It’s February…
I really can’t complain about the lack of news or slowness this particular offseason, even if it’s been largely manufactured. That the Nationals are now ranked the #16 organization instead of #19 may be important to somebody (somewhere), it pales in comparison to say, billionaires destroying news organizations (too many to link to).
For us, the loss of the WaPo sports section combined with the MASN-Nats divorce means we’ll be reliant on the the Athletic or ESPN and whatever MLB deems we should know about the big club. Sorry, but I don’t have the chutzpah to believe that the freelancers will fill the gap, though I am very confident they’ll clear the corgi-puppy-low bar set by the Washington Times.
In better news, it appears that the Nats spring training coverage will not suffer as badly as feared (excluding the decision to retain the MASN hacks in the booth, natch). In fact, as one of out regulars put it in the comments, “[it] seems in line with what the Nats ST coverage under MASN.” I may not be one of the toxic optimists who go after the white whale with the tartar suace in hand, but this is when my New England pessimism pays off. (For the record, I would pick the Seahawks to win on Sunday, despite having been a Patriots fan since Steve Grogan took snaps behind center).
I’ve been holding off on a transaction update because most of the action has been of the 40-man waiver claim variety, which mostly affects “our guys” insofar as crowding the AAA roster. Not that the Nats have that many guys knocking on the door. Harry Ford has a legitimate shot of unseating Keibert Ruiz’s as the starting backstop, which is not man-bites-dog but rock-star-dates-model. First base is anyone’s job to win, same as it ever was (at least since Josh Bell left in ’22), so perhaps Yoyo Morales might get a look-see (presuming the “let’s try Luis Garcia at 1B” is merely a pipe dream). And anyone who can throw strikes consistently has a shot to make the pitching staff (ibid).
Stay warm as we wait for warmer weather to at least soften the snowcrete (unless you’re this guy).
speaking of the Athletic, Keith Law dropped his Nats prospect report today, Willits, Fein and King were the only ones in his top 100 so naturally they were 1, 2 and 3. the key comments for me are:
on Fien, I think he’s a star
I’m betting the version we saw in the desert in October and November is the real Seaver King
Sam Peterson has everyday upside if he can stay on the field
The Nationals’ new brass axed a huge part of their amateur scouting group, but that 2024 class is going to turn out to be a good one.
Speaking of the Athletic … there is a non alcoholic IPA beer out there!
A season for drinking .
Lol
Toboni’s waiver carousel hasn’t yet yielded results. Gasper, Soriano, Lovelady and Cheng were all claimed off waivers by other clubs, while Pilkington passed through waivers, but elected free agency.
Still, I’m intrigued about the Waldichuk claim. I remember a couple years ago, he and Parker were up there as #1 and #2 in total strikeouts in the minors over a few seasons.
Well, both haven’t been able to translate those numbers to the majors, but there’s something there to dream on, unlike some of the other aforementioned names.
Andre Granilo
UC Riverside guy
22 IP 18 Ks
Join the Bob Fosse bullpen chorus line , Andre !
Spoke too soon! I saw a blurb pop up that Soriano was claimed, but it seems that wire got released too quickly. Soriano traded for Andre Granillo, who looks like an interesting piece! And if not, he was acquired for literally nothing.
I guess the waiver carousel is working!
Also Lovelady is still on our 40.
Lovelady take a leave
I sense Lucas ( G) coming on to
Nats
The musical chairs winter time music coming to an end