Braves refuse to lose to lowly Nationals

[BBQ]

We are playing great ball. I just don't like that we are platooning at 2B. Hernandez may be the hot bat but, Bonifacio has a higher ceiling, and he is going through agrowing pains and in my opinion he needs to be playing full-time through these times, not like we will win anything anyway diviaion or record wise.

[wpa2629]

This is what I expected to see at the beginning of the year.  If there hadn't been so many injuries I think the Nats would be right around .500.  But the injuries absolutely killed the team.  A little more expreience, a well placed fa or maybe two (one for the lineup and one for the rotation maybe), and maybe one more season and we'll be right there.  They're not as far away as this season would indicate.  The FO does need to stick their necks out a bit and spend a little to help push over that hump, but otherwise, we're not that far off, IMO. 

getting on base + speed = more wins (or at least more runs, especially with a healthy Zim, Dukes, Milledge, Guz and FO to be named to knock them in)

EB's assignment for the offseason, learn some plate discipline.  He needs to be on base more than he needs to get a hit, walks will do wonders for this offense.  It's not probably all going to come in one offseason, but progress this one would be nice.

I always felt that good health and more experience for the younger players would do wonders for the Nats

Sometimes adversity can galvanize a team -- the whole rise from the ashes thing -- would be a great confidence boost I think if they could finish out the year strong ... let's hope it's a harbinger of good things to come

[wpa2629]

We are playing great ball. I just don't like that we are platooning at 2B. Hernandez may be the hot bat but, Bonifacio has a higher ceiling, and he is going through agrowing pains and in my opinion he needs to be playing full-time through these times, not like we will win anything anyway diviaion or record wise.

There's plenty of time for that -- Hernandez has performed well and deserves a shot too -- it won't hurt either one of them to platoon at this point and hopefully they'll both be playing winter ball ...

[PANatsFan]

There's plenty of time for that -- Hernandez has performed well and deserves a shot too -- it won't hurt either one of them to platoon at this point and hopefully they'll both be playing winter ball ...

The ideal solution is to DL Guzman for the season and stick Hernandez at SS. Let them both play.

[PANatsFan]

This is what I expected to see at the beginning of the year.  If there hadn't been so many injuries I think the Nats would be right around .500.  But the injuries absolutely killed the team.  A little more expreience, a well placed fa or maybe two (one for the lineup and one for the rotation maybe), and maybe one more season and we'll be right there.  They're not as far away as this season would indicate.  The FO does need to stick their necks out a bit and spend a little to help push over that hump, but otherwise, we're not that far off, IMO. 

getting on base + speed = more wins (or at least more runs, especially with a healthy Zim, Dukes, Milledge, Guz and FO to be named to knock them in)

EB's assignment for the offseason, learn some plate discipline.  He needs to be on base more than he needs to get a hit, walks will do wonders for this offense.  It's not probably all going to come in one offseason, but progress this one would be nice.

Put EB in the Mexican League for the winter, like Church should have done, so he can learn to hit a breaking ball.

[sportsfan882]

No chance. Guzman is on fire. He will be our everyday SS for the next 2 years. Hopefully by then S-Gon or Espinosa will be ready to go.

[PatsNats28]

The ideal solution is to DL Guzman for the season and stick Hernandez at SS. Let them both play.

Why? Guzman is doing well too... IMO, Guzman and Hernandez should platoon the SS spot. And don't forget, Alberto Gonzalez is coming up too.

[wpa2629]

The ideal solution is to DL Guzman for the season and stick Hernandez at SS. Let them both play.

Guzman wants to play and he's being paid handsomely for it -- besides he's been en fuego lately -- he's earned the right to be on the field ...as it is ... I'm sure Gonzalez will be spelling him a couple of times a week anyway ...

[PANatsFan]

No chance. Guzman is on fire. He will be our everyday SS for the next 2 years. Hopefully by then S-Gon or Espinosa will be ready to go.

Guzman can hit, we are sure of it. Do you think a month makes a difference for a pro like him? His thumb still kills him, as far as I know. He can heal and we can evaluate.

[PANatsFan]

Why? Guzman is doing well too... IMO, Guzman and Hernandez should platoon the SS spot. And don't forget, Alberto Gonzalez is coming up too.

All these guys can't be in the future plans, we have to find out who is going to stick. Maybe we even trade Guzman, even though I'm not for it . . .

[wpa2629]

All these guys can't be in the future plans, we have to find out who is going to stick. Maybe we even trade Guzman, even though I'm not for it . . .

Outside of Young and Johnson, who you can't count to stay healthy all year - Guzman is the only legit veteran bat in the every day lineup -- trading him at this point would make no sense -- unless you could someone of equal or better value - there is plenty of time over the next two years - 324 games - to evaluate the other players

[PatsNats28]

Outside of Young and Johnson, who you can't count to stay healthy all year - Guzman is the only legit veteran bat in the every day lineup -- trading him at this point would make no sense -- unless you could someone of equal or better value - there is plenty of time over the next two years - 324 games - to evaluate the other players

this

[BBQ]

There's plenty of time for that -- Hernandez has performed well and deserves a shot too -- it won't hurt either one of them to platoon at this point and hopefully they'll both be playing winter ball ...

He deserves to be a utility player. Bonifacio will never get better watching Hernandez hit. Bonifacio is the better player.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

OK with me.  Burn the whole village.

All these guys can't be in the future plans, we have to find out who is going to stick. Maybe we even trade Guzman, even though I'm not for it . . .

[DPMOmaha]

Put EB in the Mexican League for the winter, like Church should have done, so he can learn to hit a breaking ball.

I'd prefer he learn how to lay off a pitch out of the zone before moving on to hitting the breaking ball. 

[PANatsFan]

I'd prefer he learn how to lay off a pitch out of the zone before moving on to hitting the breaking ball. 

BP SHOULD be able to solve that one, right?

[DPMOmaha]

In theory.  But if not, I'd prefer mastering the strike zone first.  But that may just be me.  Some people can only handle one thing at a time.  I don't know if working on all that in the short window that an off-season is, is enough time to get both down. 

[blue911]

Put EB in the Mexican League for the winter, like Church should have done, so he can learn to hit a breaking ball.

You are aware that EB is Dominican. That he played last winter for the Tigres del Licey,winners of the Caribbean Series.

[PANatsFan]

You are aware that EB is Dominican. That he played last winter for the Tigres del Licey,winners of the Caribbean Series.

The Mexican League is know for it's breaking ball pitchers. Stop trying to be spidernat

[blue911]

The Mexican League is know for it's breaking ball pitchers. Stop trying to be spidernat

No self-respecting Dominican would play in the Mexican League. The fact is most pitchers in winter leagues are working on off speed crap.

[PANatsFan]

No self-respecting Dominican would play in the Mexican League. The fact is most pitchers in winter leagues are working on off speed crap.

I think a guy who wants to start in the major might do whatever the team asks. He's not a Soriano type prima donna yet, I hope. But if he can get the same experience in the DR, then that's perfect. All I know is that I've heard the Mexican League breaking balls touted.

[Obed_Marsh]

Tough cookies Braves fans.