30 Teams In 30 Days

Washington Nationals: Somehow, I Doubt President Obama Will Be At Many Nat's Games

(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked)

Keeping It Real

So, you signed Adam Dunn. You won that sweepstakes, congratulations. Not that anyone was really fighting you for a low-contact, high-strikeout, power hitter without a position. But hey, you won something, and when the word "win" was only said 59 times all season last year, a win's a win. But, the reality is, if there was any spot on the field where the Nats didn't need help, it was at first base or left field, with Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham there. Sure, Dunn could play left again, but he's made it clear he'd rather not. Not to mention, there's a glut of underachieving, once-hyped outfielders dwelling in the nation's capital, between Mr. Rapper, Mr. Violence, and Mr. (uh?) Kearns. Sorry, Austin hasn't done much other than simply be a below average major leaguer, unfortunately. Elsewhere, the pitching staff not only stinks, but isn't major league quality or complete. Should be another fun 162 games.

Unfortunately, It's Not 1915

If it was, than the National's decision to ignore the final 3 spots of their rotation would be perfectly fine. They could throw Scott Olsen and John Lannan out there every few days and hope their arms don't fall off. Nowadays though, you've gotta have five guys there, and they haven't really gotten to that yet. And it's March 9th. In the running for those finals spots are Daniel Cabrera (wildly awful), Shawn Hill (stinks, injured), Jordan Zimmerman (never pitched above AA), Jason Bergmann (injured), Matt Chico (really stinks), and Collin Ballester (also, stinks). Only 7 teams walked more batters than Washington last year, and they welcome in the biggest, wildest waste of time in the Majors (almost literally on both counts) in Cabrera. Again, should be fun over the course of a season.

Yes, Joel Hanrahan Is Their Closer

My oh my, how fast Chad Cordero has faded. The former 1st round pick, came on quick, and got hurt and left the scene just as quick. Now, Hanrahan mans the precious ninth inning for the Nats, which means that he should get about 15 t0 20 save opportunities.  As my dear friend Kent pointed out to me, if he's good enough to close games for the United States of America, then by god, he's good enough to close games for the Nationals. 

If A Contract Year Doesn't Do It For You...

Then, maybe having actual major league hitters in the lineup with you will probably help.  Of course, I'm speaking of Ryan Zimmerman, who in a contract year had his worst season of his short career.  Granted, he was injured for most of the year, but take it from a disgruntled fantasy owner, he stunk before the injury.  After batting over .300 in the second half and now that he's healthy and with Dunn in the lineup (before or after him, either way), look for Zim to regain some of that shine that came with his full-time arrival in 2006.

Bold Predictions

Jordan Zimmerman will make the team, Ryan Zimmerman will play third base.  At least once, a line drive will be hit right at J-Zim, he'll throw it to R-Zim, turning the elusive 1-5 double play, making it the first in history of Zimmerman to Zimmerman fame.

R-Zim will have the big year he was supposed to have last year (see above).

Cristian Guzman will remember that, other than last year, he's only hit over .275 once in any of the full seasons he's played in.  Subsequently, his statistics will resume their "how is this guy still in the major leagues?/they have to have a young guy in the minors to take his spot" levels.

Up Next...Tuesday, Blue Jays.

Why The WBC Is For Real: An Honest Look at Team USA's Bullpen

I'll admit it, I was wrong.  A grown-up (which I guess I'll have to become at some point soon) has to admit his or her mistakes, so that's what I'm doing now.  Call it a cleansing of the soul, if you like.

I've derided, over and over, the World Baseball Classic, citing the timing, lack of big name players, pitch counts, and potential injury risks as reasons that I won't be tuning in for (or caring about) the WBC.

Well, folks, I retract said statements, here and now.  Why?

I happened to be flipping through the channels today, when I came across a Yankees spring training game, where they were playing Team USA.  I must say, the lineup was stacked, featuring names like Braun and Wright and Dunn and Pedroia.  But, the bullpen really just blew me away.  

Joel Hanrahan.  LaTroy Hawkins.  John Grabow.  Matt Thornton. The list goes on...

Hold back your excitement, please.

Now, I realize, these guys all were at least good last year (though the words "good" and "LaTroy Hawkins" should never be put in the same sentence), but how can anyone get excited for "America's best" competing in a world tournament when most guys coming out of the bullpen for Team USA wouldn't be household names (as my dad would say) in their own houses.

That's not to mention the idea that Team USA is only carrying four starters so that they can come out with a lot of relievers and thus save pitchers arms.  Yeah, that sounds like it's how baseball on the world stage ought to be played.

I hate to pick on those guys (actually, I revel in it), and the truth is, the point is larger than those four players.  When you've got full teams without any major leaguers and bullpens filled with guys I wouldn't recognize if they walked into my room right this second, I find it hard to get into this tournament much more than I would a Yankees spring training game.  

At least there, I'd know who was playing, and care (mildly) how they did.