viera is getting nicer and even has a movie theater and great shopping now. 
  

• Bob hinted that everyone should mention this to their wives.

• Interesting talk on how many MLB teams are leaving Florida for Arizona.

But too much about "How the whole atmosphere is better this year." Enough already.

Although it is true we are no talking about Daniel Cabrera this year...

Welcome back Rob and Bob, and even you Debbi.

     

TONIGHT: Baseball Prospectus at Politics and Prose

Posted by Mike Henderson on Mar. 9, 2010 at 2:00 PM
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The unfailing harbinger of Spring for Washington baseball fans is arriving tonight, Tuesday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m.

That's when Kevin Goldstein, Jay Jaffe, Clay Davenport, Matt Swartz and Steven Goldman of Baseball Prospectus will be making their annual appearance at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW.  They'll be sharing some of their predictions for the 2010 season (including, perhaps, what they foresee from pitcher Stephen Strasburg), answering questions from audience members and signing copies of the 2010 Baseball Prospectus annual.

As is customary at P&P, admission is free and seating should be plentiful.  See you at 7.

     

MASN will carry Strasburg's debut today

Posted by Ian Koski on Mar. 9, 2010 at 10:32 AM
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For all those who've been counting down the days, Happy Strasburg Day!

The Nationals' top pick in the 2009 draft, Stephen Strasburg, will make his first trip to the mound today in the team's game against the Tigers at Space Coast Stadium. The game, which starts at 1:05, will be televised locally on MASN and nationally on MLB Network. Fans can also watch online with a subscription to MLB.tv.

     

Panic? No. Get Real? Yep.

Posted by Jim Kurtzke on Mar. 9, 2010 at 7:00 AM
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Spring Training doesn't do much for me.  After all, the games don't count, the roster decisions are pretty much set, and rosters change soon after the season begins anyway.  Still, there is plenty of angst among Nats fans.  Okay, so the horrid April start has begun in March.  But panic can only come from those whose expectations have been too high to start with.  

Remember, we are talking about a team that, compared to its National League competition last year, produced the fewest wins, the highest ERA, the most blown saves, and the most errors.  The key off-season moves?  Signed a league-average but reliable innings eater, an over-the-hill catcher, a solid if unspectacular second baseman, and a bunch of new guys in the bullpen.  Nothing earth-shattering.  Sure, the team will benefit from the arrival of Strasburg, a full year of Nyjer Morgan, and maybe better luck.  But let's get real, folks.  It is a long, long climb out of last place. 

     

Will Tuesday's Debut Show Better Pitching?

Posted by Jeff Bergin on Mar. 8, 2010 at 10:33 PM
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Try writing a non-Stephen Strasburg story for tomorrow and see if anyone reads it.  Well, not to fan the flames of expectations, but Strasburg's outing could not come at a better time, as the Nationals pitching has looked suspect at best so far.  So far in Spring Training, the Nats pitching has given up 67 runs on 91 hits.  That is horrible. Is it the end of the world? No, it is just exhibition, but here are some causes for concern:

1. With the WAPO story on mechanics and his rough outing yesterday, fans have to be worried about Olsen, but remember, he had not pitched in a year. He was happy with his performance but did acknowledge he needs to build up arm strength.
2. Jason Marquis struggled, but I am not worried.  Same with John Lannan.  Still would be nice to see an effortless outing, you know, a little something for the effort.
3. Shawn Estes and Tyler Walker = "former Nationals spring training invitees".
4. Matt Capps.  Let's hope he does not equal Joel Hanrahan.  Has not looked good yet.
5. Colin Balester.  Sorry Bally, you are having a rough go of things right now, which has to mean you are not making the club....how many options does he have left?

The good news? Not much, but simply:

1. Drew Storen.  Flat out awesome. 2 games. 2 innings. 1 K. 0 Hits.
2. Matt Chico - 2 great innings in a recovery game.
3. Strasburg's buzz.  Let's hope the debut tomorrow stays in this "good" column and not the bad.

Pitching is the key, and right now, I am a little freaked out.

     

This Day in D.C. Baseball History

Posted by Mark Hornbaker on Mar. 8, 2010 at 9:40 AM
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Charlottesville, VA, March 8, 1915

Walter Johnson arrived a day later than expected to the Washington Senators training camp. Instead of being upset with Johnson the Senators’ owners were delighted to see him. With Johnson’s arrival to camp it left no doubt that he was going to pitch for the Senators this season. That wasn’t the case three months earlier when it looked like Johnson was going to play ball for the Chicago Whales of the Federal Baseball League. Over the offseason the Chicago Whales ownership group offers Johnson almost double the $12,000 that the Senators paid him during the 1914 season.

By the early part of December, 1914 it was basically a done deal that Walter was going to play for Chicago as he signed a three year contract that was reported to be for $60,000 plus a $6,000 bonus. On December 19, Clark Griffith with contact in hand visited Walter Johnson in Kansas to let him know that legally he was still property of the Washington Senators. After a long meeting with Griffith and some legal advisers Johnson announced that he agreed with the Senators owners, that there was a clause in his 1914 contract that gave the team owners an option to sign Johnson for the 1915 season.

To make sure Johnson wasn’t going anywhere soon Griffith signed the team’s pitching ace to a new three year contract. The Federal League and the Chicago Whales filed a lawsuit against Johnson claiming that he signed a legal contract to play for Chicago. Walter returned the $6,000 bonus and left the rest of the legal battles to his lawyers.