Plan "B"

[DCFan]

Of course, health is an open question for Dukes. 

As are his inner demons.  I think this is the year the ticking time bomb detonates. Hope I'm wrong because I'd sure like to see him fulfill his potential (and it's huge) in a Nats uni.

[blue911]

Yes, I believe that he is a career .300 OBP guy with negligible power numbers

You may be spoiled by the shortstops that play in the NL east. Check out the rest of the MLB and you'll be surprised at Guzman's relative power.

[R-Zim#11]

I think Dukes is going to be the best hitter on the team this year.

He hit .264/.386/.478 last season, despite missing nearly half the season for various injuries, and having a horrendous start.  Of course, health is an open question for Dukes.  But if he can get 500+ PA's, watch out.  Just like I would with Dunn, I want him close enough to the top to leverage his OBP, and far enough down to get some leverage out of his power.

These are my thoughts exactly -- although I think he is ideally suited for the #4 slot. I will be branded an AZ-clone -- but I believe he can put up Teixera-like numbers. Maybe not next year, but I think eventually he will.

[HalfSmokes]

You may be spoiled by the shortstops that play in the NL east. Check out the rest of the MLB and you'll be surprised at Guzman's relative power.

true, but the middle infield doesn't have to be a power vacum any more

[blue911]

true, but the middle infield doesn't have to be a power vacum any more

Just as a point of reference:  Guzman was 9th in extra base hits for all shortstops. His SLG was 6th for all qualifiers (19 total). He may not be the greatest but he's a lot better than people give him credit for.

[tomterp]

Just as a point of reference:  Guzman was 9th in extra base hits for all shortstops. His SLG was 6th for all qualifiers (19 total). He may not be the greatest but he's a lot better than people give him credit for.

Also he was 10th in "equivalent average", and 9th in VORP among all shortstops.

Do I expect a repeat of 2008?  Not quite, but pretty close.

[cmdterps44]

I think Guzman is a great slap hitter, so I think hes our best leadoff hitter, we need someone on base.

Heres mine w/ Dunn:

Guz
Milledge
NJ
Dunn
Zimmerman
Dukes
Flores
AH

W/ No Dunn

Guz
Milledge
Zimmerman
NJ
Dukes
Willingham
Flores
AH

[Minty Fresh]

Also he was 10th in "equivalent average", and 9th in VORP among all shortstops.

Do I expect a repeat of 2008?  Not quite, but pretty close.

We can put February 5th on the books.  It's officially a day at WNFF when tom uses a VORP reference.

[Minty Fresh]

I think Guzman is a great slap hitter, so I think hes our best leadoff hitter, we need someone on base.

He averages 168 hits per full season and of those 168, 39 are XBH.  That's practically 1/4.  While he's not Hank Aaron, I'd say he's a bit better than a "slap hitter."  Guzman gets his share of 2B's and 3B's.

[natsfan4evr]

IF we got Willingham to sit on the bench, I really will be pissed. He is a ML starter.
We need to trade Nick for anything we can get, if and when we sign Dunn.

[cmdterps44]

He averages 168 hits per full season and of those 168, 39 are XBH.  That's practically 1/4.  While he's not Hank Aaron, I'd say he's a bit better than a "slap hitter."  Guzman gets his share of 2B's and 3B's.

Your right, I misused the word slap hitter.

[tomterp]

We can put February 5th on the books.  It's officially a day at WNFF when tom uses a VORP reference.

It would be easier for you to mark the days I DON'T use a VORP ref.

[aspenbubba]

  Guzman gets his share of 2B's and 3B's.

Without lookig it up I recall that Guzman was leading the league in triples in 2007 well after he went on the DL. In 2008 his production wasn't close to the previous year. I still am happy that he is here for the next two years and it's not our money that JB spent. I don't think that overpaying him put us out of the Tex race.

[hammondsnats]

joe torre says he prefers abreu over dunn according to SI.com.  dunn continues to wait how the manny sweepstakes play out.

[MrMadison]

joe torre says he prefers abreu over dunn according to SI.com.  dunn continues to wait how the manny sweepstakes play out.

oh snap.

go on, take another look at that contract you got sitting there, Adam. the one with the Curly W on it.

[PANatsFan]

As are his inner demons.  I think this is the year the ticking time bomb detonates. Hope I'm wrong because I'd sure like to see him fulfill his potential (and it's huge) in a Nats uni.

What evidence do you have? That he behaved himself last year?

[MrMadison]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/02/05/scoop.pedro/index.html

The Dodgers have weighed as backup plans Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn, with Torre said by associates to prefer the consistently productive Abreu, by far the better contact hitter (not to mention a player Torrre had in New York).

"We've talked to a handful of players this winter," Colletti said. "But we're focused on Manny for the time being, while keeping our options open if need be."

Sources tell SI.com Dunn received an offer weeks ago from the Nationals, but he must be hoping for the Dodgers or someone else, as he hasn't yet taken it. "He's showing no indication he wants to go," said one person familiar with their talks.

[Minty Fresh]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/02/05/scoop.pedro/index.html

So we should just throw more money at him so our owners won't be cheap. 

[hammondsnats]

So we should just throw more money at him so our owners won't be cheap. 

who is saying that?  we're looking to get better, and i like how we're going after him.  hopefully it's a good offer and he's just waiting to see what happens in the rest of the market. 

[blue911]

who is saying that?  we're looking to get better, and i like how we're going after him.  hopefully it's a good offer and he's just waiting to see what happens in the rest of the market. 

Sources tell SI.com Dunn received an offer weeks ago from the Nationals, but he must be hoping for the Dodgers or someone else, as he hasn't yet taken it. "He's showing no indication he wants to go," said one person familiar with their talks.

Dude she doesn't want to go out with you. Move on

[hammondsnats]

Dude she doesn't want to go out with you. Move on

good one.  not.  sorry for wanting the team to get better.

[blue911]

good one.  not.  sorry for wanting the team to get better.

You're closer to a stalker than a fan.

[hammondsnats]

You're closer to a stalker than a fan.

haha and now it's your turn to try and jone.  it could be teix, dunn, or any free agent for that matter that i would want to make our team better.  teix is long gone and dunn is still on the market.  do i think we'll get him?  i don't know.  but we can still talk about him when he's on the market.  we were pathetic in offense last year and the guy would help us out.  we have said we're not interested in manny, we haven't heard any ties to abreu (who would be another good option) and we're not going to take a flier on griffey.  i've said all along that if we get dunn, cool, i think he could be a good fit.  if we don't, oh well, life goes on - i think we'll still hurt on offense - but it's not the end of the world.

but go ahead and continue with the unoriginal, personal attacks. they don't bother me.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

but go ahead and continue with the unoriginal, personal attacks.

Well, if you really want us to....



Spray some on for hints of cinnamon, ocean, and donkey sweat.

[hammondsnats]

Well, if you really want us to....

haha well you and I are cool and I've known you for years, so that's fine.  and you were the one who came up with that graphic (or maybe it was MM), so i can laugh at that. 

like i said he's a better option than what we have.  not obsession, it's called wanting to get better by the way