Author Topic: Nationals need a pinch runner  (Read 3810 times)

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Offline Dave B

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Topic Start: July 18, 2005, 11:37:25 AM »
I think it might be worth it to use a roster spot on a real stolen base threat.  If he can hit .200, good. If not, whatever, our SS hits .190.  But given the amount of one run games, I think this can make a huge difference.  Juan Pierre won a game in the first inning against the braves a couple weeks ago.  Speed kills.  We obviously cant acquire or fit a Juan Pierre in our lineup, but just a pinch runner would be fine.  

Dave Roberts won the ALCS for the Red Sox last year.  In games 4 and 5, I think, he pinch ran when the tying or winning run got on base late in the game against Rivera.  Everyone knew he was going to steal and couldnt stop him.

Montcobaseball

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #1: July 18, 2005, 12:51:50 PM »
Usually a MLB team cannot afford to have a stolen base specialist to take up a roster spot.  Unlike a place kicker in football he needs to do something else besides steal bases or kick field goals.

Offline Kenz aFan

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #2: July 18, 2005, 12:54:22 PM »
Rumors are that Juan Pierre is available, so might Rafael Furcal when Jones comes off the DL, but the Braves wouldn't trade with us, not during a pennant run anyway. Dave Roberts was available in spring training and could have been gotten cheaply, and I suggested on the mlb board that the Nats acquire him to play center field. The Nats would have filled two needs with the deal, CF and leadoff hitter, but my idea was shot down by all the *knowledgeable* fans.

You have tons of speedsters in Mexican League who could possibly be gotten really cheap. The thing is, who do you move to fit them in?

Offline tomterp

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #3: July 18, 2005, 01:08:34 PM »
Although Guzman is looking a little paunchy these days, it was speculated in the Post that his days starting at short are numbered.  He might then be available to pinch run.  

However, has anybody on our team made more boneheaded baserunning errors than he has?

Offline Kenz aFan

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #4: July 18, 2005, 02:15:36 PM »
If all you need is a pinch runner, Watson and Godwin in New Orleans could easily do the job, but the problem there is that they are both outfielders, and once Johnson comes off the DL, both Church and Byrd become available to do the job off the bench.

Offline Ray D

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #5: July 18, 2005, 02:36:13 PM »
Quote from: "tomterp"
Although Guzman is looking a little paunchy these days, it was speculated in the Post that his days starting at short are numbered.  He might then be available to pinch run.  

However, has anybody on our team made more boneheaded baserunning errors than he has?


Yep. Wilkerson.

bramos

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #6: July 18, 2005, 04:53:08 PM »
Quote from: "Montcobaseball"
Usually a MLB team cannot afford to have a stolen base specialist to take up a roster spot.  Unlike a place kicker in football he needs to do something else besides steal bases or kick field goals.


I would take a stolen base specialist over our pinch-runner/vertigo specialist Tony Blanco any day.  And don't get me started on our pinch-hitting guru/goodwill ambassador Wil Cordero.  Talk about wasted roster spots...

bramos

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Re: Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #7: July 18, 2005, 05:01:12 PM »
Quote from: "Dave B"
I think it might be worth it to use a roster spot on a real stolen base threat.  


Unfortunately, FR doesn't play that game you're alluding to.  Most managers today don't.  They prefer to shoot for the 3-run bomb - which, incidentally, we could also use.

Hayden

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #8: July 19, 2005, 10:19:50 PM »
Church isn't that slow, although he isn't a big base stealing threat. Byrd had 32 stolen bases in Double A Reading in 2001, so we know he has some speed. Carroll has stolen bases before. So when Nick Johnson comes back, those guys could fill that role.

Personally, if they could pull it off, I would try to pry David Newhan from the O's. They don't seem to need him right now (with him being in Triple-A Ottawa), so maybe a trade could work. Newhan is really fast and can play almost anywhere.

Offline JMW IV

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #9: July 19, 2005, 10:58:22 PM »
we've got a Pinch Runner.

his name is Cristian Guzman.

Offline Dave B

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #10: July 20, 2005, 09:22:32 AM »
Christian Guzman is not fast enough. We dont have anybody on the roster to fill this spot.  He has to be a guy that everybody knows is going to steal, and you cant stop him.

Offline LetsGoNats

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #11: July 23, 2005, 01:09:43 PM »
I'm guessing that's primarily why we picked up this Kenny Kelly.  Isn't he pretty fast?

mar (AKA pasqual AKA JMG)

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #12: July 23, 2005, 01:55:06 PM »
Quote from: "Dave B"
Christian Guzman is not fast enough. We dont have anybody on the roster to fill this spot.  He has to be a guy that everybody knows is going to steal, and you cant stop him.


and Frank would still have a .300 hitter sacrifice him to second  :wink:

Offline JMW IV

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #13: July 23, 2005, 02:02:30 PM »
Quote from: "LetsGoNats"
I'm guessing that's primarily why we picked up this Kenny Kelly.  Isn't he pretty fast?


no, we got him because Jim Bowden has a homoerotic obsession with anyone who wore a Cincinnati Reds Uniform at any time during his career.

mar (AKA pasqual AKA JMG)

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #14: July 23, 2005, 02:13:39 PM »
Quote from: "JMadisonIV"
Quote from: "LetsGoNats"
I'm guessing that's primarily why we picked up this Kenny Kelly.  Isn't he pretty fast?


no, we got him because Jim Bowden has a homoerotic obsession with anyone who wore a Cincinnati Reds Uniform at any time during his career.


LOL
Actually I think kelly is just there to temporarily fill a roster spot and likely go to AAA after Cepicky or Godwin is traded in a prospects for starter deal.

Course its always a plus for Bowden to needle the Reds by plucking one of their players off the waiver wire.

Offline Kenz aFan

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #15: July 23, 2005, 02:18:41 PM »
You're right, claiming players like Kelly off the waiver wire cost almost nothing and they help fill spots on the farm. He'll be in NO by mid week...

mar (AKA pasqual AKA JMG)

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #16: July 23, 2005, 02:51:29 PM »
Point may be the sacrifice to Frank is what the 3 run homer was to earl Weaver - his signature move.

And like Weaver, Frank will continue to use it - whether it hurts the team or not - because of his unshakable belief that the percentages favor him if he does.

So I don't see Frank as utilizing speed to any great extent even if he had more of it on the roster.

Offline Kenz aFan

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Nationals need a pinch runner
« Reply #17: July 23, 2005, 05:04:20 PM »
Not much chance of Frank using speed anytime soon, there precious little of it in the Nats lineup. When Vinny Castilla is TIED for the team lead in stolen bases, you're in no danger of getting any speeding tickets.

The Nats are the worse hitting team at home in all the majors. That statistic tells me that NO ONE did their homework when it came time to acquiring players to put a competitive team on the field. Bowden signed Castilla and traded for Guillen, two guys not at all suited for RFK. Jim Bowden might be, Mr. I'll pull the trigger anytime and on anyone at all Bowden, but from my perspective, he's done nothing impressive, unless shooting blanks counts. I hope the next GM have more foresight.