Acta names starting rotation

[tomterp]

Well, not exactly.  But in an MLB video interview, he was asked about coming to camp in 2008 vs. 2007, and the discussion was around how much more focused the Nats are this year in terms of having an idea who the rotation might include.  Manny went on to name 5 guys, and it sounded to me like he was mentally going down the projected order of the rotation, though he did not say this specifically.  However, Manny's five, in order:

1- Hill
2- Patterson
3- Bergmann
4- Chico
5- Redding

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071211&content_id=2322863&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Click on the 400k video link, then select "Acta on the Nationals, Milledge"

[Nat of the Living Dead]

I am not even going to get excited or upset about any possible rotations.  Way too early to tell.

But looking at his list, I am happy to see Chico holds a place in his heart.

[MrMadison]

as am i. i do think that someone will get displaced by one of the youngsters though, when it is all said and done.

[MrMadison]

and even if not....that is not  that bad of a rotation as is.

[tomterp]

i do think that someone will get displaced by one of the youngsters though, when it is all said and done.

Right.  Of course they are going to have other guys that will warrant a hard look in camp, including:

Lannan
Clippard
Balester
Detwiler

Am I leaving anyone out?  I also think Bacsik may have a good shot at being long relief, as he performed quite well out of the pen last season.  He also provides a spot starter if necessary to avoid having to make a roster move once in a while.

[fersaltiel]

YES! That is a GREAT rotation. Really hope that happens, b/c Matt Chico definitely deserves a spot in the rotation!

[PANatsFan]

Well, not exactly.  But in an MLB video interview, he was asked about coming to camp in 2008 vs. 2007, and the discussion was around how much more focused the Nats are this year in terms of having an idea who the rotation might include.  Manny went on to name 5 guys, and it sounded to me like he was mentally going down the projected order of the rotation, though he did not say this specifically.  However, Manny's five, in order:

1- Hill
2- Patterson
3- Bergmann
4- Chico
5- Redding

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071211&content_id=2322863&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Click on the 400k video link, then select "Acta on the Nationals, Milledge"

He just named 5 guys who have been on the 25 man roster before - not a big deal to me.

[sportsfan882]

As long as Walkrahan isn't involved it looks fine to me. 

[kimnat]

I would take #2 and put him in the #5 spot.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

I would take #2 and put him in the #5 spot.

That is fine.  I would take #3 and send him to Columbus.

If Clippard is the real deal (which we hope) I could possibly see him replacing Chico or Redding.  Detwiler would be good to see up there as well.

[kimnat]

LOL, you said that to get my goat.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

LOL, you said that to get my goat.

You caught me, you caught the Tater....

[heatchucker]

I would like to see that rotation give me 130 starts!! Maybe see Clippard or Lannan instead of Redding

[heatchucker]

my rotation would be

Hill
Patterson
Chico
Bergmann
Clippard/Lannan

[ncg1983]

i would really like to sign a veteran like Livan or Jason Jennings to eat up innings and help teach some of these younger pitchers.

[kimnat]

Livan will eat the innings after he makes us choke on Twinkies in the first!

[heatchucker]

I'll take Jennings...I'm sour on Livan

If so:
Jennings
Hill
Patterson
Chico
Bergmann

[spidernat]

i would really like to sign a veteran like Livan or Jason Jennings to eat up innings and help teach some of these younger pitchers.

YES! That is a GREAT rotation.

I would like to see that rotation give me 130 starts!!

They would have to average 26 starts a piece. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

[heatchucker]

 

[nats2playoffs]

... Manny's five, in order:
1- Hill
2- Patterson
3- Bergmann
4- Chico
5- Redding

NAME                 G   GS    W   L   QS      IP        H    ER    R    HR   BB   SO    K/9  P/GS  WHIP   ERA
Matt Chico       31   31   7   9   10   167.0   183  86   96   26   74   94   5.07   91.5   1.54   4.63
Mike Bacsik       29   20   5   8   8   118.0    141  67   73   26   29   45   3.43   84.7   1.44   5.11
Jason Bergmann 21   21   6   6   10  115.1    99   57   59   18   42   86   6.71   90.2   1.22   4.45
Shawn Hill         16  16   4   5   11    97.1     86   37   42    9   25   65   6.01   90.4   1.14   3.42
Tim Redding      15   15   3   6    8    84.0     84   34   35   10   38   47   5.04   93.3   1.45   3.64
Joel Hanrahan   12   11   5   3    2    51.0     59   34   35     9   38   43   7.59   90.6   1.90   6.00
John Lannan       6   6    2   2    2    34.2     36   16   17     3   17   10   2.60    94.7   1.53   4.15
John Patterson    7   7    1   5    1    31.1     39   26   26     5   22   15   4.31    81.7   1.95   7.47
Ross Detwiler      1   0    0   0    0      1.0      0    0     0      0    0    1    9.00     0.0   0.00   0.00

That rotation doesn't excite me.  Those five pitched 495 innings collectively, which is a half season on average.  We don't have one pitcher who pitched 200 innings in 2007.  Chico walked too many guys.  Go out and get two quality free agent starters.  Assign Hill and Patterson to rehab starts in the minors in April, so they can fill in for Bergmann and Redding when they inevitably go out injured.  Trade Bacsik or allow MLB to let him pitch in the Home Run Derby for the All Stars.

[tomterp]

That rotation doesn't excite me. 

But compared to last year, don't you think this is a substantial upgrade?  Last season, some guys were weeded out from the possibles list (Williams, O'Connor, Claussen) while others showed they are able to compete (Hill, Redding, Chico).  Sure, Chico was no ace last season, but it was his rookie year, I hardly expect that he's learned nothing and has hit his ceiling.

Also, Lannan was very impressive before being shut down for inning control purposes.  This time last year, Lannan was not on anyone's radar screen.

Anyway, I'm not opposed to bringing in a starter, but I would hate to see Livan eating lots of innings at a 5+ era and blocking Lannan or Clippard from doing better.

[Air Zimmerman]

so, basically the exact same rotation as last year. not very eventful or ground breaking.

[spidernat]

But compared to last year, don't you think this is a substantial upgrade?

No. Those are the same guys from last year. Hill was here. Patterson was reported to be here. Bergmann was here. Chico was here. And Redding was also, although he began the year in the minors. So it's essentially the same except you replace Williams with Redding. I'm not at all encouraged by that and I don't know why people would be excited or go as far as to say that it's a GREAT rotation.

Anyway, I'm not opposed to bringing in a starter, but I would hate to see Livan eating lots of innings at a 5+ era and blocking Lannan or Clippard from doing better.

QFT

Trade Bacsik or allow MLB to let him pitch in the Home Run Derby for the All Stars.

Bacsik has no trade value. But they can have him for the Home Run Derby.

In the end, I think NOTLD is right. It's just too early to tell because more than likely, our potential rotation will look different (we can only hope) by the time the season begins. Certainly at least one of those guys will be on the DL. This is just something for us to debate over.

[tomterp]

No. Those are the same guys from last year. Hill was here. Patterson was reported to be here. Bergmann was here. Chico was here. And Redding was also, although he began the year in the minors. So it's essentially the same except you replace Williams with Redding. I'm not at all encouraged by that and I don't know why people would be excited or go as far as to say that it's a GREAT rotation.

Of course it's not a GREAT rotation, but I think there's more upside than last year.  The two worst performers were Williams and Patterson.  One is gone, and I hope the other has a short leash.  Hill was solid, better than average until his breakdown.  Redding was solid.  Chico was a rookie, and it is not a reach to expect substantial improvement in his spphomore year.  Ditto for Lannan, and Clippard, should they make the club.  We're going to have to disagree on Bergmann, you see beachballs, and I still see that dominating performance against the Braves.  The truth is in between, and decent middle of the rotation guy methinks.

[spidernat]

  We're going to have to disagree on Bergmann, you see beachballs, and I still see that dominating performance against the Braves.  The truth is in between, and decent middle of the rotation guy methinks.

Maybe so but he has to show that he can be consistent. Since I'm not willing to keep bringing up that one game Brandon Watson had in his debut against Houston, I won't rest on Bergmann's performance against Atlanta to prove his dominance. Ortiz and Astacio had great outings at one point also.

I'll agree on Shawn Hill but ONLY if he's healthy (where have I heard that before?). I don't expect a significant improvement from Chico yet. Redding was OK. I have no hope of Patterson contributing because of health issues. So my point was that I don't see a SUBSTANTIAL upgrade.


But someone did say it was a GREAT rotation. I forgot who it was.