SB Nation - Shairon Martis

Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo Chats With The Faithful.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:34:28 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

DC GM Mike Rizzo took some time off this afternoon to talk to the DC Faithful about how the winter is progressing for the nation's capital's favorite major league team. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

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Before the 2009 season had ended, the Washington Nationals had already identified the areas that they needed to improve this winter with veteran starting pitching, backend bullpen help and a legit (defensive-minded) middle infielder at the top of their list. This afternoon in a Chat with fans at the Nationals' Official site, DC GM Mike Rizzo once again reiterated that the team's offseason plans haven't changed:

"Even with the addition of a quality back of the bullpen arm like Brian Bruney and a veteran catcher like Ivan Rodriguez, I still feel it is important to address the starting pitching, bullpen arms and middle infield defense."

The two questions I submitted weren't answered directly, but the topics they dealt with were addressed. The first concerned a couple on-the-cusp "prospects", Justin Maxwell and Roger Bernadina, and the role the two 26-year-old outfielders would play on the 2010 Nationals' roster. Bernadina, who suffered a fractured right ankle in April of '09, has, according to Mr. Rizzo, "...been cleared to participate fully in all baseball activity. He started participating again as far back as the instructional league in October." Mr. Rizzo makes no predicition as to what Bernadina might contribute this season, nor does he say whether or not Maxwell is ready for a bigger role with the team, but his comments on Maxwell mirror what fans consistently hear from the DC Front Office about the 6'5'', 225lb, '05 4th Round pick:

"We believe that Justin has grown as a player both on and off the field and fully anticipate him competing for playing time with the other talented outfielders we have. His makeup and positive attitude have been contagious in our clubhouse setting."

The second question I submitted dealt with the DC GM's presence at the recent bullpen session thrown by Cuban-born left-handed free agent Aroldis Chapman. I wondered why Mr. Rizzo was the only out-of-town GM to attend the exhibition, and what he thought of the 22-year-old fastballer, but the question that the moderators took dealt solely with Mr. Rizzo's impressions of the pitcher:

"Aroldis is an extremely talented, athletic left-handed pitcher with a ceiling as high as any current amateur pitcher in the world. He has great arm strength and velocity on his fastball and is just in his infancy as a frontline Major League prospect."

The rest of the quick chat can be summed up pretty easily...The Nationals are watching Bryce Harper along with the rest of the baseball world. Stephen Strasburg is recovering nicely from the knee injury he suffered in the AFL. The Nationals will be inviting far fewer players to Spring Training this year than they have in the past and Shairon Martis will be one of many starters competing for a spot in the Nationals' twenty-ten rotation...The Nationals are still looking for a middle infielder....uh...that's about it...What? Did you expect the DC GM to announce a major signing or trade?

Washington Nationals: Winter Meetings Wrap.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:28:33 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo found the catcher he wanted at the Winter Meetings, now the Nationals need to add some pitching. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Before the Winter Meetings, the Washington Nationals made clear that they did not think it was absolutely essential that they add the pitching help they need from the top of the free agent class or within the three-day span of the Indianapolis Winter Meetings, as DC GM Mike Rizzo explained to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, who wrote in a 12/2/09 article entitled, "Pitching the focus for Nats at Meetings", that fans shouldn't, "...look for the the Nationals to attempt to break the bank," in pursuit of free agent help, as they did last Winter in their pursuit of Mark Teixeira, who we've been told, time and again, was seen as a once-in-a-generation talent, but instead should accept the fact that it's more, "...likely that Rizzo will make trades."

(cont.)...

BACKPAGE:

• The LIST.

• Oh...AND LIVAN HERNANDEZ!

• Guzman To Second, Desmond At Short?

• Bally To The Bullpen? WT...

BACKPAGE:

• The LIST as the DC Faithful are calling it, (ed. note - "No one is calling it that."), that Rizzo gave to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan for an article entitled, "Reading Material, Shopping Lists", of pitchers that the Nationals were interested in this winter, started with 14 names, but as the Winter Meetings officially end following tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft, the list has been shortened some, from, "Jason Marquis, Randy Wolf, John Lackey, Cliff Lee, Jon Garland, Kevin Millwood, Tim Hudson, Brad Penny, Joel Piñeiro, Braden Looper, Jarrod Washburn, Brandon Webb, Brett Myers, John Smoltz and more..." to, as the Post's Chico Harlan wrote in two Nationals Journal posts entitled, "The starting pitching shopping list", and "The starting pitching, Pt. II":

"(Jon Garland and)...almost every established free agent starting pitcher except the A-lister, John Lackey. So, the Nats would entertain the possibility of Jarrod Washburn, Joel Pineiro, Vicente Padilla, Jason Marquis, and John Smoltz."

• Oh...AND LIVAN HERNANDEZ!

After Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin wrote about Elijah Dukes' winter, he added a note to the end of an article entitled, "Nationals notes: Dukes, L. Hernandez", about the Washington Nationals making contract with the agent for Mr. National Himself, Livan Hernandez, the original Nationals' Ace, who has openly expressed his desire to return to the nation's capital since the end of the '09 season. Mr. Sheinin writes that Hernandez's agent, "(Barry) Praver would not characterize the talks", but in the Washington Post writer's opinion it would take, "...a one-year contract with a low base and ample performance incentives."

-- (ed. note - "Do you want to see Livan Hernandez return to the Nationals? From what I've read in the comments, it's pretty much split amongst the DC Faithful...Should the Nationals let Livan teach Strasburg the eephus?")

• Guzman To Second, Desmond At Short?

MLB.com's Bill Ladson was Twittering throughout the Winter Meetings, letting Nationals' fans know what was going on long before it went into print (as were the Washington Times' writers), and the biggest revelation out of the final day in Indianapolis was that the Nationals had made up their minds about what to do with their twenty-ten middle infield:

"It appears the Nats will take a chance with Cristian Guzman at second base. That means Orlando Hudson is not coming to DC."

Does that mean that Ian Desmond is officially a "Go!" at short? Are the Nationals still going to try to find another option at short?

• Bally To The Bullpen? WT...

The other interesting thing that MLB.com's Bill Ladson Twittered was the idea that:

"The Nats may rely on some of their youngsters in the bullpen. Luis Atilano, Collin Balester and Craig Stammen are candidates."

As the Nationals' system produces more pitching, some of the older starters who haven't established themselves are going to have to make the move to the pen to make room for the next wave of pitchers. Is Balester on that list in your mind? (ed. note - "Not mine.")...What about J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Atilano? Stammen? Ross Detwiler? Is this Washington's way of saying why sign relievers when we have all these arms under contract?

The Bill James Handbook 2010 - Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers In 2010 + Fall Notes.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:30 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

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With the help of The Bill James Handbook 2010 (available 11/1/09) and Acta Sports.com, who made Mr. James' Hitter and Pitcher projections available before the book's publication, we're able to take a look at what the future might hold for the pitchers expected to throw for the Nationals next season. Will Garrett Mock start or work out of the pen? Will some of the older pitchers like Craig Stammen and J.D. Martin make the rotation this time around? What will John Lannan's role be as more and more prospects rise through the system? What should fans expect from the Nationals' bullpen arms like Sean Burnett, Mike MacDougal or Saul Rivera? After that, what one Chicago writer says about the Nationals' managerial search, and another night in the DWL with Ian Desmond...

After The JUMP...

The Bill James Handbook 2010 Hitter Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers:

Collin Balester:

Balester, Collin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	----	--	-	---	---
'09 Stats	7	7	30.1	20	10	1	4	6.82	0
2010 Projections	11	11	47.0	32	6	2	3	5.38	0

Jason Bergmann:

Bergmann, Jason	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	33	21	139.0	113	20	7	9	4.25	0
'09 Stats	56	0	48.0	40	7	2	4	4.50	0
2010 Projections	73	0	60.0	48	8	3	4	4.35	0

Sean Burnett:

Burnett, Sean	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	67	0	60.0	29	7	2	5	6.27	0
'09 Stats	71	0	57.2	43	6	2	3	3.12	1
2010 Projections	65	0	49.0	27	5	2	3	5.14	0

Tyler Clippard:

Clipper, Tyler	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	41	0	60.1	67	9	4	2	2.69	0
2010 Projections	62	0	91.0	84	13	4	6	4.55	0

Livan Herandez?

Hernandez, Livan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	27	27	150.0	84	19	8	9	4.90	0
'09 Stats	31	31	183.2	102	19	9	12	5.44	0
2010 Projections	31	31	188.0	103	23	8	13	4.98	0

Logan Kensing:

Kensing, Logan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	43	0	46.0	45	6	2	3	4.33	0
'09 Stats	32	0	35.1	19	8	1	2	8.92	1
2010 Projections	36	0	41.0	38	8	2	3	4.81	0

John Lannan:

	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	29	29	177.0	103	18	9	11	4.08	0
'09 Stats	33	33	206.1	89	22	9	13	3.88	0
2010 Projections	32	32	199.0	101	21	11	11	4.03	0

Mike MacDougal:

MacDougal, Mike	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	----	---
'09 Stats	52	0	50.0	31	3	1	1	3.60	20
2010 Projections	67	0	67.0	59	4	3	4	4.43	4

J.D. Martin:

J.D. Martin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	77.0	37	14	5	4	4.44	0
2010 Projections	29	29	177.0	125	19	10	10	4.07	0

Shairon Martis:

Martis, Shairon	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	85.2	34	11	5	3	5.25	0
2010 Projections	7	7	43.0	26	26	2	3	5.23	0

Garrett Mock:

Mock, Garrett	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	28	15	91.1	72	9	3	10	5.62	0
2010 Projections	31	25	143.0	122	14	8	10	4.91	o

Scott Olsen:

Olsen, Scott	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	32	32	199.0	153	29	10	12	4.58	0
'09 Stats	11	11	62.2	42	11	2	4	6.03	0
2010 Projections	22	22	121.0	91	18	5	8	4.98	0

Saul Rivera:

Rivera, Saul	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	74	0	80	60	3	4	4	3.80	0
'09 Stats	30	0	38.1	21	7	1	3	6.10	0
2010 Projections	43.0	0	59.0	42	3	3	4	4.42	0

Craig Stammen:

Stammen, Craig	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	19	19	105.2	48	14	4	7	5.11	0
2010 Projections	20	20	120.0	64	13	6	8	4.50	0

Ron Villone:

Villone, Ron	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	76	0	42.0	36	4	2	2	4.22	0
'09 Stats	63	0	48.2	33	6	5	6	4.25	1
2010 Projections	71	0	54.0	44	5	3	3	4.33	0

?'s Raised By The #'s:

• Is there any room on the pitching staff for Logan Kensing in 2010? What bullpen arms from last year are you bringing back? Which would you part with?

• Which pitchers will make the twenty-ten rotation? Craig Stammen? Collin Balester? J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Do you expect anything from Scott Olsen?

• Mike MacDougal's projections are cleary skewed by the fact that he hadn't saved a game since 2006 before '09's 20 saves? Will MacDougal hold the closer's role throughout the twenty-ten campaign?

• A .500 season from John Lannan? Does that mean he'll finally receive some support this season? Is anyone guaranteed an 2010 rotation spot right now, outside of Lannan?

• Is Livan Hernandez coming back to DC next season?

2010 Skipper Search UPDATE:

If you haven't already read this when it was linked to in the comments of a previous post or elsewhere around the internet, since it was basically the only "news" to come out of DC this weekend, check out Chicago Tribune writer Phil Rogers "On Baseball" column entitled, "Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman in great demand", wherein, Mr. uh, Rogers writes (without citing a source, anonymous or otherwise) that the time for Bobby Valentine to claim a major league managing job may have passed:

"Bobby Valentine may be shut out on the job market. He was a finalist for the Indians job that went to Manny Acta, and it appears the Nationals are close to giving former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman the job he had on an interim basis last season."

Is the Washington Nationals' search for a full-time manager going to end with a promotion?

Saturday Night In The DWL:

The Tigres del Licey and Gigantes del Cibao squared off on Saturday with Nationals' infielder Ian Desmond starting at second for Licey and going 1 for 2 with a walk and a sac fly RBI, but it was Desmond's throwing error in the ninth that allowed the Gigantes to rally to tie the game at 3-3 and eventually steal a walk-off win when Tigres' pitcher Oneli Perez gave up a sac fly to left that ended it. Desmond's first DWL error proves costly. The 24-year-old, who impressed after his September call-up to DC, is now hitting .214 (6 for 28) with 7 RBI's in 8 games. Notes: Atahualpa Severino got a backwards K from the first batter he faced in the eighth after replacing Yhancy Brazoban, but Severino was out after allowing a run-scoring single in the next AB, though the run was Brazoban's.

Final Score: Gigantes 4, Tigres 3. MLB.com Box Score.

Washington Nationals: September Call-Ups: Ross Detwiler, Zack Segovia, Marco Estrada, Logan Kensing and IAN DESMOND!!!

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:55:11 -0000

More photos » by Evan Vucci - AP

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Washington Nationals Call Up Detwiler, Segovia, Estrada, Kensing and Desmond.

• Everyone in DC knows Ross Detwiler, who's been plying his trade with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs since he was sent down in July after going (0-5) with a 6.40 ERA in 10 starts and 52.0 IP with Washington. In his first stint at Triple-A, Detwiler, a 23-year-old left-hander taken 6th overall in the '07 Draft by the Nationals, who'd jumped from Double-AA Harrisburg to DC to make his debut as a starter on May 18th of '09, was (4-2) with a 3.10 ERA and 42 K's over 10 starts and 49.1 IP for the Chiefs, over which he walked 20 and allowed 56 H, 23 R, 17 ER and 2 HR to opponents who hit for a .281 AVG with Detwiler on the hill...

• Zack Segovia is a former Philadephia Phillies' prospect who was signed by the Nationals as a free agent on June 18, 2008. Segovia, a 2nd Round pick, taken 58th overall by the Phillies in the 2002 MLB Draft, underwent Tommy John Surgery that cost him his 2004 season when he was just 21-years-old. In 3 years, Segovia recovered from surgery and rose through every level of the Phillies' system even making one start in the majors against the Florida Marlins in 2007, but when he signed with Washington he started back and in the GCL as a 25-year-old in rookie ball. According to an article by Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News (a local paper covering Harrisburg, PA) entitled, "Segovia's seven stops", when Segovia was released by Philadelphia:

"The Washington Nationals quickly snatched him up, knowing that he was still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery..."

(continued after the JUMP...)

(cont...)

Segovia ended the '08 season in Double-AA Harrisburg, and started there in 2009, going (1-3) with a 3.68 ERA and 39 K's in 44.0 IP before moving up to Syracuse where he saved 5 games and finished the year with a (2-2) record and a 2.54 ERA in 27 appearances and 28.1 IP over which he allowed 18 H, 8 ER, 1 HR and 8 BB's and collected 27 K's, while holding opposing hitters to a .184 AVG.

• Marco Estrada And Logan Kensing...Estrada hasn't pitched in the Majors since the end of September 2008, when he made 11 appearances with the Nationals. In 12.2 IP, Estrada, who failed to record a decision, posted a 7.82 ERA and allowed 17 hits, 13 runs, 11 earned, 4 HR and 5 walks while striking out 10 batters. When Estrada was drafted by the Nationals with the 174th pick in the 6th Round of the 2005 Draft, scouting director Dana Brown told MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nationals excited with draft results", that when Estrada arrives in the Majors:

"...he will be an innings eater and a fifth starter-type guy. He was valued because of his pitch ability. He really throws a lot of strikes..."

Estrada, now 26, appeared solely as a reliever in 2008 with the Nationals, but in Syracuse this season, he made just 2 relief appearances, starting 25 times and posting a (9-5) record with a 3.63 ERA in 136.1 IP in which he gave up 13 hits, 55 ER, 10 HR and 33 walks while piling up 98 K's. Estrada was also named the Topps IL Pitcher of the month for August, an honor that's bestowed monthly, according to a Chief's press release, "...by the field managers within the 14-team (International League)," Logan Kensing? Kensing, another 26-year-old right-hander has already had two stints with the Nationals this season, and he's (0-2) with a 10.46 ERA in the 26.2 innings he's pitched for Washington. With Syracuse, Kensing is (2-1) with a 2.97 ERA in 31 games and 33.1 IP. Kensing's walked 15 and given up 6 HR's in 23 games with the Nationals. In 31 games with Syracuse he's walked just 6 and allowed 2 HR's. Maybe the third time is the charm for Mr. Kensing...?

• Ian Desmond...Finally!!!

The Montreal Expos' 3rd Round pick, 84th overall in 2004, Ian Desmond, 23, has played at every level in the system in his 6 years with the franchise, but only this season did he finally rise up to Triple-AAA where the shortstop hit for a .354 AVG in 55 games and 177 at bats, after having put up a .306 AVG with 12 doubles, 6 HR's and 18 RBI's at Double-A Harrisburg. Once with Syracuse, Desmond lifted his .372 Double-AA OBP to an impressive .428 OBP as a Chief. In August, Desmond was 36 for 100, for a .360 AVG with a .413 OBP, .510 SLG and .923 OPS, and he ended the season with a 12-game hit streak in tact.

• ?'s For The DC Faithful...

• Will Ian Desmond force the Nationals to move finally move Cristian Guzman out at short?

• Do you expect anything different from Logan Kensing?

• Had anyone been paying attention to Zack Segovia before yesterday afternoon? Seriously?

• Are you surprised Shairon Martis didn't get the call?

• Anyone else you wish had been called up?

• Which of the September call-ups will have the biggest impact?

Washington Nationals: Final Minor League Minute. September Call-Ups...

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:44:37 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

We won't be seeing Shairon Martis this September. Washington Nationals announce September Call-ups. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Minor League Minute...

On the last day of the season for the Washington Nationals' affiliates, four teams were in action, (with the notable exception of the GCL Nationals who captured the GCL Title last week and the Vermont Lake Monsters, whose season ended last night), and at the end of the day several players and one manager from the Triple-AAA affiliate in Syracuse, NY got the call to come down to DC for Tuesday night's game against the Phillies.

• Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-AAA) - The Pawtucket Red Sox ended the 2009 International League schedule in Syracuse, where they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Chiefs, who rallied for a 3-run eighth to overtake the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate. Shairon Martis was on the mound for Syracuse, and the former DC starter threw 102 pitches over six innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 ER to end the '09 campaign with an (0-3) August in which he allowed 44 hits, 24 ER and 6 HR's in 6 starts and 36.1 IP. Martis did not get the W for the Chiefs though, and he didn't get the call back to the big leagues either, instead, RHP Zack Segovia got both the win and the ticket, joining fellow Syracuse pitchers Logan Kensing, Ross Detwiler, Marco Estrada and infielder Ian Desmond as the September additions to the Nationals' roster. (ed. note - "Syracuse skipper Tim Foli will also join the Chiefs making the trip to the big leagues, as announced by MLB.com's Bill Ladson yesterday in a blog post entitled, "Craig Stammen has surgery; Foli to be called up"...)

• Syracuse Chiefs - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats.

Continued After the JUMP...

(cont.)...

• Harrisburg Senators (Double-AA) - Rain ended the Senators' season finale after six and a half, and the Nationals' Double-AA affiliate beat the Bowie Bay Sox (BAL) 5-3 to improve to 70-72 on the season, good for 5th out of 6 teams in the Eastern League's Southern Division. Right-hander Bradley Meyers improves to (5-1) with the win and ends the '09 campaign with a 2.25 ERA in 9 starts and 43.0 IP with the Senators after being called up from Class-A Potomac, where he'd been (6-2) with a 1.43 ERA in 15 G and 88.1 IP. Meyers ends 2009 with an (11-3) record overall and a combined 1.72 ERA with 32 walks and 108 K's in 136.1 IP over which he allows just 26 earned runs while holding opponents to a .223 BAA. 1B Chris Marrero goes 2 for 3 with a double, his 6th, and his 12th RBI in 23 games at Double-AA after he'd hit for a .287 AVG with 21 doubles, 2 triples, 16 HR's and 65 RBI's in 112 games with the P-Nats.

• Harrisburg Senators - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats

• Potomac Nationals (Class-A Advanced) - The P-Nats beat the Kinston Indians 9-4 Monday with 4 runs in each of the last two innings on their '09 schedule, which ends with the P-Nats second overall in the Carolina League's Northern Division, 4.0 games behind the Kansas City Royals' Class-A affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The P-Nats started the seventh down 4-1 but rallied with RBI singles by center fielder Boomer Whiting and second baseman Michael Martinez, a game-tying RBI triple by SS Daniel Espinosa and a game winning RBI double by right fielder Michael Burgess. After four more in eighth, Potomac stopper Cole Kimball closes out the '09 campaign with his 9th save of the season.

• Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive

• Potomac Nationals - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats

• Hagerstown Suns (Class-A) - The Suns dropped their season finale 4-2 to the Lake County Captains, the Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, when the Captains rallied for a 3-run fourth off Hagerstown starter A.J. Morris. Morris, the Washington Nationals' 4th Round pick in this year's draft, was taken 112th overall after having completed a (14-1) season at Kansas State University, where he posted a 2.09 ERA and collected 100 K's in 116.1 IP. Morris started his professional career with the GCL Nationals after signing and moved to Class-A Hagerstown where he was (0-4) with a 3.82 ERA in 8 starts and 37.2 IP over which he walked 8 and struck out 36.

• Hagerstown Suns - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats.

Washington Nationals' Possible Candidates for September Roster Expansion

Dave at Nats News Network — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:54:55 -0000

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Collin Balester could rejoin the team as early as Sept. 1 when the major league rosters expand. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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With September 1 literally just hours away, major league teams can expand their active roster to include anyone occupying a spot on their 40-man roster. Traditionally, teams have utilized the "September call-up" in one of several ways:

1) For contenders, it's a chance to give their regulars a night off here and there in preparation for the gruel of the playoffs

2) For middle of the pack teams, it's often a reward to long-time minor leaguers or AAAA-types toiling in obsurity

3) For bottomfeeders, it's an opportunity for a chance to see that prospect that everyone is excited about, even for just a quick appearance

The Nats seem to fall into all three categories this year.

The Nats have already indicated that they will wait until Syracuse's season is over before calling anyone up, though. So any help will still be at least a week away from arriving in D.C.

Because of the rash of injuries, trades and bullpen struggles, general manager Mike Rizzo has already made the bulk of his September call-ups before the roster expansion happened. Jorge Padilla, Pete Orr, Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse...even pitchers like J.D. Martin, Tyler Clippard and Jorge Sosa would have been prime candidates, were it not for the need earlier in the season.

So who is left? Let's take a look!

ON THE 40-MAN ROSTER

By my count, with Justin Maxwell's impending promotion there are currently 14 players on the 40-man roster NOT on the active 25-man roster:

C: Jesus Flores (15-day DL), Luke Montz (AA-Harrisburg)

SS: Ian Desmond (AAA-Syracuse)

OF Austin Kearns (15-day DL), Nyjer Morgan (15-day DL)

LHP: Scott Olsen (15-day DL), Ross Detwiler (AAA-Syracuse), Matt Chico (AA-Harrisburg)

RHP: Collin Balester (AAA-Syracuse), Shairon Martis (AAA-Syracuse), Marco Estrada (AAA-Syracuse), Luis Atilano (AAA-Syracuse), Ryan Mattheus (minor league DL), Stephen Strasburg

60-day DL: OF Roger Bernadina, RHP Terrell Young, 1B Dmitri Young, RHP Jordan Zimmermann

Players on the 60-day DL do not count toward the 40-man roster, so there may still be some wiggle room to place a player or two on the 60-day to open 40-man space.

Of the 14 players on the 40-man, Flores, Morgan, Olsen and Mattheus are out for the season with injury. And from the sounds of this, Kearns is probably joining them. So we can rule all of those players out.

Rizzo has already been on record that Chico is not likely a candidate, and Strasburg's plans have been laid out in excrutiating detail. Additionally, Rizzo has all but ruled out a cameo for Drew Storen, blazing his way up the minor league chain after being selected No. 10 overall in this year's amateur draft.

That leaves Desmond, Detwiler, Balester, Martis, Estrada and Atilano off the 40-man roster eligible. It's been assumed that the Nats will recall a couple starters to relieve some of the burden from young arms accumulation of innings. But with the signing of Livan Hernandez, who eats innings as well as any pitcher in the majors, maybe that goal has already been achieved.

Still, I can envision seeing Balester, Detwiler, Martis and Estrada all being recalled and utilized as starters or swing-men in September.

And I'll also pencil in Desmond. He's had a terrific season, and the Nats have to be wondering if the best arm and range in their minor league system can handle the bat enough at the big league level to replace the very quickly aging Cristian Guzman and his bunions.

Atilano is 2-0, 2.45 in two starts since his promotion to Syracuse, and the one-time first round draft pick of the Altanta Braves has enjoyed a fine season overall, but the Nats are probably happy to let him finish the season and head into spring training.

As for players currently not on the 40-man roster? There are certainly some candidates, and most of them are bullpen guys that could again help manage the workload of some of the young starters.

OTHER PITCHERS

There are six relievers in Syracuse that could certainly get "The Call" : RHPs Zech Zinicola, Zack Segovia, Josh Wilkie, Clint Everts and LHPs Jack Spradlin and Yunior Novoa.

Segovia has some major league experince, a 2.70 ERA and five saves for Syracuse. Everts was the Expos 2002 first round pick. In 2009, in over 57.1 IP at three levels (Potomac, Harrisburg & Syracuse), Everts has been outstanding (8-1, 1.41 ERA, 1.116 WHIP, 10.4 K/9). Spradlin is 4-3 with four saves and has a 3.19 ERA and 1.212 WHIP across AAA-AA in 44 games. He has struck out an even 7.0 per nine.

Wilkie was an unheralded pitcher from George Washington University (sound familiar?) and has been promoted twice this season. Novoa has a great change but has only been "just decent" this season, despite being promoted three times this season. Zinicola (6.04 ERA) has struggled this year.

OTHER HITTERS

Most of them are already with the big club. Rizzo said the other day he doesn't envision calling up a third catcher just for the heck of it. Montz is the only other catcher on the 40-man, and he's really regressed this season (.184/.295/.314 in 347 plate appearances) after hitting 16 homers last season.

Could Seth Bynum (.263/.306./453, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 433 ABs), Kory Casto (.268/.332/.373, 7-55), Norris Hopper (.291/.342/.344, 23 SBs), Brad Eldred (.267/.338/.478, 16-56) or Daryle Ward (.235/.320/.389, 12-45) get promoted? Possible, but not likely. The only compelling possibility is Hopper, who is a plus defender in center. But you have to figure whatever at bats Wee Willie Harris doesn't get are going to go to Justin Maxwell, in what could make or break his tenure in the organization.

SURE TO BE INCORRECT PREDICTIONS

The Nats add a bunch of arms, but just one more hitter, injury notwithstanding.

From the 40-man: RHPs Balester, Detwiler, Martis, Estrada and SS Desmond

Need to be added to 40-man: RHP Everts and Segovia and LHP Spradlin

Your guess is as good as mine, though. Let's hear 'em in the comments.

SBNation's NL East Midseason Blogger Roundtable - Part 1

WholeCamels — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:38:10 -0000

More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP

Will the Phillies' All-Star outfield lead them to a second straight National League pennant? (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Browse more photos »

Over the All-Star Break, the NL East bloggers at SBNation held an online roundtable discussion looking back at the first half of the season, and looking forward to the second half. You can see our pre-season roundtable here. Part 2 coming tomorrow...

The Bloggers:

• Moderator - Sky Kalkman - (Beyond the Box score)

Peter Baker (The Good Phight) - SBN Philadelphia Phillies blog

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop) - SBN Atlanta Braves blog

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue) - SBN New York Mets blog

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball) - SBN Washington Nationals blog

Craig Strain (Fish Stripes) - SBN Florida Marlins blog

• Part 1: Trade Deadline -

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Which teams, under which circumstances, will be buyers over the next three weeks? How about sellers? If there are any undecideds, what will be the tipping point?

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): Unless the Nationals' "Acting" GM was trying to force potential buyers' hands last week when he said there would be no fire sale in Washington, a lot of the potential deals that have been discussed involving players on the DC roster might fail to materialize. Mr. Rizzo said unequivocally that Adam Dunn would not be traded and wondered aloud why anyone would want to trade Josh Willingham, and with no real major league ready first base prospect in the system, I'm really hoping they don't trade Nick Johnson, because even a half season with Adam Dunn at first gives me nightmares, and right now it's Dunn, Josh Willingham or they call up Brad Eldred from Triple A Syracuse...

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): Unless there is reasonable hope that a few of their injured stars will return soon, the Mets should be sellers at this season's trade deadline. That may be a tough thing to admit for a team with the highest payroll in the National League, but it's worth seeing what guys like Gary Sheffield, Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez might bring back. I suppose if the Mets come back from the All-Star break and go on a nice winning streak that the priorities could change, but regardless of their proximity to first place I am never an proponent of trading a boatload of promising youngsters for a middling veteran who will add little real on-field value over the final two months of the season (see: DeRosa, Mark).

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): The Phillies are definitely buyers and have been linked with virtually every major trade target out there, which is a weird feeling for someone who has been a Phillies fan as long as I have. As I write this, Pedro Martinez is allegedly on his way to Philadelphia for a physical; while that's not "the answer" I think it's a creative solution for the back end of the rotation. I'd love to see them push big for Roy Halladay but fear how badly they'd have to gut the farm system in order to get him.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): Waiting and watching. The Marlins are four games out of first with a four game set against the Phillies immediately after the break. If when the smoke clears from that series and the Marlins are tied for first, they may be a buyer. However, if the Marlins are eight games out resulting from it, they will probably stand pat. If it turns out to be something in between, the Fish would be cautious but shopping.

More after the jump...

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): What holes will teams be looking to fill? What are the biggest holes they *SHOULD* be looking to fill but don't seem to be concerned about? Which holes from the first half can be plugged internally, perhaps by improvement the same player?

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): If the Mets wind up buying at the deadline, their needs will be dictated by the names on their disabled list. If Carlos Delgado is no closer to returning, then a potent bat at first base should be at the top of their wish list. Alex Cora's weaknesses (his hitting and fielding, e.g.) have been exposed by regular playing time, and the Mets could use someone a little better in the event that Jose Reyes isn't ready to return. Same story with Carlos Beltran. Jeremy Reed and Angel Pagan likely aren't going to be comforting answers to the question, "How do you replace the best all-around centerfielder in baseball?" The truth is they could use a guy like Ryan Church, who is better suited to a corner spot but won't embarrass himself defensively in center (and his bat plays better there anyway). Do you think the Braves would consider dealing him for someone like Jeff Francoeur? Nah, they're not stupid.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): If the Nationals are going to insist on keeping Austin Kearns on the roster, it would be nice if he stepped up as one of the players who could provide help from within the organization...that's looking less and less likely though as he's been reduced to a late-inning defensive replacement...an expensive one...the biggest change of all could come from within if they simply cut down on the errors. 82 first-half errors? And it's obscene how many of those errors directly led to losses. The Nationals have plenty of young starters in the system, but they're lacking in legitimate outfielders and major-league-ready bullpen arms. Any moves this season will be bringing back young relief pitching I'd suspect, and Mr. Rizzo likes sinker-ballers...

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop): The Braves are going to be buyers if they do anything, but they may stand pat. They don't have a lot left in the minors that they want to trade, and there doesn't seem to be anything on the market that really fits their needs -- a big middle of the order bat who is affordable. I can see the team getting another arm for the bullpen, as they have been overused quite a bit and could benefit from a fresh arm.

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): The Phillies need another starting pitcher, and ideally a right-handed bench bat. Every late game, high-leverage Eric Bruntlett at-bat gives me a sad.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): The Marlins front office is looking for a closer and/or some more bullpen help. What they should be doing is demoting Bonifacio and fixing the hole that he creates, both in the field and at the plate. Third base can be fixed internally by calling up Gaby Sanchez to replace Bonifacio.

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Who are the most popular trade targets for those holes? Any targets flying under the radar? Any targets your team is especially intrigued in? Any popular names they're backing away from? Any rumors you'd like to start?

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): I was already laying the groundwork for a Nick Johnson to San Francisco for Jonathan Sanchez rumor since Sanchez was struggling all season and a Johnson deal seems regrettably inevitable, then Sanchez had to go and ruin it with his no-hitter this week. I can't think of an instance of a pitcher with a no-hitter being traded in the same year he threw a no-no...unless you count DC starter (currently Triple A Syracuse starter) Shairon Martis, who threw a rule-shortened no-no in the '06 WBC and was traded to Washington that summer...

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): The above-named Roy Halladay, and I'd like to see them inquire with the Reds about Aaron Harang, too.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): Adam Dunn's name is always out there; that he has the flexibility to play both first base and left field -- albeit poorly in both cases -- makes him attractive in Delgado's absence. Victor Martinez would be a nice get, as he could help them at first for the remainder of this season and at catcher beyond 2009.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): The most mentioned on the reliever front has been Matt Capps, but Pittsburgh doesn't want what the Marlins are offering and Capps wants to stay with the Pirates.

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Which prospects and young major leaguers are most likely to change hands? Any that teams have deemed off-limits?

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop): The Braves have traded away an entire starting lineup of prospects over the past two years, and the result is most of their prospects are lower in the minors and probably not useful as trade chips. The two top guys, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman, are so far off-limits it's not funny.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): The Nationals already moved a 24-year-old outfielder, Lastings Milledge, who has now quickly fallen out of favor with two organizations...I don't think the Nationals will be moving prospects, the system is just approaching being rebuilt. I'd expect if the Mets try to go for Nick Johnson they'll have to part with some of their young pitchers...Omar Minaya already traded for him once?

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): J.A. Happ has been mentioned in about half of the Roy Halladay trade scenarios, with Kyle Drabek the centerpiece in the other half. One of more of solid Triple-A prospects Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald are likely to go in any trade. I can't really imagine any of the regulars being traded but for a major multi-team blockbuster of some kind.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): Fernando Martinez's name always comes up, but if the Mets didn't part with him for Johan Santana I can't see them doing so for anyone else. LHP Jon Niese is pitching really well in Triple-A and should really be with the Mets right now, but Mets management is inept so I can't say I'd be surprised to see him dealt for some well-traveled spare part.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton are untouchable.

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Why he heck would the Braves be looking to trade Javier Vazquez? Sure, they need offense, but without him, they don't have a shot at the playoffs, do they?

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop): Should I take this one? I'll take this one... The Braves need a big bat, on the order of Teixeira or close. The Braves also have Tim Hudson coming back from injury, and that leaves them with a potential for 6 starters for next season (Vazquez, Hudson, Jurrjens, Lowe, Kawakami, and Hanson). The consensus is that Vazquez has done nothing but increase his trade value quite a bit since coming over for essentially one top-prospect (Tyler Flowers). There are so many teams that need a top starter that the Braves may have the opportunity to get better than excellent return for Vazquez, and with Hudson returning not lose that much in the rotation. This gets even more interesting if the other top two starters with the potential to get traded, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, are taken off the market. GM Frank Wren just might get an offer he can't refuse. My thought would be a top prospect, a major league bat, and another solid prospect.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): I wish the Expos/Nationals had never traded Vazquez, though I wouldn't have been able to watch Nick Johnson these last years...

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): I don't know why the Braves would trade Vazquez. You win games by preventing runs and/or scoring them. Vazquez has been terrific so far, he's obviously found some kind of comfortable niche, and I think it'd be dumb to disrupt that. It's easier to find good hitters than good pitchers.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): I'm with Martin here. Vazquez's value is very high right now and the if the Braves don't think they'll compete down the stretch this year it behooves them to test the market because they do expect to have Tim Hudson back next year. I can't see Frank Wren moving someone as productive as Vazquez unless he's blown away, however, so smart money is probably on him staying put.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): TBS doesn't show the Braves games anymore, so how the heck should I know.

•Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Without any trade-deadline moves, what has to happen for your team to win the division? How much more likely is your team to make the playoffs by plugging its holes or adding an impact player?

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): I'll be brief and get out of the way so the teams with actual playoff prospects can discuss this...There's no way DC wins the division or makes the playoffs. The Nationals may, however provide someone with the impact player they're looking for...

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): At this point, stay the course and hope they don't get injured, while simultaneously hoping that none of the Mets, Braves, or Marlins get hot. Any one of them could, but it's really the Phillies' race to lose at this point.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): All of their injured players need to come back and perform. It's as simple as that. I think 2009 is a lost cause for the Mets and they should probably start selling off whatever parts have value.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): If the Marlins stand pat, and fix a couple of problems internally, that is about as good of a chance as they have to make the playoffs. And oh, figure out how to beat the Braves.

SB Nation's Mid-Season NL EAST Roundtable...Washington Nationals Edition - Part 1.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:30:13 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

Browse more photos »

Note: Over the last week or so, the SB Nation's NL East bloggers have been participating in a roundtable discussion about what we've all season in the first-half of the '09 campaign. The proceedings were moderated by Sky Kalkman of the SB Nation's Saber-Slanted Baseball Community Beyond the Box Score...(Thanks, Sky.)

The cast of characters:

• Moderator - Sky Kalkman - (Beyond the Box score)

Peter Baker (The Good Phight) - SBN Philadelphia Phillies blog

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop) - SBN Atlanta Braves blog

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue) - SBN New York Mets blog

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball) - SBN Washington Nationals blog

Craig Strain (Fish Stripes) - SBN Florida Marlins blog

• Part 1: Trade Deadline - (After The JUMP)...

• Part 1: Trade Deadline -

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Which teams, under which circumstances, will be buyers over the next three weeks? How about sellers? If there are any undecideds, what will be the tipping point?

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): Unless the Nationals' "Acting" GM was trying to force potential buyers' hands last week when he said there would be no fire sale in Washington, a lot of the potential deals that have been discussed involving players on the DC roster might fail to materialize. Mr. Rizzo said unequivocally that Adam Dunn would not be traded and wondered aloud why anyone would want to trade Josh Willingham, and with no real major league ready first base prospect in the system, I'm really hoping they don't trade Nick Johnson, because even a half season with Adam Dunn at first gives me nightmares, and right now it's Dunn, Josh Willingham or they call up Brad Eldred from Triple A Syracuse...

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): Unless there is reasonable hope that a few of their injured stars will return soon, the Mets should be sellers at this season's trade deadline. That may be a tough thing to admit for a team with the highest payroll in the National League, but it's worth seeing what guys like Gary Sheffield, Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez might bring back. I suppose if the Mets come back from the All-Star break and go on a nice winning streak that the priorities could change, but regardless of their proximity to first place I am never an proponent of trading a boatload of promising youngsters for a middling veteran who will add little real on-field value over the final two months of the season (see: DeRosa, Mark).

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): The Phillies are definitely buyers and have been linked with virtually every major trade target out there, which is a weird feeling for someone who has been a Phillies fan as long as I have. As I write this, Pedro Martinez is allegedly on his way to Philadelphia for a physical; while that's not "the answer" I think it's a creative solution for the back end of the rotation. I'd love to see them push big for Roy Halladay but fear how badly they'd have to gut the farm system in order to get him.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): Waiting and watching. The Marlins are four games out of first with a four game set against the Phillies immediately after the break. If when the smoke clears from that series and the Marlins are tied for first, they may be a buyer. However, if the Marlins are eight games out resulting from it, they will probably stand pat. If it turns out to be something in between, the Fish would be cautious but shopping.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): If the Mets wind up buying at the deadline, their needs will be dictated by the names on their disabled list. If Carlos Delgado is no closer to returning, then a potent bat at first base should be at the top of their wish list. Alex Cora's weaknesses (his hitting and fielding, e.g.) have been exposed by regular playing time, and the Mets could use someone a little better in the event that Jose Reyes isn't ready to return. Same story with Carlos Beltran. Jeremy Reed and Angel Pagan likely aren't going to be comforting answers to the question, "How do you replace the best all-around centerfielder in baseball?" The truth is they could use a guy like Ryan Church, who is better suited to a corner spot but won't embarrass himself defensively in center (and his bat plays better there anyway). Do you think the Braves would consider dealing him for someone like Jeff Francoeur? Nah, they're not stupid.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): If the Nationals are going to insist on keeping Austin Kearns on the roster, it would be nice if he stepped up as one of the players who could provide help from within the organization...that's looking less and less likely though as he's been reduced to a late-inning defensive replacement...an expensive one...the biggest change of all could come from within if they simply cut down on the errors. 82 first-half errors? And it's obscene how many of those errors directly led to losses. The Nationals have plenty of young starters in the system, but they're lacking in legitimate outfielders and major-league-ready bullpen arms. Any moves this season will be bringing back young relief pitching I'd suspect, and Mr. Rizzo likes sinker-ballers...

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop): The Braves are going to be buyers if they do anything, but they may stand pat. They don't have a lot left in the minors that they want to trade, and there doesn't seem to be anything on the market that really fits their needs -- a big middle of the order bat who is affordable. I can see the team getting another arm for the bullpen, as they have been overused quite a bit and could benefit from a fresh arm.

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): The Phillies need another starting pitcher, and ideally a right-handed bench bat. Every late game, high-leverage Eric Bruntlett at-bat gives me a sad.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): The Marlins front office is looking for a closer and/or some more bullpen help. What they should be doing is demoting Bonifacio and fixing the hole that he creates, both in the field and at the plate. Third base can be fixed internally by calling up Gaby Sanchez to replace Bonifacio.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): I was already laying the groundwork for a Nick Johnson to San Francisco for Jonathan Sanchez rumor since Sanchez was struggling all season and a Johnson deal seems regrettably inevitable, then Sanchez had to go and ruin it with his no-hitter this week. I can't think of an instance of a pitcher with a no-hitter being traded in the same year he threw a no-no...unless you count DC starter (currently Triple A Syracuse starter) Shairon Martis, who threw a rule-shortened no-no in the '06 WBC and was traded to Washington that summer...

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): The above-named Roy Halladay, and I'd like to see them inquire with the Reds about Aaron Harang, too.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): Adam Dunn's name is always out there; that he has the flexibility to play both first base and left field -- albeit poorly in both cases -- makes him attractive in Delgado's absence. Victor Martinez would be a nice get, as he could help them at first for the remainder of this season and at catcher beyond 2009.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): The most mentioned on the reliever front has been Matt Capps, but Pittsburgh doesn't want what the Marlins are offering and Capps wants to stay with the Pirates.

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Which prospects and young major leaguers are most likely to change hands? Any that teams have deemed off-limits?

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop): The Braves have traded away an entire starting lineup of prospects over the past two years, and the result is most of their prospects are lower in the minors and probably not useful as trade chips. The two top guys, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman, are so far off-limits it's not funny.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): The Nationals already moved a 24-year-old outfielder, Lastings Milledge, who has now quickly fallen out of favor with two organizations...I don't think the Nationals will be moving prospects, the system is just approaching being rebuilt. I'd expect if the Mets try to go for Nick Johnson they'll have to part with some of their young pitchers...Omar Minaya already traded for him once?

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): J.A. Happ has been mentioned in about half of the Roy Halladay trade scenarios, with Kyle Drabek the centerpiece in the other half. One of more of solid Triple-A prospects Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald are likely to go in any trade. I can't really imagine any of the regulars being traded but for a major multi-team blockbuster of some kind.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): Fernando Martinez's name always comes up, but if the Mets didn't part with him for Johan Santana I can't see them doing so for anyone else. LHP Jon Niese is pitching really well in Triple-A and should really be with the Mets right now, but Mets management is inept so I can't say I'd be surprised to see him dealt for some well-traveled spare part.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton are untouchable.

• Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Why he heck would the Braves be looking to trade Javier Vazquez? Sure, they need offense, but without him, they don't have a shot at the playoffs, do they?

Martin Gandy (Talking Chop): Should I take this one? I'll take this one... The Braves need a big bat, on the order of Teixeira or close. The Braves also have Tim Hudson coming back from injury, and that leaves them with a potential for 6 starters for next season (Vazquez, Hudson, Jurrjens, Lowe, Kawakami, and Hanson). The consensus is that Vazquez has done nothing but increase his trade value quite a bit since coming over for essentially one top-prospect (Tyler Flowers). There are so many teams that need a top starter that the Braves may have the opportunity to get better than excellent return for Vazquez, and with Hudson returning not lose that much in the rotation. This gets even more interesting if the other top two starters with the potential to get traded, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, are taken off the market. GM Frank Wren just might get an offer he can't refuse. My thought would be a top prospect, a major league bat, and another solid prospect.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): I wish the Expos/Nationals had never traded Vazquez, though I wouldn't have been able to watch Nick Johnson these last years...

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): I don't know why the Braves would trade Vazquez. You win games by preventing runs and/or scoring them. Vazquez has been terrific so far, he's obviously found some kind of comfortable niche, and I think it'd be dumb to disrupt that. It's easier to find good hitters than good pitchers.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): I'm with Martin here. Vazquez's value is very high right now and the if the Braves don't think they'll compete down the stretch this year it behooves them to test the market because they do expect to have Tim Hudson back next year. I can't see Frank Wren moving someone as productive as Vazquez unless he's blown away, however, so smart money is probably on him staying put.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): TBS doesn't show the Braves games anymore, so how the heck should I know.

Ed Chigliak (Federal Baseball): I'll be brief and get out of the way so the teams with actual playoff prospects can discuss this...There's no way DC wins the division or makes the playoffs. The Nationals may, however provide someone with the impact player they're looking for...

Peter Baker (The Good Phight): At this point, stay the course and hope they don't get injured, while simultaneously hoping that none of the Mets, Braves, or Marlins get hot. Any one of them could, but it's really the Phillies' race to lose at this point.

Eric Simon (Amazin' Avenue): All of their injured players need to come back and perform. It's as simple as that. I think 2009 is a lost cause for the Mets and they should probably start selling off whatever parts have value.

Craig Strain (FishStripes): If the Marlins stand pat, and fix a couple of problems internally, that is about as good of a chance as they have to make the playoffs. And oh, figure out how to beat the Braves.

End Part 1...Part 2 Release Pending...

21 Hits, 13 Runs, 4 HR's, 1 CG!!!! Only 1 BB from Craig Stammen...Washington Nationals 13-2 Over Houston Astros.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:26:12 -0000

Final - 7.11.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington Nationals	2	0	0	3	1	3	4	0	0	13	21	0
Houston Astros	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	9	0
WP: Craig Stammen (2 - 4) LP: Mike Hampton (5 - 6)

Complete Coverage >

Why not just look at this and enjoy it for a moment, DC Faithful...

BACKPAGE: (After The Jump)...

• Nationals Win...BIG. Go Back To Back To Back!!!

• Stammen Follows The Leader.

• I'm Officially Done With Jim Bowden...

• Sunday's All-Star Futures Game Featuring Danny Espinosa...

Nationals win, 13-2 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The Jump...

Nationals now 26-60.

BACKPAGE: (Under Construction...)

• Nationals Win...BIG. Go Back To Back To Back!!!

The Washington Nationals stopped a five-game losing streak with a 21-hit, 13-run explosion on the Houston Astros, knocking left-hander Mike Hampton out after just 3.2 IP in which he gave up 9 hits and 5 ER. The Nationals hit 3 home runs in the sixth off Astros' reliever Felipe Paulino, three home runs in a row that is, back to back to back, Nick Johnson to right just over Hunter Pence's glove, The Hammer Josh Willingham out in a hurry to left and Adam Du...SHAKE N BAKE!! SHAKE N BAKE!!! Adam Dunn goes into the Crawford Boxes he's been aiming at all series. (ed. note - "Opposite field from Dunn, Eckstein, you genius!") The Nationals put 6 hits and 4 ER up on Paulino, and 5 hits, 4 ER and 1 HR on Houston righty Jeff Fulchino in the seventh as they pile it on in case it never comes back. Nationals win, The Nationals win.

• Stammen Follows The Leader.

Craig Stammen's first complete game comes on the road against the Astros as the Nationals' 25-year-old rookie right-hander holds Houston to 9 hits, 1 walk and 2 ER in 9.0 IP, over which he throws 107 pitches, 69 for strikes and gets 17 groundouts, (1 double play), 8 flyouts and two K's. The one walk Stammen did allow, of course, scored. Michael Bourn started the first with a free pass, took second, moved to third on a sac fly and scored on an RBI groundout to cut into the Nationals' early lead. In the third it was Bourn again, who reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on a two-out double by Miguel Tejada. After letting runners on in the middle innings and getting out of trouble, Stammen retires the Astros in order in the seventh and eighth and gives up a two-out single in the ninth before ending Washington's 4th complete game of the season, joining Ross Detwiler, Shairon Martis and John "Ace" Lannan as the only Nationals' starters to go the distance in the first 86 games of '09. Your turn, Zimmermann!!!

• I'm Officially Done With Jim Bowden...

It's not just that he keeps on sending the same ad/tweet out over and over again. It's all about what Former Washington Nationals' Manager Frank Robinson had to say about the way he was treated by the former DC GM and the rest of the Nationals' brass during his last season at the helm of the nation's capital's favorite ballclub. Washington Post sports columnist Mike Wise talked to the now-79-year-old Hall of Famer recently, and he writes about the conversations in an article entitled, "Robinson Deserved Better", in which Mr. Wise quotes Mr. Robinson stating that he felt "strung along" by, "Bowden, the team's former general manager; Kasten, the team president; and by association the Lerner family...until the very end of his second season in Washington." You really just have to read it for yourself...Make things right with Mr. Robinson, Nationals. The sooner the better.

• Sunday's All-Star Futures Game Featuring Danny Espinosa...

Sunday afternoon, the Washington Nationals get underway at 2:00 pm EST in Houston, while in St. Louis, the Washington Nationals' 2008 3rd Round pick, shortstop Danny Espinosa will be representing the Potomac Nationals and the DC franchise in the 2009 MLB XM All-Star Futures Game. Through 80 games with the P-Nats, Espinosa's hitting .259 with 21 doubles, 2 triples, 9 HR's, 41 RBI's, 15 SB, a .365 OBP, .438 SLG and an .803 OPS. The 22-year-old switch hitter was named the "Best Defensive Infielder" in the Nationals' system in Baseball America's Aaron Fitt's preseason rankings of Washington's Top 10 Prospects.

Washington Nationals' Bullpen Spoils Scott Olsen's Return...Florida Marlins Win, 4-2 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:33:24 -0000

More photos » by Lynne Sladky - AP

5 months ago: Washington Nationals' relief pitcher Ron Villone, right, hands the ball to manager Manny Acta, left, as he is relieved in the eighth inning against the Florida Marlins during a baseball game at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Monday, June 29, 2009. The Marlins won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Browse more photos »

-- Bottom of the 8th, 2-2 tie...Washington's left-handed reliever Ron Villone takes the mound...

- "Oh Geez. It's Villone." - ROSCOEtheNATSfan.

- "...goodcallwemaygoextrasfishnothittinglefties........WRONG" - cat daddy 3000.

- "VILL2.45NE!!" - e chigliak

- "I never thought I'd say this...but...This is not a good idea…" - Mezza

There was a time when DC's lefty reliever Ron Villone was known around here as Ron VILL0.00NE. The Nationals' 39-year-old left-hander joined the roster on May 7th as part of "Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo's desperate attempt to rebuild Washington's bullpen after some ugly early struggles. Villone reeled off 17.0 scoreless innings before he allowed the first run to cross while he stood on the mound. Since giving up the first, however, Villone's allowed 7 runs, 5 earned, in 5.0 IP, in which he's given up 11 hits, and the tailspin continued tonight as he allowed a leadoff double, sac bunt and sac fly by Florida to put the Marlins ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning of a game Washington's returning starter Scott Olsen had held tied from the fourth inning on...

Marlins win, 4-2 final.

Miss The Game, The DC Faithful Were Watching...(And They Saw It Coming)...

BACKPAGE:

• Olsen's Return Makes Smarty's Snub Hurt Less...

• Ryan Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!!

• Can We Go Back To The AL And Away From The Marlins...And Bonifacio...

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The Jump...

DWDT: 15.

Nationals now 22-52.

BACKPAGE:

Olsen's Return Makes Smarty's Snub Hurt Less...

Shairon Martis, according to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post entitled, "Wait! Martis Demoted To Class AAA, Stammen Back In Rotation", "declined comment...after learning the news of his demotion," yesterday afternoon. Martis was sent down(up really?) to the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, NY to make room for the returning DC lefty Scott Olsen. After working his way back from what was officially called "shoulder tendenitis", Olsen took the mound tonight for the first time since May 16, and threw 94 pitches, 66 for strikes, over 7.0 IP in which he allowed 6 hits and 2 ER while collecting 7 K's.

After Ryan Zimmerman's leadoff HR and Wil Nieves' two-out RBI single in the second inning off Marlins' right-hander Ricky Nolasco, Olsen allowed Florida to tie it at 2-2 in the third. Brett Carroll doubled, moved to third on a sac bunt by Nolasco and scored on a one-out RBI single by Chris Coghlan to make 2-1, and Emilio Bonifacio tripled before Hanley Ramirez singled to tie it at 2-2. Olsen retired the Marlins in order in the 4th, 5th and 6th and then gave up a two-out single in the seventh before popping Carroll up to center to strand the only baserunner he allowed after the third. Nolasco (W, 5-6) was nasty as well, striking out 8 in 8.0 IP in which he surrenders just 4 hits and 2 ER. Ron Villone takes the loss, (L, 3-5), and Julian Tavarez gets a talking-to and a finger in his chest from DC Manager Manny Acta after Tavarez walks 3 and gives up a 1 hit and 1 ER in just 0.1 IP. Marlins' relievers Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez get it right, holding and saving Nolasco's hard-earned W.

Ryan Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!!

Ryan Zimmerman had hit just 2 HR's in his last 33 games, with one on May 22nd at home against the Orioles and his last HR before tonight on June 13th in Tampa Bay, Florida. Ricky Nolasco started Ryan Zimmerman with a fastball in the second, and Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! launched it to left and into the second deck above the outdated out-of-town scoreboard for what was, at the time, a 1-0 Nationals' lead. Zimmerman finishes tonight's game 1 for 4 with a .298 AVG, 13 HR's and 44 RBI's in '09.

Can We Go Back To The AL And Away From The Marlins...And Bonifacio...

Emilio Bonifacio was 8 for 23 for a .348 AVG before tonight's game, with a .400 OBP, .565 SLG, .965 OPS, 7 runs scored, 1 triple, 1 HR, 4 RBI's and 4 steals in 6 games against the same Washington Nationals who traded him (along with 2 prospects) to Florida in exchange for tonight's starting pitcher, Scott Olsen, and right fielder, Josh Willingham. Bonifacio went 3 for 4 tonight, with a triple, a run scored, and the game-winning sac-fly RBI in the eighth. The Marlins are now 7-0 against the Washington Nationals in 2009.

GAME REPORT...

Washington Nationals At Florida Marlins. Game 74 or 75 of 162.

Willie Harris swings over a slider inside that drops out of thin air for Ricky Nolasco’s first K of the game. Cristian Guzman pops out to Hanley Ramirez for out No. 2. Nick Johnson skies one to Cody Ross in center and the Nationals go down in order...Groundball to Nick Johnson from Marlins’ leadoff hitter Chris Coghlan. Emilio Bonifacio grounds out to his replacement at second, Anderson Hernandez. Scott Olsen challenges Hanley Ramirez with a fastball inside and has a laser hit by his feet for a two-out single. Willie Harris gets under Jorge Cantu’s pop fly to center and makes the catch to end the first.

First pitch fastball to Ryan Zimmerma---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! HR to left and into the second deck!! 1-0 Nationals. Adam Dunn flies out to Brett Carroll in right. Josh Willingham hammers a ground rule double to center, one bounce and over the wall. Ricky Nolasco shatters Anderson Hernandez’s bat, inducing a weak grounder back to the mound, Hammer takes third. Wil Nieves sends a dribbler past Nolasco, Dan Uggla tries to shuffle it to first with his glove, no dice, Hammer scores, Nieves safe, 2-0 DC. Olsen K’s looking and heads back to the mound...Scott Olsen’s 2-2 change is unhittable, Dan Uggla K’s trying. Cody Ross flies to right center, where Josh Willingham makes the grab. Ronny Paulino pushes Willingham back to the track, the Hammer has it, 2-0 DC after two.

Willie Harris hasn’t figured out Nolasco’s bender yet, swinging K no. 2 for the first out of the third. Cristian Guzman watches a two-strike bender drop onto the outside corner for a called strike three. Nick Johnson lines out to Carroll in right to end the Nationals’ third...Brett Carroll blasts a double to the gap in left center, and takes third on Ricky Nolasco’s sac bunt. Chris Coghlan singles in a run with a line drive to right, 2-1 DC. Wil Nieves nails Coghlan trying to steal second with a perfect throw. Emilio Bonifacio triples off the left field wall and scores on a single up the middle from Hanley Ramirez, 2-2 ballgame. Jorge Cantu flies out to Dunn to end the third.

Ryan Zimmerman pops the first pitch of the fourth up over home, Ronny Paulino makes the catch. Adam Dunn stares a two-strike curve onto the outside edge. Josh Willingham gets a single through Bonifacio’s glove at third and into left. Anderson Hernandez drills one to the mound, Nolasco stabs it and throws to first...Dan Uggla K’s looking at a curve that he thinks is inside. Cody Ross lines to right, Willingham makes a shoestring grab to rob Ross. Ronny Paulino grounds to short, Guzman backhands, jumps up and makes the throw, 2-2 after four.

Wil Nieves grounds the first pitch to Bonifacio at third. Scott Olsen pops out to Brett Carroll in fair territory down the line in right. Willie Harris grounds out to Jorge Cantu at first to end DC’s fifth...Brett Carroll swings a foot over a 1-2 change from Scott Olsen. RIcky Nolasco K’s swinging, and Chris Coghlan flies out to Willie Harris in center to end the fifth.

Cristian Guzman grounds out to Jorge Cantu at first to start the sixth. Nick Johnson flies out to Chris Coghlan in the left field corner. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to short, Hanley handles it...Emilio Bonifacio pops out behind second. Hanley Ramirez is looking fastball when he gets a 2-2 change and K’s. Jorge Cantu K’s swinging through a fastballl upstairs!!!

Adam Dunn works the count full against Nolasco, and K’s swinging over a slider down the pipe. Josh Willingham lines out to right. Two-strike change in the dirt and Anderson Hernandez K’s swinging...Dan Uggla grounds to Zimmerman at third. Cody Ross K’s swinging. Ronny Paulino hits a two-out single to second. Brett Carroll lifts a 2-0 pitch to center, Willie Harris makes the grab.

Wil Nieves rips one all the way to the track in left center, but Cody Ross gets there. Elijah Dukes rips a line drive to Ross. Willie Harris hasn’t been able to figure out Nolasco’s slider all night, and he K’s again...Reliever Ron Villone faces pinch hitter Wes Helms, who doubles to right just inside the first base line. Chris Coghlan gets the sac bunt down to move pinch runner Alejandro De Aza to third. Emilio Bonifacio flies out to center, De Aza tags and scores. 3-2 Marlins. Julian Tavarez comes on to face Hanley Ramirez, and he gives up a double on the first pitch. Tavarez walks Jorge Cantu to get to Dan Uggla. Tavarez walks Dan Uggla. Julian Tavarez walks Cody Ross to force in a run. 4-2 Florida. Paulino hits a hotshot to third, Zimmerman takes the force at second to end the threat.

Dan Meyer vs Cristian Guzman. Guzman grounds out to Cantu at first. Nick Johnson singles over short in his trademark style. NJ™. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to right center. Adam Dunn rips a line drive through the dramatic shift, Johnson takes third. Dan Meyer’s done. Leo Nunez up next. Nunez vs Willingham. Hammer flies to center and Cody Ross makes the catch. Ballgame. Marlins win, 4-2 final.

Nationals now 22-52.