Stephen Strasburg says he'll have to learn when to pitch to hitters and when to overpower them in order to develop further as an MLB pitcher, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports. Here are some more notes on the Nationals…
- Nationals starter Chien-Ming Wang had to be helped off of the field after straining his left hamstring in today's Spring Training game against the Yankees. If Wang misses time with an injury, the Nationals may need trade candidate John Lannan in their Opening Day rotation after all.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com both reported today that Lannan's trade value isn't very high right now.
- Bryce Harper explained that he’s definitely hoping to make the Nationals’ Opening Day roster, Kilgore reports. There was some confusion about Harper's expectations earlier in the week, but he still intends to break camp with the big league team.
- MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince explains why it might make sense for the Nationals to play Harper in center field. "As far as I'm concerned, anybody that can throw and run like he can should have experience at all the outfield positions," manager Davey Johnson said. Harper, who played center field in last night’s exhibition game, could provide the Nationals with stability at a position they’ve had trouble solidifying.
MB923
So first Wang gets hurt on the bases as a Yankee, and then he gets hurt on a different base against the Yankees?
Next time he’ll fall at 2nd base with whatever team he plays for, but the opponent will be the Nationals.
Redsox33
Wang will be traded to a team in dire need of pitching like the bluejays for Snider, and Travis d’Arnaud while Wang’s value is still high
sourbob
While Wang’s value is still high? Let’s see… Nope, it’s not June 2008 anymore.
Jason_F
I hope this is a joke.
Redsox33
Its not im dead serious
Jason_F
Thank you for confirming. In that case, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
Redsox33
I know what I am talking about. If Wang can regain the form he once had when he was the Ace of the Yankees then he will be a very valuable pitcher and he should be the one the Nats trade and not Lannan because I see some potential upside in Lannan.
Jason_F
Just by virtue of you saying, “IF Wang can regain the form…,” you are all but admitting that he has no trade value at the moment. Add to that the fact that you proposed that he would fetch the top catching prospect in all of baseball in trade, you can see why people are ridiculing your suggestion. Oh yeah, did I mention that Wang is owed $4MM this season? Your grasp on the concept of trade value is non-existent.
Redsox33
I am pretty sure that Wieters is better then Travis d’Arnaud. Also a more realisitic trade then the one I proposed would be sending Wang to Toronto since they need pitching and Wang has experience pitching in the AL East. for a player to be named later and or Cash Considerations.
Jason_F
You do realize that Wieters lost his prospect status 2.5 years ago, right? D’Arnaud has yet to step foot on a major league diamond. I suggest you hold off on commenting for a while, giving yourself some time to read up on how baseball transactions and trade value relate to each other.
Redsox33
I already know how they work can’t you tell that I’m not being serious? Also Larvarnway is a good prospect and yes he is still a prospect and he has very good power.
Redsox33
I already know how they work can’t you tell that I’m not being serious? Also Larvarnway is a good prospect and yes he is still a prospect and he has very good power.
abolishtheDH
while his value is high?WHAT VALUE?!?he’s not worth any minor leaguer that is considered a prospect.
BizarroCommenter
This comment make total sense to Bizarro.
Trade injured player while value still high!
Redsox33
The Yanks should trade Gardner and Sabathia for Harper and Strasburg
Joe L
So why would the Nats do that?
Redsox33
They get an elite pitcher and then the Yankees get two young guys. The yanks could throw in a guy like A-Rod to unload his massive contract as a throw in. Also Gardner would be more then capable of being the long term solution in Center. Its a win-win for both sides.
Jason_F
This proposed deal of yours could contend for most unlikely trade scenario of the year.
JacksTigers
You can’t be serious. This is by far, the worst non-Nelson proposed trade that I have ever seen on this site.
comish4lif
The Nats HAVE an elite pitcher – Stephen Strasburg. And he will cost a lot less than the $122M due CC.
MB923
They won’t lol.
Redsox33
Its possible
JacksTigers
No. It’s really not.
Redsox33
Well when it happens don’t make me say I told you so. I predicted Yu Darvish would go to the Ranger and Fielder would be a tiger and Pujols and Wilson would go to the angels about a day after each of them signed but still predicted it.
Jason_F
Are you trying to seize the worst commenter title in record time?
Redsox33
Nah man im just bored.
Jason_F
Are you trying to seize the worst commenter title in record time?
Kevin Swords
No way Rizzo trades Harper OR Strasburg for Gardner AND Sabathia.
Redsox33
They are young UNPROVEN talents who could go either way. Its a risk but I think its one worth taking
nats2012
Whatever your’re on, I need some of it.
Redsox33
You do? Its kinda expensive though.
MB923
CC is a proven ace and Gardner is the best defensive OFer in baseball and one of the fastest runners in baseball. Meanwhile Strasburg is coming off Tommy John and Harper hasn’t stepped foot in the majors.
I am pretty sure if such a trade was in the rumors, ONE OF Strasburg/Harper would get traded for Gardner and Sabathia.
With that said, no such trade is going to happen any way lol.
BarrelMan
Carlos Gomez is better defensively and faster than Gardner.
MB923
No, and No.
SB%
Gardner – 83%
Gomez – 79%
UZR/150
Gardner – 31.0
Gomez- 16.1
BABIP (completely fair I’d say to compare these 2 type of players who have basically no power)
Gardner – .317
Gomez- .305
BarrelMan
Gomez can’t hit, but I think if he played every day he’d have a better UZR. He’s faster in a sprint than Gardner IMO, maybe not as refined a base stealer.
MB923
Well that is indeed why I put UZR /150
BarrelMan
Fair enough.
CC 2
Defensive stats show nothing
MB923
We shall see when the Tigers play this year. Young in LF, Miggy at 3B, Prince at 1B. Ouch.
BarrelMan
Carlos Gomez is better defensively and faster than Gardner.
tiger313
What are you smoking?
Redsox33
Nothing why?
WolandJR
You seem to be confused as to how teams rebuild. The nats have gone from terrible to ok and will soon be pretty good by focusing on acquiring young, cost controlled talent as the foundation for their team (Werth being the notable exception). That is basically how the model works. What you are proposing is preposterous for a team like the Nats as it trades potential HUGE value for a few years of expensive vets, at least one of which is likely past his prime.
tiger313
What are you smoking?
Willjhull
You better hope they are not drug testing at your job anytime soon.
101andcounting
You’re my favorite poster on MLBTR. Keep up the good work!
Redsox33
Why thank you but from now on I am going to be much more serious I only did these posts out of boredom 🙂
nats2012
See, I told you about trading Lannan, its not worth it.
hsantana
So why is Wang on the rotation and Lannan is not? 4 years younger, 4 decent seasons in a row. Wang was really good.. 5-6 seasons ago with the Yankees.. I would put Lannan over Wang in the rotation everyday.
bluelineswinger
I would put Ross Detwiler in the rotation over either of them
Brian McKeever
I like Detwiler, and even saw him start a couple of games at Class A, but he still has to prove he can be consistent as a starter in the Majors.
FacelessGeneralManager
U saw him in class a? When? He has started games in majors. Including end of last year. He has been good enough to warrent furter starts. He seems to never get run support tho.
Brian McKeever
Clearly, they are hoping that a healthy Wang will be better and pitch deeper into games than Lannan. Time will tell if they have guessed right.
LUWahooNatFan
Strasburg, Gio, Zimm, Jackson, Detwiler
Stash Lannan in AAA until Strasburg reaches his innings limit or a pitcher gets injured
Bam, simple.
LUWahooNatFan
Strasburg, Gio, Zimm, Jackson, Detwiler
Stash Lannan in AAA until Strasburg reaches his innings limit or a pitcher gets injured
Bam, simple.