Nats Take Third Straight, 13-1
The Washington regulars jumped on Houston starter—and former Nats farmhand—Brad Peacock for four in the 1st and cruised to a 13-1 demolition for their third straight spring win, smacking three HRs (Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon) and collecting 18 hits total.
The Syracuse auditions continued with another eight relievers combining for the nine innings of one-run ball, beginning with Kyle McGowin (a.k.a. the other guy the Nats got from the Angels), who tossed two scoreless innings and gave up three hits and no walks or whiffs. Sammy Solis, Shawn Kelley, and Blake Treinen each put up a goose egg as in their spring debuts.
Rafael Martin lost the shutout in the 9th with a solo HR allowed and a LaLoosh-like line of two walks and three strikeouts.
Just two watchlist players saw game action. [Insert off-color, off-the-field innuendo here]:
• Rafael Bautista subbed for CF Adam Eaton and played right field. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
• Andrew Stevenson replaced LF Clint Robinson in left field but was hitless in two at-bats.
Tomorrow is the first of two scheduled split squad days. One contingent will host the Cardinals while the other will visit the Marlins. Both games can be heard on MLB Audio with the away feeds.
Luke, you nailed it with the Syracuse audition line. DFA’ing Kieboon means they want more time to look at their reliever options.
Like most people, I thought ‘beer league’ Martin would be the first one offloaded.
The question I have is — does McGowin have options?
I know this is a question for ‘guru’ Todd Boss but it matters as we head in to March.
Mark L, McGowin is not on the 40 man so options don’t come into play.
Thanks
Luke, I just got an e-mail from the P-Nats saying that they have a hearing with the County Board of Supervisors next Tuesday to approve a new stadium. Apparently, the “new” stadium is the same as the “new” stadium that has been rumored/sometimes promoted for at least five years now, in the general vicinity of the Dale City Wegman’s (Potomac Town Center), which is exit 156 along I-95 for those not as familiar with the area. This is much closer to a main artery than the Pfitz is, but significantly farther from the Manassas side of the county. It had been reported here a year or so ago that the P-Nat land deal in that area had fallen through, but apparently it’s back on. I’ve never been quite sure where the plot of land is. There is a NOVA campus and Freedom-Woodbridge HS in the same general area.
I would be interested to hear if Luke or others have more scoop on the stadium.
Ask and ye shall receive.
Here’s what missing from the story:
1) The team is within the Nationals’ territory. If Potomac leaves, which it is unlikely to do (see #2), Washington will have to give permission for another organization to have an affiliate in Woodbridge. This matters because there was a proposal at one point for a SS-A affiliate to move to Southern Maryland, which is in the Orioles’ territory. Naturally, Baltimore nixed it.
2) Prior to the sale of the Nationals to the Lerners, Potomac made several deals with MLB that — and I am simplifying for the sake of clarity — essentially guarantee a relationship well into the next decade. There’s a reason why you never hear any threats to move to another city. Whether that’s enough to compel the Nationals to do something if MiLB doesn’t issue another waiver (e.g. buy the franchise, build a facility) is another story.
3) The status of the proposed commuter garage — it is hyperlinked in the first story, but there’s no follow-up to what was reported last December. Presumably, there has been no change, but it doesn’t appear to me that the proposed site is large enough for parking without a garage, and it’s never been made clear how adequate parking would be assured; I live near a commuter lot and it’s not empty at 6:30 p.m.
Now, let me be clear: Art Silber is within his rights to do this — the P-Nats are a business. Conversely, folks are free to oppose the deal or insist on a guarantee that PWC doesn’t build a white elephant. InsideNova.com’s editorial makes this point rather bluntly.
I’m ambivalent about a new stadium because while it would be nice to attend a game at a better facility, I’m not naïve enough to think that won’t happen without a significant (read: double or triple) increase in ticket prices. I’d rather see the Pfitz demolished and rebuilt on its existing site, which is probably even more unlikely than a new stadium being built, even if it might be the cheapest option for PWC.
Thanks for the info. I generally agree on all points. While the new stadium site would be closer to where I live, access would likely be more difficult than it is at the Pfitz, and prices certainly would be higher. Count me in the group that hasn’t understood why they don’t just rebuild on the same site, or on one of the adjacent fields so they can keep playing while building progresses. There is abundant parking and easy access. It’s just in the middle of the county and not close to either I-66 or I-95.
For those who haven’t ventured to Woodbridge, the article description of the Pfitz as a glorified high school stadium is pretty much accurate. There are many college fields that are much nicer, not to mention the far nicer, newer minor-league stadiums in other cities. The playing field itself seems decently maintained — now (that used to be a problem) — but the “stadium” itself isn’t much. The majority of the seating is metal bleachers.
Upgrade the ammenities for the players. Bells and whistles
Are not needed. I watched Vlad guerrero play at age 19 @ Thurman Munson field which made phitz seem more ritz
By the way Luke. Last comment and question until April : what became of Patrick leyland and the catcher picked up for Chris Bostick ? Did they end up parting ways with nats or are they part of the caddie corp in Palm beach camp ??
Luke how does a Nats fan get his great fly/ catch canine photo on
Your site????
Baseball comment : nats tend to use every asset they keep on board . AKa even Wooten, Lisson and DeBruin and every left handed hitting catcher Rizzo adds to the farm woodpile ??
Email it to the site address (look in the “About”)
Good analysis, Luke. I agree that I don’t mind things in Woodbridge the way they are. It’s minor league baseball–when I go it’s to watch the players and not the bells & whistles or lack thereof.
BTW–I’m on a new computer and am now in comment moderation mode.
I could go both ways on this. I’ve been to some really nice minor-league stadiums, but for the most part I also haven’t minded the Pfitz, all the more so on dollar Mondays. I’ve generally been more concerned about the substandard conditions for the players — clubhouse and field — than I have for the fans. If the price of parking, tickets, and everything else doubles at Potomac Town Center, I won’t be happy.
Oddly enough , Luke, I was reading through an old book on Tim Burke :Major League dad
Where he tells about playing low A ball for Pirates in a high school
Park somewhere in Alexandria .
Meanwhile interesting kids who
Jumped on the bus for SS game.
Jeyner Baez catching eyes away from V-lo or Tillero from the barrett boys batch .
I’m so old I remember when a lot of Nats fans were really concerned that we’d paid too much for Gio by trading away A.J. Cole, Derek Norris and Brad Peacock. Funny how four of the five players from that transaction were on the rosters of the two opponents yesterday!
Let’s see, Peacock got bombed yesterday, Cole got bombed today, and there’s talk of Norris being released because no one wants that salary for a guy who hit .186. But yes, there were concerns that Cole was going to be an ace and that Milone would be at least as good as Gio.