OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - A Restoration Project: The Washington Nationals

TavesSoul · 08-10-2009, 06:32 PM

Things continue to look up, as the Nationals get ever closer to .500. Posting a 14-11 record in July helped them to close in on the passing grade, although they are still 5.0 games behind the NL East leading Florida Marlins. "As long as we keep getting better every month, we have an outside chance at the playoffs still," said GM Greg Taves. "Really though, this is a step in the right direction for our team, and shows that what we've been building here is working. And that's all I can ask for." Taves is said to be pleased that 2010 free agent acquisition Harden was starting to turn around his season.

July's Hot Players
SP Rich Harden - 3-1, 2.11 ERA, 3.4 K/BB
MR Damaso Marte - 3-1, 2.21 ERA, 1 SV
1B Adam LaRoche - .244, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 0 SB

July's Cold Players
SP John Lannan - 1-2, 5.76 ERA, 1.4 K/BB
CL J.J. Putz - 1-3, 8.10 ERA, 3 SV
RF Justin Maxwell - .150, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB

July's Injuries
The Nationals have made it through worse injuries then those suffered this month. Still, CF Xavier Avery has to be disappointed, experiencing shoulder problems that will put him out 2 months just 7 games into his audition for the big club. The team also lost backup C Brian Schneider for 3 weeks to a strained oblique, 2 days before getting starter C Jesus Flores back.

July's Transactions
With the trade deadline looming at the end of the month, Taves knew that this was his last chance to make some tough decisions. There were many questions unanswered as to how a healthy Nationals team would perform, but he no longer had the luxury to wait and see. Three major trades were made in an effort to push the club into the playoff discussion. First, on the 12th, Taves finalized a trade with the rival New York Mets to shore up a leaking bullpen. Due to under-performance by Hanrahan, the Nationals needed a closer bad, and acquired CL J.J. Putz from the Mets and his heavy salary, in exchange for MR John Grabow, SP Tyler Clippard, and minor league RF Yhonson Lopez. Grabow had been under-performing, but he's a fairly consistent LHP out of the pen, while Clippard has a solid future.
Fifteen days later, he made another move to shore up the bullpen, acquiring MR Damaso Marte from the Brewers as well as prospect RF Caleb Gindl, and minor league 3B David Wright. In exchange the Brewers get MR Ryan Perry and SP Scott Olsen. Both are great solid young pitchers who can help a staff for years, while the Nats strengthen the bullpen this year, and get a prospect they can move.
Finally, the day of the trade deadline arrived, and the Nationals had to decide the fate of LF Adam Dunn. Dunn was having a great year, hitting .310 with 24 HR. He was willing to resign for 5 years @ $12M each, which in Taves' mind was a little too much for a guy who couldn't field in an NL League. He had put out quiet feelers around the league, to see who would be interested in acquiring him, and was surprised to get a call from Mets GM Omar Minaya inquiring after Dunn. Minaya and Taves have a good relationship, despite managing rival clubs, and they spent the 12 hours before the deadline offering and counter-offering deals. Finally, a package was agreed on, and they filed the paper work right before the official deadline. Dunn would become a Met, while star SS Jose Reyes would become a National. The Mets would also acquire SP Tim Cahill, LF Rob Kemp, RF Caleb Gindl, and CF Robbie Grossman. "This was the hardest trade in my time as GM to pull the trigger on," said Taves at the press conference. "Adam has been great for the Nationals organization, and we would have loved to keep him, but at the end of the day, when you can get a Jose for your team, you do whatever it takes to get him." Some GM's have panned the move, as the Mets acquire not only a great hitter in Dunn, but future starters in Cahill and Grossman, and two talented prospects in Kemp and Gindl. "We know we payed a premium," said Taves, "but we think in the end the price is worth it. If we can resign Jose, then all those prospects are worth the cost."

July Prospect Report

AAA
SP Casey Kelly - 4-1, 1.72 ERA, 5.3 K/BB
Analysis: Kelly's 1.82 ERA for the season begs to be promoted, and he'll audition soon enough in the pros. My top prospect now that Strasburg is in the majors to stay.
1B Freddie Freeman - .307, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 0 SB
Analysis: The #21 prospect is performing like it. I may have to think about dealing LaRoche in the off-season to make room for Freeman and Rhinehart.

AA
SP Jake Arrieta - 3-1, 0.96 ERA, 2.9 K/BB
Analysis: Arrieta has really exploded this year, after a terrible year last year. Already in AAA to finish last month. This month reminded me of why I dealt for him.
C Derek Norris - .242, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 1 SB
Analysis: Norris was having an okay year, and then exploded this month. Still needs to hit for a better average though before he can be considered a true MLB prospect.

A
SP Tom Milone - 3-0, 2.05 ERA, 2.5 K/BB
Analysis: Milone, despite his apparent lack of skills still continues to pitch A ball well. We'll re-evaluate in the off-season.
3B Vic Cegles - .323, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 2 SB
Analysis: Still a man among boys, Cegles deserves a promotion. Maybe I'll final grant him one.

Short A
SP Will Lehman - 3-0, 2.33 ERA, 4.1 K/BB
Analysis: The 25th overall pick this year is showing why, beating tough competition and being the Vermont Lake MVP for the month. He'd get a promotion, but I don't want to burn him out.
RF Jason Johnson - .320, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 6 SB
Analysis: The speedy RF is still proving himself worthy of a minor league spot next year. Will play A ball to start next season.

R
CL Tanyu Kato - 1-1, 1.42 ERA, 9 SV
Analysis: The 18th overall pick this year could probably play Short A already, but I'd like him to dominate at every level, so promotion is unlikely yet.
RF Raul Castillo - .200, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB
Analysis: Castillo struggles to hit, but when he does it always has a big effect. If he can bring his average up a bit, he might have a legitimate shot at playing A ball next year.

08-10-2009, 06:32 PM	#51
TavesSoul Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 168	Things continue to look up, as the Nationals get ever closer to .500. Posting a 14-11 record in July helped them to close in on the passing grade, although they are still 5.0 games behind the NL East leading Florida Marlins. "As long as we keep getting better every month, we have an outside chance at the playoffs still," said GM Greg Taves. "Really though, this is a step in the right direction for our team, and shows that what we've been building here is working. And that's all I can ask for." Taves is said to be pleased that 2010 free agent acquisition Harden was starting to turn around his season. July's Hot Players SP Rich Harden - 3-1, 2.11 ERA, 3.4 K/BB MR Damaso Marte - 3-1, 2.21 ERA, 1 SV 1B Adam LaRoche - .244, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 0 SB July's Cold Players SP John Lannan - 1-2, 5.76 ERA, 1.4 K/BB CL J.J. Putz - 1-3, 8.10 ERA, 3 SV RF Justin Maxwell - .150, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB July's Injuries The Nationals have made it through worse injuries then those suffered this month. Still, CF Xavier Avery has to be disappointed, experiencing shoulder problems that will put him out 2 months just 7 games into his audition for the big club. The team also lost backup C Brian Schneider for 3 weeks to a strained oblique, 2 days before getting starter C Jesus Flores back. July's Transactions With the trade deadline looming at the end of the month, Taves knew that this was his last chance to make some tough decisions. There were many questions unanswered as to how a healthy Nationals team would perform, but he no longer had the luxury to wait and see. Three major trades were made in an effort to push the club into the playoff discussion. First, on the 12th, Taves finalized a trade with the rival New York Mets to shore up a leaking bullpen. Due to under-performance by Hanrahan, the Nationals needed a closer bad, and acquired CL J.J. Putz from the Mets and his heavy salary, in exchange for MR John Grabow, SP Tyler Clippard, and minor league RF Yhonson Lopez. Grabow had been under-performing, but he's a fairly consistent LHP out of the pen, while Clippard has a solid future. Fifteen days later, he made another move to shore up the bullpen, acquiring MR Damaso Marte from the Brewers as well as prospect RF Caleb Gindl, and minor league 3B David Wright. In exchange the Brewers get MR Ryan Perry and SP Scott Olsen. Both are great solid young pitchers who can help a staff for years, while the Nats strengthen the bullpen this year, and get a prospect they can move. Finally, the day of the trade deadline arrived, and the Nationals had to decide the fate of LF Adam Dunn. Dunn was having a great year, hitting .310 with 24 HR. He was willing to resign for 5 years @ $12M each, which in Taves' mind was a little too much for a guy who couldn't field in an NL League. He had put out quiet feelers around the league, to see who would be interested in acquiring him, and was surprised to get a call from Mets GM Omar Minaya inquiring after Dunn. Minaya and Taves have a good relationship, despite managing rival clubs, and they spent the 12 hours before the deadline offering and counter-offering deals. Finally, a package was agreed on, and they filed the paper work right before the official deadline. Dunn would become a Met, while star SS Jose Reyes would become a National. The Mets would also acquire SP Tim Cahill, LF Rob Kemp, RF Caleb Gindl, and CF Robbie Grossman. "This was the hardest trade in my time as GM to pull the trigger on," said Taves at the press conference. "Adam has been great for the Nationals organization, and we would have loved to keep him, but at the end of the day, when you can get a Jose for your team, you do whatever it takes to get him." Some GM's have panned the move, as the Mets acquire not only a great hitter in Dunn, but future starters in Cahill and Grossman, and two talented prospects in Kemp and Gindl. "We know we payed a premium," said Taves, "but we think in the end the price is worth it. If we can resign Jose, then all those prospects are worth the cost." July Prospect Report *AAA* SP Casey Kelly - 4-1, 1.72 ERA, 5.3 K/BB Analysis: Kelly's 1.82 ERA for the season begs to be promoted, and he'll audition soon enough in the pros. My top prospect now that Strasburg is in the majors to stay. 1B Freddie Freeman - .307, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 0 SB Analysis: The #21 prospect is performing like it. I may have to think about dealing LaRoche in the off-season to make room for Freeman and Rhinehart. AA SP Jake Arrieta - 3-1, 0.96 ERA, 2.9 K/BB Analysis: Arrieta has really exploded this year, after a terrible year last year. Already in AAA to finish last month. This month reminded me of why I dealt for him. C Derek Norris - .242, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 1 SB Analysis: Norris was having an okay year, and then exploded this month. Still needs to hit for a better average though before he can be considered a true MLB prospect. A SP Tom Milone - 3-0, 2.05 ERA, 2.5 K/BB Analysis: Milone, despite his apparent lack of skills still continues to pitch A ball well. We'll re-evaluate in the off-season. 3B Vic Cegles - .323, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 2 SB Analysis: Still a man among boys, Cegles deserves a promotion. Maybe I'll final grant him one. *Short A* SP Will Lehman - 3-0, 2.33 ERA, 4.1 K/BB Analysis: The 25th overall pick this year is showing why, beating tough competition and being the Vermont Lake MVP for the month. He'd get a promotion, but I don't want to burn him out. RF Jason Johnson - .320, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 6 SB Analysis: The speedy RF is still proving himself worthy of a minor league spot next year. Will play A ball to start next season. R CL Tanyu Kato - 1-1, 1.42 ERA, 9 SV Analysis: The 18th overall pick this year could probably play Short A already, but I'd like him to dominate at every level, so promotion is unlikely yet. RF Raul Castillo - .200, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB Analysis: Castillo struggles to hit, but when he does it always has a big effect. If he can bring his average up a bit, he might have a legitimate shot at playing A ball next year.