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With Nyjer Morgan on the 15-day disabled list, we're getting a chance to see a different configuration of the Nationals' outfield. On most nights, that means Josh Willingham in left, Roger Bernadina in center and Michael Morse in right.
That's worth watching because the Nationals' outfield in 2011 could look more like that than you think.
Several industry sources have said in the last two weeks that the Nationals wouldn't mind making Bernadina their center fielder in 2011. Some in the organization believe he's better-suited to play the position than Nyjer Morgan; he's got a stronger arm, good range and a better grasp of fundamentals.
Bernadina, who is hitting .275/.333/.425 this season, has mostly played right field. Who would replace him over there?
There's strong organizational interest in Carl Crawford, who will be a free agent after the season and could fill some of the void at the top of the lineup. But the Yankees and Red Sox are believed to be interested in the Rays' left fielder, and the price tag could be over $70 million. It remains to be seen if the Nationals could make a serious run at a player like Crawford - or if they would commit big money over the next several years when they're likely to have Bryce Harper waiting to take over in right.
It seems more likely, though, that the Nationals would pursue Crawford than Jayson Werth, who could command $100 million in free agency and is deemed an injury risk.
If Bernadina became the center fielder, another immediate question is what becomes of Morgan. He is arbitration-eligible after next season, though he could be within a few days of the Super Two cutoff after this season. Some scouts prefer Morgan as a fourth outfielder, and he could be an inexpensive option for that role next season, if he would embrace it.
The Nationals have discussed Morgan as a backup, and while he's on the disabled list, they get a chance to see how they'd fare without him in center, whether it's Michael Morse or someone else in right field.
Not sure how Werth is an injury risk. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he hasn't had a really "significant" injury since his wrist problem with the Dodgers in 2006.
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Nothing significant, from what I've heard. Just enough little things over the years that they'd be worried about giving big money to a guy who will be 32 next May.
Ben
here are carl crawford's career stats.
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB 4809 735 1420 209 99 97 561 400 89 282 737 .295 .336 .440 .777 105 2118
God, i hope we sign him. He would be a great lead off man for the nationals.
Brad Hawpe also could be a free agent next year and his buy out is 550k so i dont know if the rockies keep him.
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Hawpe is interesting. I know for a fact Rizzo likes him.
Ben
How in the world does Werth get $100 million? He's a year older than Dunn, and has never topped Dunn in OPS+. Yes, he's a better fielder at a more important position, but who's going to give him the 5 or more years it would take to get that much money? Do you want a 36 year-old Werth on your team making $20 million and hitting 15 homers? Plus he's an injury risk?
If you go after a guy like Crawford, do you then groom Harper for first?
Crawford is what, 28? 29? So you'd have to think that he'll tail off in 3-4 years.
Harper is 3-4 years away ... have to see how he fares .... he would be getting a late start except, well
he isn't. He is only 17. Hopefully its 3 years. But given his age its hard to tell.
You keep Harper in the outfield along with Hood, Perez and Ramirez. Looks like Freitas might work out at catcher. You have Justin Bloxom and I guess Tyler Moore is looking interesting at first base. Marerro is still also only 22. But his bat may not make up for his lack of fielding as yet.
His goal should be to catch up with those guys currently in Hagerstown ... those look to be the likely set of teammates.
I would still like to see the Nats pick up Peter Bourjos. And I agree with Ben's industry experts, Morgan is the better Willie Harris for utility outfielder.
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Bourjos isn't going anywhere cheaply. And you're talking about prospects at Hagerstown and lower looking like they're going to work out, while Marrero is a question mark. Something seems backward there.
Ben
If we sign Crawford, then you're saying he's an upgrade over Willingham as he ages and you probably don't bring Willingham back after next year. If Dunn doesn't resign you move Willingham to first. I have concerns about Bernadina's defense too, though. Last night, that diving catch was half the result of a bad jump he had on the ball. He dives well, but some of those dives may be due to bad routes.
I agree that Werth isn't worth the money. Right now, he's getting older, and he plays in a bandbox in the midst of a pretty solid lineup. He's the major right handed power threat in the lefty/switch heavy Philies lineup.
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Completely agree on the Bernadina catch -- he went the wrong way on that ball, and would have had an easy catch if he read it right. They could also move Willingham to right if they signed Crawford. But yes, if they committed to Crawford, with Harper coming eventually, Willingham's future here wouldn't be terribly long. This is all conjecture at this point, though, and with the Yankees and Red Sox, as well as a handful of other teams interested, Crawford is going to get expensive.
Ben
I think you hit it, he's much more verstaile than Dunn. Maybe Morse will follow in the Werth mold and go from "role player" to nine-figure man.
Yeah Peric, you shoot for the moon sometimes which isn't a bad thing but just not realistic. To paraphrase Rick Pitino, Cliff Lee is not coming through that door, Albert Pujols is not coming through that door (I know you never suggested him), and Peter Bourjos isn't coming through that door. I saw Bourjos play last week against the O's. He puts Nyjer Morgan to pieces. Comes from a baseball family, his dad is a scout with the O's. He has a great speed and can really man centerfield. Was rated the Angels #1 prospect, I think your over-your-head on this one. In order to even have a chance to Bourjos, they would need to part with some of their young guns? And I don't see it happening, why? The Nats only real one is Stras. J-Zimm is possibility, but I think teams would be hesitant considering his coming back from major surgery. And no, Stammen, Lannan, Martis, Mock are NOT exactly type A players. Stammen doesn't help his chances in a trade if he stays in the bullpen. Lannan looked horrible in the minors, its suprising he's doing this good in the majors. Am I forgetting anyone, probably.
Rick, I agree if you bring in Crawford, it's not merely as a stopgap. Harper could play 3rd I believe also, but I think they'll keep him at RF. At the very least, we probably don't have to worry about Harper until Late May/Early June 2013 (of course assuming we sign him).
I would also say, there might not be enough of a sample size on Werth, he's only been playing everyday for two years. Kevin Mench put up 50 homers over two years and found himself in Japan last year and not cutting in Syracuse.
His goal should be to catch up with those guys currently in Hagerstown ... those look to be the likely set of teammates.
Some confusion. Should say Harper's goal should be to catch up with Hagerstown class of 2012-2013.
Carl crawford is also a scott boras client and they are difficult to sign.
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Crawford is with Genske and Brian Peters; formerly with Boras.
Ben
"I agree that Werth isn't worth the money."
-->No pun intended? I see Ben and his colleagues having fun with the headlines as Jayson is pursuing free agency. "Werth talking to," "Is it Werth it?," "Nats needs to make it Werh it," "Werth the investment?," etc...
I think you hit it, he's much more verstaile than Dunn. Maybe Morse will follow in the Werth mold and go from "role player" to nine-figure man.
The thing to keep in mind with Morse is that he is only 28 which is younger than Willingham, Dunn, and Morgan. Bernadina and Maxwell aren't that much younger I think a year younger? Morse started out as a major league shortstop. He has played and probably could play every infield position except catcher. He appears to be improving as he spends more time in right field. Clearly he could play left field.
So, he should have the athleticism to play at a high level.
The big question is has he figured it out? Can he hit major league hitting consistently. The past two years he has played entire seasons without injury issues. Last year was the first he played 32 games in the majors since 2005. This year he is up to 52. He could surpass the 72 he played in 2005. In the minors even in 2005 he played in more games there (95). In 2007 he only played in 81 games. 2008 he had shoulder surgery and was out. Except for 2005, these past two years have been when he has made the most appearances in games between both the majors and minors.
So, Morse really hasn't played a lot ... yet. He could use the same argument/complaint that Maxwell often used about not getting enough playing time, but you never hear it from him.
Finally, if you re-sign Dunn you really have only 1 left handed power bat in the lineup. They could really use another. Since Zimm, Willingham, and Morse are right handed and the jury is still out on Bernadina. Maxwell is also right handed.
Crawford is a left fielder. What do you do with Willingham? I only see Crawford if there is a Willingham trade. In the end I believe Mike Rizzo will trade for what he needs. Perhaps with the Rays who are going to shed salary (BJ Upton/Desmond Jennings). But they do need a power-hitting left-handed bat other than Dunn.
Might be worth keeping in mind that one of Mike Rizzo's favorite players will be a free agent next year: Brandon Webb right-handed starter.
A Scott Boras client so let's try to find someone else.... Well one Rizzo's strengths has been his relationship with Bor@$. We have atleast three in our organization under contract(Stras, Flores, and Pudge) and hopefully a forth. He also did a good job if I recall with Bor@$ while he was with the Dbacks.
"The thing to keep in mind with Morse is that he is only 28 which is younger than Willingham, Dunn, and Morgan. Bernadina and Maxwell aren't that much younger I think a year younger?"
-->28 is pretty old for a breakout season, the Jayson Werth's are few and far between. Probably the steriod test set him back a few seasons or atleast his credibility.
"So, Morse really hasn't played a lot ... yet. He could use the same argument/complaint that Maxwell often used about not getting enough playing time, but you never hear it from him."
-->He must be a saint then, since he never complains.
"Finally, if you re-sign Dunn you really have only 1 left handed power bat in the lineup. They could really use another. Since Zimm, Willingham, and Morse are right handed and the jury is still out on Bernadina. Maxwell is also right handed.
Crawford is a left fielder."
-->Neither is a POWER hitter
"Might be worth keeping in mind that one of Mike Rizzo's favorite players will be a free agent next year: Brandon Webb right-handed starter."
-->Rizzo needs to stop going after his "mancrushes" in Arizona. The team is sinking into the pool in right field there.
Back to the minors and how Clark, Harris, Scialabba et al have things set up:
None of the teams look like they are going to the playoffs this year. A lot has to be laid on the pitching. The rapid advancement from Hagerstown and in Syracuse where starting pitching is now a weak spot. Harrisburg and Potomac have decent pitching but lack offense.
In the case of position players you have to figure they might start pinning their hopes on Bloxom. One big reason is, unlike Marerro, Tyler Moore or even Derrick Norris he is a switch hitter. Hopefully, he can develop into one that will be immune to double-switching. This is also the case for Espinosa at short stop. He is a switch hitter. Lombardozzi a potential utility infielder is a switch hitter.
In Hagerstown you now have Bloxom (1st base switch hitter), Kobernus (at second), Adrian Sanchez (at second; another switch hitter currently hitting .448 [International Signing] ), Francisco Soriano (switch hitter) and Hague (short stop), Steven KIng and Souza at third base plus Ramirez, Hood, and Perez in the outfield. This looks like a pretty good "core" of guys that could develop and mature at about the same time. Throw Harper into that mix and you might have a pretty solid future lineup.
Still, and all it depends on pitching. Which, with a few exceptions, hasn't been as good once the pitchers reached Harrisburg/Potomac.
Hmm, looks like they are working on signing Robbie Ray ... a real long shot high school hurler.
Meanwhile, hopefully the other top hurler picks will sign ... and Harper as well.
And, Ted Lerner is still the Managing Principal Owner. That tells me that he is literally in charge of the
franchise's purse strings. Be nice to get an interview with him on how he sees the state of things and
where improvement is warranted instead of having Scully interview Mark the fly-ball shagger.
What a 360 according to your reporting the past week and month and several months......What changed here or did you just take the easy way out and repeat old information from Spring Training?
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What reporting is this contradicting, exactly? I would love to see some links.
Ben
"And, Ted Lerner is still the Managing Principal Owner."
-->George Steinbrenner had this same title until late 2007, despite having many health setbacks. There is no doubt in my mind that Mark is more in charge than Ted. Ted is more of a "chairman" at this point. The guy is 85, I think. You got a link of Scully interviewing Mark L?
Oh thanks ben, i am glad. i dont have alot of respect for that devil named boras.
That the Nats are interested in Carl Crawford doesn't hold much weight with me -- after all, who in the world wouldn't be interested in signing Carl Crawford? The guy is a stud, and he'll undoubtedly test free agency (and Tampa has Desmond Jennings ready to take his place next year -- some farm system they have.) Not sure what his price will be, but a bidding war between NYY and BOS could be on the horizon, which probably wouldn't be great for baseball. A home-grown Tampa star becoming a bidding war for the two biggest payrolls in the game would only feed the perception that baseball is broken and needs a salary cap, especially after the Sabathia-Burnett-Teixeira offseason after 2008.
Luke
Luke
Ben: I thought the Nats gave up on the "Willingham in Right Field" experiment last year. Is that really an option for next year?
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I don't think Willingham in right field ever really got off the ground. He's better in left, but he only spent about a month in right. It was actually his best offensive month of the season, too. Riggleman has said, and said again today, that Willingham might be better with 400-450 at-bats. Crawford has also played center field before. I don't know exactly how things would look -- they're only interested in Crawford at this point -- but there are some things they could play with, should they get him.
Ben
I would have no problem going 'all-in' with Crawford...but that only makes sense if you resign Dunn. I would highly consider trying to trade Willingham and get a couple good young pieces. Crawford will be expensive though, and I actually think he will be making more than Werth.
Here you go Ben.....http://www.masnsports.com/the_goessling_game/2010/08/why-michael-morse-isnt-in-the-nationals-lineup.html....read and recall less than a week ago when you Insist that Nats have no plans to give up on Morse....NOW we have sources who say they have been talking about it for some time......LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, except you.
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Everyone else has been reporting this? Really? Then why did MLB Trade Rumors cite it as a scoop?
This is how the business works. You go on what you know, until you find out more. But from now on, I'll check with you before I write everything. Everyone I talk to says you're a well-respected, level-headed member of the Nats community. Where can I reach you?
Ben
Hey you can be sore if you like but the facts are the facts.....You just told us that the Nats are sold on Morgan in CF when all the facts said differently....Morgan is not even Hurt really, they forced him out on the day you reported he was their guy......My point is fans like me can see that he is not going to be the solution just as we did with Lastings....why can you not see it?
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Why I can't see some conspiracy you cooked up, when everything the team is saying is different? Gee, I don't know. I can't just call people liars in print. I'm not as liberated as you are that way.
But this will all be fixed when I run all my stories by you from now on, right? Seriously, where can I reach you? I'm looking forward to this.
Ben
My real issue with your reporting Ben is you just take whatever they tell you and repeat it like it is the real story. In my few extremely brief contact with Rizzo I can tell you I knew back in June that Rizzo would never accept Morgan as his CF. They guy is a head case with no baseball instincts. How many cut off men and how many times can you get picked off before Rizzo "gets tired of watching you play"......When Nats tell you that Morgan is their guy you have to follow up with.....with the facts of what Morgan is doing and ask how that is going to be acceptable to Rizzo....just like the day at the ST Luncheon when Rizzo stopped me on the way out after he answered by question about needing a 2nd Baseman saying in public he was happy with his in house choices and then he stopped me and said, yes we need a 2B and he was working on it. You can not just report what they say in a vacuum of reality.
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Wow, you break stories, too? Granted, they're anywhere from two to five months after the fact, and they were reported nowhere before here, but what the heck? I'll see what I can do about getting you on the payroll.
Look, when somebody says something on the record, you can't just decide which days you want to call them a liar (and by "you," I mean a general you -- since you have no problems calling people liars). Now, it's possible they are lying. But they have to weigh that possibility before they say something on the record. I don't get to just pick and choose what's a lie or not. I have to try and dig for as much information as I can. I saw this story in plenty of other places today, though, so you can check those, I'm sure.
OK, I've got to cover a game now. Thanks for stopping by. And if you've got all these scoops, get a blog and print them.
Ben
Tampa could end up being a modern-day Montreal.
its obvious the texas rangers having aquired new owners will be the strongest contender to get Crawford...but thats only if you count out the monoply ridden yankees...
put roger "the shark" bernadina in as a one man outfield! he can cover the entire field like a great white. then move the other two outfielder to the infield and create a super defense.