In the new mailbag on the team's website, Bill Ladson just said that he expects Odalis Perez to be the OD starter.

Barry, PLEASE tell us that isn't true, that Bill must be suffering from the drugs found in the drinking water...

Posted by: BigNatsFan | March 10, 2008 03:36 PM

I heard the crane flew out to left in the eighth ...

Why would Odalis on the Roster be a bad thing? If he is pitching good enough to make the team, he makes the team.

Good one.

On Bob L.'s part, I meant.

If Patterson's healthy, he'll make the start. I know he's on schedule for May 31st, but that's 3 weeks away. I'm sure they can alter his plans by a day if they need to.

I say rest easy Big Nats Fan and buy bottled water.

Good to see the trade didn't kill Cabrera's insatiable thirst for crushing Nats pitching.

I think the foreseeable quibble is with him being anointed the OD starter, not just on the team. He hasn't even pitched to major-leaguers in competition yet this spring training.

Personally, I'd prefer to see Bergmann out there on OD at this point. He's been quite solid all spring.

Sadly, Schroder gave up two hits and a walk, leading to a run in the top of the 9th for Detroit... Although, thinking positively, he struck out two as well.

Don't listen to me ... I don't know what I'm talking about. I also predicted that Zimmerman will hit 40 homers.

Barry, serious question here...do the Nats appear likely to keep Guzman and/or Whitney? Obviously they dont have spots on the 25-man, but would they be willing to make a minor deal to keep them from returning to the Twins and Indians, respectively?

BA ranked Whitney in the Nats Top 20 Prospects for 2008.

Perez being on the roster is not what concerns me: him being the openening day starter does, and for a couple of reasons:

1) it means that there's something wrong with Hill AND Patterson. Although Bill Ladson was just saying that it's a timing issue, I have difficulty believing this since Perez isn't even pitching against Major Leaguers yet (through no fault of his own, I know) and therefore would be less prepared than any of the other starters

2) For the sentimental aspect of the first game in the new ballpark - the OD start has got to be one of our home-grown guys, or at least someone who's been with the team for a while...

3) While Perez will no doubt end up on the roster, I very much doubt he's going to be the best pitcher on the roster, and therefore shouldn't be the No. 1 starter

Again, i'm not saying Perez shouldn't be one of the 5 starters, I'm just saying I'd be shocked if he were the OD starter...

Just seeing Cabrera knock the cover off the ball fills me with JayB like bitterness since my Angels didnt trade for him

I'd like to believe that latter prediction of yours, Bill. Although it'll cost the franchise plenty of money, it'll be ever so worth it.

I probably should refresh my browser before posting...faNATic basically just said the same thing...I'll just go get some water then.

Mmm hmm. Odalis Perez vs. John Smoltz on OD. That's some of your finest work yet, Ladson.

Game over. Nats lose 4-3.

Two out of three ain't bad.

I really don't think we can say that Perez "will no doubt end up on the roster." If Hill is not healthy to start the season, it becomes a safer bet, but a sure thing it is not.

That was a way better showing (on paper anyway) than I ever expected against Verlander and their lineup.

I think the Tigers are a lock for the World Series.

i'd think he was odds on to be on the roster, barring getting shelled when he faces the big boys. but there's almost no chance he's the OD starter. unless hill, patterson, bergmann, etc., are all on the DL. and even then...

It's the superdelegates that'll get you everytime. And the voters in Florida and Michigan don't count. Looks like this one's going all the way to the convetion.

Remember when we played the Tigers last year and got creamed? What a difference a year makes...

For the rotation, I think Chico is on the outside looking in. He's getting beat up every time out so far. I think Perez will get make the team as well as Redding. Chico could get the spot if Hill's out, but Lannan and Clippard have been better so far.

I don't think Wild Bill Ladson is too far off on Zimmerman. More protection, smaller park, another year under his belt all point to an increase in production. I believe he is capable of .300, 40hr and 120rbi and I think it'll happen sooner rather than later.

But I do think Bergmann is our #3 behind Hill and Patty, so he should get the start on ESPN if the other two are unavailable. But I will be very surprized if Patterson does not have the ball in his hand Opening Night.

Side note: Opening Day will always start in Cincinnati, in April, in sunshine as far as I'm concerned. ESPN be damned.

Pitching well against our AST minor leaguers is a lot different from pitching well against real ML hitters. OP acknowledged that after he pitched the other day. Let's see a couple of outings against real ML hitter in the next two weeks. OD needs to get the visa problem fixed ASAP.

Today's result came without Zimmerman and NJ/Dmitri in the lineup as well... so that's heartening too.

On the other side though, they didn't have Sheffield or Renteria in their lineup, either.

I just realized that I sounded a bit mean in my last post. Sorry about that. I think I just wanted to quote Meatloaf.

Ladson isn't sitting on the fence this week. Zimmerman WILL hit over .300, hit 40 HR, and bat in 100. Lannan WILL be on the Opening Day Roster.

It's like watching a .100 hitter swing for the fences on every pitch.

Yet another good day for L-Millz

There is a way to keep Whitney and Guzman without having to make a trade.

don't know if i see 40 HRs in zimmerman's future. don't think anyone other than a nats fan or ladson has predicted that, not even eternal optimist jimbo has said that. 30 i can see. would be tougher this year, despite the better hitters park, because of recovery from the hamate. but 40? probably a stretch for the career, let alone 08.

now 300, not completely unreasonable. smaller foul areas, more experience. very doable. 100+ rbi, almost expected.

lannan's fate is almost completely in other pitchers' hands. if chico keeps this up, his spot should go to lannan. if patterson and hill are down, he's probably there, too.

yes, there's a way, shawn. but who do you cut/trade to make room on the 25 man roster to do it?

Off topic: Shuttle launch at 2:28 a.m., Mr. Svrluga. Set an alarm, step outside, and enjoy; you won't want to sleep through this one.

All they gotta do is offer the original team $25K each for the Rule 5 guys and they can put them back in the minors (ala Levale Speigner), right?

Not quite, Nats Nut. To keep both guys and not put them on the 25-man roster for the entire season, the Nats would have to trade for them like they would anyone else. The Twins didn't ask for much for Levale, but I think both of these hitters will require more in return. But the other teams can just deny any of our trade proposals and demand them back along with half the 25K.

no mention of Tony Bats resigning?

*yawn* at batista signing a minor league contract.

2009 MLB Free Agents: The Under-30 Group

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/01/2009-mlb-free-a.html

Chad Moeller was one of yesterday's cuts, apparently. He signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.

I was thinking Meat Loaf, John, and then I saw your follow-up posting. Speaking of which, Barry has a new post up.

Bill Ladson does have some interesting, and strong, opinions, some of which appear to defy logic. Odalis Perez the opening day starter? A guy who posted a 5.57 ERA last year, was signed to a minor league contract, and has yet to throw a pitch to major league hitters during spring training with opening day less then 3 weeks away? While Patterson, Hill and Bergmann (who have all pitched well for the Nats in the past) sit and watch? That move would have me very worried about the team's immediate future...
as for Zimm, I hope he goes .300, 40, 120... but I see him lining up more in the 30 homer range for his career, unless Nats Park turns out to be a launching pad for some reason...

Great sluething Half St.

Thunderbolts are still leading. Wasn't there a Nats player who was also a barber? I'm thinking Tony Batista but can't recall for sure. Might need to get those clippers fired up for Slick's styling.

nf1a, you're thinking of Ramon Ortiz... he was (and still is, wherever he lands) famous for giving everyone in the clubhouse a shave.

Thanks, faNATic, that's it.

yes, there's a way, shawn. but who do you cut/trade to make room on the 25 man roster to do it?

Posted by: 231 | March 10, 2008 04:44 PM

See my previous work

http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/tonya-harding-wont-die-until-the-fat-lady-sings-16529