The Jorbit trade remains the most puzzling move from this first year of Toboni. Sean Paul Linan has a 13.1 K/9 and 1.14 WHIP in High-A for the Yankees. Even if this FO was lower on him than DeBartolo (which Zuck has said previously), you'd think the Nats could get a better return for him than a duplicative utility infielder who was already available on waivers.
My (unsolicited) guess is that Seaver King doesn't make it up to the majors this year. Zuck has previously referenced that this FO is very concerned about 40-man clocks, and they're gonna have a significant roster crunch this offseason with Susana, Sykora, Yo-Yo, and Alejandro Rosario needing Rule 5 protection (not to mention lower-level guys like Cayden Wallace, Yeremy Cabrera, and Jorgelys Mota). The roster math is easier if you leave guys like King and Jackson Kent in the minors through the offseason.
That said, the lockout could bail them out -- last time around they skipped the Rule 5 draft -- but it would be tough to gamble guys like Susana and Sykora on the hope that the Rule 5 draft is canceled again.
It’s ok, still a great roadtrip, and losing 2-3 to the a division leader isn’t so bad. But Vivas is so frustrating to watch, and I can’t see him being a part of any future so what’s the point?
They gave up a top prospect for him, I think here it is why he gets the confidence. Could be Morales instead? I hope! Anyway, I think Tena is gonna be DFA before Vivas as they think Vivas is better on deffense.
Sean Paul Linan was ranked in the low 20s at the time of the trade. I wouldn't categorize him as a top prospect. He has a very good changeup but a bad fastball and that's not the makeup of pitchers that Toboni hones in on. People get hung up on the fact that he was included on Top-30 lists.
Wood looks like he’s taking another step at the plate. This feels like more than just a hot streak. He’s battling better with two strikes and fouling off tougher pitches instead of giving away at bats.
I also liked that the team didn’t melt down when things got rough in the 5th. Earlier in the season, that kind of inning might have spiraled.
It’ll be interesting to see how Butera uses Brad Lord. I thought he might pitch in this game, but now I’m wondering if Butera is planning to pair him with Alvarez.
Vivas 0 for 22 with RISP. (0 for 23 after that at bat). This is who you want in the 9th? In any high leverage situation?
This is about as critical as you will hear Dave J. talking about a Nats player. After the final out you could hear the disdain creeping into his voice when he said, "...Game over. And Vivas looked at one smack down the middle. I guess he was looking for something else."
This game was frustrating, but, overall, it was a fantastic road trip for the Nationals. 4-2 against two of the hottest teams in baseball and one loss was in extra innings and the other a 1-run nailbiter.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier as the red-hot, very talented San Diego Padres come to town. The Nats don’t normally play well against SD and have suffered some of their most painful losses to this fellow 1969-expansion club, all the way back to 2005.
But, these are the teams the Nats have to beat and the narratives they have to flip if they’re going to be a good team again. We shall see.
This is an example of a game situation that makes me think: I wonder in 2028 what players will be at the plate in that same hitting scenario instead of Tena and Vivas. (and possibly later this season).
Time to consider bringing back House or Wiener and sending Vivas and Millas back to AAA. Having them together at toward the bottom of the order just compounds the problem.
Vivas does not have options. That’s in part why the Yankees were open to trading him to us right before the season started. We gave them Sean Paul Linan, who was a pitcher who was part of the return for our trade of Alex Call to the Dodgers. Vivas was blocked from being called up to them and started out somewhat well with us. Somebody has to go if the Nats are fortunate enough to call up promising prospects, especially in the infield, and it might be him. For now he may have a little more rope, since he can’t be sent down.
I don’t understand the Tena hate. Tena is probably their best pinch hitter. As a pinch hitter: His BA .417, his OPS is 1.167, his wOBA is .505, and his wRC+ is 229. He can play 2B, 3B and he’s the emergency 5th OF.
For sure. People tend to draw an equivalence between he and Vivas because they are both bench lefty infielders, and I get that, but they are very different players. Tena has much more impact in his bat, while Vivas is an OBP-first profile.
Lots of third-base-less-than-two-outs situations that they didn't cash in on today. Mead didn't play his best game (one of those + his error is a two run swing).
Can’t win em all but that last Vivas at bat angered me. Strike three right down the middle.
How much longer do we have to wait for Morales or the return of House?
I’m really ready for Vivas to be moved.
Tena as well.
I think both those moves will be made eventually this season, but I think Tena goes first…..
Tena and Vivas —-> House and Morales. Big improvement
Problem is you're replacing two left handed hitters with two right handed hitters in this scenario
it’s true
The score was close, the game didn’t feel close. The road record has been so good. Just imagine if they were breaking even at home…
The Jorbit trade remains the most puzzling move from this first year of Toboni. Sean Paul Linan has a 13.1 K/9 and 1.14 WHIP in High-A for the Yankees. Even if this FO was lower on him than DeBartolo (which Zuck has said previously), you'd think the Nats could get a better return for him than a duplicative utility infielder who was already available on waivers.
The phrase “can’t win ‘em all” was invented for games like this…
More a case of Seaver King in his MLB debut.
You do still exist! Happy to see you.
My (unsolicited) guess is that Seaver King doesn't make it up to the majors this year. Zuck has previously referenced that this FO is very concerned about 40-man clocks, and they're gonna have a significant roster crunch this offseason with Susana, Sykora, Yo-Yo, and Alejandro Rosario needing Rule 5 protection (not to mention lower-level guys like Cayden Wallace, Yeremy Cabrera, and Jorgelys Mota). The roster math is easier if you leave guys like King and Jackson Kent in the minors through the offseason.
That said, the lockout could bail them out -- last time around they skipped the Rule 5 draft -- but it would be tough to gamble guys like Susana and Sykora on the hope that the Rule 5 draft is canceled again.
Tena, Vivas, Millas: 1-10 2Ks. Can’t have those 3 in a row in lineup
Mikolas took a tough loss. It seems to me that he deserved better.
It’s ok, still a great roadtrip, and losing 2-3 to the a division leader isn’t so bad. But Vivas is so frustrating to watch, and I can’t see him being a part of any future so what’s the point?
They gave up a top prospect for him, I think here it is why he gets the confidence. Could be Morales instead? I hope! Anyway, I think Tena is gonna be DFA before Vivas as they think Vivas is better on deffense.
Not better than Nasim Nunez a first round pick of the Marlins for starters.
Sean Paul Linan was ranked in the low 20s at the time of the trade. I wouldn't categorize him as a top prospect. He has a very good changeup but a bad fastball and that's not the makeup of pitchers that Toboni hones in on. People get hung up on the fact that he was included on Top-30 lists.
Bummer of a game!
Wood looks like he’s taking another step at the plate. This feels like more than just a hot streak. He’s battling better with two strikes and fouling off tougher pitches instead of giving away at bats.
I also liked that the team didn’t melt down when things got rough in the 5th. Earlier in the season, that kind of inning might have spiraled.
It’ll be interesting to see how Butera uses Brad Lord. I thought he might pitch in this game, but now I’m wondering if Butera is planning to pair him with Alvarez.
TOTALLY! ABSOLUTELY! DEFINITELY!!
Vivas 0 for 22 with RISP. (0 for 23 after that at bat). This is who you want in the 9th? In any high leverage situation?
This is about as critical as you will hear Dave J. talking about a Nats player. After the final out you could hear the disdain creeping into his voice when he said, "...Game over. And Vivas looked at one smack down the middle. I guess he was looking for something else."
This game was frustrating, but, overall, it was a fantastic road trip for the Nationals. 4-2 against two of the hottest teams in baseball and one loss was in extra innings and the other a 1-run nailbiter.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier as the red-hot, very talented San Diego Padres come to town. The Nats don’t normally play well against SD and have suffered some of their most painful losses to this fellow 1969-expansion club, all the way back to 2005.
But, these are the teams the Nats have to beat and the narratives they have to flip if they’re going to be a good team again. We shall see.
Wow!
This is an example of a game situation that makes me think: I wonder in 2028 what players will be at the plate in that same hitting scenario instead of Tena and Vivas. (and possibly later this season).
Maybe in June, this June.
Time to consider bringing back House or Wiener and sending Vivas and Millas back to AAA. Having them together at toward the bottom of the order just compounds the problem.
If Millas goes back, who is the second catcher?
Vivas does not have options. That’s in part why the Yankees were open to trading him to us right before the season started. We gave them Sean Paul Linan, who was a pitcher who was part of the return for our trade of Alex Call to the Dodgers. Vivas was blocked from being called up to them and started out somewhat well with us. Somebody has to go if the Nats are fortunate enough to call up promising prospects, especially in the infield, and it might be him. For now he may have a little more rope, since he can’t be sent down.
Vivas and Tena can't be long for this roster
I don’t understand the Tena hate. Tena is probably their best pinch hitter. As a pinch hitter: His BA .417, his OPS is 1.167, his wOBA is .505, and his wRC+ is 229. He can play 2B, 3B and he’s the emergency 5th OF.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jose-tena/23691/splits
For sure. People tend to draw an equivalence between he and Vivas because they are both bench lefty infielders, and I get that, but they are very different players. Tena has much more impact in his bat, while Vivas is an OBP-first profile.
Lots of third-base-less-than-two-outs situations that they didn't cash in on today. Mead didn't play his best game (one of those + his error is a two run swing).
Gotta say, his “error” wasn’t. That was a completely understandable play given how hard the ball was hit.
Anyone know if they've called up Palmquist to replace PJ Poulin?
Poulin to AAA is up in Transactions but no corresponding move yet. Likely will see something in the morning.
My guess is Lord coming off the IL. Give Palmquist some time to work on stuff.
(Edit: And by Lord, I mean Henry).
Lord is not on the IL
Sorry, I meant Henry.
Lefties are beginning to be in short supply. But, I guess here comes Carson Palmquist.