tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post8184763092247393983..comments2023-10-20T04:28:04.547-04:00Comments on Nats320 -- A Washington Nationals Blog: Not Exactly What I Was ExpectingScreech's Best Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01094199653375184305noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-80753181642154576022008-07-23T15:48:00.000-04:002008-07-23T15:48:00.000-04:00So if the Nats hope this new guys will start in 09...So if the Nats hope this new guys will start in 09, what happens to Belliard?<BR/><BR/>In fact, why do we still have D-Young, Nick Johnson, and a few relievers on this team? Shouldn't the youth movement have began by now?<BR/><BR/>Also, Teddy's failure to win the President's Race parallels the National ineptitude of winning or being successful in baseball. Then again, I don't know what DC has against a New York President, so letting him win, is just a slap in the face. Making fun of him is an even further disgrace.asnowballschancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18354383897103781813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-344308451419499042008-07-23T12:18:00.000-04:002008-07-23T12:18:00.000-04:00Phil, where in the Arizona Republic is Josh Byrnes...Phil, where in the Arizona Republic is Josh Byrnes quoted as saying he was surprised at how little he had to give up to get Rauch?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-33384166364954596432008-07-23T11:57:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:57:00.000-04:00Cut Estrada and his "I bunked with Dmitri Young th...<I>Cut Estrada and his "I bunked with Dmitri Young this winter" bulk immediately and start the lad at second.</I><BR/><BR/>Estrada or (let's hope not) Nieves is likely going to get cut when Milledge comes back off the DL, which will be soon. So someone else would need to be moved to make room for Bonifacio - unless of course JimBo can unload FLop or PLoD. (Hey, here's an idea: No players whose last name begins with "Lo". Lopez, LoDuca, and last year Logan. Works for me!) But in less than six weeks, rosters expand and Bonifacio can come up with impunity. Six weeks more of seasoning at Columbus won't hurt him in the long run.An Briosca Morhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855174362787324401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-79985023765877448152008-07-23T11:46:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:46:00.000-04:00http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/ar...http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/07/22/20080722dbacksrauch-CR.html<BR/><BR/>Interesting article. They also thought that Bonifacio was the "heir apparent" to the ODawg!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-79069576562292835922008-07-23T11:42:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:42:00.000-04:00Dead FLOP Loafing:Fun to watch Lopez last night gi...Dead FLOP Loafing:<BR/><BR/>Fun to watch Lopez last night giving even less effort on cut-off throws from right, etc., than before, as the trade and the description of Emilio B. as a guy with great range, "great hustle who runs out every ball - a real battler" and of course a switch hitter sounds FLOP's deathknell as a National.<BR/><BR/>How can a player who has 357 at bats and is hitting .302 with Tucson "need more seasoning" however?<BR/><BR/>Cut Estrada and his "I bunked with Dmitri Young this winter" bulk immediately and start the lad at second. Two weeks at Columbus isn't going to convert the young man into a classic lead-off hitter.<BR/><BR/>WE INTERRUPT THIS STORY WITH IMPORTANT NEWS FROM REDSKINS PARK: RESERVE LINEBACKER H.B. BLADES HAS PUT A JARRING HIT ON CLINTON PORTIS. <BR/><BR/>Was it worth it to trade Rauch - all depends on whether Emilio B. can hit .260, lead-off, play hard and smart, and become part of the Gang of 24's next year (Z-Man; Lannan; Milledge; Dukes; Florio) and especially should the Chief return. Should Joel Hanrahan and Ryan Wagner impress this season, too, then of course it shall be worth it. Lots of if's. <BR/><BR/>In the meantime, Garrett Mock might be serviceable as long stint reliever. Who knows. I tend to trust acquiring ex-Diamondbacks with Mike Rizzo involved over ex-Reds, as I think Rizzo is more systematic (translates into harder working) than Bow-Bow. In fact, I think that should this deal work out, Rizzo could start to look like suitable replacement for Cold Pizza Jim...<BR/><BR/>WE INTERRUPT THIS WITH A LATE BREAKING REPORT FROM REDSKINS PARK: COACH ZORN ONCE ICE-DANCED WHEN HE WORKED AT AN ICE RINK IN HIS YOUTH TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY; AND HE DID SO IN HOCKEY SKATES!<BR/><BR/>The resigning of Guz was done right by both sides - means he shall earn $32 million for his six seasons with the Nats - $5.33 million, or so per year. Good deal for both sides. He obviously likes it here and playing for Manny and did not jump at chance to go elsewhere - which is a good sign. Nats fans should cheer the man for his loyalty and steady play. Last night, he hit two shots that were caught; but think about how many great line drives he has had consistently this year put all over the diamond. Not a great fielder; but certainly adequate, and it hurts not having a real first baseman to throw to...<BR/><BR/>WE INTERRUPT THIS TO BRING A HUMAN INTEREST ANECDOTE FROM REDSKINS PARK; SOME OF THE PLAYERS LIKE CHRIS COOLEY ARE IN A BEARD GROWING CONTEST!<BR/> <BR/><BR/>Jon Rauch was a true original National - as tall as our monuments, and all around good guy. He pitched last night already, striking out first two batters in the desert. May he help the team reach the play-offs and have a great run out there for a long time.<BR/><BR/>And Emilio B. - welcome to D.C.! <BR/><BR/>Trust in those whose surname ends in an O. All Goodo.SenatorNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049860385485455410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-87082396207910285132008-07-23T11:38:00.000-04:002008-07-23T11:38:00.000-04:00Last year at this time, people were complaining ab...Last year at this time, people were complaining about Bowden overvaluing Cordero, asking too much for him, and therefore not being able to close a deal for him.<BR/><BR/>This year, people (probably many of the same people, too) are complaining about Bowden undervaluing Rauch and not getting enough back in trade for him.<BR/><BR/>Cordero is (or was) a proven major league closer, successful at it for over three years. Rauch is a proven set-up man who has performed well when thrust into the closer role for half a season. Tell me, all you sage judgers of a player's trade value, why would Rauch be worth more than a healthy Cordero on the trade market? I agree with SBF in the expectation that it should have been Bonifacio plus another minor prospect or PTBNL in exchange for Rauch. But don't you think that a Bonifacio-plus-one kind of deal is what Bowden was turning down last year when offered for Cordero? With Rauch undoubtedly viewed by the rest of MLB as less valuable this year than Cordero was last year, don't you think that Bowden correctly realized that the Bonifacio-alone deal was probably the best he would be able to get for Rauch?An Briosca Morhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855174362787324401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-58077052969337577222008-07-23T10:27:00.000-04:002008-07-23T10:27:00.000-04:00In the Arizona Republic, Diamondback GM was quoted...In the Arizona Republic, Diamondback GM was quoted as saying he was surprised at how little he had to give up to get Rauch. Bowden strikes again. I suspect that Bonifacio will turn out to be another Nook Logan or Brandon Watson. I've said it many times before and I say it again--this franchise will remain a loser as long as Bowden is the GM.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-11381375863808702922008-07-23T10:18:00.000-04:002008-07-23T10:18:00.000-04:00everyone is overvaluing Rauch.everyone is overvaluing Rauch.Dave Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05310191107811609232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-58754828929909152052008-07-23T07:53:00.000-04:002008-07-23T07:53:00.000-04:00Anonymous - Joel has a great hard slider. It is g...Anonymous - Joel has a great hard slider. It is getting his slider in for strikes which has been his problem.<BR/><BR/>Could Joel develop into a closer? I hope so! We don't have anyone else now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-36257259522531753382008-07-22T23:40:00.000-04:002008-07-22T23:40:00.000-04:00Hanrahan only has a Fastball and Changeup? Tim Ku...Hanrahan only has a Fastball and Changeup? Tim Kurkjen said his slider is probably the second best in baseball behing Lidge, and he is throwing it around 88. He hasn't thrown many changeups at all this year. Most closers only have 2 pitches.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-54382268147191188352008-07-22T23:33:00.000-04:002008-07-22T23:33:00.000-04:00Was thinking the same... Bowden says "You have to ...Was thinking the same... Bowden says "You have to trade a reliever when you have the chance to get an everyday position player who's 23 years old." But do you have to trade a reliever of Rauch's caliber?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-70824546144564299072008-07-22T23:14:00.000-04:002008-07-22T23:14:00.000-04:00I hope this does not mean that all former D-backs ...I hope this does not mean that all former D-backs will have a home in the Nats system like former Reds do now. This is the 4th former D-back we have acquired and the last one was waived before spring training even started!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-49453771645220794962008-07-22T22:44:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:44:00.000-04:00I guess this means the Nats won't be going after O...I guess this means the Nats won't be going after Orlando Hudson this winter... Too bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-71069274151435268232008-07-22T22:40:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:40:00.000-04:00Felipe Lopez has limited value given his 2008 stat...Felipe Lopez has limited value given his 2008 stats, and I think EVERYONE who reads this blog agrees PLoD and Estrada have near <B>ZERO</B> trade value.<BR/><BR/>My only thought is how long they remain on this roster after August 1st.<BR/><BR/>PLoD is back showcasing his LF talents tonight in San Fran and already has a RBI double!!!! His stock is rising (LOL).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-42055180141191436742008-07-22T22:31:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:31:00.000-04:00Let's see combined number 102.Combined height ...Let's see combined number 102.<BR/>Combined height 13'9"<BR/>Johnson & Rauch<BR/><BR/>John & Erica must be ecstatic since their main home is in AZ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-86718948416124718612008-07-22T22:16:00.000-04:002008-07-22T22:16:00.000-04:00The other vets you reference really have no value ...The other vets you reference really have no value at all. This is the end of the road for deals......Time to cut the dead weight because nobody is going to give you anything for Lo Duca, Estrada, Lopez etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-27948088695576531172008-07-22T21:46:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:46:00.000-04:00The art of negotiation. JimBo needs a copy of Don...The art of negotiation. JimBo needs a copy of Donald Trump's book The Art Of The Deal.<BR/><BR/>We had what the and others wanted---A quality reliever. <BR/><BR/>We should have received Bonifacio and a AA pitching prospect in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>Bonifacio's Minor League stats are good, but he is not a guaranteed sure thing and only time will tell the tale on these type of trades.<BR/><BR/>Now that we won't need Orlando Hudson in Free Agency which was coincidentally the player that Bonifacio was set to replace at 2nd in the DBacks infield, we can now work to replace Rauch in the free agent market. Hmmmm, KRod from the Angels is set to be a Free Agent!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28676208.post-33648146917775122732008-07-22T21:40:00.000-04:002008-07-22T21:40:00.000-04:00We're buying low and selling high, so it doesn't l...We're buying low and selling high, so it doesn't look good now. He better be a really good fielder, because his OBP and stolen base percentage are nothing to write home about. I am salivating for a middle infielder with range! We've never had it.<BR/><BR/>So our HR leader hits the bench???paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683734720896529408noreply@blogger.com