What to do with Morgan

[Obed_Marsh]

If Morgan is in the lineup, he's got to hit leadoff. He's worthless as anything else. You can debate whether he should be in the lineup at all. But if he is, he needs to be at the top.

I do not follow this line of thought at all. Last year proved to me he deserves to be at the bottom of the order or traded for some used jock straps.

[blue911]

I do not follow this line of thought at all. Last year proved to me he deserves to be at the bottom of the order or traded for some used jock straps.

His one asset is speed, he isn't worth crap if he can't run. nag and moan all you want about his baserunning ability but batting behind Pudge or some other leadfoot only takes away his only plus.

[Lintyfresh85]

I'd rather have him 8th and deal with the loss of speed.

Someone with that low of an OBP should never be near the top of a lineup.

[Ray D]

I agree with  Zuckerman. If Morgan somehow returns to 2009 form (doubtful) then he's our leadoff man.  If he's the 2010 version, he should not be on the roster.

[Obed_Marsh]

Why not 9th during when we're using the DH and 8th the rest of the time? Let him do his goofy routine on the bases while the pitcher tries to bunt him over.

[hammondsnats]

You are going to find an overwhelming response saying get rid of him.  Since the majority of people on here love using the word "IF", "IF" morgan can revert to his 09 form when he came over from the pirates ... that'd be awesome.  we'd have a solid defensive CF with good speed and a knack for getting on base.  But last year we didn't see it. 

For as much complaining as people do about Morgan still being here, I think the FO is sold on giving him one last shot.  So if he doesn't succeed this year, he's probably a goner.

[Ray D]

Why not 9th during when we're using the DH and 8th the rest of the time? Let him do his goofy routine on the bases while the pitcher tries to bunt him over.

But you're saying (I assume) 8th/9th on the presumption that the 2010 version will show up.  And I'm saying, if the 2010 version shows up, don't bat him at all, nevermind 8th or 9th, he shouldn't be on the team, much less in the lineup.
But if the 2009 version shows up, don't you agree he should lead off?

[Ray D]

I think the FO is sold on giving him one last shot.  So if he doesn't succeed this year, he's probably a goner.

I hope they don't give him a year.  One month - two at the most. 

[Obed_Marsh]

I believe there is one Nyjer Morgan and that he doesn't belong on this team or in the MLB. I see no purpose in pretending he is a leadoff hitter. If the team insists on giving him yet another chance, bat him where does the least damage.

[hammondsnats]

I believe there is one Nyjer Morgan and that he doesn't belong on this team or in the MLB. I see no purpose in pretending he is a leadoff hitter.

In 2009 he looked like a leadoff hitter.

[Lintyfresh85]

Only against RHP.

On top of that... I don't like his approach at the plate. Leadoff man should be more concerned with working the pitcher, seeing as many pitches as possible, and then getting on base.

Morgan is pretty the opposite of that. See the ball, hit the ball.

3.80 pitches an at-bat, which, is below league average.

[hammondsnats]

Only against RHP.

On top of that... I don't like his approach at the plate. Leadoff man should be more concerned with working the pitcher, seeing as many pitches as possible, and then getting on base.

Morgan is pretty the opposite of that. See the ball, hit the ball.

.312/.375/.389/61 runs/35 SB/33 BB/62 K his splits in 94 games as leadoff in 2009. 

dude look if we can find a better replacement to leadoff, i'm all for it.  but i don't think the FO will change on their stance.   

[Lintyfresh85]

.312/.375/.389/61 runs/35 SB/33 BB/62 K his splits in 94 games as leadoff in 2009. 

dude look if we can find a better replacement to leadoff, i'm all for it.  but i don't think the FO will change on their stance.   

I agree the FO has no thought about changing their stance... I'd also point out that Morgan put up a .368 BABIP from the leadoff spot in 2009. Something I don't think he's capable of doing on a regular basis.

[comish4lif]

I think Morgan is on the "Elijah Dukes plan". The Nats will bring him to camp and he has to do his work. Get better on the basepaths, get better at the plate, and get better in CF. Otherwise, he won't be with the team on March 30th. - or sooner.

[blue911]

I think Morgan is on the "Elijah Dukes plan". The Nats will bring him to camp and he has to do his work. Get better on the basepaths, get better at the plate, and get better in CF. Otherwise, he won't be with the team on March 30th. - or sooner.

I see it the same way. Corey Brown is a centerfielder. Rick Ankiel is a centerfielder. Rizzo brought up the fact that Werth had played center at his presser. If Nyjer can't see the writing on the wall then that's his own fault.

[Lintyfresh85]

Has anyone else seen the Jeremy Burnitz comparison for Brown?

Maybe we could have our own Gorman Thomas in CF!

[Tyler Durden]

I think Morgan is on the "Elijah Dukes plan". The Nats will bring him to camp and he has to do his work. Get better on the basepaths, get better at the plate, and get better in CF. Otherwise, he won't be with the team on March 30th. - or sooner.

That's an interesting thought.  Every thing the team has said recently gives me the impression they're going to give Morgan every opportunity to do well.

I don't remember them making similar comments prior to cutting Dukes.

[hammondsnats]

I agree the FO has no thought about changing their stance... I'd also point out that Morgan put up a .368 BABIP from the leadoff spot in 2009. Something I don't think he's capable of doing on a regular basis.

and that's why I said we have a fanbase/organization that has fallen in love with the word "IF" regarding prospects, players coming off injuries/down years, etc. 

He was a real gem of a find that season, but last year was exposed in many different areas.  We'll see.

[Baseball is Life]

I think Morgan is on the "Elijah Dukes plan". The Nats will bring him to camp and he has to do his work. Get better on the basepaths, get better at the plate, and get better in CF. Otherwise, he won't be with the team on March 30th. - or sooner.

Badda bing, badda boom....though they might stay with him a month or two into the season. If he plays like last year, he is so gone.

Look, it's not like they have Mickey Mantle on the bench. They gotta see if the kid can play. If not, go with Ankiel or Bernie. And, please, no Werth in CF. Put him in RF and leave him there. Until Bryce comes up, that is. BTW, I'm predicing Bryce comes up this year! You heard it here first.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think I dug up a little factoid on Nyjer's OBP in a prior post.  I believe he has had 11 or 12 months in his major league career where he's had over 100 PAs.  In 8 of them, his OBP was over .350, IIRC.  He had a .350+ OBP all through his minor league career.  You can make a better case that the Nyjer we saw in May, June, and August 2010 was the aberration than all of the rest of his career.  He's not Brett Butler, but if he just keeps his head in the game and does not give away outs on the base paths, he's probably the best option for leadoff on this roster.  He could easily lose me, but I think the evidence favors Nyjer's glove (when he does not throw it) and his batting eye over Bernie's track record in the minors and the majors (since most of you think it should be Bernie in CF as the alternative).  My biggest concern is that he has less baseball smarts than Jethro Bodine. Just tell Nyjer, "Your antics - clamp it!"

[RyanTheRiot]

I have a feeling Morgan will be around for the whole season.  He's getting paid under $500K, and this is his last year before he's eligible for arbitration.  He's a cheap center fielder who has shown good all-around ability before.  He just needs to focus, and its really up to him at this point.  I expect we will see something closer to the .280/.345/.360 Nyjer as opposed to the .253/.319/.314 we saw last year, and with a better showing in the field. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Marquis - I was poking around Nyjer's career monthly splits on B-R.  He's had somethign like 11 months where he's had 100 PAs.  His OBP has been above .340 in 9 of those (9/07, all 6 months of '09, 4/10 &  7/10).  He also had 129 PAs in August and September '08 when he had a .391 OBP.His minor legaue stats also show consistly high OBP.   His two off months with that many PAs were 5/10 and 6/10, but those really stunk - sub .300.  August last year also was awful, but he had only around 60 PAs, while September was .329. 

I think we'll know quickly this year whether last year was the new normal for Nyjer.  I can't think of a reason why he was a disaster last year other than he seemed not to adjust to be someone who is counted on to perform instead of being a nice surprise when he performs.  Same problem as Willie last year, I think.

[tomterp]

You're quoting yourself?   

[RyanTheRiot]

I wouldn't put too much stock into monthly splits due to the small sample size.  Those high OBPs are highly influenced by high BABIPs.  That said, they do show that Nyjer has shown the ability to get on base.  I would be ecstatic with a .350 OBP in 2011, and I don't think that's too far out of reach.

[Lintyfresh85]

I wouldn't put too much stock into monthly splits due to the small sample size.  Those high OBPs are highly influenced by high BABIPs.  That said, they do show that Nyjer has shown the ability to get on base.  I would be ecstatic with a .350 OBP in 2011, and I don't think that's too far out of reach.

If he only plays versus RHP... I'd certainly expect an OBP close to .350.

It's when he faces off against LHP where the problems begin.