BULLET-POINT STYLE!
- Brian Oliver, one of the hardest working bloggers in the Natosphere, is hanging up his spikes. It's devastating news to me, because I can't write anything about the minor leagues without having his "Big Board" open to consult all the minor league rosters in one place. Seriously though, Brian was one of the originals to write about the team, and was one of the five credentialed blogs to cover the team this season. It was an honor and privilege to sit beside him in the press box. There are some newcomers to covering the Nats minor league system, and they do a good job, but Brian has sources up and down the east coast, and his input will be sorely missed.
- It's September 1, so that mean the team can add players to the roster from the minors. I think we'll see a few guys recalled once the minor league season is over (or their team is out of the playoffs), but I don't think we'll see a ton of guys brought up. Most of the close young talent is here already. I think Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa are the two most intriguing names as far as position players. Ramos will most certainly be recalled, and I have been on record saying that I doubted that Espinosa would make the jump. I could be wrong though, as rumors have been floating around all morning about the subject.
- As far as pitching callups, we'll definitely see Yunesky Maya, the Cuban expatriate, and Ross Detwiler, both candidates for what promises to be a much improved rotation next season, with or without No. 37. We could also see starter Matt Chico,as a reward for his hard work and quality season coming back from his own injury. Relievers that could get a call include Collin Balester, Chuck James and even Jason Bergmann (remember him?).
- Hopefully Stephen Strasburg watched Jordan Zimmermann's dominating performance last night, and it buoys his spirits as he heads toward his own Tommy John surgery -- scheduled for this Friday -- to be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum. Zimmermann was much strogner and sharper last night than in this 2010 debut, and the numbers prove it out: 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 Ks. He'll be closely watched and on a pitch count the rest of the season, but every time out Zimmermann's going to feel better about his breaking stuff, which was pretty darn good last night anyway.
- Finally, after last night's quotes from a couple of the Marlins players during the post-game, expect Nyjer Morgan to get a fastball to the rib cage his first at bat after taking out catcher Brett Hayes in the tenth inning in last night's 1-0 loss.
I hope you're wrong about Espinosa. I really want to see the kid play!
anon, thanks for the comment. my opinion was formed from talking with people around the team and other media members. but if the organization changes their mind and brings him up, i'm anxious to see him too. of course, even if they do bring him up, Riggs still needs to put him in the lineup, and he's farily reluctant to go away from his veterans.
Dave: One thing to consider is the 40-man roster. Espinosa, Chuck James, and Bergmann are currently off that list.
BinM: yup, you're right. they have some wiggle room, as Willingham and Strasburg are both on the 15-day DL and could be moved to the 60, not counting against the 40-man. thanks for the comment.
They could also potentially release guys like Mench and Maldonado who are used sparingly at this point. From my perspective if you can say no to Orlando Hernandez who sure looked like he deserved a chance to pitch with his brother?
Its time to build the roster anew for the 2011 season. They need to look at the guys they think might be on it now to give them a head start into ST. Particularly given the devastating loss of Strasburg ...
Aeoliano: you've got a point there, though it doesn't seem in Rizzo's style to give guys the axe this late in the season. though with Maldonado in the minors, they could certainly release him once his season is over.
As long as we are cutting people like Mench and Maldonado, with the callup of Ramos, can we cut Nieves to make room for someone?
Thanks, Dave.
The response today has been flattering