Are we talking dysfunction?

Stammen's backwards path to D.C. - NATS INSIDER

The narrative here is young guy sees his chance at big league glory and grabs it . . . pitches through pain and triumphs until he simply breaks down.

Nice movie treatment. A terrible way to manage assets.

Stammen admits he was "lucky" it was just bone chips. J Zimm wasn't so lucky. Pitching through pain cost his '10 season.

I'm all for creating competition. Competition is the driving force for economic growth, for bringing out the best in competitors.

I can't blame Stammen for pitching through the pain. He wants to pitch in the bigs, he saw his opportunity and he took it.

It's the organization that is responsible for the efficient use of its assets. They have to think of the outcomes they want: is it more valuable to create a culture of extreme competition or is it more valuable from a long-term perspective to protect the health of young assets?

If the Nats had created a culture where Stammen or J Zimm could have come forward and said "Hey my arm hurts" without having it held against them would the Nats be better off (i.e. no TJ for J Zimm)?

I don't know the answer. Perhaps that elbow ligament was going to tear no matter what. Maybe Stammen did as well as he can do even with the elbow pain. I'd just like to see the people responsible for asset management (the baseball people in this case) at least have (dare I say it) a Plan.

The great what-if?

Aroldis Chapman befuddles Reds hitters

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100224/SPT04/302240106/1062/SPT/Chapman+befuddles+Reds+hitters

Grain of salt: Reds hitters. Still better than Chapman can't find home plate with two hands.

And why didn't the Nats make the deal with Livan! before Chapman made his decision. Wouldn't that be a great recruiting tool . . . here's a wise ooollldddd Cuban pitcher who can be your mentor.

Again, I note: all it would have taken was a little cash.

W T F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nationals Sign Willy Taveras: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Willy Tavaras? FUC(^(*&^*(&

I don't even care that it is very unlikely that he makes the roster. Just the idea of Willy Tavaras in a Nats uniform, the idea that Mike Rizzo thinks it might be a good idea to have this guy as a National is appalling.

HE FAILED MISERABLY JUST LAST YEAR!!!!! Weren't you paying attention. Cincinnati screwed their offseason giving this guy the CF job.

Then Cincinnati manages to rid itself of the stink of Tavares by trading him to Oakland. And what does a smart GM do as soon as he acquires Willy T F? Cuts his ass even though it costs millions!

So, there is enough cash to take on a crap sandwich like tavares but oh noes no precious dollars for a Cuban emigree with power and athleticism being chased by smart good teams.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/jose-julio-ruiz-close-to-signing.html

or how about a 19 year old cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria . The Angels along with 5 other teams a e in on him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=4903359

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/adeiny-hechevarria-drawing-interest.html

How about spending the wasted time on Tavares looking at real sources to make the Nats better Mike.

Really, if Nats bloggers want to help the team, let's take up a Shawn Eckhardt collection for Willy Tavares.

You're Killin' Me Mike

Nationals lead Wang bidding - Sports Rumors - MLB Blog - Yahoo! Sports

On the up side: taking a chance on an injury damaged pitcher.

On the down side: $2m guaranteed! Guaranteed! Really, that's what it will take to get a guy who's last good year was '07 and his effectiveness is directly related to the quality of his middle infield defense!

Erik Bedard got $1.5m plus incentives. Not only is Bedard at his best better than Wang, now he's CHEAPER too. Better and cheaper=good. Worse and more expensive=bad. I know this is Washington DC where this equation is reversed all the time but for those of us in the real world, it isn't that hard to figure out.

Although if the choice is between overpaying for Wang and not spending this paltry $2m, I'd say overpay. At least we'd have one lottery ticket (albiet not the best one we could have had.)

Pre-ST stuff

Washington Nationals: Late Day Links, Send Mark Zuckerman To�Florida. - Federal Baseball

Need better headlines that's for sure.

One question I have for all the "experts" out there: Why Scott Olsen? Why is he in every potential rotation configuration?

I know he's one of the few guys on the roster who have actually been IN a rotation for an entire season but a) he's coming off shoulder surgery which is generally not a good thing for pitchers and b) at his very best he's mediocre.

Let's put these two things together and conclude that he's a shoo-in to be the #3 starter.

I am sorry but I just don't see it. Maybe he's finally healthy and he proves durable and effective in Florida. I find that hard to believe. Most likely: he's still hurt, pitches like it and starts the year in Syracuse or the 60 day DL.

After Marquis and Lannan, the front runners have to be Mock and Detweiler. Ross gave us 4 Lannanesque starts in September i.e. 5-6 IP almost no Ks but remarkably no more than 3 ER. It's not a streach to project slight improvement for him and that would inch him close to not horrible.

Mock has shown some ability to be a big league pitcher. 7.1 k/9 is not elite but it's respectable. He walks a few too manyl. The 114 hits in 91.1 IP would be worrysome until you see his .360 BABIP. Given a normal BABIP of .300 he would have given up only 92 hits facing 422 batters with equal k/BB numbers. Now that's something we can build on.

For the 5th starter, I know the FO would rather not have this happen. In fact, I'd be surprised if they don't arrange things to make it extremely unlikely. But can't you just see SS overpowering B-sides in early March. Thenhe gets a start against a half MLB/half AAA side and throwing three hitless innings. The rumblings begin, unnnamed scouts rave, hitters shake their heads in post game interviews.

The FO says "we like what we've seen but we still think he needs seasoning," (code for slowing down the arb clock). Even if they at this point decide not to let him throw in ST games, he'll still have to pitch even if it's in simulated games or in the split squad games. Continued dominance would start the drumbeat . . . and given the options available the logic might be inevitable. SS takes the 5th spot and never looks back.

Other pitching news: Shawn Estes? That's the best you could do? Erik Bedard signs for $1.5m. That's couch cushion money for this franchise. Remember, you would not be counting on him, you would be taking a calculated gamble. Give him innings, give him time and maybe he pitches like the dominant starter he was before injuries. That has value which could be flipped later for longer term assets.

I can't complain about the Adam Kennedy signing. Nothing long term, will be minimally competent and maybe even of some value to a contender as a reserve at either trade deadline (a la Ronnie B. last year) I will not there is at least $2.5m in the payroll budget (approx diff between Kennedy and Hudson's offer). Plently of places to use that cash boys. Kiko Calero, Chan Ho Park even our old friend Joe Beimel.

Finally, I have to say a very interesting experiment in monetizing New Media and/or the price people put on specialized information in this age or almost unlimited but generalized information. In a very real way, the market will determine the value of what media outlets could only estimate. A lot of would-be sportswriters await with baited breath to see if the lowly Natsmophere can support a lone blogger for 6 weeks. If so, will the floodgates be opened for any number of teams? How many Yankee bloggers could that community support?

Response to A Microcosm

Original post here (Tried to post response, didn't take don't know why?)

They have shown us. They have made it crystal clear: The Washington Nationals are a business.

They demand ROI. And they want it today not in three years.

This offseason continues the same pattern they have shown since inception. A big announcement about your #1 overall choice and that record breaking contract. So let's not talk about the fact that we went super cheap for EVERY OTHER PICK WE MADE! Our 3rd round choice was a 10th rounder on every one else's board but he'll sign fast and cheap so he's a Nat and who really cares about 3rd round choices?

It's apparent the Lerner's have decided they can comfortably maintain their asset by keeping payroll manageable, catering to high dollar customers (the big offseason expense are luxury club upgrades in a brand new ballpark!) and selling tickets to fans of the visiting team who just happen to be plentiful in Washington.

From an MBA standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. It's practical, prudent and almost foolproof.

But I don't have to point out how it feels from a fan's perspective. Hell, if the OWNERS don't care to win, then why should anyone else?

The one that got away

Was thinking of posting on yesterday's slew of roster filler signings when word crossed the tweet deck that the big market, money burning franchise the freaking Oakland A's had once again ponied up and taken an asset off the market the Nats should have had.

In the person of Ben Sheets. 1 year $10m plus incentives.

Hey, in hindsight wouldn't it have been a bargain to go $8.5 to Rich Hardin?

Oakland spent $4m+ last year for Michael Inoa a 16 year old international FA with a big time fastball.

So, why can a team, sharing a media market smaller than the Washington metro media market with a decrepit stadium and coming off a 75 win season afford to spend$14m+ and the Nationals can't?

Simple reason: the Oakland ownership believes it must take chances to build a franchise that wins enough to get some poverty stricken locality near by to build them a new stadium. OK so Silicon Valley is hardly poverty stricken but the principle is the same . . . A's management is willing to take chances to get better quickly while the Nationals prefer to throw s*(& against the wall and hope some sticks.

(Disclaimer: this does not mean I favor wild free agent spending sprees.)

Au contraire. Most free agent spending is wasteful. But there are numerous way besides overpaying declining ballplayers to use the financial advantage granted by the 7th largest media market in the country. This franchise has still shown no interest in taking gambles. 205 losses in two years should prompt some more intense action than Jason Marquis and Matt Capps.

So anyway, about yesterday's new guys. Why not? Walker looks serviceable, may be able to get some outs in the 6th 7th innings which were hard to come by last year. Was more excited about Chuck James. Remembered his run of excellent pitching three years ago at age 24. Less excited when it turns out that run was fueled by a .250 BABIP. The next season (pre-injury) he was average crafty lefty with poor K/9 totals. Not a recipe for long term success, more like a guy who bounces around and ends up in a rotation when injuries strike (a left handed Brian Moehler if you will.)

Chris Duncan? From a platoon perspective it would be better if he was right handed. That way we could have a terrible fielding 1B with power against tough lefties just like we do against everyone else. From a sit on his ass for 8 innings and come up and try to hit one out perspective its a pretty good move. He can certainly do that if he's healthy. The question then becomes: can a National League team survive with three players who's best position by far is DH?

Now the Nationals are in the same situation as the roto player who has carefully refrained from overpaying for stars and is ready to cherry pick bargains and then he suddenly realizes: who the hell is he gonna spend all this money on? There will be a temptation to throw it at Orlando Hudson (not terrible) or Jon Garland (dear god please NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!). Resist Riz. Keep it in your pocket and wait for a better way to leverage it. It will come along.

Screw with TWGMIBB

Here's your chance.

Drive up the price of Ben Sheets.

Do it today.

The Mets "rotation" is Santana and a bunch of question marks. Not nearly good enough to hang with the Phillies. And everyone, even clueless Omar knows it.

He's under the gun. He HAS to win NOW. He has to fill up that new ballpark. He overpaid for Jason Bay (oh the sweet smell of irony, first he gave him away then he overpays to get him back the true mark of an incompetent; buy high and sell low.)

Sheets is the only difference maker left. Make Omar pay. Make him give Sheets a player option or a big buyout for the second year. Make him pay $8m this year. Put the screws to him.

It's what shrewd GMs do to teams in their own division.

You know what that's like don't ya Stan! Konack him!