Spring Training...So Far
Unless you have an unlimited budget, a very rich spouse or entirely too much time on your hands--you aren't down in Viera, Florida, right now watching the Nationals open up their Spring season.
The Nats got their first taste of live action Wednesday night vs. the Marlins and somehow tied. A great man once said, "ties in baseball are like kissing your sister." I agree...(although I don't have a sister).
If you didn't hear about the game...there is a good recap of it at MLB.com...
A few notes about Spring so far..
Johnson vs. Young: I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but from reports out of Florida--Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson looks legit (and healthy) and Dmitri Young looks a bit slower than usual. Young told reporters he did not picking up a bat during the off-season--but he has reported at a lower weight than last season. Either way, it might take him a little longer to get back into shape. As for Johnson, all indications are that he is back. In the batting cages, on the diamond and in the clubhouse everyone reports that Johnson is eager and looks like the same player who provided a huge offensive spark the Nationals in 2006 (.290 average and .428 on-base pct).
Lastings Milledge: Another key storyline in the Nationals opener was the 2 stolen bases swiped by newly-acquired outfielder Lastings Milledge. Last year, Milledge swiped 3 bases ALL SEASON (59 games) for the Mets. Clearly Milledge is going to be expected to provide speed on the basepaths (with Nook Logan gone)...but if he can become not only a basestealer--but a threat--it would alter the entire Nationals offensive identity. Think about the impact that Jose Reyes has for the Mets (once he gets on base--you are in trouble)...I'm not saying that Milledge is Reyes (or even close), but to even have a threat like that would be fantastic for the team. Last season the Nationals stole 69 bases all season (ranking them 23rd in all of baseball)--which averages to just 1 stolen base every 2.3 games. If that number can go up...that would be huge. FYI: The Orioles were 2nd in MLB last season with 144 steals (surprising).
The Rotation: Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post put together a list of the legitimate potential candidates for the rotation: In alphabetical order they were:
Collin Balester
Jason Bergmann
Matt Chico
Tyler Clippard
Ross Detwiler
Shawn Hill
John Lannan
Garrett Mock
John Patterson
Odalis Perez
Tim Redding
Much better problem to have than last season when the Nats were searching for warm bodies (see Jason Simontacchi, Jerome Williams). Basically it seems like Spring will help clear up the rotation...but my guess at the depth chart (assuming everyone is healthy):
Shawn Hill
John Patterson
Jason Bergmann
Odalis Perez
Matt Chico
Tim Redding
John Lannan
Collin Balester
Tyler Clippard
Ross Detwiler
Garrett Mock
The big thing here is that Tim Redding wouldn't be in the rotation according to this depth chart. I really don't know that I'm comfortable with that guess (because Redding was great down the stretch for the Nats: 3.58 ERA after the All Star break). So the depth chart is subject to change.
Food: The Nationals issued a press release about the food that will be available at the stadium this season....Basically a bunch of cool food--but most importantly: the curly "W" pretzel...See the press release here
MASN coverage: We will have some live blogging down in Florida next week--so stay tuned for that...
Comments? News? Matt Perl can be reached at mperl@masnsports.com
Matt Perl is a Producer with MASN. Prior to his time with MASN, Matt spent 4 years with ESPN in Bristol, CT. He is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.
I heard a little bit about some kid named Adam Carr(RHP) just got called to Nats Camp. I really am curious to see if he really can throw 98 but im skeptical. I'm assuming the reason Detwiler got sent down already is because he will get more chances to pitch??? I saw the Nats Dodgers game on MASN tuesday... Chico does not look like he is even going to have a chance to make the roster??