Here's a scary nightmare for Nats fans. Photo: Nats official photo day via deadspin.com
Bill Ladson did his seemingly monthly inbox on 8/29/11. Here’s how i’d have answered the questions he took.
Q: What are your thoughts on Chien-Ming Wang possibly being a part of the rotation next year?
A: I’m not quite ready to say he’s worth considering for one of our 5 rotation spots next year. We get 6 more starts to decide. Remember though its not a given that he’ll even be back with us (a topic for an imminent blog post). Ladson says if he continues to look good there’s a strong possibility he’ll be back. We’ll see.
Q: Do you think that Prince Fielder is a good fit for the Nationals? I understand that Adam LaRoche has another year guaranteed, but Fielder’s bat is much needed in the middle of the lineup.
A: No, I don’t think Fielder is a good fit. I think he’s a bad-body, poor defense first baseman who may age badly. Plus, I don’t think this team is ready or willing to spend that kind of money again, so soon after getting burned on the Werth deal. Ladson says the last thing they need is another first baseman. Good point.
Q: Do you think the Nationals should try to re-acquire Alfonso Soriano?
A: Hahahah. That had to be a joke question. Absolutely not; he’s vastly overpaid, is producing at a fraction of his salary, is a mediocre left fielder at best, and wasn’t exactly Mr. Winner in the clubhouse. The Cubs are stuck with him for the next several years unless they decided to just eat millions of dollars of his salary to pay him to go away. Ladson: Absolutely not.
Q: I have heard there is a chance that Anthony Rendon would play third base once he gets to the big leagues and Ryan Zimmerman would move to first base. Is this true?
A: I have a hard time believing a player routinely mentioned in the discussion of the best defensive third baseman in the league would be moved by an unproven rookie, no matter what his pedigree or reputation may be. This isn’t like Mike Bordick moving a secretly awful defensive shortstop in Cal Ripken; this is one of the two or three best positional defenders in the game. Rendon moves, not Zimmerman. Ladson says that Rendon will play 3B professionally and will move for Zim. But, Zim’s contract runs out in 2013 and that’s a great point … where will the team be by then?
Q: Do you think Danny Espinosa can beat out Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award?
A: Not anymore; perhaps if he continued his upward average trend starting in July through the end of the year he could have challenged. But Kimbrel’s great ERA and save totals will get him the win. Atlanta may have the top 3 rookie of the year vote getters (including Beachy) and a leader in next year’s race in Tehran. That team is stacked and built for the future. Ladson says : no, but that Espinosa should be in the hunt for a gold glove award.
Q: What is your take on Roger Bernadina? He has produced with consistency, especially in the leadoff position, but keeps getting sent down.
A: You think he’s “produced?” Here’s his career stats; he’s got almost identical numbers in 2011 to his 2010 numbers, and with more than 800 career at bats spread across multiple seasons he’s an 82 OPS+ hitter. Sorry; you need more production out of a leadoff hitter, or any major league hitter, than that. He used his last option in 2011 and most likely will be DFA’d after spring training 2012. Ladson says he’s a tease and thinks he’s no more than a 4th outfielder.
Q: Can you explain the Nats’ fascination with shortstop Ian Desmond, given his regression at the plate this year — lower average, no power?
A: Its all about potential with Desmond. His UZR/150 is still in the negative range but the team thinks he’s a plus-plus defender. To his credit, he’s vastly cut down on throwing errors this year. He has absolutely regressed at the plate. But the team loves his leadership capabilities. My take; he’ll be given one more year at SS to become a competent hitter and then Espinosa will take over. Ladson plays the arbitrary endpoints game and says Desmond has improved since the all-star break. Yeah, when you’re dead last in the league in OPS you have no place to go but up.
My answers to the questions he took on 7/26/11. I forgot to hit “post” on this and the content has been sitting around for weeks. As you can see it was a lot of trade deadline talk when everyone thought we were getting a CF.
Q: What happens when Jordan Zimmermann reaches his innings limit? Does he go on the disabled list or will he be kept on the roster?
A: Good question. I’d guess he will get an invented injury if he reaches his limit in mid August, so the team isn’t short handed in the bullpen. Ladson notes that if he lasts til 9/1, rosters expand and there won’t be a need to play DL games.
Q: Would you trade Ian Desmond for Michael Bourn? Would you trade Desmond, Clippard AND a Prospect for him?
A: If the Astros would take Desmond for Bourn, yeah I probably would make that deal. I know we’d be selling Desmond short, and he has a lot of leadership qualities, but he’s not hitting the ball (he has one of the 2-3 lowest OPS figures in the league for qualifying hitters). Anything MORE for Bourn and I think the deal doesn’t make sense for the Nats. Ladson totes the party line on Desmond…and states that we’re not talking to Houston about Bourn.
Q: Who do you think would be a better fit with the Nationals: Bourn or B.J. Upton?
A: I think both would be good “fits.” I’d rather have Upton. Upton grew up in Virginia Beach and knows Zimmerman from youth baseball, so he’d already have a friend on the team. Ladson also notes the local connections with Upton.
Q: What are the chances of the Nationals making a run at Prince Fielder in the upcoming offseason?
A: Pretty high. Of all the major FAs coming up, he’s a decent risk. He’s still young and you’d be buying his absolute best years (as opposed to most FA targets, who are already into their 30s and on the decline when they get paid). He may not be the best defensive first baseman but he’d be a big help to the offensively-challenged lineup. Ladson doesn’t seem to think we’re in the market for Fielder.
Q: What is the future of Chris Marrero, seemingly blocked now by both LaRoche and Morse?
A: Great question. I think he’s trade bait. He doesn’t hit well enough to push a 25 homer/100-rbi capable guy like LaRoche off the bag, and Morse is suddenly becoming one of the hottest hitters in the league. Ladson thinks he’s trade bait.
Q: Did the Nats consider whether Werth could handle the pressures of his contract before they gave it to him?
A: No, and show me a team that DOES do that kind of consideration. Stars are stars because they perform, not because they’re capable of performing. Ladson says ask him about Werth in 2 more years. Great answer.