2009 Washington Nationals Thread

[joeyballsack]

So, since the Nationals new AAA affiliate is in my town and tickets to the game are only 10 bucks, I have decided I will start rooting for them.

Anyone willing to give me a crash course on some players to watch for in the organization ?

[K.C.]

Tavarez signed a minor-league contract with Washington on Friday, something he was not inclined to do when initially given the opportunity last offseason. So why did Tavarez sign with the Nationals now?

Mainly because he needed a job. But as Chico Harlan writes in his Nationals blog for The Washington Post, Tavarez said it much more colorfully than that:

"Why did I sign with the Nationals? When you go to a club at 4 in the morning, and you're just waiting, waiting, a 600-pounder looks like J. Lo. And to me this is Jennifer Lopez right here. It's 4 in the morning. Too much to drink. So, Nationals: Jennifer Lopez to me."


:bye:

[El Mudo]

Aww....this warms my heart...


Bless you friend....


You're not gonna get much for at least the next 5-6 years....its pretty much an expansion team. I hope they end up like the Rays did.


As far as the SkyChiefs go, last year we were in Columbus with the Clippers, and I really haven't followed them as much as i've followed the Suns.

Glancing at the roster, Colin Balester was a pretty high draft pick, Mike O'Connor was good up here before he blew his arm out. I LOVED what I saw out of Leonard Davis and Justin Maxwell at Hagerstown.

[joeyballsack]

Sweet, I always liked him as a player when he was with the Sox.

I saw that Willy Mo Pena turned down a minor league option today. Thats too bad, even though the guy never reached his potential he could really crush a ball when he got a piece of it.

[MacVittie]

isn't it bizarre that the SkyChiefs aren't with the Blue Jays anymore?

[El Mudo]

isn't it bizarre that the SkyChiefs aren't with the Blue Jays anymore?


I wonder why it seems like so many minor league affiliates are changing...in the last 3-4 years the Nats have had AAA affiliates in New Orleans, Columbus, and now Syracuse.

The Bison are no longer affiliated with the Indians correct?

[MacVittie]

I wonder why it seems like so many minor league affiliates are changing...in the last 3-4 years the Nats have had AAA affiliates in New Orleans, Columbus, and now Syracuse.

The Bison are no longer affiliated with the Indians correct?

Nope, they're the Mets now. Affiliation switches happen pretty much every offseason, some teams see more action than others.

[joeyballsack]

Well, they are in Syracuse for at least a couple of years now according to media reports on the contract. Syracuse was hoping to get the Mets affiliation since it would bring in more regional fans, but they probably had no shot competing with Buffalo.

I just hope that some recognizable players are on the club occasionally. That will keep the locals more interested and maybe bring in better attendance numbers than they got last year. The only time they got decent turnouts is when the Yankees or Red Sox affiliates made it to town. I cant imagine it will be much different this year though.

[spoon]

Hey Mods, can we change the thread title to "2009 Exiled Montrel Expos Thread"?

Also, fuck Cuse for dumping the superior Canadian team only to pick up this shitty organization. Just as Carrier left Syracuse in the dust, so now has Toronto. Vegas bound baby. Makes sense too, not only is it close to Toronto, there are very few distractions out there/trouble to be had. Great.

[Snoogans]

Le Expo!, Le Expo!, Le Expo!

[cougarjake13]

Le Expo!, Le Expo!, Le Expo!

i believe its les expo

[Snoogans]

Barry Bonds returns to baseball with Nationals as 17-year-old Dominican prospect

All-time home run leader Barry Bonds may still be blackballed from baseball. But a young Dominican prospect named Barryardo Bondsguez is tearing apart Washington Nationals camp.
Bondsguez, who was signed by now-former Nationals GM Jim Bowden last month, has wowed the team with his power, size and maturity.
“I can’t believe he’s only 17,” said third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. “And I mean that. I don’t believe it. I’m positive it’s Barry Bonds. What’s he, like – 45 now?”
The slugging prospect, who impressively speaks nearly flawless English, says he hopes to start for the Nationals, which would make him the youngest everyday player in major league history.
“I’m not interested in the minors,” said Bondsguez. “I don’t know how many years I have left in me. You know, umm, because I want to do other things in my life other than play baseball. Not because I’m in my mid-40s. Umm … tortilla Corona Clemente agua spaghetti!

[joeyballsack]

Welcome to Syracuse Mr. Milledge. The weather is starting to get nice, almost hit 60 today !

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/04/milledge_optioned_to_class_aaa.html?wprss=national sjournal

[El Mudo]

Meh....we gave up Schneider and Church to get him, so its not like we sold a whole heck of a lot for him

Something had to move in the OF anyway, because there's too many of them (Willingham, Dukes, Dunn, Kearns, Milledge)

[cougarjake13]

Meh....we gave up Schneider and Church to get him, so its not like we sold a whole heck of a lot for him

Something had to move in the OF anyway, because there's too many of them (Willingham, Dukes, Dunn, Kearns, Milledge)




but its not looking good so far

[Knowledged_one]

Only 7 games into the season and already 5.5 games out quite a franchise

[El Mudo]

Only 7 games into the season and already 5.5 games out quite a franchise



Like a million bucks :thumbup::thumbup:


After hockey season ends, I'll be quite interested to see how bad they can get

[A.J.]

After hockey season ends, I'll be quite interested to see how bad they can get

At this rate, they'll set the record for fastest to 100 losses.

[El Mudo]

I think they'll seriously challenge that record the O's put together of 21 consecutive losses in 88

[cougarjake13]

I think they'll seriously challenge that record the O's put together of 21 consecutive losses in 88

thats something to shoot for then

[razorboy]

:lol::lol::lol:

[epo]

Elijah Dukes got benched for being 5 minutes late because of doing community work for the team. Seriously? No wonder your organization sucks.

[cougarjake13]

Elijah Dukes got benched for being 5 minutes late because of doing community work for the team. Seriously? No wonder your organization sucks.

and dont forget that they forgot to put the O in nationals on the uniforms the other day

[TheMojoPin]

and dont forget that they forgot to put the O in nationals on the uniforms the other day

WINNARS!

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_mlb_experts__25/ept_sports_mlb_experts-54271263-1240160708.jpg?ymE3OIBDSsJs2izE

It makes me sad that my beloved Dunn is trapped on such a team.

[burrben]

It makes me sad that my beloved Dunn is trapped on such a team.

god i wish he was still in the nasty 'nati

[TheMojoPin]

god i wish he was still in the nasty 'nati

I don't know why the Cubs didn't sign him over broken down, psycho Miton Bradley.

[burrben]

I don't know why the Cubs didn't sign him over broken down, psycho Miton Bradley.

its because of their love of board games

[Fallon]

WINNARS!

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_mlb_experts__25/ept_sports_mlb_experts-54271263-1240160708.jpg?ymE3OIBDSsJs2izE

It makes me sad that my beloved Dunn is trapped on such a team.

Joe Carter wore a "Torotno" jersey one game.

Idiots.

[Thomas Merton]

Saw yesterday's latest debacle. The bullpen has been sacked

Actually, their everyday lineup is OK when Guzman is healthy

[K.C.]

Nats are the only game in town for me with all the rainouts. Guess I'm stuck watching this game. I am interested to see what Jordan Zimmerman has, though.

[K.C.]

How is this team as bad as they are?

You would think with a middle of the lineup of Johnson-Zimmerman-Dunn-Dukes-Willingham they'd at least be able to score a few runs.

They should be more 4-8ish than 1-10ish

[El Mudo]

How is this team as bad as they are?

You would think with a middle of the lineup of Johnson-Zimmerman-Dunn-Dukes-Willingham they'd at least be able to score a few runs.

They should be more 4-8ish than 1-10ish



No pitching

[El Mudo]

Ryan Zimmerman extends hitting streak to 29 games (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051200162.html)



Well...at least there's SOMETHING to smile about

[cougarjake13]

Ryan Zimmerman extends hitting streak to 29 games (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051200162.html)



Well...at least there's SOMETHING to smile about




not anymore

[El Mudo]

Manny Acta out? (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/06/13/acta.to.be.fired/index.html)


Who even knows at this point...

Between gift fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nationals_gift_fail.html), uniform fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/04/nationals_uniform_fail.html), bobblehead fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/nationals_bobblehead_fail.html), bat fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/nats_bats_also_feature_spellin.html), sausage fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/nats_sausage_fail.html), kosher fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nats_kosher_fail.html), fireworks fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nationals_fireworks_fail.html), and clock fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nationals_timekeeping_fail.html), I think we should just refer to this as the "year of fail"

[A.J.]

Manny Acta out? (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/06/13/acta.to.be.fired/index.html)


Who even knows at this point...

Between gift fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nationals_gift_fail.html), uniform fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/04/nationals_uniform_fail.html), bobblehead fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/nationals_bobblehead_fail.html), bat fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/nats_bats_also_feature_spellin.html), sausage fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/nats_sausage_fail.html), kosher fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nats_kosher_fail.html), fireworks fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nationals_fireworks_fail.html), and clock fail (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/nationals_timekeeping_fail.html), I think we should just refer to this as the "year of fail"

Wow. I've missed so much this season.

Can't wait to go to the stadium next week for the Sox series!

[El Mudo]

You just gotta shake your head and laugh... (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/06/a_decision_awaits.html)

Soon enough, we'll know Manny Acta's fate.

Why would the Nationals fire him? Because they've lost six of seven games, and 24 of their last 29, and 45 of their last 61, and 147 of their last 222. Because they are currently 9 1/2 games worse than the 29th-worst team in baseball, Arizona. Because they have the league's highest error total and poorest ERA. Because firing pitching coach Randy St. Claire two weeks ago did nothing to stop their losing. Because the status quo is embarrassing.


Yesterday's loss to Tampa featured a guy tripping over the bull pen catcher chasing a pop up in foul territory, and Tampa scoring the winning run off a ball that hit the edge of the bag at third and flew off into the outfield


I like the fact that if they're going to be bad, at least it will be historically bad...I'd hate to have a team that isn't good enough to contend every year, but isn't bad enough to rebuild with high draft picks. Being terrible beats being mediocre every time

[TheMojoPin]

You just gotta shake your head and laugh... (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/06/a_decision_awaits.html)




Yesterday's loss to Tampa featured a guy tripping over the bull pen catcher chasing a pop up in foul territory, and Tampa scoring the winning run off a ball that hit the edge of the bag at third and flew off into the outfield


I like the fact that if they're going to be bad, at least it will be historically bad...I'd hate to have a team that isn't good enough to contend every year, but isn't bad enough to rebuild with high draft picks. Being terrible beats being mediocre every time

Hey, it worked for the Mets.

[El Mudo]

Hey, it worked for the Mets.

And Tampa Bay....


I wish they would hurry up and turn around Cristian Guzman and Nick Johnson for whatever high level prospects they can get while they still have value.

But as par the course for this year, those two will probably both blow out their knees within days of each other (ala Tomas Kaberle) right before the trade deadline

Looking back on it, I think the franchise took a huge hit when they didn't trade Alfonso Soriano a few years ago. I understand why they didn't deal him (they wanted to be able to re sign him and thought they could), but looking back, as valuable as he was that season (that was probably his "peak" season, he ended up with an EqA of .301 and a WARP3 of 8.6), they could have gotten a TON back for him (much like when moron of morons Omar Minaya traded Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips for Bartolo Colon's fat rotting corpse a few years ago).

[TheMojoPin]

Please trade my beloved Adam Dunn to the Cubs.

[El Mudo]

Please trade my beloved Adam Dunn to the Cubs.


NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Him and Zimmerman are pretty much the only "untradeable" guys we have.

Why didn't the Cubs just sign him in the offseason? I mean, for the love of Mary, the guy just sat out there FOREVER until the Nats signed him.

[foodcourtdruide]

Being terrible beats being mediocre every time

Completely agree. I'd rather go 62-100 than 81-81.

[MacVittie]

WINNARS!

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_mlb_experts__25/ept_sports_mlb_experts-54271263-1240160708.jpg?ymE3OIBDSsJs2izE

It makes me sad that my beloved Dunn is trapped on such a team.

Reminds me of this:

http://www.mlb.com/images/2003/08/23/GqOLz4wu.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

Why didn't the Cubs just sign him in the offseason? I mean, for the love of Mary, the guy just sat out there FOREVER until the Nats signed him.

Beats me. It wasn't just the Cubs...pretty much all of baseball just let him sit by the wayside. I understand the defensive issues, but that should just make him an AL team's wet dream as a DH with that bat.

And he shouldn't be untradeable if you really want the Nats to do the smart thing. He's only signed for 2 years, right? A guy like that with a year left on his deal will be appealing to a number of teams by the deadline.

[EddieMoscone]

Please trade my beloved Adam Dunn to the Cubs.

I'd like for the Mets to get him and play him at first. Can't beat the power/obp Dunn brings.

[TheMojoPin]

I'd like for the Mets to get him and play him at first. Can't beat the power/obp Dunn brings.

Yeah, that's definitely the ideal spot to play him on an NL team, though I'll hapiily take the defensive shenanigans for the ungodly offensive output.

[El Mudo]

Beats me. It wasn't just the Cubs...pretty much all of baseball just let him sit by the wayside. I understand the defensive issues, but that should just make him an AL team's wet dream as a DH with that bat.

And he shouldn't be untradeable if you really want the Nats to do the smart thing. He's only signed for 2 years, right? A guy like that with a year left on his deal will be appealing to a number of teams by the deadline.


Because they have to have some type of product they can sell to the fans. Right now, its Zimmerman and Dunn (this all depends on what happens with Strasburg too).

I think they would get better value for Dunn (if they need to deal him) next year, when he will be a FA and they can play teams off against each other. Besides, as you pointed out, all of base ball pretty much just let him sit by the wayside over the summer; why would they now want to deal for him?

The guy is an absolute monster though...he's EqAing .314 (which probably would be even higher if not for his shitty defence) and has an OPS+ of 142

[TheMojoPin]

I think they would get better value for Dunn (if they need to deal him) next year, when he will be a FA and they can play teams off against each other. Besides, as you pointed out, all of base ball pretty much just let him sit by the wayside over the summer; why would they now want to deal for him?

Because of how well he is doing with the bat and how desperate teams get at the deadline. It's a different mindset than the offseason when everyone is assuming or banking that they already have the pieces in place. I just think the Nats would get a better haul this year with a year left on his deal as opposed to trying to move him when next year when many teams will stay away because he could just be a rental for a few months. That's not to say they couldn't get a good return for him next year: I just think they'd likely get a better package this year.

[El Mudo]

Because of how well he is doing with the bat and how desperate teams get at the deadline. It's a different mindset than the offseason when everyone is assuming or banking that they already have the pieces in place. I just think the Nats would get a better haul this year with a year left on his deal as opposed to trying to move him when next year when many teams will stay away because he could just be a rental for a few months. That's not to say they couldn't get a good return for him next year: I just think they'd likely get a better package this year.


I think they're both essentially the same situation....its just whether you want to rent him for an entire year or just for a stretch run next year. The premise of the fact that he's going to test the market (again) after next year is pretty much a given. He would have to be pretty dumb not to.

[TheMojoPin]

I think they're both essentially the same situation....its just whether you want to rent him for an entire year or just for a stretch run next year. The premise of the fact that he's going to test the market (again) after next year is pretty much a given. He would have to be pretty dumb not to.

Sure, but getting a guy for a whole season+ can net better long term prospects than just a couple months.

[joeyballsack]

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Him and Zimmerman are pretty much the only "untradeable" guys we have.

Why didn't the Cubs just sign him in the offseason? I mean, for the love of Mary, the guy just sat out there FOREVER until the Nats signed him.

No chance they wouldn't trade him to the Sox for a couple of pitching prospects ?

[El Mudo]

No chance they wouldn't trade him to the Sox for a couple of pitching prospects ?


Nick Johnson would be a MUCH better fit for the Red Sox

[Snoogans]

http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/54/66/full/1211.gif

[El Mudo]

http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/54/66/full/1211.gif

http://www.market-speculator.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/Yawn.gif

http://www.tmonews.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/yawn.jpg

http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/uploadedImages/Publications/enews/yawn.jpg

http://www.venushairhouston.com/animallovers/animal-pics/bunny-yawn.jpg

http://www.oldshawfarm.com/archives/the%20yawn.JPG

[Snoogans]

Whats wrong, remembering when the franchise was actually good makes you sleepy?

The Nationals are a worse team, WITH LESS FANS. You could only wish you were the Expos

[El Mudo]

Whats wrong, remembering when the franchise was actually good makes you sleepy?

The Nationals are a worse team, WITH LESS FANS. You could only wish you were the Expos


Its an expansion team...needs more time is all. MLB and the old ownership left them with nothing.

And like I've said, I'm GLAD they're shitty, because its a million times better than being mediocre

[PD]

Whats wrong, remembering when the franchise was actually good makes you sleepy?

The Nationals are a worse team, WITH LESS FANS. You could only wish you were the Expos

I was watching MLB network a little while back and they were showing highlights of allstar games. There were quite a few there in the early 80s when the NL had plenty of Expos.

[Snoogans]

Its an expansion team...needs more time is all. MLB and the old ownership left them with nothing.

And like I've said, I'm GLAD they're shitty, because its a million times better than being mediocre

technically its not an expansion team. And yea, being like 81-81 sucks so much compared to goin 60-102. Right on.

STOP IT. You are the biggest homer of have EVER seen. Any sport, anything, you just say insane shit about your teams.


THEY ALL SUCK. Because of you, ALL I DO is root against Univ of Maryland in EVERY SPORT. If i come across them playin Field Hockey, ill root against them

[El Mudo]

technically its not an expansion team. And yea, being like 81-81 sucks so much compared to goin 60-102. Right on.

STOP IT. You are the biggest homer of have EVER seen. Any sport, anything, you just say insane shit about your teams.


THEY ALL SUCK. Because of you, ALL I DO is root against Univ of Maryland in EVERY SPORT. If i come across them playin Field Hockey, ill root against them


MLB owned the team from 02 to near the end of 06. When the Loria people moved to Florida in 02, they took every single person in the MTL organization at the time with them. They didn't even leave the fucking PHONES. Technically they aren't an expansion team, but for all intents and purposes, its a fucking expansion team. They had little to no staff of any kind before the Lerners took over, which again, was barely two and a half years ago.

What exactly have I said in this thread that either qualifies as "insane shit" or makes me the "biggest homer you've ever seen"?

Besides...if all you think I say is "insane shit" stop reading my posts and find something else to get upset about. Perhaps you could make more more video "tips" about how to drive correctly.

[Snoogans]

What exactly have I said in this thread that either qualifies as "insane shit" or makes me the "biggest homer you've ever seen"?

Besides...if all you think I say is "insane shit" stop reading my posts and find something else to get upset about.

Your posts are in threads I read. You post in most sports threads.

And one of those insane things that comes to mind was Alex Ovechkin and you thinkin possibly he is already the best hockey player of all time. That one alone makes me discredit anything you could ever say.

Then posting about how the caps minor league team made the playoffs. Who cares? you cant seriously tell me it means anything to you to win the fuckin AHL title. Just stop it

[El Mudo]

Your posts are in threads I read. You post in most sports threads.

And one of those insane things that comes to mind was Alex Ovechkin and you thinkin possibly he is already the best hockey player of all time. That one alone makes me discredit anything you could ever say.

Then posting about how the caps minor league team made the playoffs. Who cares? you cant seriously tell me it means anything to you to win the fuckin AHL title. Just stop it



Calder Cup Champs!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/photo/caldercup.jpg

[Snoogans]

so sad. I didnt even know til this season that the AHL devils went from Albany to Lowell. Cause NOBODY cares.

Apparently except in Washington, where they have parades for minor league teams. You think ANYONE in NE gives a fuck if the portland sea dogs win the eastern league?

[El Mudo]

so sad. I didnt even know til this season that the AHL devils went from Albany to Lowell. Cause NOBODY cares.

Apparently except in Washington, where they have parades for minor league teams. You think ANYONE in NE gives a fuck if the portland sea dogs win the eastern league?


I thought Trenton won the Eastern League last year?

[Snoogans]

I thought Trenton won the Eastern League last year?

i dont even know. I was just sayin no NE fans would care if portland did. And nobody won it this year yet, cause its fuckin June

[El Mudo]

i dont even know. I was just sayin no NE fans would care if portland did. And nobody won it this year yet, cause its fuckin June



Well...considering how many New England teams are in the Eastern league, I figure it would be pretty tough to unite them all behind one franchise

[El Mudo]

*sigh*....Good by Manny (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4324006)

They gave ya a shit lineup, and then you got fired when you couldn't win...tough break, but he'll do really well somewhere else

[A.J.]

I expected this much sooner.

[cougarjake13]

*sigh*....Good by Manny (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4324006)

They gave ya a shit lineup, and then you got fired when you couldn't win...tough break, but he'll do really well somewhere else

i dont understand firings of this nature


its not like the nationals have a playoff caliber lineup and acta was the reason they werent performing to that level

[Ogre]

*sigh*....Good by Manny (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4324006)

They gave ya a shit lineup, and then you got fired when you couldn't win...tough break, but he'll do really well somewhere else

It feels like Abe Pollin is giving the Lerners and Kasten advice. The curse of Les Boulez

[KingModem]

I was recently in Washington to watch a Nationals game. As I walked around the stadium, I think it is blasphemy to tout the Senator's championships in the stadium, as those belong to the Minnesota Twins now.

If you are a Nationals fan, I think you should keep your heads up, as I think there will be a bright future to this franchise. They wont make money off their own fans right away, but rather off of the opposing fans that actually attend Nationals Park.

I was there for the Red Sox visit, and there was about 95% (no exaggeration) Red Sox fans there.

[El Mudo]

I was recently in Washington to watch a Nationals game. As I walked around the stadium, I think it is blasphemy to tout the Senator's championships in the stadium, as those belong to the Minnesota Twins now.

If you are a Nationals fan, I think you should keep your heads up, as I think there will be a bright future to this franchise. They wont make money off their own fans right away, but rather off of the opposing fans that actually attend Nationals Park.

I was there for the Red Sox visit, and there was about 95% (no exaggeration) Red Sox fans there.

Eh...that happens in Baltimore too, and pretty much most other places, same thing with Yankees fans and Steelers/Cowboys fans

[TheMojoPin]

Please allow Adam Dunn to leave with the Cubs after the upcoming series.

Thank you.

[cougarjake13]

Eh...that happens in Baltimore too, and pretty much most other places, same thing with Yankees fans and Steelers/Cowboys fans

thats what the trop used to be like before these last 2 years that the rays were playing well