Might be fun to keep some running comments on our reporters.  Who breaks stuff, who has interesting speculation and thought.  Also can throw in the national media, too.

To kick off, Chelsea Janes speculates that the Nats may start the year with Ross in the minors.  A 5th starter is needed once in the first couple of weeks of April, assuming no rain outs.  A bad assumption today  Ross still has an option, and this allows keeping Guthrie, Perez, and Glover on the roster while not shortening the bench.  A while back I thought they might go with an 8 man bullpen due to the schedule, but I was thinking that Scherzer might be hurt enough to make him the guy DL'd short term.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/03/31/how-joe-ross-could-help-the-nationals-create-roster-flexibility/?utm_term=.5663d9e3fcd5

if Ross were to start the season in Class AAA Syracuse, the Nationals could carry Guthrie for a week and maintain a regular five-man bench. Ross, 23, has options remaining. If he spends fewer than 20 days in the minor leagues this year, it does not have to count as an option year. Consequently, leaving Ross in Syracuse to start the season would give the Nationals time to make decisions regarding Guthrie’s future and their long-man needs, while also maintaining a full bench.

Baker said Thursday he had to talk to Ross before sharing the team’s plans for the right-hander publicly, something he probably would not have to do if those plans involved an extra bullpen session or two. While implications are not always trustworthy, it seems the Nationals are at least considering the notion of using Ross’s roster spot for someone else early this season . . .

There is no doubt Ross is the Nationals’ fifth starter. But because they do not need him to pitch in the first week of the season, they could decide to use his roster spot for someone more immediately helpful — and to give themselves more time to make final decisions

Janes was also the first beat reporter (that I remember seeing) who predicted Treinen would be named closer.

We whiffed on Sergio.  He signed with the Dodgers.

[...]Chelsea Janes[...]

...who, it must be emphasised, is not the same person as yours truly.

...who, it must be emphasised, is not the same person as yours truly.

Old Chelsea vs. young Chelsea.

Then there's the Clinton one, and that's it for me, I'm tapped out.

After all these years has she ever been in love? Does she finally know what it is?

Old Chelsea vs. young Chelsea.

Then there's the Clinton one, and that's it for me, I'm tapped out.

Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning and the first thing that I knew...

[all right all right, carbon-dating myself again]

Great idea for a thread.

Let may say this. There's Zuckerman and there's everybody else. That is all.

Washington Post headline:
Hacks, the Post headline writers are complete hacks. Roark had that ERA for three games in an otherwise good year (he was 2.5 years younger than league average) and after that he had an 11-1 year before the Nats acquired him.

(Image removed from quote.)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/04/04/the-nationals-unearthed-gem-tanner-roark-by-betting-on-a-man-whod-had-a-21-41-era/?utm_term=.7696d3d38185

Fake news

They've been doing that crap a lot lately, particularly on-line.

Washington Post headline:
Hacks, the Post headline writers are complete hacks. Roark had that ERA for three games in an otherwise good year (he was 2.5 years younger than league average) and after that he had an 11-1 year before the Nats acquired him.

(Image removed from quote.)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/04/04/the-nationals-unearthed-gem-tanner-roark-by-betting-on-a-man-whod-had-a-21-41-era/?utm_term=.7696d3d38185

I guess. Probably. You have to have some measurement for advertisers.

Gotta say, the paper I hold in my hand every morning bears little resemblance to the online version.

Do they get money/points for clicks on stories?

Well, as they say, we're of an age. One other paper gets delivered on my street, and the guy's in his mid-80s.

I used to love gettin' my daily paper.    Missus lost her job a long time ago and I ended my subscription.    I still make a habit of picking up the Sunday late edition.    Love it.

Well, as they say, we're of an age. One other paper gets delivered on my street, and the guy's in his mid-80s.

I tell the missus, "Can't take the laptop to the can."