Jacob Young is traded for a low A/rookie ball flyer; sent to a contending team that wants an 8th/9th inning elite defender and baserunner, similar to Justin Dean on the Dodgers
Well, anything is possible, as the Nats continue to prove.
Mark on Twitter about 30 minutes ago:
"The Nationals granted RHP Drew Smith his unconditional release. Veteran reliever was in camp on minor-league deal, Nats would have had to add him to MLB roster today."
House at 3rd, Willits or Fien at SS, Fien or Willits at 2B, 1B TBD (Yo-Yo or other prosect, or someone to be added in FA or trade from position of surplus strength.
I wonder if the hitting issues for everyone not named House has to do with all the focus on analytics. Seems like Crews was possibly alluding to that regarding his struggles. Are the guys thinking too much.
I'd prefer to think that every one of these hitters is trying to make changes, guided by analytics. After all, every one of these hitters has a lot of room for improvement. When you change anything in your approach, there's a regression to begin with. Maybe it takes more than a couple of months of spring training to get past the regression and manifest those improvements.
Yes a lot of voices in their heads likely. Certainly Crews is not the only one hitting below 200. Most of the projected starters are. I don’t disagree with the decision to send him down based on his specific issues but if based on ST performance you’d have to send most of the team down.
Nunez is one of the few Rule 5 players that gets through the system and blossoms. It doesn't happen very often. He seems to really have fun playing as well.
So far, so good for Cavalli. He's through three scoreless on only 37 pitches. His fastball is averaging 96.2 mph, and he's thrown six different types of pitches already.
A silly bloop single, then the first hard contact off Cavalli comes in the 5th, and Cade finds himself in a 2-on, 0-out jam, then gets 3 straight ground balls to escape it beautifully.
And that's a wrap for Cavalli's spring. He faced one jam today (second and third, nobody out) and managed to escape unscathed in part thanks to a nice play by Nasim Nunez to start a 4-2-5 rundown play. Cavalli went five scoreless on 71 pitches. His final spring numbers: 14 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. That's really good. Next up: Opening Day at Wrigley.
That's a pretty good way to close out the Grapefruit League: Joey Wiemer slugged a two-run, walk-off homer to beat the Mets, 3-1. The outfielder was already in a pretty good position to make the roster following the demotions of Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell III. This can only help his cause.
Over/under on how many baserunning blunders today? 3?
Under. Robles is in Seattle now. 😉
My prediction for the deadline:
Jacob Young is traded for a low A/rookie ball flyer; sent to a contending team that wants an 8th/9th inning elite defender and baserunner, similar to Justin Dean on the Dodgers
Well, anything is possible, as the Nats continue to prove.
Mark on Twitter about 30 minutes ago:
"The Nationals granted RHP Drew Smith his unconditional release. Veteran reliever was in camp on minor-league deal, Nats would have had to add him to MLB roster today."
Really thought Smith would be in the pen.
Wow. Surprising.
Oh wow, had to at at the bottom of my possible chances
Me, too. I thought he pitched well. I wonder who will be staying (and be a bit of a surprise). Ribalta, maybe?
Yep, I think Mark had him the other day as one of the last bullpen guys.
We won't know until know. -:)
Probably has more to do with Crews, if he's a valuable major leaguer then, maybe.
I don't see Young getting traded unless/until Crews starts to hit.
Then again, I didn't think they'd send Crews down so... What do I know? 🤷
The season hasn’t even started. Let’s be optimistic.
This. I'm tired of all the gloom-and-doomers. Focusing on any and all positive improvements I see.
Brady House has been awesome. Maybe allows the Nats to play Fien at first. An infield of House, Willets, King, and Fien would look great in 2028.
"...would look great in 2028..."
There's your bumper sticker.
The old Senators had: "off the floor in '64."
House at 3rd, Willits or Fien at SS, Fien or Willits at 2B, 1B TBD (Yo-Yo or other prosect, or someone to be added in FA or trade from position of surplus strength.
What is the rationale for not adding Drew Smith to the 40-man?
Ruiz with an un clutch at bat with Nunez on third with one out.
I wonder if the hitting issues for everyone not named House has to do with all the focus on analytics. Seems like Crews was possibly alluding to that regarding his struggles. Are the guys thinking too much.
I'd prefer to think that every one of these hitters is trying to make changes, guided by analytics. After all, every one of these hitters has a lot of room for improvement. When you change anything in your approach, there's a regression to begin with. Maybe it takes more than a couple of months of spring training to get past the regression and manifest those improvements.
I hope you’re right.
Yes a lot of voices in their heads likely. Certainly Crews is not the only one hitting below 200. Most of the projected starters are. I don’t disagree with the decision to send him down based on his specific issues but if based on ST performance you’d have to send most of the team down.
I believe Yogi said you can’t think and hit at the same time.
What a testament to Nunez’s hard work that he is slated as an opening day starter!
And to give credit where due, a great pickup by Rizzo
Nunez is one of the few Rule 5 players that gets through the system and blossoms. It doesn't happen very often. He seems to really have fun playing as well.
So far, so good for Cavalli. He's through three scoreless on only 37 pitches. His fastball is averaging 96.2 mph, and he's thrown six different types of pitches already.
A silly bloop single, then the first hard contact off Cavalli comes in the 5th, and Cade finds himself in a 2-on, 0-out jam, then gets 3 straight ground balls to escape it beautifully.
Cavalli looking great.
And that's a wrap for Cavalli's spring. He faced one jam today (second and third, nobody out) and managed to escape unscathed in part thanks to a nice play by Nasim Nunez to start a 4-2-5 rundown play. Cavalli went five scoreless on 71 pitches. His final spring numbers: 14 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. That's really good. Next up: Opening Day at Wrigley.
The Nats bats are ending ST with a fizzle.
Spoke too soon!
Yes, the jinx worked!
Fire Darnell Coles!!
One wonders if that is a job winning home run
Can't hurt!
That's a pretty good way to close out the Grapefruit League: Joey Wiemer slugged a two-run, walk-off homer to beat the Mets, 3-1. The outfielder was already in a pretty good position to make the roster following the demotions of Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell III. This can only help his cause.
Wiemer has earned a spot. Done well the last couple of weeks
AND A WALK-OFF TWO RUN DINGER BY JOEY WIEMER CURLY W IS IN THE BOOKS!!!!!
TIME TO HEAD NORTH GUYS!!