Poll

What is the biggest hole remaining?

LF
3 (7.3%)
CF
5 (12.2%)
MI
0 (0%)
SP
28 (68.3%)
Closer
0 (0%)
Bench
0 (0%)
Leadoff hitter
4 (9.8%)
Other (explain)
1 (2.4%)

Total Members Voted: 40

Author Topic: What is the biggest hole remaining?  (Read 2171 times)

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Offline hammondsnats

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #25 on: February 10, 2011, 12:04:48 pm »
the only thing that would stop Morse is Riggleman's idiocy.

or he doesn't deliver.

i hope he does.

Offline shoeshineboy

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #26 on: February 10, 2011, 12:37:48 pm »
As can be currently seen in another thread, certain WNFFers think that not even Albert Pujols is a sure thing.  :roll:

When rating prospects, there is the concept of the can't miss or sure thing. Guys like Strasburg and Harper become considered sure things before they even make their big-league debuts. You have to look at prospects and rookies and make educated guesses. And in that context, it is very reasonable to label JZ about as sure thing as you can get, because you have to base expectations on legitimate observations and experience. It is reasonable to think JZ will pan out successfully. Still, nobody really knows for sure whether a guy can deliver up to where he projects, but that is why the qualifier of "as you can get" is there.

I don't see how pointing out that JZ's lack of actual track record of consistent big league performance can be put in the same category with any established veteran, much less a Pujols. When guys have track records, you know what you can expect. People knew what they were getting with Adam Dunn.

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #27 on: February 10, 2011, 01:06:58 pm »
I would go with SP, but my second choice would be lead-off hitter. 

Offline comish4lif

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #28 on: February 10, 2011, 01:18:03 pm »
I'm expecting Morse to have a 22+ HR, .850+ OPS season. Willingham-like numbers and better D in left.
I'd love to see that - but I don't think that the Nats will give Morse the at-bats. He's not one of Rizzo's defense-capable, athletic players. I expect that Bernadina and Ankiel the chance to lose the job.

Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #29 on: February 10, 2011, 01:21:46 pm »
I was really surprised at the LaRoche trade...I was sure that Morse was going to be at 1B this year. Too bad for him.
I'd love to see that - but I don't think that the Nats will give Morse the at-bats. He's not one of Rizzo's defense-capable, athletic players. I expect that Bernadina and Ankiel the chance to lose the job.

Offline shoeshineboy

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #30 on: February 10, 2011, 01:21:53 pm »
I would go with SP, but my second choice would be lead-off hitter. 

Yeah, the top of the order in general is a huge question mark. The starting pitching is what it is, and we know it is lacking, but I'd hate to a significant portion of the season wasted with guys batting ahead of Zimmerman who have the lowest OBPs on the team. 

Offline hammondsnats

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #31 on: February 10, 2011, 01:31:17 pm »
updated the poll to include "leadoff hitter"

Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #32 on: February 10, 2011, 01:44:28 pm »
Morgan is a pretty big 'hole.

Offline cmdterps44

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #33 on: February 10, 2011, 01:50:36 pm »
SP but CF is the next hole. I mean if worse comes to worse we can play Bernadina in CF until we find something.

Offline Potomac Cannons

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #34 on: February 10, 2011, 02:40:14 pm »
I would go with SP, but my second choice would be lead-off hitter. 

This.

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #35 on: February 10, 2011, 03:58:40 pm »
Starting Pitching.

Online JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #36 on: February 10, 2011, 05:32:32 pm »
I'm the lone leadoff hitter vote so far.  Even if I'm an optimist and say Nyjer leads off against rightiies and has a .350 OBP, and Hairston goes against lefties and has a .340 OBP, that still isn't a strong point.  I can live with the mediocrity in the rotation (a buffet of meh) and hope the survival of the fittest there will end up with some fit ones surviving.  I think the drop off potential from the optimist case is worse at leadoff than in the rotation.

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #37 on: February 10, 2011, 05:37:19 pm »
I don't think people are exactly comfortable with the leadoff situation... I just think people are THAT worried about Starting Pitching.

Offline cmdterps44

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #38 on: February 10, 2011, 05:39:10 pm »
I don't think people are exactly comfortable with the leadoff situation... I just think people are THAT worried about Starting Pitching.

I know this sounds pathetic but I've grown to live with the problem. Why? I mean we've had it for the past 4-5 years and nothing has really been done about it (except for signing Nyjer) yet last year it was clear that he wouldn't be able to do it. Since they didn't make any changes maybe Nyjer will step it up... Our SP is still more valuable than a leadoff hitter.

Offline UnkleWheez

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #39 on: February 10, 2011, 05:54:58 pm »
I'm the lone leadoff hitter vote so far.  Even if I'm an optimist and say Nyjer leads off against rightiies and has a .350 OBP, and Hairston goes against lefties and has a .340 OBP, that still isn't a strong point.  I can live with the mediocrity in the rotation (a buffet of meh) and hope the survival of the fittest there will end up with some fit ones surviving.  I think the drop off potential from the optimist case is worse at leadoff than in the rotation.

I believe it is Leadoff Hitter. Our offense underperformed last year. Mostly due to our lack of a leadoff hitter. We need someone that can get on base, someone that can TAKE PITCHES (especially early in the game). How many time do I remember Morgan swinging at the first pitch of a game? Too many. I like Morgan but I believe he is a forth outfielder.

I think Starting Pitching is better this year than last. It still needs to be better. I see the goal of this season as being the year to gain credibility (.500 or close to it). I think we should try to get a starting pitcher also, most likely by taking some one that a team can't afford anymore. We have lost of money available. Then trade an extra pitcher for a leadoff hitter. But yeah, I think leadoff hitter is most important. Hopefully a CF with great defense and OBP.

Offline hammondsnats

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #40 on: February 10, 2011, 05:59:58 pm »
I don't think people are exactly comfortable with the leadoff situation... I just think people are THAT worried about Starting Pitching.

exactly.  I'm worried about the offense, yes of course I am.  I don't know how much better we're going to be than last year as far as run production goes.  I'd like to think we'll be better, only time will tell.

But pitching, I like some of the names we have in camp, but I would feel comfortable with a stud and then having one less spot for more competition.  Competition is a good thing. 

Offline welch

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #41 on: February 10, 2011, 07:36:41 pm »
The Nats will be in deep trouble if Morgan is their best CF. I hope that Rizzo has accumulated enough fielders that Morgan can go to the Willy Mo Pena / Elijah Dukes retirement home.

Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #42 on: February 10, 2011, 07:45:27 pm »
Might as well call the team the Washington Swiss Cheese because they need to seriously address several aspects of the team, but-- starting pitching. We need better starting pitching.

Offline The Chief

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #43 on: February 10, 2011, 09:28:59 pm »
mmmmm swiss cheeeeeese

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #44 on: February 10, 2011, 10:35:26 pm »
The Nats will be in deep trouble if Morgan is their best CF. I hope that Rizzo has accumulated enough fielders that Morgan can go to the Willy Mo Pena / Elijah Dukes retirement home.
I don't really have a problem with Morgan in CF, I think he can be a perfectly fine center fielder, I actually think he can be a very good one, but he hasn't shown much capability, IMO, to be much of a leadoff hitter.  If Espinoza or Desmond could show some ability to get on base, I'd have no problem having them at the top, I don't really care who it is, but I don't think defensively is where I'm worried about Nyjer. 

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #45 on: February 10, 2011, 10:36:24 pm »
I'm the lone leadoff hitter vote so far.  Even if I'm an optimist and say Nyjer leads off against rightiies and has a .350 OBP, and Hairston goes against lefties and has a .340 OBP, that still isn't a strong point.  I can live with the mediocrity in the rotation (a buffet of meh) and hope the survival of the fittest there will end up with some fit ones surviving.  I think the drop off potential from the optimist case is worse at leadoff than in the rotation.
I voted for "other" before "leadoff" was an option...

Offline R-Zim#11

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Re: What is the biggest hole remaining?
« Reply #46 on: February 11, 2011, 09:34:50 am »
I voted for "other" before "leadoff" was an option...

I debated between CF (essentially leadoff) and LF. Morgan at least has a history of a decent OBP. I am hoping his antics last year were an aberration. If not...it will be ugly.