Comments on: Hirings Are Official (with new name)

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:43:08 +0000

Agreed. Hopefully this experience has a Brandon Snyder-type-effect on him next spring.

By: Pilchard

Pilchard — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:48:58 +0000

Both Marrero and Espinosa went 2 for 5 yesterday in the AFL. One of Marrero’s two hits was a double, and has gotten off to a .438 start in Fall League play. Would love to see him return to prominent prospect status with a breakout AFL season.

By: VladiHondo

VladiHondo — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:05:44 +0000

For the Winter League rosters, specifically Guzman, lots of MLB players appear on the rosters, but most will not play til December/January, just to gear up for the playoffs and the Caribbean World Series.

On Guzzy's team are also Aramis and Hanley Ramirez - so maybe Guzzy's plays 2nd for Licey!!

By: estuartj

estuartj — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:04:51 +0000

Guz is on the roster for Licey, but based on Riggleman's comments to MASN he won't play this winter, they are concerned he won't be able to throw by the start of ST '10.

Other interesting comments from that interview is that 1. Desmond gives Rizzo option to play hardball with confidence they have workable MI options 2. Maxwell spot on the roster is "his to lose" and may be part time starter in CF vs lefties to protect and rest Nyjer Morgan.

I think Maxwell is also an option in RF if his hitting continues to improve and/or Dukes fails to perform. Another scenario is Willingham being traded moving Dukes to LF and Maxwell starts in RF.

Chances of Desmond, Maxwell and Marrero all being ready sometime in '10 is low, but will significantly color the organization's moves this winter.

IMO best option is to focus FA/Trade moves on SP (1+Livan), RP (2) and CA (1). Possible trade bait - Willingham, Guzman & Dunn (later two would have to be mid-season).

By: Jeff E.

Jeff E. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:13:30 +0000

Bin M: My whole life has loved baseball with my heart and pre-internet gut. The internet has truly created a new generation and mind -wired personae of driven “bridge players” ( read the book HOUSE OF CARDS by W. Cohen to understand that slang). I remember being down in Viera when the fan base had not migrated south after the first season….expo fan base was really laid back with each other…there seems to be a real one-upmanship between some. Must be that Beltway air. And I am born under the Aries sign so I know what I am talking about about fire sign mentality/…….Rizzo and co. will find the catching and other parts needed…

By: Pilchard

Pilchard — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:45:56 +0000

Would guess that Guzman will not play much in the field in the DR.

By: BinM

BinM — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:07:26 +0000

Vladi: Thanks for the backgroung digging on the Caribbean leagues. The Nationals are actually going to let Guzman play winter ball after having his shoulder 'scoped? Color me suprised.

JeffE: Kojii opted out of his contract with SEA because 1) He "wanted to return to Japan to finish his career", or 1a) realized he can't play ML defense anymore & wants to "save face" before he got benched / released by SEA.

By: Jeff E.

Jeff E. — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:02:46 +0000

another catching option could be Kojii now a F/A from SEA???? he could help in Pacific Rim scouting efforts. VladiHondo, how about that HR yesterday. I am not ready to see Vlad’s tools go south overnight that much. perhaps a return to free agency this winter to Canada??? Vlad mixxed with Snyder and Lind??? hmmm. Austin Kearns could always be a cheap alternative if Angels miss out on Holliday??? as for Nats trades, I suspect all moves will be surprising.

By: VladiHondo

VladiHondo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:01:41 +0000

For Winter League participants, here's what I got so far: ("x" preceding a name denotes ex-Nat)

Dominican Winter League

==Aguilas Cibaena== x John Halama x Julian Tavarez

==Estrella de Oriente== x Jesus Colome Joel Guzman (3b AA, 24 yr old) Michael Martinez (2b A+, 27 yr old)

==Gigantes del Cibao== Osvaldo Rodriguez (RHRP A, 25 yr old) Valerio Heredia (2b A, 24 yr old)

==Leones del Escogido== Yunior Novoa (LHRP AAA, 25 yr old)

==Tigres del Licey== x Daniel Cabrera Juan Jaime (RHRP A, 22 yr old) Carlos Martinez (RHRP AA, 25 yr old) Atagualpo Severino (LHRP AA, 24 yr old) Cristian Guzman (ss MLB) x Wily Mo Pena

==Toros del Este== x Hector Carrasco

Marcos Frias (RHSP A, 20 yr old)

Venezualan Winter League

==Aguilas de Zulia== Francisco Plasencia (of AA, 25 yr old)

==Bravos de Magarita== x Wil Ledezma x Mike O'Connor Alberto Gonzalez (2b, MLB) x Frank Diaz

==Cardenales de Lara== x Steven Shell x Luis Antonio Jimenez Yhonson Lopez (of A-, 20 yr old)

==Caribes de Anzoategui== x Wuillys Bravo x Travis Hughes Julio Perez (RHRP GCL, 21 yr old)

==Leones de Caracas== x Tony Armas x Armando Galarraga Victor Garate (LHRP MLB, 25 yr old)

==Navagantes del Magallanes== Gustavo Molina (c AAA, 27 yr old) x Alex Escobar

==Tiburones de la Guaira== x Wiki Gonzalez

Marco Yepez (2b AAA, 27 yr old)

Mexico Pacific League

==Caneros de los Mochis== x Beltran Perez

==Naranjeroes de Hermosillo== x Brandon Watson

==Tomateros de Culiacan== x Luis Ayala

==Venados de Mazatlan== x Esteban Loaiza

==Yaquis de Obregon== Andrew Kown (RHSP AAA, 27 yr old)

By: VladiHondo

VladiHondo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:41:19 +0000

estuartj

Puerto Rico rosters have not come out, they don’t start ’til November, that’s the only hope for them. Last year JMax played in Puerto Rico, for the Criollas de Caguas team.

For current Winter Nats Stats: http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/org.jsp?id=was&y=2009

By: estuartj

estuartj — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:43:35 +0000

Does anyone have a run-down on who Nats players are playing for this winter? I see Guzman on the Licey roster, but where are Desmond and Maxwell playing for this winter?

By: Jeff E.

Jeff E. — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:50:42 +0000

I was down in Central Florida on the 16th, but perhaps the instructional league was done. BinM: ever notice how the phrase “on the outside looking in” has become one of the top cliches since that nifty Journey tune- Higher Place???? Keep Colin B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great news on the new hires!!! exporam- we never have neough talent….

By: Rocket Surgeon

Rocket Surgeon — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:52:35 +0000

Hope NFA fans can make it to Phoenix and see some AFL games. Temp is forecast to be 101 today. All the prospects you read about in BA and NFA are here and playing. It's pro baseball nirvana.

Here are my tips if you come: • Bring summer clothes. Temp has been in the 90's all week and I've seen about 3 clouds. •. Great hotel was the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Rate was approx. $90/night and service was excellent. Great pool area & 30-person Jacuz. •. Plan to bring your own food into parks. No coolers but other than that, they don't care. Concessions are minimally staffed and quality is poor. •. All parks are within easy driving distance. •. Sunday is the off day. •. Players are easy to approach for autographs.

Life's too short. You owe it to yourself to make the trip.

• Great hotel was Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Rate was

By: Rocket Surgeon

Rocket Surgeon — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:29:46 +0000

Marcus- I agree. I would say he just needs to tone it down a bit. Most of the players here have banged around the minors a bit. So for a college kid who has spent a whooping 1/2 season in the minors to come in acting like the savior isn’t winning him the Dale Carnegie actalike contest.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:18:54 +0000

RS: appreciate the updates!

Closers need a different type of personality, they must have a little cockiness to them with the whole game sometimes usually riding on their back. I hope he'll be fine with time...