Dusty Baker on bench construction

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - As the Nationals get deeper into spring training, more talk turns toward how new manager Dusty Baker will construct his bench. How will he balance his reserves between left- and right-handed hitters? How much does he value experience over versatility? Does speed count more than the ability to hit cold off the pine?

So what about it, Dusty? What factors will the skipper consider as he formulates what is expected to be a five-man bench? Figuring that backup catcher Jose Lobaton has one of the spots locked down, that's four roster slots with a plethora of players jockeying for position.

"Balance, determination, experience to a degree," Baker said in the dugout at Champion Stadium before tonight's game against the Braves. "Because that's the hardest job in the world in baseball. You might not play for a week or 10 days and you might be called upon to come in in a key moment of the game - pinch-run, try not to get picked off, steal a base. Or to pinch-hit against one of the toughest pitchers on their team. To play defense and not make an error.

"That's a tough job, but you have to be strong mentally and hope it's an older player that has some success so not to take that 0-for-1 to sleep with him for the next week. If a guy's had some success, 0-for-1's 0-for-1. So the best benches I've had on teams I've been on are when I've had former everyday players, at least guys that had success in that role."

That job description bodes will for guys like infielder Stephen Drew, who signed a major league deal in the offseason; first baseman/outfielder Clint Robinson, who emerged as a reliable source of offense off the bench last season; outfielder Chris Heisey, who was on Baker's teams with the Reds; and outfielder Reed Johnson, a one-time everyday player entering his 14th big league season who has adapted well to pinch-hitting, pinch-running and spot duty.

Of course, there should be a lefty/righty balance that opposing managers have to respect, but Baker pointed out that a switch-hitting infielder can really pose logistical problems for the other side.

"Then you got two players instead of one," he explained. "Then you force the other manager to, at best, make him turn around to what he thinks is his weaker side."

Speed is a critical component - and Baker has his Nats running a lot so far in Grapefruit League play, a departure from recent regimes - especially with slow-footed players like catcher Wilson Ramos and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the roster. Late in games, with the National League's more stringent strategy, fleet feet can make the difference between a run and an out, a win or a loss.

"You'd like some speed," Baker said. "You'd like some guys who have some shorter strokes because it's easier to keep a short stroke together. I've been on some good teams with a heck of a benches."

Ultimately, Baker hopes he has enough weapons to make the boss in the opposing dugout have to think twice (or more) about a move. When you're managing and have to pick your poison - the thumper with power from the right side or the slap hitter who always finds a way to get on base from the left - it's an additional level of strategy that must be considered.

"Either way, you're in trouble," Baker said with a grin.

One of the hardest parts of putting together a strong bench in today's game is the fact that teams don't have what Baker called "unlimited resources." Payroll is an issue, and general managers have to find a way to balance their budgets and keep spending in check. That means they have to cheat somewhere - taking a lesser-paid player for a fifth outfielder or backup infielder - to make things work financially.