SB Nation - Ryan Wagner

Heroes of the Zeros: The Bullpen

Slyde — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:28 -0000

As we continue our vote on the Reds All Decade Team, we look today at the bullpen. The Reds bullpen was a strength in the early aughts, but it also had some very lean periods in the middle of the decade before rebounding a bit the last two seasons. Below you will see the 28 relievers who managed to pitch 60 or more games out of the bullpen for the Reds between 2000 and 2009. The survey below will have you choose a closer, 2 right-handed relievers, 2 left-handed relievers, and 2 other relievers of your choice. Please be careful not to choose a pitcher for more than one spot as I will only count a single vote for that player.

One note before you vote, I didn't feel like doing the extra work it would take to separate a pitcher's relief appearances from his starts, so some of the stats below include starts as well as relief appearances. This mainly only affects Danny Graves (30 GS), Chris Reitsma (53 GS), and Matt Belisle (43 GS) with a couple other pitchers having a handful of starts in their numbers. Please try to take that into account when considering a player as best you can. Voting can be done after the jump.

Other ballots: Starting Rotation

Click header to sort table by column
	Years	G	W	L	W-L%	SV	IP	ERA	ERA+	FIP	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SO/9	BB/9	HR/9
Jeremy Affeldt	2008	74	1	1	.500	0	78.1	3.33	133	3.72	.260	.323	.410	.733	9.19	2.87	1.03
Matt Belisle	2003-2008	132	16	22	.421	1	341.2	5.06	89	4.54	.302	.351	.472	.823	6.06	2.53	1.24
Bill Bray	2006-2008	111	7	6	.538	3	89.0	3.84	118	3.40	.278	.348	.433	.780	9.20	3.84	0.81
Jim Brower	2001-2002	68	9	10	.474	1	168.2	3.95	114	4.49	.250	.328	.406	.734	6.30	3.74	1.01
Jared Burton	2007-2009	154	10	3	.769	0	161.0	3.47	128	3.73	.238	.322	.368	.690	7.77	3.91	0.73
Todd Coffey	2005-2008	213	12	9	.571	9	206.1	4.62	98	4.58	.311	.366	.476	.842	5.98	2.75	1.22
Francisco Cordero	2008-2009	140	7	10	.412	73	137.0	2.76	158	3.42	.238	.329	.327	.656	8.93	4.47	0.53
Jon Coutlangus	2007	64	4	2	.667	0	41.0	4.39	105	4.57	.250	.373	.362	.735	8.34	5.93	0.66
Danny Graves	2000-2005	318	29	35	.453	147	526.0	4.16	105	4.62	.279	.331	.451	.782	4.59	2.58	1.16
Daniel Ray Herrera	2008-2009	77	4	4	.500	0	69.0	3.52	122	4.00	.283	.354	.419	.772	6.78	3.52	0.78
Mike Lincoln	2008-2009	83	3	6	.333	0	93.1	5.40	81	5.66	.269	.357	.465	.822	6.36	4.15	1.64
Gary Majewski	2006-2008	88	2	6	.250	0	78.0	7.38	61	4.73	.388	.429	.562	.992	5.31	2.54	1.15
Nick Masset	2008-2009	84	6	1	.857	0	93.1	2.31	186	3.65	.213	.276	.334	.610	7.81	2.80	0.87
Hector Mercado	2000-2001	68	3	2	.600	0	67.0	4.16	111	4.26	.262	.354	.418	.772	9.67	5.10	1.07
Kent Mercker	2003-2008	179	5	4	.556	5	142.0	3.36	129	4.72	.256	.336	.447	.783	6.91	3.99	1.27
Phil Norton	2003-2004	86	2	5	.286	0	80.1	4.59	92	4.10	.263	.359	.380	.740	6.16	4.93	0.56
Brian Reith	2001-2004	73	4	12	.250	1	127.2	5.92	73	6.16	.292	.381	.542	.923	5.99	5.01	1.83
Chris Reitsma	2001-2003	125	22	32	.407	12	404.1	4.52	97	4.57	.280	.329	.456	.785	5.19	2.52	1.20
Dennys Reyes	2000-2001	97	4	7	.364	0	96.2	4.75	98	4.74	.254	.363	.395	.757	8.19	5.96	0.93
Arthur Rhodes	2009	66	1	1	.500	0	53.1	2.53	169	3.14	.198	.276	.299	.576	8.10	3.38	0.51
John Riedling	2000-2004	200	13	12	.520	3	274.1	4.13	104	4.37	.256	.345	.385	.730	5.97	4.43	0.69
Brian Shackelford	2005-2006	63	2	0	1.000	0	46.0	4.11	107	5.20	.229	.333	.388	.722	6.26	3.72	1.17
Mike Stanton	2007	69	1	3	.250	0	57.2	5.93	78	4.26	.315	.374	.462	.836	6.24	2.81	0.94
Scott Sullivan	2000-2003	279	22	12	.647	4	338.0	4.05	111	4.21	.246	.326	.408	.734	7.96	3.49	1.14
Ryan Wagner	2003-2005	108	8	4	.667	0	119.0	4.69	90	4.38	.274	.354	.410	.764	7.64	4.24	0.98
David Weathers	2005-2009	325	20	23	.465	61	336.1	3.56	126	4.37	.239	.317	.390	.707	6.21	3.67	0.96
Gabe White	2000-2004	137	10	3	.769	1	128.2	4.34	98	4.25	.256	.289	.467	.756	6.92	1.54	1.47
Scott Williamson	2000-2003	155	13	15	.464	35	229.0	3.14	143	3.53	.209	.326	.329	.655	10.73	5.42	0.71

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 12/14/2009.

Tuesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:32:44 -0000

More photos » by Jim Prisching - AP

Rickie Weeks tosses his bat to his eventual replacement (not pictured).

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while getting ready for your photo shoot.

The Summer of Rickie Weeks was suddenly and abruptly canceled yesterday, leaving many of us wondering where we go from here. Willie Randolph, who spent most of the spring working with Weeks to improve his game, called the news "depressing", and Cory Provus notes that the news came just a week after Ken Macha called Weeks "his kind of player."

So where do the Brewers go from here? Adam McCalvy lists five internal options to fill in the void at second base. As of this writing, about 30% of voters in the poll on your right think Craig Counsell should take over, with 22% voting for Bill Hall and 18% hoping Doug Melvin is on the phone with Ray Durham. Casey McGehee is expected to start tonight and tomorrow, as the Astros send lefties Mike Hampton and Wandy Rodriguez to the mound. The Brewers are also expected to call up Hernan Iribarren from Nashville, but the move has not yet been announced.

How valuable was Weeks this season? On top of already having nine home runs and being on pace for 100 RBI, he was also the second most valuable defensive second baseman in baseball, according to FanGraphs. Mike Cameron is still the most valuable defensive center fielder, but the Brewers as a team have dropped from second to fifth.

Last night's game had a couple of milestones in it: Of course, Mat Gamel hit his first major league home run, but Jason Kendall also picked up his 2000th hit, becoming just the eighth catcher to do so. Baseball Reference looks at the eight catchers who accomplished the feat, and one stat jumps out: each of the other seven catchers hit at least 248 home runs, and Ted Simmons is the only one with less than 300. Jason Kendall has 73 career homers.

We've known for a few days now that Brad Nelson would not be back, but now we also know where he's headed: Nelson has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners and will report to AAA Tacoma. Hopefully Brad can rebound from a tough start to 2009 and have a nice major league career in the AL, where the Brewers won't have to face him very often.

Down in the minors, Taylor Green is off to a hot start in his rehab assignment with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He's expected to be called up to Huntsville soon, but Rattlers manager Jeff Isom is hoping to dodge that phone call.

Elsewhere in the minors, the Astros have released former Brewer Lou Palmisano. Cap'n Lou was picked in the Rule 5 draft by the Orioles, traded to the Astros, and then offered back to the Brewers. The Brewers decided not to take him back.

On power rankings:

Whatifsports has moved the Brewers up from tenth to fifth in their rankings.
Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star has moved the Brewers from eighth to third.

Here's one more way you can help the Brewers own Pittsburgh: The Racing Sausages are up against the Racing Pierogies in Home Run Derby's Mascot Challenge. Head on over there and vote for the sausages.

Around the league:

A's: Reliever Dan Giese has been placed on the DL with irritation in his ulnar nerve.
Mets: Carlos Delgado will miss at least two months after undergoing hip surgery, Alex Cora has been placed on the DL with a sprained thumb ligament and, once again, Nelson Figueroa has been designated for assignment.
Nationals: 26-year-old reliever Ryan Wagner, who had been pitching in AAA, has decided to retire.
Phillies: Signed Paul Bako to a minor league deal.
Pirates: Claimed reliever Steven Jackson off waivers from the Yankees.
Rockies: Designated reliever Steven Register, who had been pitching in AAA, for assignment.
Twins: Placed starter Glen Perkins on the DL with elbow inflammation.

I believe I've mentioned before that home runs are way up this season, although I haven't seen it reported recently. On the other side, though, Baseball Reference notes that there has not been a single three-HR game in 2009, and this is the farthest into the season we've gone without one since 1993.

Oh, and I don't have my new house yet (and won't for another month), but I already have a gardening idea.

Drink up.

The Washington Nationals' '09 Roster: Can Dmitri Young Do It? Is Scott Boras Serious About Stephen Strasburg?

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:28:08 -0000

Dmitri Young...

It was reported that the normally affable Dmitri Young met with the DC media earlier this Spring and politely informed each of them that he wouldn't be speaking to them while he worked his way back onto the Washington Nationals' roster. DY knows adversity, in his personal, and in what concerns us here, his professional life, having worked his way back to baseball once before, with the assistance of the Former DC GM Jim Bowden, who extended a hand to Young late in the '07 offseason after he'd been released by the playoff-bound Detroit Tigers the previous September.

It was another handshake that the Former DC GM and DY shared that came out in the papers and caused a minor uproar in the Natosphere once it was announced that Dmitri would be added to the Nationals' 40-Man Roster last week. Apparently, the Former DC GM had promised DY that he would bring him back from Triple-A, (where Young had been placed just before the last Rule 5 Draft, ostensibly, so that someone else could be protected), if Young accepted the temporary demotion.

Washington Post writer Chico Harlan reported, in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats Win, Astronauts Return, Dmitri Speaks", that, (in Mr. Harlan's words), DY, "...was thankful that Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten were treating him with the same respect that Jim Bowden always had," and when asked if he thought he could make it as a bat off the bench, DY responded simply, "...the career that I've had, I can hit -- flat-out hit."

DY started his MLB career playing 1st with the Cardinals back in 1996, he's played the outfield, hit as high as .320 in a full campaign just two years ago, collected 301 doubles and 171 HR's in 1,364 games over 13 seasons in the Majors, and come back time and time again, overcoming any obstacles that have kept him off the field, and even managing to win the Comeback Player of the Year award while earning his second All-Star appearance as the Nationals' lone representative in 2007, in what was arguably the second-best season of his career...Can DY do it? Can Dmitri Young make the Nationals' roster? Do you dare doubt DY?

Wagner...

Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman counted the Nationals' roster down to 36 as he reported, in an article entitled, "Wagner re-assigned to minors", on DC reliever Ryan Wagner's being re-assigned, "most likely" Mr. Zuckerman writes, "...to Class AAA Syracuse." (ed. note - "Mr. Zuckerman with the old-school 'AAA', nice, no 'Triple-A'...") Wagner, acquired by the Former DC GM along with Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez in a July'06 deal that sent Gary Majewski, Brendan Harris, Bill Bray, Royce Clayton and Daryl Thompson to the Reds, was attempting to win a spot as he worked his way back from shoulder surgery, but Wagner allowed 6 hits, 4 runs and 2 walks in 7.0 IP this Spring before receiving the news. Felipe Lopez is long gone. Austin Kearns is on the market. Wily Mo Pena's been placed on waivers...Just sayin'...

GAME THREAD...

It's the Tigers again today, but this time it's in Detroit's Florida home, Joker Marchant Stadium in sunny Lakeland, Florida, and the Washington Nationals are throwing '05 12th Round pick, 25-year-old right-hander Craig Stammen, who played at three-levels of the Nationals' system last season, though he struggled at Triple AAA Columbus giving up 35 runs in 43.0 innings with the Clippers. Stammen is set to face the Tigers' prize prospect Rick Porcell--...speaking of pitching prospects...

STRASBURG FILES...

Sports Illustrated writer Jon Heyman, at SI.com, goes with the title, "THE $50 Million Man?" (ed. note - "At least he made it interrogative...") and then starts his article on the projected #1 overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft by writing:

"That $50 million figure that's being attached to ballyhooed college-pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg is no joke. Baseball people who have spoken to Strasburg's adviser Scott Boras say they believe that's the figure Boras has in mind for Strasburg, the San Diego State pitcher some are calling a once-in-a-decade talent."

That number isn't inventing itself, that's for sure. The 6-year/$50M dollar Daisuke Matsuzaka-like contract was first mentioned by ESPN's Peter Gammons in a 3/21/09 article at Mr. Gammons' ESPN.com blog, entitled, "Trade to A's was best thing for Holliday", in which he wrote:

"'...some club officials think that if Washington takes San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg with the first overall pick, Boras will ask for Daisuke Matsuzaka money (six years, approximately $50 million) or take him to Japan for a year, a threat that may scare Stan Kasten into selecting a lesser prospect."

Mr. Heyman mentions Mr. Gammons article, and notes that the 6Yr./$50M dollar price tag, "...seemed fanciful when it was first thrown out there. But apparently it's deadly serious," and while Mr. Heyman points to contentious negotiations in the past between Nationals' team President Stan Kasten and Scott Boras, he also mentions:

"...Mike Rizzo, who's now handling interim GM duties for Washington and personally has experienced success drafting Boras clients as Arizona's scouting director (Stephen Drew, Max Scherzer)."

Strasburg's next start comes in Petco Park, this Friday, April 3rd, as sdsuaztec4 wrote and reported in ending his last Strasburg report here at federalbaseball.com entitled, "The Strasburg Files: Episode 4- The dreaded BS, ND", "Next Game Stephen will pitch is April 3rd at PETCO park versus UC Davis. Be there or be from the East Coast!"

Game Time 1:05 pm EST from Joker Marchant. Stammen vs Porcello? Who's Following The Nationals?

The 2009 Washington Nationals: What "They're" Saying...plus Sunday Game Thread.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:09:04 -0000

As of 11:00 pm EST on Saturday March 28, 2009...

The 2009 Washington Nationals' Lineup Takes Shape...

DC Starting Rotation:

John Lannan - LHP (Opening Day)
Scott Olsen - LHP
Daniel Cabrera - RHP

Shairon Martis - RHP

Jordan Zimmermann - RHP

DC Bullpen:

Jason Bergmann* - RHP

Garrett Mock* - RHP

Steven Shell* - RHP

Saul Rivera* - RHP

Wil Ledezma - LHP

Kip Wells - RHP

Jesus Colome - RHP

Julian Tavarez* - RHP

Ryan Wagner - RHP

Joe Beimel *- LHP

Mike Hinckley - LHP

Joel Hanrahan* - CL

DC IF:

1B - Nick Johnson

2B - Anderson Hernandez/Ronnie Belliard

SS - Cristian Guzman

3B - Ryan Zimmerman

Extra IF: Kory Casto, Alex Cintron, Alberto Gonzalez, Willie Harris, Dmitri Young.

DC OF:

LF - Adam Dunn

CF - Lastings Milledge

RF - Elijah Dukes/Austin Kearns

Extra OF: Josh Willingham, Willie Harris.

DC Backstops:

C - Jesus Flores

C - Josh Bard

C - Wil Nieves

The Infield Situation...

We know who's starting in the DC infield, (with Ronnie Belliard in until Anderson Hernandez returns and barring a last minute trade of Nick Johnson, which seems less and less likely each day), but what we don't know is what Washington will do with the rest of the infielders still in camp. Nationals' Manager Manny Acta told Washington Post writer Chico Harlan this afternoon, in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats Win, Astronauts Return, Dmitri Speaks", when asked whether Alex Cintron had earned a place on the roster:

"We haven't made a decision yet on Alex. He's a guy who has been up for a while. He's valuable as a utility infielder. We just continue to evaluate him and see where he fits for us...How many extra guys can we have? It's a numbers game. We just have to wait one more week and see. We have Ronnie [Belliard]; we have Willie [Harris]; we have [Alberto] Gonzalez. So, it's going to be a numbers game."

You'll notice there's no mention of Kory Casto there. MLB.com's Bill Ladson wrote recently, in an article entitled, "Nats have decision to make on Casto", that without any options left, Casto must either be placed on the 25-Man Roster come Opening Day, or he must clear waivers in order to be sent up to Syracuse.

Manny Acta told Mr. Ladson that the Expos' 3rd Round Pick in '03 might not be a prospect anymore:

"'[Being a utility player] could be his job,' Acta said. 'We have an interesting decision to make. We have seen him in the last two years -- on and off. We have seen him this year in Spring Training. He has played third and first. He is doing well defensively. He still hasn't hit the way we expect him to hit up here.'"

The decision on Casto will come next week.

Further Reading: Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman's "Casto still without a role".

The Outfield Situation...

Don't tell Josh Willingham he's ready for a bench role. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan asked the Hammer what he thought about possibly being a bench player, and the quote from Willingham in Mr. Harlan's Nationals Journal post entitled, "The Outfield Squeeze", hints at the 30-year-old outfielders' dissatisfaction with the situation, as he's quoted stating:

"'I'll answer that question if it happens. I won't answer it now. We'll see how I feel. But I know that's definitely not going to be alright with me.'"

And why shouldn't Willingham be mad, he was acquired in a trade by a team that then went out and signed a 40 HR, 100 RBI outfielder who plays the same position he does, and have so far done nothing to remedy the situation by moving one of the players in the overcrowded outfield...

Lastings Milledge is Acta's man in center. Adam Dunn will play almost every day and he's a nightmare at first so they'll play him in left, and it's Elijah Dukes and Austin Kearns in right until someone wins the spot or is possibly traded. 9 days and counting...

Is there any chance that the rumors of Washington Nationals' President Stan Kasten and "Acting" GM Mike Rizzo wanting to keep all of the outfielders on the roster are true?...Manny Acta did tell Florida Today.com writer Mark Decotis, as quoted in a 3/11/09 article entitled, "Outfielders work to catch on", that he thought he could get all of the outfielders on the roster enough time, saying, "'We can rotate them and get enough at bats for all of them once we get that number down to whoever's going to come with us to D.C.'"

At the time of Mr. Decotis' article, however, Roger Bernadina and Wily Mo Pena were still in the discussion. Bernadina was optioned on 3/19, and Wily Mo Pena was placed on waivers Saturday morning. Pena can now be had by any team in baseball for $2M...either that or he clears waivers, goes to Syracuse and the entire outfield of Roger Bernadina, Leonard Davis, Justin Maxwell and WMP can tear up Triple-A and give the Chiefs a special inaugural experience...while also challenging the outfielders on the MLB roster for their spots and filling in when necessary, which it certainly was last season...

Rotation and Bullpen ?'s...

In MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Nationals to carry extra position player", Mr. Ladson announced that the Washington Nationals would carry four starters and seven relievers for the first two weeks of the season, when off days would allow for them to properly rest the top four arms, John Lannan, Daniel Cabrera, Scott Olsen and Shairon Martis. The decision was made today, as Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman reported, in a Chatter post entitled, "Martis, Zimmermann make rotation, Pena on waivers", to start Martis in DC and, as Mr. Zuckerman writes, have Zimmermann, "...(open) the season in the minors before his spot comes up on April 19."

(ed. note - "I'd just like to point out the wisdom of the Federal Baseball.com readers, who voted 69% to 30% back on January 22, 2009 in favor of 22-year-old right-hander Jordan Zimmermann making the Nationals' '09 rotation.")

(Federal Baseball.com's Predictions: "Collin Balester, who entered Spring Training pencilled into the starting rotation, and was sent to Triple-A Syracuse today, will be back as soon as Daniel Cabrera is moved to the bullpen.")

As for the DC Bullpen...as Mr. Ladson reported, the Nationals will start the season with seven relievers...at the Nationals' official site right now, the team's Depth Chart has seven pitchers listed (from the active roster, no invitees)...Joel Hanrahan (CL), Joe Beimel (who has had the words "primary set-up man to Hanrahan" follow or precede his name in every mention by the Nationals since he was signed), Saul Rivera, Jason Bergmann, Steven Shell, Garrett Mock and Julian Tavarez. As I wrote yesterday, I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Hinckley or Wil Ledezma stuck on as the go-to-lefty, with Mock dropping off of the list... Does Ryan Wagner stay this time? Kip Wells? He still here? Has Jesus Colome earned a spot?

?'s For The DC Faithful...

1) Who stays in the DC Bullpen? Mock, Hinckley, Ledezma, Wells, Wagner, Colome?

2) Does Anderson Hernandez being out help you decide which backup infielder to keep? Do you prefer one of Willie Harris, Alex Cintron or Alberto Gonzalez over the other as a backup at second if Hernandez can't return?

3) Where will Kory "Limbo" Casto end up? Oakland? (ed. note - "That's just always been my guess...no reason...") Syracuse? DC?

4) Will Collin Balester be back?

5) Please tell me I didn't miss anyone? I stared at rosters for hours trying to find anyone I might be forgetting?

6) Reading Material: Read Dave Nichols At The Nationals News Network's "My Opening Day Roster" post and see what he thinks the recent cuts mean for the '09 Roster...Steven at FJB made bold predictions in, "FJB's Official 2009 Big Prediction Post" last Wednesday...(ed. note - "I think the 'F' stands for 'Forget' now!")...Brian Oliver at the Nationals Farm Authority wrote, "A point by point analysis" of Washington Post writer Thomas Boswell's recently published opinions regarding Stephen Strasburg in a post entitled, "To Draft or Not to Draft"...Mike Henderson at Nationals Pride.com, says goodbye to Wily Mo Pena in a quick post entitled, "Another Jim Bowden Love Affair Down The Tubes", I know this list of articles is not a question...

GAME THREAD...

(ed. note - "I'm not going to be home for today's game...I'll be in brand new Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, NY, watching St. John's baseball...wanted a chance to see the new park when it wasn't full of Mets fans...thankfully I can follow along on the trusty iPhone...")

The Nationals leave Space Coast for Jupiter, where they'll take on the Florida Marlins with Daniel Cabrera on the mound against the Fish's righty Chris Volstad. The game starts at 1:05-ish...

Who's Watching The Nationals? Who Read This Far?...

NEW POLL: WHO STANDS BEHIND JESUS...FLORES?

Poll

'09 Nationals' Backup Catcher? You Decide? Who Backs Up Jesus Flores?

Josh Bard?

62 votes

Wil Nieves?

62 votes

124 votes | Poll has closed

Spring Training - Game Thread: Washington Nationals vs New York Mets.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:36:24 -0000

The 2009 Lineup Takes Shape...

When asked, in his most recent edition of the "Inbox: What's different with Kearns?", whether Adam Dunn was second in line at first if Nick Johnson were to be injured again, MLB.com's Bill Ladson responded, "You are going to think I'm crazy, but don't count out (Dmitri) Young," (as Johnson's backup)...and a little less than three hours after Mr. Ladson published his article, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan checked in with a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats Intend To Add Dmitri Young To 40-Man Roster" which made Mr. Ladson's intuition appear possibly prescient.

(ed. note - "I'll hold off on commenting on giving a not-quite-ready-to-play DY this spot until the player who's left off the roster to make room is identified...")

In an article entitled, "Nationals to carry an extra position player", yesterday, which announced (in its title) the fact that the Nationals would carry an extra position player in place of a fifth starter due to the scheduling in the first weeks, which provides two off days, MLB.com's Bill Ladson speculated that the final roster spot could go to:

"Kory Casto, who is out of options...He can play the corner outfield and infield positions."

Does the decision to honor what is reported to be an agreement the Former DC GM had with DY, to bring him back from Triple-A, mean the end of Kory Casto's time with the Nationals then? If you believe the Nationals' Depth Chart as it's currently configured at the Nationals' Official site, Casto's third in line at third and fourth behind Nick Johnson, Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn at first, and not even on the map in the outfield, which doesn't bode well for the former Montreal Expos' 2003 3rd Round pick...

And What About The Bullpen...???

Here's how the Nationals' official site's Depth Chart has it:

"Wild" Joel Hanrahan (CL) - (WBC - (0-0), 6 G, 5.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's)

Joe Beimel - ('08 - (5-1), 71 G, 49.0 IP, 2.02 ERA, 50 H, 11 ER, 21 BB, 32 K's)

Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera - (WBC - (0-0), 5 G, 3.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 1 K)

Jason Bergmann - (Spring - (0-0), 7 G, 9.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 1 HR?) (ed. note - "Someone tell me how that works...even if Bergmann came on with bases loaded and gave up a HR the 4th run would be the new pitcher's, right? I'll assume it's a rare MLB.com error.")

Steven Shell - (Spring - (0-0), 8 G, 10.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 12 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 4 K's.)

Garrett Mock - (Spring (0-0), 10 G, 12.0 IP, 1 SV, 5.25 ERA, 16 H, 9 E)

Julian Tavarez - (Uh...visa issues?)

Back in the article by Mr. Ladson entitled, "Nationals to carry extra position player", Mr. Ladson wrote that the roster decision meant that the Nationals would carry just 4 starters and 7 relievers on the Opening Day roster. That's seven above, with the four starters, John Lannan, Scott Olsen, Daniel Cabrera and...Jordan Zimmermann or Shairon Martis, presumably, but still undecided...and that leaves Ryan Wagner, Terrell Young, Will Ledezma and Mike Hinckley out of the picture, though I'd imagine one of the two lefties, Ledezma or Hinckley might step in for Mock, (who has struggled this Spring), as the LOOGY...

And Speaking of Stephen Strasburg...

Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins' article entitled, "Stephen Strasburg Is Ready To Bring It", is now available online. (ed. note - "Mr. Jenkins was also kind enough to answer a few question I had about Strasburg the other day, you can view the email exchange HERE.")

ESPN's Baseball Tonight did a segment on Stephen Strasburg today with Buster Olney narrating a highlight package, and speaking in studio...some of the highlights: (paraphrasing of course)...

Buster Olney - "Strasburg is not like any other pitching prospect, this year or perhaps in any year...and according to scout's he's better than Mark Prior...David Price...Todd Van Popple or Brien Taylor...and better than A.J. Burnett is right now...Lots of movement on his fastball, a cutting action, above average slider and change. 74 K's and 7 BB in 34.1 IP so far with SDSU...Mr. Olney then calls Strasburg, 'The Lebron James of the upcoming baseball draft'...(but Mr. Olney cautions)..."This is going to be the toughest negotiation of the year in baseball...it's gonna be drawn out and it could get ugly."

ESPN's Peter Gammons - "My only question is, 'Is Strasburg gonna end up in the majors in Japan?'"

Strasburg's on the road against Texas Christian University Friday night.

You remember New York Newsday columnist Ken Davidoff right?

In a "Ken Davidoff's baseball insider" article with the SEO-friendly title, "Miguel Tejada, Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Pat Venditte, Jimmy Gobble and Anderson Hernandez", Mr. Davidoff writes that he:

" • Bought a copy of the Washington Post while in DC, and laughed when I read this story: Anderson Hernandez might be the Nationals' starting second baseman? Ay yi yi."

C'mon, that's 164 characters, trim it down a bit and save it for a Twitter post! Why the virtual eye-roll for Anderson Hernandez? Just because he never panned out in NY? Enjoy Luis Castillo...

Speaking Of New York's Hated Mets?

GAME THREAD - Washington at New York - 7:10 pm EST from Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie, Florida.

John Lannan vs Johan Santana. It's on MLB.tv. Friday night baseball...

Who's Watching The Nationals?

MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS...

Doghouse, our in-house statistician just published the most recent edition of the Federal Baseball.com community W.A.R. Effort...and your participation is mandatory, by which I of course mean, welcomed and appreciated.

"IN AD 2009 W.A.R was beginning."

Who's Watching The Nationals?

Adam Dunn in The WBC, Bowden Trade History, and Monday's Washington Nationals' Game Thread...

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:02:54 -0000

Is Having Adam Dunn In The WBC A Good Thing?

Sure. Having Adam Dunn in the WBC is a good thing. Every time he's mentioned as the "Washington Nationals outfielder" Adam Dunn as New York Times' writer Tyler Kepner refers to him in his article on Saturday's U.S. win over Canada entitled, "Mets' New Set-Up Man Preserves Win For U.S." where Mr. Kepner writes about,"Adam Dunn, the Washington Nationals outfielder who homered in the sixth inning," (ed. note - "Though Mr. Kepner eschews the use of the possessive apostrophe when he says 'Washington Nationals outfielder', and uses it in the title with 'Mets' Set-Up Man', which I've still not had explained to me...?")...it's name recognition for the Nationals, who enjoy the privilege of playing in the nation's capital, and therefore being one of many tourist destinations in DC for fans from around the country and world, which accounts, in my opinion, for the fact that every time I've gone to a game there's been noticeable presence from opposing team's fans, so any and all attention drawn to the team by Dunn's playing for the US Team has got to be positive...

But if Adam Dunn takes out his fellow Nationals like he did yesterday in the game against Canada in a play at second involving DC utility man Pinch Hittin' Pete Orr, then is that still a positive result of his participation? New York Times' writer George Vescey captured the moment in his "Sports of the Times" column entitled, "Day Off Ends In Road Win For Home Team", where Mr. Vescey cites the play as an example of how seriously the players are taking the WBC competition, writing:

"The game did have its moment of country hardball. In the second inning, Adam Dunn of the United States dumped the Canadian second baseman, Pete Orr, on a force play at second."

Well, I'll give Dunn a break this time...maybe he wasn't in camp with the Nationals long enough to realize that Orr is his teammate, but for next time, Dunn-K, that's Pinch Hittin' Pete Orr, DC's utility infielder, simply holding your arms up as you slide should be enough...

The Former DC GM's Trade History Doesn't Look So Bad...

Mlbtraderumors.com contributor Brendan Bianowicz compiled a list of every trade the former Nationals' GM Jim Bowden made in his time with Cincinnati and Washington which mlbtraderumors.com's Tim Dierkes mentioned in an article entitled, "Jim Bowden - GM Trade History", recently. Anyone remember Mr. Bowden's first trade as GM of the Nationals?

...Maicer Izturis and Juan Rivera for Jose Guillen. Izturis had been acquired by Montreal, along with Ryan Church, in an '04 trade with Cleveland for reliever Scott Stewart. Rivera arrived in Montreal along with Nick Johnson and Randy Choate in a trade with the Yankees, who got Javier Vazquez in return. Jose Guillen hit .283 with 32 doubles, 24 HR's and 76 RBI's that first season, and struggled with injuries before being granted free agency after the '06 season, but who wouldn't make that trade again?

Brad Wilkerson, Armando Galarraga and Termel Sledge for Alfonso Soriano? Even with Galarraga as good as he is now, what was Texas thinking? Was that seriously the best offer the Rangers got for Soriano? Advantage: Bowden...(ed. note - "Sorry, Wilkie?")

Mike Stanton for Shairon Martis? And that was the second time Bowden traded Stanton, the other trade resulted in little help at the Major League level, but Martis could very well start for DC this season. For Stanton? C'mon...Ryan Wagner could still come through, or Austin Kearns could finally meet expectations to make that trade with Cincy a steal. I'd trade Livan Hernandez straight up for Garrett Mock any day, and Bowden got Matt Chico out of Arizona too...

...Church and Brian Schneider for Lastings Milledge. Glenn Gibson for Elijah Dukes? Gibson was (4-8) at Class-A ball last season. Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham for Emilio Bonifacio, J.P. Dean and Jake Smolinski? (ed. note - "I'm sure the Marlins will somehow come out ahead in this one too, like they always do, but for now I'm alright with the Hammer and Olsen.") So why, I ask you, were so many, so happy to see Jim Bowden go?

Eckstein Strikes Again...

First it was Nick Johnson's swing, now it's Austin Kearns' that DC Hitting Coach Rick Eckstein is tinkering with, as MLB.com's Bill Ladson describes in an article entitled, "Kearns' new stance pays dividends", where Mr. Ladson reports that Mr. Eckstein "...suggested he(Kearns) open his stance so he would no longer be vulnerable to inside pitches." (ed. note - "Mr. Eckstein can't be the first one to have suggested this...can he?") Kearns returned to the lineup Sunday, and got the start in right, with Lastings Milledge starting in center and Elijah Dukes in left. Then again, Adam Dunn's starting in right with the US entry in the WBC, so don't read anything into those positions...there are still a lot of things for DC Manager Manny Acta to sort out...What about Willingham?

MONDAY GAME THREAD...

On February 26th in a 2-1 win over Detroit it was Collin Balester starting the day after DC Ace John Lannan got the first start of Spring Training, with potential fifth starter Jordan Zimmermann following Balester's 2.0 scoreless and hitless with 2.0 scoreless and hitless of his own in which he struck out 3 to Balester's 1 and walked no one while Balester issued 1 free pass. On the next day they were scheduled to pitch,(a 6-4 win over NY) Balester and Zimmermann swapped places with Zimmermann throwing 3.0 more perfect innings and adding 3 K's to his Spring total in the start, while Balester came on second and struggled, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs on 2 HR's.

No one's gone into print with the order they'll appear in for tonight's game against Houston or said whether Shawn Hill's injury troubles will give each pitcher his own individual start...MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch, on the Astros' beat, reports in an article entitled, "Astros' spring troubles continue", that, "Fifth-starter hopeful Felipe Paulino will make his first start of the Spring," for Houston...so whichever pitcher throws for DC, all three starters will be pitching for Major League jobs. Paulino's a 25-year-old right-hander, who's got just 3 starts and 2 relief appearances with the Astros under his belt while Collin Balester's 15 starts into his MLB career and Zimmermann's yet to pitch above Double-AA...

7:05 pm EST, it's a night game in Spring. Someone update the starters when you see them in the Comments...Please? Who's Watching The Watchm...uh, the Nationals.

Let's Go Nats Go!!

Washington Nationals' Roster Moves, Questionable Moves, and How The Yankees Are Trying To Ruin Everyone's Fun...

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:06:50 -0000

The first year they did it was 2006, the first with Washington's new ownership in place, in November of '06, and it was described as a necessary step to refill a dried up system that had suffered under a lack of ownership since 2002 and seen it's Minor League system completely desiccated by the time the team relocated to DC, with then-Assistant GM Bob Boone telling MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nats sign 21 Minor League free agents", that, "From our standpoint, we think a few of them will connect." The second time, in late November of '07, and it was described by MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nationals sign 19 to Minor League deals", as an attempt to find, "...a diamond in the rough." This time, the Nationals signed just 13 Minor League free agents, according to a Washington Times' "Chatter: A Nationals Blog" post by Times' writer Mark Zuckerman entitled, "Nats sign 13 to minor-league deals", where no explanation for the moves is offered, but Mr. Zuckerman does report that all but one of the thirteen received invitations to Spring Training.

The first year, Nationals' fans had to endure a few jokes, like the sports writers who'd tell anyone who ever wanted to pitch in the Majors to head to Nationals' camp, which was funny, really, but it was understandable, after all, the best prospects in the organization were all either on the DC roster or had been traded away over the years, so it was necessary to cast a wide net, and the second season, it was accurately described as a way of maybe finding one or two players out there who had been cast aside for a variety of reasons, but still might have value...Why is DC still doing this after three seasons? A quick look at the results of the first two attempts, would seem to justify the approach...

Out of the 21 Minor League free agents signed in '06, three, "Don Sutton's Favorite Pitcher" Tim Redding**, current closer "Wild" Joel Hanrahan, and "The Nationals' Most Famous Player, 'Hollywood' Mike Bacsik", managed to make signifant contributions to the big club. Out of the 19 signed in '07, two, Mike Hinckley, (who was really re-signed), and Steven Shell were able to really impress and are considered part of the '09 bullpen at this point according to everything I've read this winter. So why not try to fill some spots in Triple-A and maybe with the big club from amongst those the rest of the league has let loose...Some of the 13 signed this year, Nationals' fans know well, returning free agents like Pete Orr, Ryan Langerhans, Ryan Wagner, and some others, Matt Whitney, Justin Jones, are names we've all heard before, while Freddie Bynum spent the last two seasons working thirty or so miles north of DC. I could see Wagner, Shell, Hanrahan, Hinckley and even possibly Redding, (if he's brought back) making significant contributions this season...Some around the Nationals' blogosphere have different opinions...

Friday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:18:01 -0000

Here are some things to read while waiting for Monday's Mug.

So you may have heard that Ken Macha is the new manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. Reaction from around the web:

In-Between Hops has some stats showing Macha's tendencies. The Cliff's Notes version: don't expect a lot of base stealing, pinch hitting or sac bunts. I'm ok with most of that. My question, though, is whether those stats are a function of Macha's management style or the environment in which he worked in Oakland.
Two-Fisted Slopper also uses the numbers to develop an expectation of what's to come.
The JS Blog has audio from the press conference.
If you like knowing what was said at press conferences but don't actually like to listen to things, Al also chronicled it for you.
Ken Rosenthal notes some problems Macha had with his veteran players in Oakland. The Brewers downplay it in this link.
View From Bernie's Chalet likes the contrast between Macha and Ned Yost.
The Brew Town Beat likes the move as well, but raises some questions about Macha's relationships and his aversion to small ball.

So now, the next question: what about Mike Maddux? Baseball Musings is reporting that Mike Maddux and Rick Peterson are both considering the jobs in Milwaukee and Texas, and the only question is who ends up where.

We're probably going to hear a bunch of stories like this for a while: "So, now that the Mariners have a GM that used to work for the Brewers, does that mean they'll trade for (Brewer)?" Today's name in the blank is J.J. Hardy. I'm not sure the Mariners could offer anything in return that would be interesting enough for me to be happy about the trade.

Of course, there is still a hole at third base. Beyond the Box Score says Russell Branyan was the 20th best third baseman in 2008, generating 11 runs with his bat and saving 2 in the field. Bill Hall doesn't crack the top 25.

Eric Seidman of FanGraphs has been compiling a list of his favorite highlights from this season. His #1 highlight is CC Sabathia. I think an awful lot of us agree.

Sabathia was not one of the five Brewers who filed for free agency yesterday, on the first day of fifteen when it's allowed. I've always felt like filing that early creates the feeling that you can't wait to run out the door. If you haven't read it yet, the five Brewers who did file yesterday were Eric Gagne, Gabe Kapler, Mike Lamb, Ben Sheets and Brian Shouse. Here are some other players that filed for free agency yesterday:

Angels: Mark Teixiera, Garret Anderson, Jon Garland
Braves: Will Ohman, Greg Norton, Julian Tavarez
Cardinals: Braden Looper, Cesar Izturis, Felipe Lopez, Jason LaRue, Ron Villone, Russ Springer
Dodgers: Manny Ramirez, Joe Beimel, Casey Blake, Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux
Marlins: Paul Lo Duca
Mets: Oliver Perez, Damion Easley, Matt Wise
Nationals: Chad Cordero, Ryan Wagner, Pete Orr
Padres: Trevor Hoffman
Reds: Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln
Twins: Eddie Guardado, Nick Punto, Dennys Reyes

UPDATE: Cubs Ryan Dempster, Jim Edmonds, Chad Fox and Bob Howry filed too.

Also, the White Sox declined Ken Griffey's option and the Tigers declined theirs on Edgar Renteria, so they're free agents too.

One trade has already been made: the Royals acquired 1B Mike Jacobs from the Marlins for RP Leo Nunez. Jacobs has above average power but a sub-.300 OBP.

Finally, how many players that can't handle the glove are in the Brewers' farm system? TheJay noted today that Brendan Katin posted a .926 fielding percentage in AAA this season, in the outfield. How is that possible?

Drink up.