Author Topic: This guy got cut, the Nats should look at him (2009) (Read 24691 times)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **on:** March 18, 2009, 01:41:30 pm »

Rather than announcing each individual player we see cut and starting a thread, maybe this one can serve as a generic one, and if something concrete linking the guy to the Nats shows up, the player canbe broken out.

In that spirit, the Red Sox released Josh Bard this AM. Was 6 for 13 this spring. Switch hitter. Originally a glove-first guy when he came up with Cleveland. Swtich hitter. 30 years old. Good amount of success in 2006 and 2007 with SD, but played hurt last year after catching a long extra inning game. Definitely an offensive upgrade over Wil, and might push Flores.

Here's the Boston.com Extra bases link.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/03/sox_release_jos.html

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2009, 01:46:11 pm »

We do not need to dive in the dumpster any further.

PANatsFan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2009, 01:54:30 pm »

Chris Britton is my top choice right now.

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:44:54 pm »

I dunno that I'd call Bard garbage worthy of "dumpster diving"...

blue911 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:45:15 pm »

I'm not surprised that Boston cut Bard. Neither he or Varitek can catch Wakefield. I guess moneyball doesn't cover the obvious.

MrMadison · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:48:37 pm »

yeah the reason bard was cut isnt because he sucks. its because they need a catcher specifically to catch wakefield.

KnorrForYourMoney · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:58:48 pm »

I'd rather have Bard than Valentin.

ronnynat · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2009, 03:15:48 pm »

Quote from: ACTAvation Energy on March 18, 2009, 02:58:48 pm

I'd rather have Bard than Valentin.

(Since he'd be a backup here, I don't mind saying this) I really dig Valentin's swing. I've seen him hit some clutch homers, and that swing just made them even sweeter. Plus, he's really not a bad player.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2009, 03:49:51 pm »

The appeal of Bard might be that he could hit v RHP well enough to give Flores a break a couple of times a week, at least, and keep Flores fresh, while he is 3 or 4 years younger than Valentin and is a regular catcher. Flores tailed severely 2d half of the year. First half he was acceptable offensively (.750 OPS IIRC).

The problem with Bard is that, while he played hurt most of the year, his numbers v RHP last year were awful. Compare vs. RHP the past 3 years:
2006 - .333 / .411 / .519 (BABIP .369 - some guys have all the luck)
2007 - .250 / .329 / .361 (BABIP .284 - welcome back to Earth)
2008 - .230 / .312 / .286 (BABIP .259 - what goes around, comes around)

Career is closer to 2007.

Flores v. RHP
2007 .220 / .276 / .297
2008 .238 / .285 / .368
Career .232 / .282 / .347

Valentin looks better than Bard as a switch hitter v. RHP but do people see him as the sole backup catcher anymore?
2006 .286 / .318 / .476
2007 .274 / .322 / .373
2008 .271 / .342 / .430

If Valentin made the roster, would he take Nieves place or be primarily 3d catcher and PH?

Oh, and as for the guy the Sox right now are keeping ahead of Bard - George Kottaras - a 25 year old lefty power hitting, decent OBP catcher with some experience catching a knuckler in AAA. Defensively questionable.

2k6nats · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:01:10 pm »

Totally against the idea of one thread for potential signings. Has the potential to be a real clusterfreak with multiple discussions about players all in one thread.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:27:48 pm »

I'm figuring this will roll as individuals get cut. The latest cut will get the latest entries. I would not put free agents here like Pedro. If this does not make sense, go ahead and pin this or change it to a "Josh Bard" thread. You have a better sense. I just saw the Duaner Sanchez and Chris Britton and thought it could use consolidation. Sorry if it does not work.

tomterp · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:29:52 pm »

Shawn Hill got cut. I hear he has electric stuff, just can't stay healthy. Do we take a flyer?

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:30:49 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on March 18, 2009, 05:29:52 pm

Shawn Hill got cut. I hear he has electric stuff, just can't stay healthy. Do we take a flyer?

I expect he'll go the way of TRJPWH and be out of baseball within a year or two due to the inability to stay healthy.

tomterp · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:32:14 pm »

Quote from: sportsfan882 on March 18, 2009, 05:30:49 pm

I expect he'll go the way of TRJPWH and be out of baseball within a year or two due to the inability to stay healthy.

Watch him become the Mets' ace.

How long before he gets signed by somebody? 2 days?

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:36:48 pm »

Clears waivers, signs a minor league deal with the Red Sox, who always sign high upside injury risks and rehab them.

blue911 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:51:58 pm »

Quote from: 2k6nats on March 18, 2009, 05:01:10 pm

Totally against the idea of one thread for potential signings. Has the potential to be a real clusterfreak with multiple discussions about players all in one thread.

We can't seem to stay on topic as it is. So how would this be any different?

PANatsFan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2009, 07:33:48 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on March 18, 2009, 05:32:14 pm

Watch him become the Mets' ace.

How long before he gets signed by somebody? 2 days?

We may re-sign him. Stranger things have happened. Had to get him off the 40-man.

Nat of the Living Dead · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2009, 09:58:12 pm »

Quote from: PANatsFan on March 18, 2009, 07:33:48 pm

We may re-sign him. Stranger things have happened. Had to get him off the 40-man.

God, I hope not. We need to close the book on that joke.

PANatsFan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2009, 10:52:51 pm »

Quote from: Nat of the LivingDead on March 18, 2009, 09:58:12 pm

God, I hope not. We need to close the book on that joke.

He's from Ontario, maybe the Blue Jays want him.

tomterp · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:11:16 am »

Quote from: PANatsFan on March 18, 2009, 07:33:48 pm

We may re-sign him. Stranger things have happened. Had to get him off the 40-man.

It doesn't seem to be about the 40-man, so much as not wanting to pay the $750k for someone with such an injury track record. But he's a lock to get one of those minor league contracts that flips to major league minimum if he gets called up.

R-Zim#11 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:59:25 am »

Quote from: PANatsFan on March 18, 2009, 01:54:30 pm

Chris Britton is my top choice right now.

Who are the Brittons?

ronnynat · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2009, 06:37:41 pm »

Yhency Brazoban was released by the Dodgers. I don't want us to get him, but maybe someone else here does.

houston-nat · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2009, 06:40:00 pm »

Quote from: ronnynat on March 19, 2009, 06:37:41 pm

Yhency Brazoban was released by the Dodgers. I don't want us to get him, but maybe someone else here does.

He has an awesome name.

PANatsFan · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2009, 10:02:13 pm »

Quote from: ronnynat on March 19, 2009, 06:37:41 pm

Yhency Brazoban was released by the Dodgers. I don't want us to get him, but maybe someone else here does.

Top prospect at one point. Jim Bowden would have signed him.

Nat of the Living Dead · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2009, 08:43:44 am »

Quote from: houston-nat on March 19, 2009, 06:40:00 pm

He has an awesome name.

How the hell do you pronounce that?

Author Topic: This guy got cut, the Nats should look at him (2009) (Read 24691 times)

MrMadison