I know it’s silly to say “just throw strikes,” but when Varland attacks the zone, he generates outs.
Difficult not to think the Pirates out managed themselves. Taking Lowe out in a high leverage moment when he’s on a reasonable tear to play a matchup, don’t get anything out of it, final out generated by his replacement Yorke when Lowe would have been a favorable matchup against Varland.
There is no one in this organization ready to step up at this time. Nasim is a light hitting, glove first defender. Seaver, Willett, and Fein are years away.
Seaver might be closer than you think. His glove is getting great reviews and they stopped messing with his swing which messed him up last year. Had a good AZ Fall league. If they trade him I'd want a lot for him as he has 2.5 years until he's a FA. If they do keep him they should try and extend him as he'd be an excellent second baseman.
Closer than I think isn't the same as "ready to step up". While some project King as debuting in 2027, that's more likely to mean sometime in '27, not Opening Day. Trading Abrams would leave a pretty big hole that won't be filled quickly.
Not saying they shouldn't trade him, especially if they believe the long-term answer at SS is in the organization and CJ ain't it. Just saying there's going to be a gap. Nunez will be more than adequate defensively. But the hole in the offense will be significant.
his defense and his ability to be coachable still concerns me. I wish we had gotten Willits like a year or two sooner so we could float the idea of Abrams at 2B and Willits at SS.
I was wondering what it was that makes him seem like a closer-type, and you nailed it. I haven't seen that in any of the guys they've used in those situations, except for maybe Ferrer last year. Maybe succeeding in two high-leverage save opportunities has unlocked something?
Somehow this team continuers to make base running mistakes, play questionable defense and still wins. I guess Blake Butera is a magician. The team is more fun to watch this year.
Mop up duty for Mikolos as he's paid too much and there's no one else knocking at the door until maybe Herz who might be ready in June after a rehab. The question is can Parker be a better reliever than he was a starter? He looked very good tonight and threw strikes, with 5 K's in two innings.
idk about getting paid too much, $2m these days is nothing for a team to eat. I would really like to see Alvarez come up in May if he continues looking good in AAA
I'm most surprised by how much more patient our batter have become. The at-bats are much more fun to watch, even the 10-pitch strikeout that JW ended up with in the 9th. I was a huge supporter for Davey and he talked about "swinging at strikes" all the time but we could all agree that was far from the truth the last few years. The current coaching staff got something going and I really appreciate it! Nice win! Go Nats!
Never a doubt boys! 😅 Another Curly W is in the books!
Moneyball
I know it’s silly to say “just throw strikes,” but when Varland attacks the zone, he generates outs.
Difficult not to think the Pirates out managed themselves. Taking Lowe out in a high leverage moment when he’s on a reasonable tear to play a matchup, don’t get anything out of it, final out generated by his replacement Yorke when Lowe would have been a favorable matchup against Varland.
I thought that, too.
Uuugh…..so why do we want to trade CJ again?
It's all good.
Keep him, he helps you win.
Trade him, his value keeps going through the roof, and you have others ready to step up.
There is no one in this organization ready to step up at this time. Nasim is a light hitting, glove first defender. Seaver, Willett, and Fein are years away.
Seaver might be closer than you think. His glove is getting great reviews and they stopped messing with his swing which messed him up last year. Had a good AZ Fall league. If they trade him I'd want a lot for him as he has 2.5 years until he's a FA. If they do keep him they should try and extend him as he'd be an excellent second baseman.
Closer than I think isn't the same as "ready to step up". While some project King as debuting in 2027, that's more likely to mean sometime in '27, not Opening Day. Trading Abrams would leave a pretty big hole that won't be filled quickly.
Not saying they shouldn't trade him, especially if they believe the long-term answer at SS is in the organization and CJ ain't it. Just saying there's going to be a gap. Nunez will be more than adequate defensively. But the hole in the offense will be significant.
When it becomes obvious to the FO that he will definitely test free agency, he'll be dealt.
his defense and his ability to be coachable still concerns me. I wish we had gotten Willits like a year or two sooner so we could float the idea of Abrams at 2B and Willits at SS.
Varland has moxie. Well done.
Not really fair to say what Abrams is doing is "just a repeat" of 24/25. He's a fast starter, but this year is on a different level so far:
Mar/April wRC+ by year:
24 - 167
25 - 134
26 - 207
Better swing decisions, better results, better pizza, papa johns.
That last part was one of the best plays tonight, good sir.
Varland has an insane fastball, definitely have something there
I like him as a closer. A lot.
Varland showing the swagger
I was wondering what it was that makes him seem like a closer-type, and you nailed it. I haven't seen that in any of the guys they've used in those situations, except for maybe Ferrer last year. Maybe succeeding in two high-leverage save opportunities has unlocked something?
Certainly hope he maintains it
clinched a winning road trip. A win in a game in which Mikolas pitched is an added bonus. Let's go for 500 tomorrow.
Perfect use of the word "aplomb" Mark.
Somehow this team continuers to make base running mistakes, play questionable defense and still wins. I guess Blake Butera is a magician. The team is more fun to watch this year.
Aplomb. Da bomm. Go Mark.
He really wanted to channel Annie Savoy and say "with joy and verve and poetry", but he can't get there yet. But I liked it.
putting that Northwestern journalism degree to good use!
Can we say goodbye to Mikolos now…please?
Mop up duty for Mikolos as he's paid too much and there's no one else knocking at the door until maybe Herz who might be ready in June after a rehab. The question is can Parker be a better reliever than he was a starter? He looked very good tonight and threw strikes, with 5 K's in two innings.
idk about getting paid too much, $2m these days is nothing for a team to eat. I would really like to see Alvarez come up in May if he continues looking good in AAA
I'm most surprised by how much more patient our batter have become. The at-bats are much more fun to watch, even the 10-pitch strikeout that JW ended up with in the 9th. I was a huge supporter for Davey and he talked about "swinging at strikes" all the time but we could all agree that was far from the truth the last few years. The current coaching staff got something going and I really appreciate it! Nice win! Go Nats!