Category Archives: Nationals

Max Scherzer is a Diamond in a Rough Season

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The 2018 season for the Nationals can best be summarized thus far with the words frustrating and disappointing. There have been lengthy injuries to players like Adam Eaton, Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman, and mediocre on-field performances from others. Just this week, Washington traded a player due to reported clubhouse issues and designated another for assignment for bizarrely slamming his glove in anger during a 25-4 victory. A team that was supposed to coast to the National League East title, the Nationals currently possess a 55-53 record and sit five games behind Philadelphia in the division. This is turning into a bigger disaster than Malibu.

Lost among this fog of disappointment is the remarkable season Max Scherzer is currently having. On the mound, Scherzer boasts a 15-5 record in his 23 starts and 154 2/3 innings pitched, with a 2.33 ERA and 210 strikeouts against only 102 hits. He has struck out 10 or more batters in 12 of his 23 starts this season. He has increased his strikeout ratio to a career high while simultaneously keeping his walk, home run and men left on-base ratios below his career norms. He started the All-Star Game last month in his home stadium for the National League and is one of the favorites to win the NL Cy Young Award for a third consecutive year. The recently-turned 34-year-old (Happy birthday, Max!) has been utterly dominant and is in the midst of the best season of his career.

The medicine increases the time and a male can become infertile. levitra cost of This buy generic sildenafil does not defunct the ability of other treatments. Please contact the doctor immediately if you notice any of female viagra india these signs, seek for medical care. With men, these symptoms are associated with pain cialis online of different parts of our bodies, particularly our extremities; that is until we are suddenly unable to use them, even for a short period when you’re getting advanced kidney testing. Perhaps just as impressive have been his exploits this year as a hitter, as Scherzer is currently hitting .292/.333/.312 with a double, a stolen base and five runs batted in over his 48 at-bats. Furthermore, Scherzer has only eight strikeouts all year, showing he is far from an automatic out and a batter the opposition must respect. In fact, his current .646 OPS is nearly tied with Wilmer Difo (.648) and higher than all three of the team’s catchers (Spencer Kieboom .537, Pedro Severino .510 and Matt Wieters .610) this season. His highlight moment offensively came in June, when Scherzer was summoned as a pinch hitter in the 14th inning, promptly got a single and scored the game-winning run on a Difo triple.

2018 has been discouraging so far for the Nationals and, unless they go on a surge to finish the season, will be remembered as a disappointing year in NatsTown. If the club hopes to usurp the Phillies to win the division, Scherzer will have to have more games like last night, when he went six innings and allowed only two runs, plus sparked a six-run rally with a key hit in the second inning. Bad luck and injuries have put the Nationals in a difficult position, but hopefully there are enough Scherzdays left in this season to capture another National League East title. If not, we should still appreciate and celebrate watching Scherzer have one of the best seasons in recent memory.

*Originally Published at MASNSports.com 8/3/18*

Washington Trades Brandon Kintzler

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Ahead of the July 31st non-waiver MLB Trade Deadline, the Washington Nationals dealt RHP Brandon Kintzler to the Chicago Cubs for prospect RHP Jhon Romero.  With a current 52-53 record, Washington faced a difficult decision of whether to “buy” or “sell”, yet surprisingly, this was the only move the Nationals made during a frenetic trade deadline.

The almost 34-year-old Kintzler (Happy Birthday Wednesday!) struggled to begin the season but has rebounded to post a 3.59 ERA over 42.2 innings pitched, with 40 hits and 13 walks allowed against 31 strikeouts.  Acquired at last summer’s trade deadline, Kintzler was solid in his two seasons in Washington, providing the Nationals with a 3.54 ERA in 68.2 innings pitched.  Kintzler re-signed with Washington last winter to a 1-year $5 million contract, with a mutual option for 2019 – the team option is worth $10 million or Kintzler can pick up a $5 million player option.  This deal frees Washington from this potential financial obligation next season, while also adding to the organization’s pitching depth.

In return for Kintzler, Washington receives Jhon Romero, a 23-year-old right-handed relief prospect who has acted as the closer for High-A Myrtle Beach in 2018.  This season Romero has a 3.29 ERA in 44 innings pitched, with 40 hits and 17 walks allowed against 57 strikeouts.  Of note, he has allowed only 1 home run in his entire 96 inning career.  A pure relief prospect, Romero is blessed with a 92-95mph fastball, touching higher on occasion, an intriguing curveball and a poor changeup.  He has 7th inning upside due to his solid command of a powerful fastball and curveball, with the likely outcome being an up-and-down reliever.
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This trade feels generally puzzling, as Kintzler had been pitching well recently, does not earn a large salary and the Cubs should be considered competition for Washington to earn a playoff berth.  In addition, the team does not face a roster crunch in the bullpen, nor does this return feel so substantial the team could not refuse the offer.  Therefore I am left to speculate why Washington seemed so eager to part with him.

Overall Washington weakened their bullpen and downgraded their roster, while acquiring a prospect that should slot in around #21-#25 in their organizational prospect rankings.  On the surface, the return feels reasonable, if not slightly light, but when coupled with their current position in the standings, this deal feels perplexing and rather underwhelming.

NatsGM Grade ->             D

Nationals should be sellers at trade deadline

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The 2018 season has been a constant struggle for the Nationals due to injuries to key performers and subpar performance from others. Presently, the Nationals have a record of 51-51 and are seven games behind Philadelphia in the National League East and 4 1/2 games back for a wild card berth. With the news of Stephen Strasburg returning to the disabled list, Washington’s playoff chances are dwindling by the day. The stark reality is general manager Mike Rizzo and the Nationals should probably sell ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Without delving into trade rumors surrounding Bryce Harper or Max Scherzer, Washington has five obvious trade candidates should it decide to raise the white flag unlike Dido.

* Acquired just last month from the Royals, reliever Kelvin Herrera has bounced back from a slow start to pitch well for the Nationals, posting a 3.29 ERA over 13 2/3 innings. The Nationals sent three interesting prospects to the Royals for Herrera, and could expect a similar return if they decided to flip him ahead of the deadline.

* Matt Adams signed a one-year $4 million deal with the Nats this winter and has been one of the bright spots for the team so far, hitting .279/.358/.554 with 16 home runs. A left-handed power threat capable of playing first base or left field, Adams should have several suitors if made available in trade discussions.

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* Following a monster effort in 2017, left-hander Gio Gonzalez has seen some regression thus far this season, providing the Nationals with a 3.94 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 107 1/3 innings. He has struggled recently and his $12 million salary will soften his market, but Gonzalez is one of the best rental starters available.

* After a rocky start, right-hander Brandon Kintzler has pitched well for the Nationals this season, posting a 3.67 ERA over 41 2/3innings. In particular, Kintzler has been excellent the past 30 days, posting a 2.03 ERA over 13 1/3. The relief pitcher market is hot, and Kintzler could help several teams in a middle relief capacity. Additionally, Kintzler has a $10 million team option for 2019 or a $5 million player option, a decision the Nats might like to eliminate from future payroll considerations.

While none of these players would return a massive prospect haul, by trading them, the Nats could rebuild much of the prospect depth depleted over the past five seasons. If Washington fails to dominate the Marlins this weekend, general manager Mike Rizzo should summon his inner Monty Hall and play “Let’s Make a Deal” next week.

*Originally Published at MASNSports.com on 7/27/18*

Washington Trades Brian Goodwin

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Sunday the Washington Nationals traded OF Brian Goodwin to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for prospect RHP Jacob Condra-Bogan.  The emergence of Juan Soto and the healthy return of Adam Eaton created a lack of playing time for Goodwin, and this trade helps alleviate Washington’s roster crunch.  In corresponding moves, LHP Sammy Solis will take Goodwin’s place on the active roster, while RHP Koda Glover was activated from the 60-Day disabled list to take the vacated spot on the 40-man.

The 27-year-old Goodwin was a Washington 2011 1st round selection (34th overall) and after a steady journey through the minors, reached the majors in 2016.  Due to injuries and Washington’s outfield depth, Goodwin never fully established himself as a major leaguer.  For his major league career, the left-handed hitting Goodwin has a .246/.315/.464 batting line with 16 home runs.  This season Goodwin never found his rhythm, batting only .200/.321/.354 with 26 strikeouts in 65 at-bats.

Goodwin is a passable defender at all three outfield positions, making him a productive 5th outfielder when healthy.  Lacking a clear path to playing time and out of minor league options, Washington did the practical thing to trade him to a rebuilding club where the opportunity exists for playing time.  Goodwin is pre-arbitration through 2019 and controllable through 2022.

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Condra-Bogan features a 3-pitch arsenal consisting of a mid-90s fastball that can touch 98mph, along with a below-average slider and changeup.  Combined with his solid control, the fastball is a “65” pitch and scouts believe the slider could have average future potential.  He is a pure relief prospect due to mechanics and lack of a changeup.  Condra-Bogan could move quickly through Washington’s system, with a future ceiling of a 7th inning reliever and a likely outcome of an up-and-down bullpen arm.

This is a relatively small, but interesting baseball swap.  The rebuilding Royals needed outfield help and made a savvy move to acquire Goodwin, who was languishing in Washington and desperately needed a change of scenery.  On the other hand, Washington lacks pitching prospect depth after several recent trades and woefully lacks pitchers with high-end velocity in their system, something Condra-Bogan immediately helps address.  I prefer Kansas City’s haul and believe Goodwin carves out a productive major league career, but Washington did well to receive an intriguing arm with major league potential in return.

NatsGM Grade  ->  C+