The Biz of Baseball reports the Washington Times is dropping their Sports Section and laying off their 25-person sports staff.
Here’s a farewell note from staff writer Mark Zuckerman.
When it comes to local newspapers, it’s up to the Post to cover the Nationals now.
The Yankees made another move, now I believe, it’s the Red Sox turn. Righthanded starting pitcher Javier Vazquez & lefty reliever Boone Logan (both with the White Sox a couple of years ago) were dealt to Atlanta in exchange for centerfielder Melky Cabrera, a 19 year old out of the Dominican Republic by the name of Arodys Vizcaino, and lefthanded relief pitcher Michael Dunn. Vazquez crashed & burned in the Bronx, he did well with the Braves (but that’s the National League), it’ll be interesting to see how he makes out in the Big Apple (with big pressure), one of my happiest days as a White Sox fan was when Javier Vazquez & Boone Logan were put on a train out of town. Melky Cabrera, a fan favorite, will move into the lineup as the Braves everyday centerfielder, Dunn has a shot as a lefty in Atlanta’s pen, and the young righthander, Vizcaino, has a huge upside, only time will tell.
Atlanta also added their firstbaseman in the person of Troy Glaus. Troy was injured last season with the Cardinals. The hot corner has always been this big power hitter’s position, but he shouldn’t have any problems shifting across the diamond, his real position is BAT.
Darren Oliver went back to where he started, returning to Texas. This will be Darren’s third go around with the Rangers. Oliver spent the last three years in the Angels bullpen, the Halos are pursuing Fernando Rodney.
In a move that was kind of under the radar, Jason Marquis was signed by the Washington Nationals. Marquis showed guts in winning 15 games last season with the Rockies. This veteran righthander will provide the Nats with just what the doctor ordered, 200 innings & 30+ starts. Next up Washington needs to secure Mike Capps as their team’s closer.
The White Sox fired up the Hot Stove signing SS Omar Vizquel & Andruw Jones. Vizquel has been the best defensive shortstop of his time and will tutor Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Omar might be headed for Cooperstown when he finally hangs them up, his numbers stack up with Ozzie Smith, and nobody flashed a better glove at short. Speaking of excellent fielders, nobody did it better than Andruw Jones, but that was in his day. Andruw isn’t all that old, but he got old in a hurry, with very old knees. Jones will not embarrass himself in the outfield with the glove, although he won’t add to the team speed, but he was brought in here for his bat and to provide some outfield depth.
After a career year with the Blue Jays, Marco Scutaro cashed in with Boston, where he’ll be the Red Sox everyday shortstop. Outfielder Mike Cameron’s new home will be Fenway Park, playing leftfield for the Bosox, which would mean Jason Bay will not be retained. The Redbirds made a wise investment bringing Brad Penny on board. Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan has to be licking his chops, adding Penny to a staff that already has Adam Wainwright & Chris Carpenter. The Atlanta Braves bolstered their bullpen by adding lefty Billy Wagner and righthander Takashi Saito. By signing with the Nationals, Ivan Rodriguez will serve as a backup catcher & mentor to Jesus Flores.
I’m sure there’s alot more to come, I’m especially looking forward to the Rule V Draft, which takes place on the 10th.
With the season they had, this had to be coming. The Washington Nationals have lowered their ticket prices for many of their seats.
Here’s President Stan Kasten with the spin:
The Nationals are committed to providing a top-notch, affordable, fan experience for all guests. We are pleased to lower prices on over 3,300 seats, including over 2,000 in the lower bowl, and will continue to offer season ticket plans for as little as $10 per game. We thank our fans for their continued support of the Washington Nationals as we continue to build towards a winning ballclub in the Nation’s Capital.”
More details at The Biz of Baseball
Glenn Donnellan, 39, a violinist for the National Symphany Orchestra, combined his two loves, music & baseball, and made an electric violin out of a baseball bat, Derek Jeter model, would it have sounded as good if it were a Brent Lillibridge model? Glenn delighted the fans at a recent game between the Nationals & the Diamondbacks in DC, by playing the National Anthem on his unique instrument. Yeah but could he hit a home run with his fiddle?
I had the idea that Austin Kearns was going to be the next superstar when he came up in 2002.
I remember when he was going to be the next Adam Dunn but much better. He was going to be faster, hit for better average, would be able to field and wouldn’t strike out as much. I remember this because I drafted him as a rookie in my APBA league.
Well, I am lucky because I had the luxury of trading him. The folks in DC aren’t so lucky. I guess a few of the fans there are a little tired of him already.
A quick link to an article on mlb.com detailing what the Nationals are rumoring to do in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
Yes, they are expected to draft San Diego State RHP Stephen Strasburg with the #1 pick but they also have the #10 pick as well. It looks like they’re planning on choosing a pitcher with that pick as well but acting GM Mike Rizzo is tight lipped on who it will be only saying that he has trust in his scouting staff:
"I haven’t seen the amount of players that I have in the past," Rizzo said. "I’m listening and hearing what the people around me are saying — kind of gathering information and then putting it all together and making a decision. I’ve seen the top 20 or so players in the Draft, but once you get beyond that, you trust your people. We have a great staff over here."
The first comment, however, may be telling about how the Nats fan base feels, though. In part it says (caps and all):
WITH THE 10TH PICK WE SHOULD DRAFT A NEW MANAGER!!!!!!!!!!
Ouch.
Washington’s thirdbaseman Ryan Zimmerman just got a hit off the Giants tonight to extend his hitting streak to 29 games.
He’s hitting 45 for 122 (.369) during the streak.
I just ran across this page on Recondite Baseball which lists The “Worst” Hitting Streaks.
Juan Pierre tops the list. In 2000, his rookie year with Colorado, he went 18 for 66 for a .273 during his 15 game hitting streak. And in 1984, Cubbie catcher Jody Davis went 16 for 57 (.281) also for a 15 game streak.
Fortunately for Washington, Zim’s hitting more than the bare minimum for his streak. He’s gotten his batting average up to .352 for the season.
Ryan Zimmerman strolled into the home clubhouse at Nationals Park after Monday’s news conference announcing his $45 million, five-year contract and was greeted with a smile and a yell from a teammate sitting on a couch…
In this age of declining (or at best, "stagnant") salaries — see the free agent class of last winter — , Ryan Zimmerman drags this kind of contract out of the Nationals? WOW !!!
Would Jim Bowden have EVER agreed to something like this?
Is this Exhibit A of: Why Team Presidents should not be left alone with agents?
I wonder if this is the first contract Kasten ever negotiated.
I stand in AWE of this agent. Scott Boras, scoot over.
Question for you guys: On a scale of 0% (no chance) to 100% (sure thing), What do you think is the chance that Ryan Zimmerman will be worth $14 mil in 2013?
What do you think?
DonS.
P.S. Disclosure: I originally drafted Ryan Zimmerman in ILLOWA League in the Second Round. A year ago, I decide he was "Tim Wallach" rather than "Mike Schmidt" and swapped Zimmerman for Huston Street. So factor in as many "grains of salt" as you think that deserves.
The Washington Nationals have just woken up in time for September. At the beginning of the season, I thought the Nats might be the the big story of 2008. I’d be pretty smart if I’d had inserted Tampa Bay in for Washington.
Washington did win their first three games of they year but it didn’t take long for them to sink to the depths of the NL East.
Injuries to Ryan Zimmerman, Dmitri Young, Chad Cordero, Wily Mo Pena… well, I could on for a while, add that to a no-name starting rotation and that isn’t a recipe for a winning team.
And now, late in August, they start putting it together… for now. Even with their five game winning streak (and Atlanta dropping two), the Nats are still languishing 24 games back and even eight games behind fourth place Atlanta.
There’s always next year.
DonS. on Ugliest uniforms, really??
KRYSTAL on OH NO, NOT LUTHER HACKMAN!!!
The Baseball Zealot on Ozzie Guillen gone all Tweetin’ on us
Teddy Ballgame on Ozzie Guillen gone all Tweetin’ on usThe Baseball Zealot on APBA Fans: Check out The APBA Blog
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