Spring Training Thread

[PANatsFan]

Kennedy is hitting really well. I'd bet $10 he's starting at 2nd.

[tomterp]

Yep. It's a financial decision.

Not sure what you mean.

Guzman sits?  He collects $8m.
Guzman plays?  He collects $8m.
Guzman gets released?  He collects $8m.

So can you explain how this is a financial decision?

[NatsDad14]

Not sure what you mean.

Guzman sits?  He collects $8m.
Guzman plays?  He collects $8m.
Guzman gets released?  He collects $8m.

So can you explain how this is a financial decision?

If Guzman sits, the Nats have to commit an extra $400 K to SS so they can pay Ian Desmond.

[tomterp]

If Guzman sits, the Nats have to commit an extra $400 K to SS so they can pay Ian Desmond.

If Guzman plays, they have to commit an extra $400k to replace his bench role.  Either way, Guzman gets paid, and 24 other guys get paid.   Only if they release him do they actually have to fill another roster slot, and we're only talking $400k, so let's not get too carried away with the financial angle.  It's as minimal as it gets.

[NatsDad14]

If Guzman plays, they have to commit an extra $400k to replace his bench role.  Either way, Guzman gets paid, and 24 other guys get paid.   Only if they release him do they actually have to fill another roster slot, and we're only talking $400k, so let's not get too carried away with the financial angle.  It's as minimal as it gets.

only $400K. The Lerners have been stingier on totals a lot less than that.

[tomterp]

only $400K. The Lerners have been stingier on totals a lot less than that.

Please.  Didn't they pretty much release the whole bullpen last year?  All those guys had to be replaced, and some of the released guys were still paid.  I cannot remember any instances where they kept a guy on the roster to avoid paying $400k to replace him.  Pocket change.

[PANatsFan]

only $400K. The Lerners have been stingier on totals a lot less than that.

Name 1 player salary instance. You are thinking of MLB not allowing September callups or something. Man this crap is tired. They called up JZ after the FA mark but before the Super 2 mark.

[UMDNats]

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026108&id=1092300421

Will be adding more as the week progresses.

[PANatsFan]

Best. Lodson. Post. Ever.

Nationals are playing split-squad games Tuesday, and Jim Riggleman has decided to manage the team when it plays the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. Bench coach John McLaren will manage the club in Viera, Fla., as it plays the Marlins at Space Coast Stadium.

Here is the lineup Riggleman will manage in Jupiter:
Roger Bernadina - 9
Ian Desmond - 6
Adam Kennedy - 4
Josh Willingham -7
Ivan Rodriguez -2
Mike Morse - 3
Justin Maxwell -8
Eric Bruntlett - 4
John Lannan -9

You know how LaRussa likes batting the pitcher 8th? Riggleman bats the pitcher 9th and 1st.

http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/a_note_on_nationals_split-squa.html?partnerId=rss_was

[Nathan]

You mean the right fielder?

[PANatsFan]

You mean the right fielder?

Depends on what your definition of right fielder is. Without a pitcher, all bets are off.

That or I'm half asleep But I'm an unpaid internet jackass.

[cmdterps44]

Best. Lodson. Post. Ever.

You know how LaRussa likes batting the pitcher 8th? Riggleman bats the pitcher 9th and 1st.

http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/a_note_on_nationals_split-squa.html?partnerId=rss_was

Kennedy batting 3rd what!!

[tomterp]

Kennedy batting 3rd what!!

Go with the hot hand.  Isn't he the only guy we've got hitting over .180?

[imref]

two 2nd basemen, two pitchers, that should be interesting.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Morgan out with hamstring injury.

http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/nats_morgan_out_with_hamstring.html

[DPMOmaha]

Peter Gammons with this little nugget:

The Nationals have been looking for another veteran starting pitcher, but privately, they're hoping that come midseason, their rotation will be John Lannan, Jason Marquis, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Chien-Ming Wang.

"We're having trouble holding Wang back," said GM Mike Rizzo.

None of this suprises me other than they expect JZ back by midseason?  Is that wise/possible?

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Peter Gammons with this little nugget:

None of this suprises me other than they expect JZ back by midseason?  Is that wise/possible?

Gammons is blowing smoke on the Zimmermann thing. Not even Jordan is looking to anything sooner than September.

[The Chief]

Morgan out with hamstring injury.

http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/nats_morgan_out_with_hamstring.html

[NatsAddict]

... we're only talking $400k, so let's not get too carried away with the financial angle.  It's as minimal as it gets.

No, it's not.

[HalfSmokes]

Peter Gammons with this little nugget:

None of this suprises me other than they expect JZ back by midseason?  Is that wise/possible?

does gammons even realize he's out?

[sportsfan882]

Not sure what you mean.

Guzman sits?  He collects $8m.
Guzman plays?  He collects $8m.
Guzman gets released?  He collects $8m.

So can you explain how this is a financial decision?

You think they want to pay a guy $8M to sit on the bench and pout and not earn the money?

[sportsfan882]

Nats lineup against Florida and Rick VandenHurk:

http://joefrisaro.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/marlins-nationals_lineup.html

NATIONALS:

1) Willy Taveras, CF

2) Willie Howard, RF (Who? Willie Harris? I heard Burgess might see some action today too)

3) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4) Adam Dunn, 1B

5) Kevin Mench, LF

6) Pete Orr, 2B

7) Danny Espinosa, SS

8 ) Wil Nieves, C

9) Craig Stammen, P

[DPMOmaha]

You think they want to pay a guy $8M to sit on the bench and pout and not earn the money?

I think they also know the potential is greater than $8 mil by having an excited fanbase and a winning team.

[Evolution33]

You think they want to pay a guy $8M to sit on the bench and pout and not earn the money?

do you think they want to pay him to pout and boot balls around the infield and not walk and not earn his money.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Gammons is blowing smoke on the Zimmermann thing. Not even Jordan is looking to anything sooner than September.

Thought he said yesterday on MASN that he's throwing 120 feet and looking to get back on the mound.