Spring Training Thread

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Mentioning Dukes, what are everyone's expectations of him this year?

It is his make it or break it year. We know he has the "raw talent," but now it is time for that talent to sizzle and cook. Enough time and patience has been granted to him, we've held his hand long enough. This. Is. The. Year.

[shoeshineboy]

It is his make it or break it year. We know he has the "raw talent," but now it is time for that talent to sizzle and cook. Enough time and patience has been granted to him, we've held his hand long enough. This. Is. The. Year.

Yup. It finally seems that they are in a position to right him in as the everyday RF, which is what he needs. Now he needs to remain focused, stay healthy, and produce. I hope Eckstein tells him he will help the team and help himselfy by simply looking to drive the ball and not even think about hitting HRs. Those will come naturally. I'd like him to be in the number 2 spot, but they likely are thinking of him as a number 5.

[JMW IV]

If Dukes can't do it this year, then we need to acquire a RFer via trade or in the offseason.

[DPMOmaha]

...Jason Werth or Carl Crawford...

[cmdterps44]

...Jason Werth or Carl Crawford...

hell yeah!

[DPMOmaha]

Don't know if they'll both make it to free agency or not, but they'll both be in line for big pay days next winter.

[tomterp]

Don't know if they'll both make it to free agency or not, but they'll both be in line for big pay days next winter.

Crawford will likely get Holliday type money.

[DPMOmaha]

Fine with me.  A Plush, Craw, Zim top of the lineup is something I could deal with.  Especially if Dunn is still in that 4 hole.

[CJames0569]

Fine with me.  A Plush, Craw, Zim top of the lineup is something I could deal with.  Especially if Dunn is still in that 4 hole.

That would be more than fine by me.

[blue911]

Crawford will likely get Holliday type money.

I know turtles that have better arms. There IS a reason why Carl doesn't play center and it has nothing to do with being able to read the ball.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Crawford will be vastly overpaid.  Go for Jayson Werth.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I know turtles that have better arms. There IS a reason why Carl doesn't play center and it has nothing to do with being able to read the ball.

I'm not sure he has the arm to play RF, but he seems to have a ton of range in left and does not make mistakes on balls.  He's going to NYY, most likely.  That's why they did not pursue Holliday and are willing to go with Gardner or whatever. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

This looks more like Nick Cafardo just making stuff up than informed speculation, but he suggests the Nats may be looking to move from Viera. The Red Sox are moving to a new facility in two years, and Fort Myers will want to backfill.  Also, he seems to have picked up on the Winter Classic rumor, too.

1. Impressive stat of the week: Rays first base coach George Hendrick once consumed 17 Krispy Kreme doughnuts at one sitting; 2. Looks like outdoor hockey at Nationals Park next January; 3. It’s a shame the Fenway Park replica will be in Fort Myers and not Boston; 4. The Nationals are a possible fit at City of Palms Park when the Red Sox leave in two years; 5. The Zobrists are a pretty talented family. Ben Zobrist is one of the best players in baseball and his wife, Christian recording star Julianna, is out with her first CD, “The Tree.’’

[imref]

Having been to Viera and Fort Myers, I can certainly understand the desire to move.  It's a bit like going from Bealton to Reston. :-)

[Galah]

Having been to Viera and Fort Myers, I can certainly understand the desire to move.  It's a bit like going from Bealton to Reston. :-)

The surfs much better in Vierra

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Space Coast Stadium (The Lunchbox) might not have all the glitz and glam of more up to date ST facilities, but it does offer unparalleled access to the action and players. Having been to a lot of different stadiums and Grapefruit League games, the Nats have something special there and I would hate to lose it.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think the principal advantage of moving either to the Fort Myers area or perhaps the Tampa Bay area would be to cut down on the travel time to other teams spring training facilities.  Both the
Twins and the Red Sox have facilities in Fort Myers.  I have not been to Fort Myers, but what I can follow is that the player access is pretty good, especially at the minor league fields for the first week of spring training.  The problem with the facility is that the ballpark and the minor league fields are about a mile apart. The other problem for the Red Sox is that they draw a lot more than the ballpark can handle.  Their new park will seat 11,000, with luxury boxes.

[Galah]

I think the principal advantage of moving either to the Fort Myers area or perhaps the Tampa Bay area would be to cut down on the travel time to other teams spring training facilities. 

If you're on the west side of the state, you're pretty much stuck....east-west traffic patterns are pretty congested.

[imref]

The surfs much better in Vierra

I kayaked with dolphins last year off fort myers beach, it was beautiful.

[imref]

Starting lineups for Thursdsay:

vs. Astros
Nyjer Morgan -- CF
Adam Kennedy -- 2B
Elijah Dukes -- RF
Chris Duncan -- 1B
Pete Orr -- 3B
Roger Bernadina -- LF
Josh Whitesell -- DH
Alberto Gonzalez -- SS
Wil Nieves -- C
Garrett Mock -- P -- He will not hit in the game.

vs. Marlins
Willie Harris -- 2B
Ian Desmond -- SS
Ivan Rodriguez  -- C
Adam Dunn -- 1B
Mike Morse -- LF
Justin Maxwell -- CF
Eric Bruntlett -- 3B
Jerry Owens -- RF
J.D. Martin -- P

* The Nationals planned to put Cristian Guzman in the lineup against the Marlins, but he may go home to be with his wife, who is expecting a baby girl any day.

* Jim Riggleman will manage against the Astros.     

Zimmerman is out with a season ending injury.  Oh wait, no he's playing Friday.

[Lintyfresh85]

It's scary to see Pudge batting third. I don't care that they had to split up the lineups... it still makes me nervous!

[Nat of the Living Dead]

A nice mix in both line ups.

[Lintyfresh85]

I am loving Kennedy batting second though. I hope he somehow holds the spot going into the season.

[aspenbubba]

Having been to Viera and Fort Myers, I can certainly understand the desire to move.  It's a bit like going from Bealton to Reston. :-)

I never saw this mentioned but what about Vero Beach now that the Dodgers have left. It has to be one of the best ST facilities.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

I never saw this mentioned but what about Vero Beach now that the Dodgers have left. It has to be one of the best ST facilities.

Indeed. It has such a "Spring Training" feel to it.