Plan "B"

[Obed_Marsh]

Although they lost to the Yankees in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, the Nationals continue to look for offensive help. According to a baseball source, Washington has serious interest in free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley.

In other news, the Nationals continue to have their eyes on free agents Adam Dunn and second baseman Orlando Hudson.

The team is looking for a first baseman to replace Nick Johnson, and Dunn is their top target. Besides hitting home runs and getting on base, Dunn has stayed healthy during his career. Johnson, on the other hand, has been on the disabled list almost every year of his career and missed a lot of time.

The Nationals look at Hudson as a clubhouse leader and a person who could solve their problems at second base and the lead-off position. Manager Manny Acta announced during the Winter Meeting that Anderson Hernandez would not be the Nationals' leadoff hitter in 2009.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730870&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Dunn, Bradley, and O-Dawg. 

[MrMadison]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730870&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Dunn, Bradley, and O-Dawg. 

if we could get any two of them, we'll be in good shape.

[ronnynat]

if we could get any two of them, we'll be in good shape.

Offensively, I agree. We still BADLY need pitching help, though.

[MrMadison]

Offensively, I agree. We still BADLY need pitching help, though.

yeah that's what I meant. I'm thinking strictly in terms of offense at the moment.

[PANatsFan]

Offensively, I agree. We still BADLY need pitching help, though.

So you've found your forehead tattoo?

[DCFan]

if we could get any two of them, we'll be in good shape.

If we can get 2 of those 3 then I'll be a happy camper going into s/t. 

[ronnynat]

So you've found your forehead tattoo?

Haha. What does that mean?

[DCFan]

Haha. What does that mean?

I think he just called you a dickhead. 

[PANatsFan]

Haha. What does that mean?

Hammondsnats has "Lerners are cheap" tattooed on his forehead. I sense your new refrain is "WE NEED PITCHING" - so I decided on hyperbole

[PANatsFan]

I think he just called you a dickhead. 

Wow you are trying to instigate fights along with picking them

[DCFan]

Wow you are trying to instigate fights along with picking them

My bad. 

[PANatsFan]

My bad. 

Hey it's New Year's I just don't see a flame war between Ronny and me as imminent

I think your spat with Minty is hilarious (popcorn smiley here)

[ronnynat]

Hammondsnats has "Lerners are cheap" tattooed on his forehead. I sense your new refrain is "WE NEED PITCHING" - so I decided on hyperbole

Nah, if we go into ST w/ the pitchers we have now, then I'll accept it and cheer on those that are here. The offseason is when I can hope for improvements. Is anyone satisfied w/ the pitchers we have now?

[MrMadison]

Is anyone satisfied w/ the pitchers we have now?

no, not completely. but I am intrigued by Balester and Zimmermann.

and worried about Cabrera.

[DCFan]

Hey it's New Year's I just don't see a flame war between Ronny and me as imminent

I'm still in a state of shock that the Lerners are targeting so many free agents and ditching the plan in the process. I'm liking it. 

[PANatsFan]

Nah, if we go into ST w/ the pitchers we have now, then I'll accept it and cheer on those that are here. The offseason is when I can hope for improvements. Is anyone satisfied w/ the pitchers we have now?

D-Cab is my favorite



Or not. I like Olsen, Zim, and Lannan for the time being. Hope the rest work out.

[Air Zimmerman]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730870&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

the most eye popping thing about that article is that it claims Bradley would play center?! no way, no how. he needs to play one of the corner positions.

i mean, do people not realize that Elijah Dukes is a NATURAL in center?

[PANatsFan]

the most eye popping thing about that article is that it claims Bradley would play center?! no way, no how. he needs to play one of the corner positions.

i mean, do people not realize that Elijah Dukes is a NATURAL in center?

Agreed to some degree. Bradley is too fragile though.

[MrMadison]

the most eye popping thing about that article is that it claims Bradley would play center?!

it's Bill Ladson. he's a doofus.

I don't even think Bradley is *capable* of covering CF.  he's much better suited to a corner, and if the Cubs sign him he'll be playing RF.  he should do the same for us if we sign him.

[ronnynat]

I'm still in a state of shock that the Lerners are targeting so many free agents and ditching the plan in the process. I'm liking it. 

This was the year they were supposed to go after good veteran players. They'd only be ditching the plan if they were dealing our top prospects.

Zimmerman, Dukes, Milledge, Lannan, and Flores are the young core of this team. The rest can be solid vets, IMO.

[sportsfan882]

Nah, if we go into ST w/ the pitchers we have now, then I'll accept it and cheer on those that are here. The offseason is when I can hope for improvements. Is anyone satisfied w/ the pitchers we have now?

Yep. I much prefer the current rotation than any rotation of the last few years we have had here that included the likes of TVR, Perez, Jason Simontacchi, Ramon Ortiz, Pedro Astacio, etc, etc.

We are not just throwing a bunch of quick fix bums out there to eat innings. All of the pitchers in our rotation could be here long term.

[eagleskins]

If we sign Manny, dumbest decision ever.  Throw the house at a dude that is 46 years old(his birth certificate is off).  Not to mention a worse cancer than TO. 

[xposbrad]

Nah, if we go into ST w/ the pitchers we have now, then I'll accept it and cheer on those that are here. The offseason is when I can hope for improvements. Is anyone satisfied w/ the pitchers we have now?

No, we are not exactly going to the postseason with the pitchers we have now. I guess we're just so used to crap, that even mediocrity appears to be something to look forward to. We have unproven guys, and it could be another rocky year. I'd like to see us go after Sheets.

[natsfan4evr]

Milton Bradley is a very patient and disciplined hitter. He also has a lot of pop and a fair amount of speed.
I think he should be a DH in the AL though. His main problem besides his attitude, is he gets hurt a lot. Thankfully they are usually minor, but he is still a risky move.

One thing is for sure, we have to give the Lerners credit for trying to improve the team.

If we get Bradley and Dunn, I expect us to ship out Milledge and Johnson for some pitching prospects.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Agreed to some degree. Bradley is too fragile though.

Dukes has proved he is just as fragile, physically and mentally. How many full seasons has this guy put together? Bradley? Can't see that outfield as anything but a bad rollercoaster ride.