Where did it all go wrong?

[Slateman]

Cordero = Poor Man's Armando Benitez

Zero movement on the heat

Can’t throw strikes either

[JCA-CrystalCity]

that looks like the performance of my investment in WorldCom.

[Baseball is Life]

I read the SI article in the Nats while waiting for my colonoscopy. How appropriate.

[Baseball is Life]

Can’t throw strikes either

Can't teach 100MPH. Maybe his control will come around.

[Natsinpwc]

I can provide more details if you want.

[catocony]

This team needs two starting pitchers and one 8/9 reliever. And I wouldn’t be opposed to trading Doolittle.

So your strategy for a team that needs to rebuild it's bullpen is to trade it's top reliever?

[Slateman]

So your strategy for a team that needs to rebuild it's bullpen is to trade it's top reliever?

Doolittle can't stay healthy. If you're going to compete, you gotta have the closer. He hasn't put together a full season since 2014. Ryan Zimmerman of closers.

[imref]

Doolittle can't stay healthy. If you're going to compete, you gotta have the closer. He hasn't put together a full season since 2014. Ryan Zimmerman of closers.

Trade Doolittle and Soto for pitching prospects!

[Slateman]

Trade Doolittle and Soto for pitching prospects!

I'm not trading Soto unless it's an enormous haul. And I don't think anyone has the pitching I think would be worth Soto.

I dunno ... maybe if the Dodgers wanted to offer Urias, Walker, and Alvarez.

I don't think people realize how rare Soto is. The selection he shows at the plate is so impressive. It's scary to think he might get better at the plate. Particularly as he develops power.

[Ray D]

I don't think people realize how rare Soto is.

I think everyone here does.  (And he was joking.)

[imref]

I'm not trading Soto unless it's an enormous haul. And I don't think anyone has the pitching I think would be worth Soto.

I dunno ... maybe if the Dodgers wanted to offer Urias, Walker, and Alvarez.

I don't think people realize how rare Soto is. The selection he shows at the plate is so impressive. It's scary to think he might get better at the plate. Particularly as he develops power.

I'm just messing with you (and whoever seriously suggested trading him a few weeks ago).

[Slateman]

I'm just messing with you (and whoever seriously suggested trading him a few weeks ago).

That poster was joking. Philly fan. Lulz.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Cordero = Poor Man's Armando Benitez

Zero movement on the heat

That sounds like every man's Armando Benitez - 98 and arrow straight in the middle of the plate.  Benitez just had some other pitches that he developed later, which is how he got good.

[hotshot]

If I had to point to one specific moment (other than hiring Martinez) it would be Howie Kendricks going down.  We haven't been the same since.

I like your thinking. You know Howie would've driven in a bunch of those runs just left sitting on base as the Nats third out was recorded.

[hotshot]

Can't teach 100MPH. Maybe his control will come around.

I personally wouldn't know but I've heard that 100 mph with no movement is easier to hit than 93 with it. Control isn't Cordero's biggest problem.

[Elvir Ovcina]

I personally wouldn't know but I've heard that 100 mph with no movement is easier to hit than 93 with it. Control isn't Cordero's biggest problem.

100 is also a lot easier to hit with no consistent secondary pitch.

[DPMOmaha]

Heck, I could hit 95 in the batting cage in high school. But it as going straight every time and there was no fear of getting hit. It was just a matter of getting the timing down right. It was when they started throwing different pitches during tryouts that I was sunk.

[GburgNatsFan]

I think it all went wrong about the 10th time the Nats left the bases juiced with three outs to get one over.

[bluestreak]

Doolittle can't stay healthy. If you're going to compete, you gotta have the closer. He hasn't put together a full season since 2014. Ryan Zimmerman of closers.

Was Doolittle hurt last year?

[Slateman]

Was Doolittle hurt last year?

Yes

[tzinc]

injury excuse doesn't hold up according to that research so...
maybe it was the managing that went down that accounted for so many losses?

[nfotiu]

Yes

Who are the closers who are elite and healthy every year?  Are there more than enough to count on one hand?  On even one finger?

[DPMOmaha]

Who are the closers who are elite and healthy every year?  Are there more than enough to count on one hand?  On even one finger?

Craig Kimbrel. Only 1 DL stint in 9 years as far as I can tell.

I'm sure there are others, but that one comes immediately to mind.

[nfotiu]

Craig Kimbrel. Only 1 DL stint in 9 years as far as I can tell.

I'm sure there are others, but that one comes immediately to mind.

He definitely fell out of being elite for a couple years though.  It's such a crap shoot betting on a closer.  Who could have predicted that Kimbrel would return to form for 2017 and 2018 after his previous two seasons.

I think Doolittle is as good a bet as anyone for next year.

[DPMOmaha]

He definitely fell out of being elite for a couple years though.  It's such a crap shoot betting on a closer.  Who could have predicted that Kimbrel would return to form for 2017 and 2018 after his previous two seasons.

I think Doolittle is as good a bet as anyone for next year.

He had one year, the year he was hurt, where he wasn't elite. I'd bet on that track record for a couple more years.