Washington Nationals

Dave1408 · 07-03-2009, 09:24 AM

I'm about 2 months into the MLB 09 Quickstart with the Washington Nationals and am struggling to pick up wins obviously.
I'm just curious how much success anyone has managed to have with teh Nationals? Anyone out there managed to win the WS in 09 with the Nats yet?

Fenway · 07-03-2009, 12:08 PM

I'm 10-14 as the Nats, just entering May 2009 now, so I guess I'm not as far along as you. I rather like the fact that I'm not playing .800 ball -- I want the game not to be too easy.

Even as is, I'm doing much better than the RL Nats.

I saw the Nats lose to the Red Sox 10 days ago in RL, so I'm looking forward to getting to that point of the season and playing out that same game. I play out most of my games, for now.

As in RL, my everyday stars are Ryan Zimmerman at 3B and Adam Dunn, who I currently have playing LF. I'm trying to groom Josh Willingham to learn RF; I think he's got sufficiently good outfield ratings that he can do so, and indeed after 2 games he went up to a level 1. I know that one would normally do this in spring training or the minors, but otherwise my only RFer is Austin Kearns, who is hitting about .170 in my league -- only slightly worse than in RL!

Tavarez and Hanrahan have the lowest ERA on my staff. (Hanrahan was just traded in RL, but he's got a 2.08 ERA with 4 saves in my universe, so I'm keeping him.) The worst ERA is that of Shairon Martis; he's 0-5. I was going to send him down if he didn't perform in his latest start, but lo and behold, he tossed a 2-hitter for seven innings before the manager (me) foolishly pinch-hit for him in the eighth, whereupon my bullpen promptly coughed up several runs and lost the game. I'm really enjoying the debate about whether to send him down -- for now, he stays.

In fact, my bullpen does lose games for me regularly, as with the RL Nats. It's sort of eerie. I love this game.

TavesSoul · 07-03-2009, 01:33 PM

I just finished my first season with the Nats this time around, and I managed to miss the wildcard spot by 2 wins. Best I've done with them in the 2009 season. My first play through with them, I was around a .400 team, so it was definitely a marketed improvement this time around. Both Dukes and Milledge were dealt, along with Nick Johnson, and Kearns. Picked up some decent pitching (Smoltz, Lackey) and Nyjer Morgan and Nick Markakis. Waivers have been good this season, giving me a couple three star prospects as well. Learned from my mistakes from last time, trying to keep that core.

jimbobfurley · 07-03-2009, 01:34 PM

In order to win the WS with that 09 Nats team, there'd have to be some heavy-duty cheating going on. Take a look at the nightmare of a bullpen !

I went 76-86 during the 2009 season GMing the Nationals, and then 76-86 in the 2010 season. I've just started the 2011 season, fresh off acquiring Gordon Beckham from the White Sox and Neftali Feliz from the Rangers ! Just dealt Milledge's underachieving a**, and a pair of top minor league prospects off to New York in exchange for Mr. Beltran as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1408

I'm about 2 months into the MLB 09 Quickstart with the Washington Nationals and am struggling to pick up wins obviously.
I'm just curious how much success anyone has managed to have with teh Nationals? Anyone out there managed to win the WS in 09 with the Nats yet?

daveawrit · 07-03-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenway

The worst ERA is that of Shairon Martis; he's 0-5. I was going to send him down if he didn't perform in his latest start, but lo and behold, he tossed a 2-hitter for seven innings before the manager (me) foolishly pinch-hit for him in the eighth, whereupon my bullpen promptly coughed up several runs and lost the game.

You would fit in well in Manny Acta's spot

And this proves how close OOTP is to real life, as the Nats bullpen is about that good

nymets3000 · 07-03-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TavesSoul

I just finished my first season with the Nats this time around, and I managed to miss the wildcard spot by 2 wins. Best I've done with them in the 2009 season. My first play through with them, I was around a .400 team, so it was definitely a marketed improvement this time around. Both Dukes and Milledge were dealt, along with Nick Johnson, and Kearns. Picked up some decent pitching (Smoltz, Lackey) and Nyjer Morgan and Nick Markakis. Waivers have been good this season, giving me a couple three star prospects as well. Learned from my mistakes from last time, trying to keep that core.

How the hell did you get Nick Markakis? Bump trading up to hard my man.

StyxNCa · 07-04-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbobfurley

In order to win the WS with that 09 Nats team, there'd have to be some heavy-duty cheating going on. Take a look at the nightmare of a bullpen !

.

Not necessarily. I've had the 1969 Montreal Expos win the WS without allowing any AI trades. All transactions for all teams were handled by me and were the real life ones at the times they actually occurred. I've also had the Cleveland Indians of 1969 win the division 3 times out of 20, even with Sam McDowell stinking up the place. Go figure.

GardnerFTW · 07-04-2009, 08:38 PM

Just started a game as the Nationals last night, finished in last place in 2009, but hold the division lead at the all-star break in 2010. Pitching staff led by Ervin Santana (deal involving Elijah Dukes in 2009) and Stephen Strasburg (draft). Lineup standouts in Justin Smoak (for Adam Dunn in 09), Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Drew (Milledge in 2010), Max Ramirez (for Willie Harris in 09-10 offseason...really not sure how I got this one, but the Rangers offered it) and Michael Burgess (prospect).

Led by as many as 6.5 in mid-June. Now tied with Florida (Mets 4 back) in mid-July at 49-39. Having some major bullpen issues though with 4 relievers posting ERAs over 6 so far.

acclaim99 · 07-04-2009, 11:04 PM

In my league (I'm the Phillies) Martis is 3-13 with a 6.80 era after the all-star break...

at least he's consistent

07-03-2009, 09:24 AM	#1
Dave1408 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 195	Washington Nationals I'm about 2 months into the MLB 09 Quickstart with the Washington Nationals and am struggling to pick up wins obviously. I'm just curious how much success anyone has managed to have with teh Nationals? Anyone out there managed to win the WS in 09 with the Nats yet?

07-03-2009, 12:08 PM	#2
Fenway Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Back Bay in Boston Posts: 295	I'm 10-14 as the Nats, just entering May 2009 now, so I guess I'm not as far along as you. I rather like the fact that I'm not playing .800 ball -- I want the game not to be too easy. Even as is, I'm doing much better than the RL Nats. I saw the Nats lose to the Red Sox 10 days ago in RL, so I'm looking forward to getting to that point of the season and playing out that same game. I play out most of my games, for now. As in RL, my everyday stars are Ryan Zimmerman at 3B and Adam Dunn, who I currently have playing LF. I'm trying to groom Josh Willingham to learn RF; I think he's got sufficiently good outfield ratings that he can do so, and indeed after 2 games he went up to a level 1. I know that one would normally do this in spring training or the minors, but otherwise my only RFer is Austin Kearns, who is hitting about .170 in my league -- only slightly worse than in RL! Tavarez and Hanrahan have the lowest ERA on my staff. (Hanrahan was just traded in RL, but he's got a 2.08 ERA with 4 saves in my universe, so I'm keeping him.) The worst ERA is that of Shairon Martis; he's 0-5. I was going to send him down if he didn't perform in his latest start, but lo and behold, he tossed a 2-hitter for seven innings before the manager (me) foolishly pinch-hit for him in the eighth, whereupon my bullpen promptly coughed up several runs and lost the game. I'm really enjoying the debate about whether to send him down -- for now, he stays. In fact, my bullpen does lose games for me regularly, as with the RL Nats. It's sort of eerie. I love this game.

07-03-2009, 01:33 PM	#3
TavesSoul Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 168	I just finished my first season with the Nats this time around, and I managed to miss the wildcard spot by 2 wins. Best I've done with them in the 2009 season. My first play through with them, I was around a .400 team, so it was definitely a marketed improvement this time around. Both Dukes and Milledge were dealt, along with Nick Johnson, and Kearns. Picked up some decent pitching (Smoltz, Lackey) and Nyjer Morgan and Nick Markakis. Waivers have been good this season, giving me a couple three star prospects as well. Learned from my mistakes from last time, trying to keep that core.

07-04-2009, 08:38 PM	#8
GardnerFTW Bat Boy Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 17	Just started a game as the Nationals last night, finished in last place in 2009, but hold the division lead at the all-star break in 2010. Pitching staff led by Ervin Santana (deal involving Elijah Dukes in 2009) and Stephen Strasburg (draft). Lineup standouts in Justin Smoak (for Adam Dunn in 09), Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Drew (Milledge in 2010), Max Ramirez (for Willie Harris in 09-10 offseason...really not sure how I got this one, but the Rangers offered it) and Michael Burgess (prospect). Led by as many as 6.5 in mid-June. Now tied with Florida (Mets 4 back) in mid-July at 49-39. Having some major bullpen issues though with 4 relievers posting ERAs over 6 so far.

07-04-2009, 11:04 PM	#9
acclaim99 Major Leagues Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 486	In my league (I'm the Phillies) Martis is 3-13 with a 6.80 era after the all-star break... at least he's consistent