John Lannan was supposed to be the fifth starter in the rotation for the Nationals this season. Davey Johnson changed his mind last minute, giving the spot to Ross Detwiler.  That left Lannan to twiddle his thumbs in AAA…until now.

According to Mark Zuckerman, Lannan will return to the Nats for a start on Saturday.  However, with Stephen Strasburg on an innings limit and Chien-Ming Wang’s health what it is, we could see Lannan on a regular basis down the road.

Just when the Nats won’t want him.

Rumors say the Nats are shopping for another starter, something they seem to have an abundance of already.  But when Strasburg is inevitably shut down, they will need another arm, and the options they have aren’t great.

Barring a trade and a remarkable health turnaround for Wang, the Nats could turn to two main sources: Lannan or Tom Gorzelanny. Yeah, that’s the situation we’re dealing with.

» Continue reading “Lannan’s Return…Not Too Exciting”

Last night had a little bit of everything: good Edwin Jackson, bad Edwin Jackson…even Tom Gorzelanny.  After digging themselves into a 5 run hole in the first, the Nats recovered…only to give up 5 more in the 6th.  That was enough for the Astros to pull out the victory over the now 10-4 Nats.  Here’s what else happened:

-From us, Pudge Rodriguez is officially retiring.  Here’s a look at his time with the Nats.

• Also, why the Nats should bring back Katy Perry.

-Why didn’t Davey Johnson take Gorzelanny out of the game? Apparently, to “take it on the chin.” [Nats Journal]

-Here’s how another site remembers Pudge. [District on Deck]

-Bryce Harper got heckled by Phillies fans at a AAA game recently. I honestly would expect nothing less. [Nats Enquirer]

-It’s pretty rare for the Nats to be this high in the standings in April. How will they handle it? [Wash Times]

-Some minor-league highlights from this past week. [Federal Baseball]

It’s the beauty of Spring Training: games can be called in a civilized manner when the weather goes nuts.  That’s what happened after 4 innings between the Nats and the Cardinals this afternoon, but not before new starter Gio Gonzalez continued to blow away Nats fans’ expectations.

Gonzalez allowed just two hits in the 4 innings while striking out two.  These four innings extended his scoreless streak this spring to 7 innings.  He has yet to surrender a run this spring.

When the Nats gave away several blue-chip prospects to acquire Gonzalez, it came with a lot of scrutiny.  While he has had 15 and 16 wins in his last two seasons, there was a lot of speculation about whether or not Gonzalez was actually worth as much as was paid for him.

» Continue reading “Gonzalez Impresses Before Game Called”

Remember that time Tom Gorzelanny wasn’t that good? Yeah, he allowed eight runs yesterday in the Nationals’ loss.  The long reliever job is there for John Lannan and Ross Detwiler’s taking.  We also got to see some Strasburg, Storen, and Clippard.  Here’s the rest:

-That pesky center fielder discussion keeps rearing it’s ugly head.  It still isn’t fully resolved whether or not the Nats will bring in outside help. [Federal Baseball]

-Drew Storen apparently has a new nickname, according to Davey Johnson. [Nats Enquirer]

-Strasburg is set and ready for 2012. [Wash Times]

-The Nats haven’t exactly been lighting it up in Viera so far. Definitely still shaking the off season cob webs. [Nats Prospects]

The era that never began came to an end today with Prince Fielder officially signing with the Detroit Tigers for nine years and $214 million. (Fielder’s contract is only the fourth $200 million contract in baseball history.)

Fielder had been involved in discussions with the Nationals as well as the Texas Rangers. The Nationals appeared as the favorite to sign Fielder but were not willing to offer a deal beyond six or seven years.

The Tigers, seemingly out of nowhere emerged to sign one of the most coveted free agents of the off season by landing Fielder.

But now with Fielder watch/Fieldergate/whatever you want to call it over, the Nationals have more pressing matters deserving of their attention, like what exactly is going to happen with that rotation of theirs?

» Continue reading “The end of Fielder watch 2k12″

Jordan Zimmermann

There’s baseball news today! To brighten you up, where ever you may be and to keep you occupied until more Fielder news breaks.

Today the Nationals avoided arbitration with Jordan Zimmerman and Tom Gorzelanny, signing each pitcher to another one year deal.

The homegrown talent Zimmermann went 8-11 with a 3.18 ERA last year in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander pitcher was a strong force in the rotation last season, despite his innings limit. Jordan Zimmermann earned $415,000 in 2011. Reports are that in 2012 he’ll make $2.3 million, a considerable raise for the one who can be considered the ace of the staff last season.

Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny went 4-6 with a 4.03 ERA in his first season with the Nationals. He began the season as a starter and was eventually changed to the bullpen where he became an effect reliever. Gorzelanny, who made $2.1 million in will make $2.7 million in 2012.

That brings the arbitration count to 3 down, 3 to go. The Nationals avoided arbitration with Jesus Flores last week but still have to reach settlements with John Lannan, Michael Morse and Tyler Clippard in order to avoid arbitration with all eligible players.

Since the trade deadline took away Jason Marquis and didn’t add any difference-makers, it’s safe to say that the Nats organization is looking past thing season and into next.  That means a few things, one being that they are going to give some of their younger arms a chance to get some big-league experience.

To start, Tom Gorzelanny has been moved to the bullpen.  This was mostly to make room for Chien-Ming Wang to return, but now it also frees up space for call-ups.  Marquis leaving also gives the Nats more space to work with their younger guys.

One of those younger guys is someone who has been with the team for a while now: Ross Detwiler.  He got a couple of starts earlier this season before being moved to the bullpen, where he has been for most of the last month.  He will start on Thursday, getting another opportunity to show his stuff at the major league level.  Detwiler has had a bit of a tough go of it starting this year, but he has down much better coming out of the bullpen.  Hopefully he gained some confidence there to help him with his start later this week.

Also expect to see a couple of prospects make their debuts in the remainder of the season: Tom Milone and Brad Peacock.

» Continue reading “Get Ready for the Pitching Carosel”

As has been reported, Chien-Ming Wang will be gracing us with his presence (and hopefully relieving us from Tom Gorzelanny’s reign of terror) on Friday night against the Mets.  After a nearly two year recovery from injury, Wang is finally back in business (hehe…Wang). Since it’s been so long and Wang has never actually played for the Nats, let’s catch up.

Wang was born in Tainan City, Taiwan, on March 31, 1980.  He was signed as an amatuer free agent by the Yankees in 2000 as a 20 year old.  He was never drafted, and he spent four years working his way through every level of the Yankees’ minor league system before making his debut April 30, 2005.  He is only the fourth MLBer from Taiwan.  The Yankees’ Single-A affiliate, the Staten Island Yankees, retired his number 41 in his honor.

In his debut season with the Yankees, Wang went 8-5 with a 4.02 ERA, also getting some playoff experience.  In 2006 he tied for the lead in the majors in wins with 19, finishing second in voting for the Cy Young award that year.  He also threw two complete games and finished with a 3.63 ERA.

In 2007, Wang threw a career high 10 strikeouts against the Mets.  He once again finished the season with 19 wins, this time good enough for second in the AL.  Wang had the lowest HR/9 innings ratio in the AL with .41.  He got to his 50th win in his 85th game in 2008, which was the fastest in over 20 years.

» Continue reading “Catching Up on Chien-Ming Wang”

With the trade deadline fast approaching, rumors are everywhere.  A lot of names are being thrown around as possible trade bait, including Drew Storen.  While it is highly unlikely Storen will move unless its for the second coming of Babe Ruth, the pitching the Nats have accumulated does give them options.

Drew Storen is staying.  The Nats have said that he is their guy, and they aren’t going to trade him away just as his potential is beginning to bloom.  They want him finishing Stephen Strasburg’s starts.  However, another reliever could very well be on the chopping block for the right price: Tyler Clippard.

The Nats traded away their only All-Star last year, so they aren’t afraid to do it.  If they can get a good pitching or outfield prospect in exchange (like the Capps/Ramos deal last year) Clippard will be on the table.  He is going to have a shorter window of success, and with all the pitching moving through the ranks, the Nats won’t need Clippard for long anyway.

» Continue reading “How the Nats Can Use their Pitching on Deadline Day”

Detwiler in 2009 (Photo by: Keith Allison/Flickr)

In March, Ross Detwiler was the last pitcher cut from the Washington Nationals Opening Day roster.  He was sixth on a depth chart that included Jordan Zimmermann, Livan Hernandez, Jason Marquis, John Lannan, and Tom Gozelanny.

Today he will get one start (just one) to relieve the rotation after Saturday’s double-header.  For Detwiler, it is a rare opportunity fr him to show how he has improved.  In AAA Syracuse this season, he has 4.53 ERA in 16 games.  He impressed at Spring Training, but like many other pitchers in the Nats system, there wasn’t a spot for him.

Now he has begun to slip a little, and a start in the majors to work for may re-focus his arm before he heads back up route 81.  The surprising strength of the Nats starting pitching has made it a hard situation for prospects to come into.

The only spot in the rotation that is even within a mile’s reach is Tom Gorzelanny.  Detwiler’s AAA numbers aren’t going to get him that spot.  His aim today will be to have a good, if not great, start, so that his number will be the one called next time there is an injury.

» Continue reading “In Nats Pitching Jam, Ross Detwiler Aims to Impress”