NATS FALL DOWN 3-2
I don't understand how this team is six games over .500 and the Nationals are hovering around ten games below that mark. Of their starting eight position players, only shortstop Khalil Greene, centerfielder Mike Cameron and rightfielder Brian Giles would start on the Nationals. Their starting pitching staff of Jake Peavy (4-8, 4.46), Chris Young (7-4, 3.13), Clay Hensely (5-6, 4.16) Chan Ho Park (6-4, 4.29) and Woody Williams (4-1, 2.98) is better than the Nationals', but not by that much. Remember, last year the Padres had about the same record as Washington, but won their division. Strange, huh?
Do you remember the trade that almost was last December between the Padres and Nationals? Jim Bowden pulled the trigger on a deal that would have sent Terrmel Sledge and a minor leaguer to San Diego for outfielder Dave Roberts. I wrote then that, although I liked Sledge very much, Roberts would certainly fix the team's "top of the lineup" problem. We should have made the deal. Roberts is batting .291 with a .364 on-base percentage and 21 stolen bases. Who said that the best deals are the ones you don't make? On the positive side, our friend Ryan Zimmerman got a hit for the 8th consecutive game.
Oh well, win some, lose some. The Nats face Chris Young, another "former" franchise member on Saturday. Omar Minaya traded him to Texas for ..... Einar Diaz. Diaz was released after the 2004 season because, in Robinson's words, "he just wasn't a major league catcher." Young, on the other hand, won 13 games for Texas last year and is 7-4 this year with the Padres. I guess the best trades ARE the ones you don't make.
Hey, wait a minute: I said that the best deals being the ones you don't make. I should have known that.
Good night Phil Dunn, where ever you are.....
1) You'd also start Mike Piazza over Brian Schneider. The differene in offense is still enough
2) Their starting pitching is not great but doesn't have any weak spots and therefore is about .8 runs better than the Nats, who have dealt with injuries, a couple of bad starters and Livan.
3) The (arguably) have the best relief pithing in the league
In my view, no way do I trade the top defensive catcher in the NL for a guy in his mid to late 30's who is roundly known as the worst defensive catcher in the league. I mean, he's so bad that they tried making him a first baseman, but he couldn't field there very well either. I didn't make those choices based on just today, but rather the team's future over the next four years. Schneider will still be one of the premier defensive catchers in the league in 2010 while Piazza will be long retired.
I'm with you on the other two, though. The Padres have the #1 ERA in the NL, but, based on their starter's numbers, it must be their relief corps that is so good.
Good post and thanks.
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