Escobar named starting center fielder

[PANatsFan]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070703&content_id=2064585&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Way to shake things up, Manny! Guessing that Nook will be cut. We'll see how long this lasts - they can always call up Watson.

[shoeshineboy]

That's sooner than expected, but they may as well get him in the lineup out there sooner than later. Maybe he will spark some of the other guys. It sounds like most of the players are hoping to heat up in the second half. That's good to read.

[nats2playoffs]

...We'll see how long this lasts - they can always call up Watson.

It will last until Escobar's next injury puts him on the DL... again.

[kimnat]

What about Langerhans?  he and Nook are equally at "risk" in my opinion.  Nook has speed over Langer, Langer has more accuracy over Nook.  It's really a toss up.

[kimnat]

It will last until Escobar's next injury puts him on the DL... again.

QFT!!!

[2k6nats]

I'm rooting for him; he's better than Logan or Langerhans, period.

[kimnat]

Shoot, I will be too.  But he does tend to get hurt a lot.  Odd how some are more prone to injury that others.

[PANatsFan]

What about Langerhans?  he and Nook are equally at "risk" in my opinion.  Nook has speed over Langer, Langer has more accuracy over Nook.  It's really a toss up.

Langerhans is a walk machine. Batting average isn't everything. Plus we traded Snelling for him, so it was really Vidro for Langerhans and  Fruto. Nook had his contract purchased. Also the FO seems to have had it with Nook and to value Langerhans.

[PANatsFan]

It will last until Escobar's next injury puts him on the DL... again.

That's what I was saying politely A healthy Escobar is an elite CF'er. The difference is that Manny had stated that Escobar would play in left field. So this is a change as well.

[Dave B]

muy interesante (sorry this post was not "Americanized")

[Ray D]

Langer has more accuracy over Nook. 

Could you elaborate that point?  Accuracy in what sense?

[Evolution33]

This is good news and hopefully something can go right for Escobar.

[The Chief]

I hope he does well but at the same time I'm surprised by this move.  I didn't think Manny had given up on Nook just yet.

[PANatsFan]

I hope he does well but at the same time I'm surprised by this move.  I didn't think Manny had given up on Nook just yet.

Well he had to either bump Church or Nook. Based on the numbers, its a good choice.

[The Chief]

Well he had to either bump Church or Nook. Based on the numbers, its a good choice.

Because there wasn't room on the roster?  I just assumed Escobar would play from the bench for a while in hopes of keeping him healthy and getting some useful production out of him.

[natsfan1a]

While the item linked to earlier in this thread says that Escobar is expected to start against the Marlins on Friday, the one linked to below says that the team seems to be in no hurry to activate him. Both items have the same posting date and time, but maybe this one was written before the other one was.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070703&content_id=2064549&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

[Nat of the Living Dead]

I'd say lets take bets on when he'll be back on the DL but that wouldn't be starting the second half off on the right foot.

[spidernat]

I'd say lets take bets on when he'll be back on the DL but that wouldn't be starting the second half off on the right foot.

True. With our luck he'll hurt his 'right foot' anyway. But let's face it, many of us will be cringing every time he runs the bases or slides or is chasing a fly ball in the outfield expecting him to pull up lame.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

True. With our luck he'll hurt his 'right foot' anyway. But let's face it, many of us will be cringing every time he runs the bases or slides or is chasing a fly ball in the outfield expecting him to pull up lame.

You got that right.  Heck, I fear him just stepping on to the field and spiking his foot with a blade of grass.

[PANatsFan]

Because there wasn't room on the roster?  I just assumed Escobar would play from the bench for a while in hopes of keeping him healthy and getting some useful production out of him.

I should be more clear. Positionally, he would need to bump either Church or Nook. But do we need Church, Kearns, Logan, Langerhans, and Escobar? Who gets sent down? Cutting Fick is not in the plans. Trading Church may very well be . . .

[spidernat]

I think Logan's days as a National are over, and rightfully so.

[nats2playoffs]

Escobar had a batting average of at least .400 in his first 45 ABs in 2006, going into August.  If he starts out red hot again, making him the full time starter might be conducive to trading Escobar to a contender before both the deadline and his next injury.

[PC]

I could never trust Escobar when it means losing a player for his spot on the roster.  There's no way he stays healthy, so when he goes back on the DL, probably before August, you're going to have to replace him and the player you lose to bring him up to the active roster, now.

[sportsfan882]

Oh hell yeah.. Best news I've heard in quite a while on this team.  Escobar is light years better than Nook/Langerhans.   

[spidernat]

Escobar had a batting average of at least .400 in his first 45 ABs in 2006, going into August.  If he starts out red hot again, making him the full time starter might be conducive to trading Escobar to a contender before both the deadline and his next injury.

Now that's optimism.