Fire Matt Williams! (2014)

[PC]

This is more a Rizzo issue than a Williams one.

This roster is HORRIBLY constructed, as it seems to always be under Rizzo.  Span is a left handed bat.  His backup (when healthy) is a left handed bat.  The 4th OF who would play CF next, McLouth is also a left handed bat.  That's too many left handed bats stacked up at the same position especially when they're not  good left handed as is the case with Span and McLouth.

When you look at the rosters that Rizzo compiles, you always have to wonder if, while putting it together, did he think big picture, at all.

[ChiliPalmer14]

Seriously, this is what it looks like when we're on our way to a division championship; imagine if the team weren't good.

The team is giving away runs on offense and defense.  I'm glad they have a winning record, but that doesn't prevent me from believing that they're underperforming.  I think this team thinks they have "roll-over" runs that they can use from lopsided wins.  I know they're facing big league pitchers, but I think it's a little too often that offense just seems to go on vacation.  You'd think the Cardinals pitched Bob Gibson three times against 'em last weekend.

[houston-nat]

WTF! Span still in leadoff vs a LHP. He's got a .617 OPS vs LHP this season. freaking dreadful

Talk to your doctor about Xanax.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

do you think he has an aversion to batting Span and Lobaton consecutively?  Facing a lefty kind of cries out for dropping Span to 8th and moving everyone up one slot.

By the way, Espinosa is .291 / .361 / .491 v. LHP this year over 61 PAs and is .289 / .372 / .368 over the last 14 days.

[NationalHeat]

This thread is hilarious.

The kvetching that goes on here is highly entertaining.

I avoid this place after a loss just because of this. This thread was written while the Nats were/are in first place, with 3 key contributors on the DL.

[mitlen]

Talk to your doctor about Xanax.

Bo on the corner can help him out.

[HalfSmokes]

I avoid this place after a loss just because of this. This thread was written while the Nats were/are in first place, with 3 key contributors on the DL.

at what point does Ramos being injured become a given and not an excuse?

[Baseball is Life]

And I think our record against the Braves will start to turn around. They aren't very good either.

This is what keeps me optimistic. The Barfs just ain't that good. They are way too flawed. I thinks 90 wins takes the division easy this year.

[aspenbubba]

Talk to your doctor about Xanax.

First freakin laugh today. Thanks. This is not questioning SF mental health.

[HalfSmokes]

This is what keeps me optimistic. The Barfs just ain't that good. They are way too flawed. I thinks 90 wins takes the division easy this year.

I'm starting to think it doesn't matter, we have 13 games left against them, as long as we can avoid something disastrous like 1-12, even at 5-8, I think we can easily make that up over the rest of the season. The team dismantled the Giants- it isn't a question of them losing to good teams, it's just the braves and cards- the only NL teams we have losing records against this year are the braves, 1-5, cards 2-5, Pit1-3 and Cin 1-2. Pit and Cincinnati are only 1 series a piece, so not a big deal.

[NationalHeat]

at what point does Ramos being injured become a given and not an excuse?

Totally agree. I think they should splurge for someone like Carlos Ruiz.

[Dschmiel]

Say what you want about Williams but at least he isn't making these kind of bad jokes like another rookie manager:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11104602/tigers-manager-brad-ausmus-apologizes-remark-beating-wife

[imref]

it was nice to see the base running last night.

[TigerFan]

Is this a narco thread or something?  What happened to the hatred fill venom that was Skippy's stuff from game #2 or whatever?  Bleh first place with a mediocre team battling injuries.  They should be in 1stA place.  Dickwads

[Slateman]

Matt has to do something. Scream at them. Bench the starters. Get tossed by an ump. Something to show the team that the status quo when they play the Braves is simply no longer acceptable.

[mmzznnxx]

Say what you want about Williams but at least he isn't making these kind of bad jokes like another rookie manager:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11104602/tigers-manager-brad-ausmus-apologizes-remark-beating-wife

  That's freaking funny, and clearly a joke. Is it in poor taste? Maybe. And you don't have to like it. But it was obviously a joke. I can't believe people are crapting themselves over this. Until Ausmus or Williams start beating the Missus, why would anyone care. Until their jokes or actions are actually hurting people other than themselves, why don't we concentrate on whether their lineups and bullpen decisions are harming the team. You know, actual managerial duties rather than personalities and comedy potential.

[TigerFan]

Because as a country, and a people, we are becoming so damn politically correct, or want to be, that anything said, regardless of how it was said or the context it was said is taken so seriously.

And before anyone says anything about homerism I'd say the same if a braves/phils/ChiSox/etc manager said the same.

[spidernat]

I can't believe people are crapting themselves over this. 

In this climate I can't believe you can't believe it.

[mmzznnxx]

In this climate I can't believe you can't believe it.

I'm offended you would say that. How dare you. I demand immediate apology and reparations.

[Ray D]

Come on guys, spousal abuse is a serious problem. I know he was joking, there's no doubt about that. Point is, it isn't a joking matter.

[comish4lif]

Desmond isn't gonna let anyone change his approach, he said it himself. So...we're stuck with some occasional pop, awful situational hitting, and once LaRoche leaves possibly more than 30 errors next year.

Desmond's approach would have to change if he looked down to the 3B coach for the sign and got the "take" sign until he saw a strike (even if you only do it once per game). I am sick of him taking a home run swing on an 0-0 curveball that he thinks was a fastball.

He is one of many guess hitters on this team.... Desmond, Espinosa, LaRoche, Span....

[Slateman]

Desmond's approach would have to change if he looked down to the 3B coach for the sign and got the "take" sign until he saw a strike (even if you only do it once per game). I am sick of him taking a home run swing on an 0-0 curveball that he thinks was a fastball.

He is one of many guess hitters on this team.... Desmond, Espinosa, LaRoche, Span....

No one complained about Desmond's approach the last two seasons when he was winning Silver SLuggers.

Had a 10% walk rate in May and has a 6% so far in June.

[PC]

No one complained about Desmond's approach the last two seasons when he was winning Silver SLuggers.

Had a 10% walk rate in May and has a 6% so far in June.

I complained about it...and he wasn't batting .230 then.

[Slateman]

I complained about it...and he wasn't batting .230 then.

yes, well your obsession with bunting is well documented.

But the bottom line is that the power is there and he did adjust in May and the beginning of June. Oh and EVERYONE was mystified by Floyd's curve last night. Werth struck out. Rendon  was a strikeout queen. Zim was  hitting balls into the dirt 15 feet in front of home plate.

Desmond just looks uglier doing it.

[jhuterp]

I really hope when the time comes the Nats just make Desmond a qualifying offer and let him walk.  Spend the money elsewhere.