UPDATED: Nats make first Spring Training cuts of 2010

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

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

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

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

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

     

The NL East, position by position: third base

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

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

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

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

     

The TV Watch: Strasburg"s Debut

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

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

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

• They are in love with Ian Desmond.

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

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

• Bob sees Curly W hats all around the country.
  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome back Rob and Bob, and even you Debbi.

     

TONIGHT: Baseball Prospectus at Politics and Prose

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

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

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

     

MASN will carry Strasburg's debut today

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

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

     

Panic? No. Get Real? Yep.

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

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

     

Will Tuesday's Debut Show Better Pitching?

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

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

The good news? Not much, but simply:

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

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

     

This Day in D.C. Baseball History

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

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

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

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

     

Four Mondays to go: Ian Desmond to stay with the big club?

Posted by Mike Henderson on Mar. 8, 2010 at 6:40 AM
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This Hutch has never gone to any pains to conceal its liking for Nationals infield prospect Ian Desmond.  He's showed promise in the minors, he showed promise at the Arizona Fall League in 2008 and at Nats Park in September 2009 and he shows promise now.

Does his employer share that attitude?  It would appear so.

For one thing, an invitation to AFL is something offered only to a handful of the 150 or so players on an organization's rosters each season.  That was a vote of confidence in Desmond right there.

And in Fall 2009 there was talk of bringing him up this Spring to replace shortstop Cristian Guzman, who would be asked to step across the keystone and become Desmond's double-play partner.

That plan looked likely to hit the shelf once the Nats started going after free-agent second basemen in the offseason.  It appears that the second sack is now Adam Kennedy's to lose.

Has Desmond thus resigned himself to a trip back to triple-A Syracuse?  Not exactly.

"In my head," says Desmond, "I'm making this team. I'm going to be up here."

It could happen.  MLB.com's Bill Ladson hears that Desmond's still in the running for the Opening Day shortstop job -- and that Guzman says "he still needs to build strength in his [surgically re-repaired] right shoulder."

Irrespective of Guzman's health status (and that $8 million he'll be collecting in salary this season), why shouldn't Desmond be on the short list?  Well, there is the matter of defense.

Desmond's range at shortstop seems to be everything the Nats could ask for, and he's committed no errors in four games this spring.  But one's entitled to wonder whether his overall defensive performance before that -- including six errors and a slightly negative UZR/150 over a couple dozen 2009 major-league games -- could have been a sign that Desmond won't keep as many runs off the board as the Nats might like.

Some teams might use such numbers as an excuse to rubber-stamp a player's ticket back to triple-A.  But the Nats would be wise to reserve judgment on whether Desmond should be with the MLB club on Opening Day -- and, for that matter, on whether Guzman should start the season in the field or on the bench -- at least until further into the month of March.  Given the team's recent hideous history in the middle infield, it's essential that both Desmond and Guzman have the opportunity to demonstrate which, if either, can be expected to get the job done in 2010.

     

Watch CBS News' report on Stephen Strasburg

Posted by Ian Koski on Mar. 6, 2010 at 9:45 PM
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The CBS Evening News featured Stephen Strasburg -- and the attention being showered upon him -- in a segment that aired tonight. The piece includes interviews with Strasburg, Washington Post columnist Tom Boswell, and a fan in Viera for Spring Training.

Update: The video wasn't embedding properly, but you can click here to watch it on CBSNews.com.