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March 28 OPENING DAY REPORT CARDHello Nat fans! Opening Day is just around the corner and it looks like my predictions in mid-February weren't too far off the mark. As of today, the five-man rotation looks like it's going to end up as John Patterson, Shawn Hill, Matt Chico, Jerome Williams and Jason Bergmann. So I guessed wrong with Tim Redding and Beltran Perez. In my opinion it appears that Perez was never given a serious consideration for a rotation spot - it was Acta's mindset pretty early on to have him spend development time at AAA Columbus. This is probably the wise course, but I expect to see Beltran in Washington sooner rather than later...look for him when the current staff begins to falter. Tim Redding was an extreme disappointment not only for me but for the Nationals organization in general. He has the stuff to be a real major league starter, unfortunately he never seemed to put together a solid enough performance to warrant giving him that opportunity. The biggest surprise this March for me was the performance of Jason Simontacchi. He showed that not only is he capable of being a quality major league starter, but also a dominant presence on the mound. Currently, Jason Bergmann is going to be holding on to the number five spot while he rehabs his strained groin at triple-A Columbus.
The bullpen panned out pretty much as I predicted except for Emiliano Fruto . Fruto will be back however, there's just too much upside for him to remain at Columbus. Once he finally gets his control in order - I remain optimistic that he will become a force in the Nationals bullpen. Also, I noted that Ayala wouldn't be available until at least May...looks like I got that one as well.
The outfield remains undecided due to an injury Nook Logan suffered last week to his groin. If he ends up starting at the beginning of the season anyway, then my picks will pan out right. However, what must be noted is the performance of Chris Snelling and Kory Casto...these guys performed outstanding during the spring and are nipping at the heels of Logan and Ryan Church.
Yet another surprise was the complete turn-around of Dmitri Young. He obviously came to camp with something to prove and provided the Nationals with ample reasons to give him a try at first base. I personally think he's not ready emotionally or physically, but Larry Broadway failed to perform when he needed to make the case that he was finally ready for a shot at the major leagues. I consider Broadway my biggest miscall - and unfortunately I think the ship has now all but sailed for him. One glimmer of hope was given when Travis Lee decided to quit the team - citing "lost passion for the game", which still leaves Larry in the mix (after Fick).
Now, let's play ball! I'd like to note that The Washington Post reported today that the opening day game is far from selling out and that season ticket sales are down for the second year in a row. Well really what do you expect? You drop Alfonso Soriano - then get nothing for him (don't get me started), you make no attempt whatsoever to get anybody new, tell everyone that you are "rebuilding" and not to expect much this year, don't advertise at all that this is going to be the last opening day at RFK stadium, and on top of all that - you screw over your most ardent supporters by making season ticket holders wait for the tickets that they have already paid for! Even today, with less than five days left, some have not received their tickets. Don't get me wrong, as you might have read in my previous posts, I'm on board with Lerner, Kasten & Co., but they are looking a little clumsy coming out of the gate.
Despite the dismal previews and depressing rankings, I am excited about the season getting under way. I do believe that the Nationals are going to prove alot better than some of the most grave predictions I've read by the so called "experts". Regardless of what transpires this season, it's another season of baseball in the nation's capital...and for that I'm grateful. |
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