Mark, any reason why we’re still having Wood lead off when his bat isn’t fully clicking yet this season? Feel like he’d benefit from being lover down in the lineup
the stance from Butera seems to consistently be “batting first means he gets more chances to bat, more chances to bat is more chances to catch a rhythm and find his groove”. I don’t think the new admin buys into the idea of different batter order spots having their own personality or features
I agree they don’t buy into that philosophy. But they buy into analytics which generally pushes for your best hitter to lead off in order to maximize his plate appearances. That clearly isn’t Wood, at least not right now.
The only thing I can guess is that proves that this administration fully believes in this year as a rebuilding year, and no small-sample size hot start with a dream of an 86 win wild card run will change that. This seems to be corroborated with how they’re treating Wiemer: any other old school manager would run him ragged in the lineup every day until he ran cold. They won’t ever come out and say it, but I’d imagine this years W/L total may as well not exist for Toboni, Butera, and Partners
Ah... but they also don't buy into drawing conclusions based on 30 or 40 plate appearances.
I'm not saying Wood doesn't have a problem right now he needs to fix, but at the same time, if say, 3 of Wood's recent warning track missiles had hit the wall instead of finding leather, the fan panic wouldn't be at 11 right now.
As Tim said on the podcast this morning. Batting leadoff vs 2nd gets you 17 more ABs per season, so like not even 1 per week. I think it’s a no brainer to just move him down a slot or two and see what he can do after seeing some pitches.
Totally agree. It definitely seems odd for the guy who kept spouting the “2020 Rays used 59 lineups in 60 games and that’s who we’re trying to emulate” line to mindlessly place the same guy at the top of the lineup regardless of matchup or performance.
While they may be single-minded in sticking with Wood at leadoff, it is definitely not mindless. Simply long term vs. short term thinking: JW is either their franchise player or not, and this season is about finding out which.
Definitely Butera's idea. There haven't been nearly enough games to consider anyone on the Nats a better hitter than Wood.
It's interesting. The sabermetricians have been arguing since at least 2000 that the best hitter should bat first. At first, managers scoffed at this idea, but now it's widely catching on -- as you can see from Shohei Ohtani batting first for the Dodgers, Ronald Acuña for the Braves, Fernando Tatis for the Padres, and Yandy Diaz for the Rays.
We've come a long way from the days when it was accepted wisdom that the best hitter would bat cleanup.
I suppose it is pre-2000 thinking but I can recall "best hitter" was often in the 3 hole. The 1-2 spots were your table setters, i.e., good on base/speedy guys. Clean up was your power guy. Not necessarily best hitter.
Frankly, I’d sit Wood for a game. Or two. Maybe a rest would do him good. He needs something to get his swing back on track. Maybe a short vacation to get his head straight.
If somebody had told me on Opening Day that the Nats would finish their first three series 3-6, I would have said "Dayenu." The Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers are strong teams. Of course, 4-5 would be even better.
How much of a sample size is needed for Wood? Given how Wiemer has started, hard to understand sitting him. If the team is intent of getting Wood more at bats to see if he can get right, Wiemer should be an easy selection for DH over Tena vice sitting Young who's glove regularly saves runs..
And...other than a day off here and there to rest, shouldn't Brady House be playing every day? Seriously, this is NOT a platoon. He should be given the word that you're the 3rd baseman of the future from now until ?
Anyone else think that Jacob Young will eventually be traded to contender looking for defensive help? Would be sorry to see him go but just don't get the feel that the Nats have him in their long term plans.
No. I don’t think JY will be traded. The Rays placed value on defense/ run prevention and I think the Nats will do the same — exhibit 1 Chaparro was sent down to make room for the better defensive player Meade.
Kevin Keirmaier played for Tampa when both Butera and Kilambi were there. Like JY, Keirmaier was a defense first player.
It's an absolute possibility... the organization has some solid OF prospects -- none of Young's defensive caliber but solid nonetheless -- and could absorb his loss IF, and that's the operative word, the return in a prospective trade is worthwhile.
As we've seen so far in the very early going of his tenure, Toboni is trying to raise the floor of the talent from the MLB roster down through the farm system. While I agree with TF's comment that this org, and baseball generally, has a renewed appreciation for superior defense in the name of run prevention, this organization is undergoing a complete facelift. If Toboni felt he could continue raising the talent level by trading JY, it sure looks like he'd do it in a heartbeat. But it's all about what he'd get back. I'd guess the asking price would be high.
Why is Wood still in the lineup? Hitting is not the only problem. I don’t see much from his defense….very little hustle and less effort to get to the ball.
I worry that on the hitting side the league has figured him out/has real trouble with anything other than heaters. And you are spot on regarding D — move him to first base, where his size helps and Baby giraffe “agility” is hidden. Nats need a big stick at first anyway, so if that comes around…. I was VERY disappointed the new regime didn’t give it a whirl in the off-season, and too much to ask James to try it in season, so to borrow a term I guess it is wait ‘till next year…
Wood definitely hustles. His lengthy strides look cover a lot of ground and just look slower than they are. I don’t want him diving for balls or sliding head first tho. He’s too large and valuable for that.
And there's the official announcement: The start of today's game will be delayed. If I hear anything about an updated start time, I'll be sure to pass it along.
Is Lerner demanding Wood in the lead-off to satisfy his agent Boras. Besides this being a by-product of a child manager it's the only reason I can think of continuing to place him in the lead off position.
The obsession around Wood's spot in the batting order is perfectly understandable if fans expect this team to win now. Of course, that's not the case. Not that they're not trying. The players take pride in their performance and the ultimate measure of success is winning. But the new leadership is trying to build an organization that wins 90+ games every year, not a few games in April of one year. To do that, they're building from the ground up. And there are few pieces of this rebuild more important than James Wood and his development.
Will they move him out of the top spot? Perhaps, at some point. I'd argue we may not want them moving him down or, worse, out of the lineup or down to Rochester. Because that may mean they've given up on him. If we suffer a few defeats in the early days of this rebuild that might have been won if Wood was somewhere else in the order, I'm ok with it. Especially if they help Wood return to what we saw the first half of last year. That guy? He was remarkable and could be a cornerstone of this club for years to come.
NationalsTV is showing Rochester vs Scranton (Live!) during the delay. Sure DON'T miss the old MASN delays tactic of old Nats highlights - other than for the fun Nats trivia.
Mark, any reason why we’re still having Wood lead off when his bat isn’t fully clicking yet this season? Feel like he’d benefit from being lover down in the lineup
the stance from Butera seems to consistently be “batting first means he gets more chances to bat, more chances to bat is more chances to catch a rhythm and find his groove”. I don’t think the new admin buys into the idea of different batter order spots having their own personality or features
I agree they don’t buy into that philosophy. But they buy into analytics which generally pushes for your best hitter to lead off in order to maximize his plate appearances. That clearly isn’t Wood, at least not right now.
The only thing I can guess is that proves that this administration fully believes in this year as a rebuilding year, and no small-sample size hot start with a dream of an 86 win wild card run will change that. This seems to be corroborated with how they’re treating Wiemer: any other old school manager would run him ragged in the lineup every day until he ran cold. They won’t ever come out and say it, but I’d imagine this years W/L total may as well not exist for Toboni, Butera, and Partners
Ah... but they also don't buy into drawing conclusions based on 30 or 40 plate appearances.
I'm not saying Wood doesn't have a problem right now he needs to fix, but at the same time, if say, 3 of Wood's recent warning track missiles had hit the wall instead of finding leather, the fan panic wouldn't be at 11 right now.
But they didn't hit the wall.
Right. That's what I said. They were caught.
As Tim said on the podcast this morning. Batting leadoff vs 2nd gets you 17 more ABs per season, so like not even 1 per week. I think it’s a no brainer to just move him down a slot or two and see what he can do after seeing some pitches.
Totally agree. It definitely seems odd for the guy who kept spouting the “2020 Rays used 59 lineups in 60 games and that’s who we’re trying to emulate” line to mindlessly place the same guy at the top of the lineup regardless of matchup or performance.
Put Lile up in the 1 spot or CJ but would rather him keep mashing with runners on base
While they may be single-minded in sticking with Wood at leadoff, it is definitely not mindless. Simply long term vs. short term thinking: JW is either their franchise player or not, and this season is about finding out which.
Definitely Butera's idea. There haven't been nearly enough games to consider anyone on the Nats a better hitter than Wood.
It's interesting. The sabermetricians have been arguing since at least 2000 that the best hitter should bat first. At first, managers scoffed at this idea, but now it's widely catching on -- as you can see from Shohei Ohtani batting first for the Dodgers, Ronald Acuña for the Braves, Fernando Tatis for the Padres, and Yandy Diaz for the Rays.
We've come a long way from the days when it was accepted wisdom that the best hitter would bat cleanup.
I suppose it is pre-2000 thinking but I can recall "best hitter" was often in the 3 hole. The 1-2 spots were your table setters, i.e., good on base/speedy guys. Clean up was your power guy. Not necessarily best hitter.
But...things change.
Re "definitely":
I don't think Butera makes these lineups.
It's Ani Kilambi and his geek team.
I wonder if Butera retains veto power. I didn't think his saying that the lineup was "above my pay grade" was well advised.
He said that? Yikes
I could go either way on Wood continuing to lead off, but I don’t get Nunez hitting second.
Frankly, I’d sit Wood for a game. Or two. Maybe a rest would do him good. He needs something to get his swing back on track. Maybe a short vacation to get his head straight.
If somebody had told me on Opening Day that the Nats would finish their first three series 3-6, I would have said "Dayenu." The Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers are strong teams. Of course, 4-5 would be even better.
1. Why does Wood continue to lead off? 2. Why is Tena our DH?
How much of a sample size is needed for Wood? Given how Wiemer has started, hard to understand sitting him. If the team is intent of getting Wood more at bats to see if he can get right, Wiemer should be an easy selection for DH over Tena vice sitting Young who's glove regularly saves runs..
You'll see a lot of Wiemer against lefties.
Agree. Put House there instead.
Matchups. There is no one dedicated DH; it's being treated as a fluid spot.
Put Lile at the top as a table setter.
And...other than a day off here and there to rest, shouldn't Brady House be playing every day? Seriously, this is NOT a platoon. He should be given the word that you're the 3rd baseman of the future from now until ?
Anyone else think that Jacob Young will eventually be traded to contender looking for defensive help? Would be sorry to see him go but just don't get the feel that the Nats have him in their long term plans.
No. I don’t think JY will be traded. The Rays placed value on defense/ run prevention and I think the Nats will do the same — exhibit 1 Chaparro was sent down to make room for the better defensive player Meade.
Kevin Keirmaier played for Tampa when both Butera and Kilambi were there. Like JY, Keirmaier was a defense first player.
https://youtu.be/2Cm7dkNIgk0?si=wd1Xc4D3sNHPUY05
Good point re: Chaparro, thanks!
It's an absolute possibility... the organization has some solid OF prospects -- none of Young's defensive caliber but solid nonetheless -- and could absorb his loss IF, and that's the operative word, the return in a prospective trade is worthwhile.
As we've seen so far in the very early going of his tenure, Toboni is trying to raise the floor of the talent from the MLB roster down through the farm system. While I agree with TF's comment that this org, and baseball generally, has a renewed appreciation for superior defense in the name of run prevention, this organization is undergoing a complete facelift. If Toboni felt he could continue raising the talent level by trading JY, it sure looks like he'd do it in a heartbeat. But it's all about what he'd get back. I'd guess the asking price would be high.
3-5 perfectly on pace for 60-100. With two to spare
Every team wins 60
Every team loses 60
It’s the other 40 that make or break you
42, actually—which also happens to be the answer to life, the universe, and everything. Coincidence? Methinks not!
Nice obscure reference!
Why is Wood still in the lineup? Hitting is not the only problem. I don’t see much from his defense….very little hustle and less effort to get to the ball.
I worry that on the hitting side the league has figured him out/has real trouble with anything other than heaters. And you are spot on regarding D — move him to first base, where his size helps and Baby giraffe “agility” is hidden. Nats need a big stick at first anyway, so if that comes around…. I was VERY disappointed the new regime didn’t give it a whirl in the off-season, and too much to ask James to try it in season, so to borrow a term I guess it is wait ‘till next year…
I worry that Wood isn’t quick enough for first base. He’s certainly got the height. There must be a good reason to try him at first.
Wood definitely hustles. His lengthy strides look cover a lot of ground and just look slower than they are. I don’t want him diving for balls or sliding head first tho. He’s too large and valuable for that.
And there's the official announcement: The start of today's game will be delayed. If I hear anything about an updated start time, I'll be sure to pass it along.
Thanks, Mark. Not a surprise. Raining steadily out here in MoCo.
Opted out of today's game. Weather and leaving town tomorrow for a week so more pressing stuff.
More pressing than Nats baseball?!? :-)
Have a good, safe trip!
Sorta, kinda.
Thanks! One of my kids is getting married. The nerve.
Oh, lovely. All the best to the happy couple!
Is Lerner demanding Wood in the lead-off to satisfy his agent Boras. Besides this being a by-product of a child manager it's the only reason I can think of continuing to place him in the lead off position.
The obsession around Wood's spot in the batting order is perfectly understandable if fans expect this team to win now. Of course, that's not the case. Not that they're not trying. The players take pride in their performance and the ultimate measure of success is winning. But the new leadership is trying to build an organization that wins 90+ games every year, not a few games in April of one year. To do that, they're building from the ground up. And there are few pieces of this rebuild more important than James Wood and his development.
Will they move him out of the top spot? Perhaps, at some point. I'd argue we may not want them moving him down or, worse, out of the lineup or down to Rochester. Because that may mean they've given up on him. If we suffer a few defeats in the early days of this rebuild that might have been won if Wood was somewhere else in the order, I'm ok with it. Especially if they help Wood return to what we saw the first half of last year. That guy? He was remarkable and could be a cornerstone of this club for years to come.
You make reasonable, rational points. I readily confess to being guilty of the Wood batting spot obsession. Thanks for the reality check.
NationalsTV is showing Rochester vs Scranton (Live!) during the delay. Sure DON'T miss the old MASN delays tactic of old Nats highlights - other than for the fun Nats trivia.
Just announced: First pitch at 3:45 p.m.
Thanks, Mark!