Category Archive:
Ben Goessling
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Nationals News
Running post-WNFF question thread
Thanks to everybody who came out for the chat at Washington Nationals Fan Forum last night. I hope everyone had a great time. I know I did.
I wanted to set up a thread for those of you who arrived a little late to the chat, or who didn't get a chance to get your questions in. We ran out of time last night, but I'm happy to keep tackling them here.
Just leave them in the comments section and I'll respond right underneath your comment.
And if there's stuff you'd like to read about, let me know that, too. I've got a few things cooking for the rest of the week, but I'm always curious to hear about what you'd like to read, so don't be shy.
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Categories (click for archive)Ben Goessling | Nationals News |
MLB Trade Rumors reports that Cuban defector Jose Julio Ruiz is close to signing, and that 6 teams have shown interest. What POSSIBLE reason could there be for the Nats not being in on this, and on other international players signing? I understand that the Nats were in the discussions for Aroldis Chapman. Fine. I understand that they may have trouble in the Dominican for a little while. Also fine.
There is no reason not to be at the front of the line for every Cuban defector with promise, though. All you have to do is show up and then offer money. We aren't talking about some big need for developing players- the Cuban National Team has already done it.
Please ask Mike Rizzo why they weren't aggressive in this case.
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Just checked on this -- the Nats scouted Ruiz, but weren't interested enough in him to make an offer. Didn't have anything to do with price; they just weren't that impressed.
Ben
Just because it's a Cuban, doesn't necessarily mean it's something you want to have. Recall the Seinfeld episode where Kramer procured some Cubans for Jerry.
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Yes, and those Cubans were actually Dominicans, if I recall. That might be better in this case. Although, the Nats did just sign another Cuban...
Ben
Ben,
I just wanted to thank you for your time and chatting with us at WNFF. Feel free to drop by anytime as a regular Joe for discussion, no need for you to feel that you have to stay just in that one chat thread!
Oh, and don't forget about getting that link to WNFF fixed on the "Nationals Sites and Blogs" section, it'd be much appreciated. In fact, the link in this article is off a little too ;) It points to http://www.wnff.net/index.php?PHPSESSID=6k9v2fncg1irihsnana7vicqs7&board=3.0 gotta get rid of all that PHPSESSID stuff. Just http://www.wnff.net
Thanks again!
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Thanks, Nathan. I'll probably pop in from time to time, and hopefully we'll do that again soon. Feel free to stop by over here any time, too.
As for the link...I've told our web people about the error, so hopefully it gets fixed soon. I'll mention it to them again in the next couple days. Thanks again!
Ben
Ben, thanks again for spending time with us over on WNFF. Not sure how you avoided the pet squid question, however. That's been a real stumper for your chat predecessors.
Keep up the great work!
Ben, thanks again for spending time with us over on WNFF. Not sure how you avoided the pet squid question, however. That's been a real stumper for your chat predecessors.
Keep up the great work!
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Pet squid question? Well, now I'm curious. Maybe next time I'm over there.
Ben
Ben, you mentioned that an upgraded web portal was in the development. I have a suggestion that would make this site more user friendly, and that is to eliminate editor review of every comment left by a reader (like this one). I really hinders effective communications, puts a damper on what otherwise become a lively forum. Maybe that's the intent, but still.
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The main reason for it is to block spam -- if we left it unfiltered, the comments section would be a mess, believe me. I get to see all of the spam, and it's pretty bad. Hopefully there's a way to make that better in the future. As for the other stuff, nobody's editing or modifying comments, though they do have to get posted to the site on our end of things. It's just to check for unruly stuff, which I suppose can always be removed later. I've heard a few comments along these lines today, and passed them along to my editors and bosses. Keep the suggestions coming, though -- we're always trying to make this site better. Thanks!
Ben
Ben,
Nice chat, and great WNFF shout-outs. What's the scoop on Martin? His HR rate is really low, can he be the next Saul Rivera, in a good way?
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Well, I think he still projects in the minds of front office people as a starter, but I get what you're getting at. Let's see how the spring shakes out; people tend to forget about Martin because there's nothing flashy about him, on or off the field. But he's got a talent for simplifying pitching and getting further than he should. I wouldn't be shocked to see him end up in the rotation, possibly at the end of the spring.
Ben
Ben,
I think PA was referring to the reliever Rafael Martin. The Nationals purchased his contract from a team in Mexico a few days ago.
I think you may have been referring to JD Martin.
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Yeah, I think you're right -- tend to not think much about Rafael Martin yet, since he's still in the minors. I think he's got a little more than Saul does. He throws harder, and will have a better chance to miss bats than Rivera does. Little early to tell, but he might be a step up from Rivera if he maxes out.
Ben
Yeah, I was referring to the Rafael Martin acquisition. Saul in the day threw bowling balls that were just plain going to stay in the yard. If he can add strikeouts to No-Homers, then I see why other big time players were in on R. Martin.