The Cy Young finalists have been announced, and, lo and behold there are two Nationals on the list. Not Blake Treinen and Shawn Kelley. Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer.
Which should win?
Either would be a good candidate, but to me Strasburg is the best pitcher on the staff, and in fact the best pitcher in the National League. I cannot recall one bad Strasburg outing all year. Max seemed to have a couple of clunkers. Not many, mind you, but a couple.
Strasburg went 15-4 with a 2.52 ERA in 2017. 204 Strikeouts in 175.1 innings. His four losses:
April 29, NYM. 5-3 loss 7 innings, 3 ER
June 7, LAD 2-1 loss 6 innings, 1 ER
July 8, Atlanta 13-0 loss 3 innings, 3 ER
August 19 San Diego 3-1 loss. 6 innings, 2 ER
In his losses, Strasburg pitched 22 innings and gave up 9 ER., a 3.68 ERA. If you take out that one clunker against Atlanta, he pitched 19 innings and gave up 6 ER, for an ERA of 2.84. IN HIS LOSSES.
This is an amazingly consistent, dominant pitcher.
Max certainly also had a deserving year, going 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA. A few more innings,, and an almost identical record. But lets examine Max's six losses:
April 12, St. L, 6-1 loss 6 innings, 1 ER
April 28, NYM, 7-5 loss 6 innings, 5 ER
May 20, Atlanta 5-2 loss 5 innings, 3ER
June 11, Texas 5-1 loss 7.1 innings, 2 ER
June 21, Miami, 2-1 loss 8 innings, 2 ER
Sep. 13, Atlanta 8-2 loss 6 innings, 7 ER
In his losses, Max pitched 38.1 and gave up 20 runs, for an ERA of 4.69.
Admittedly, this is splitting hairs and there is a strong argument for Max because he pitched approximately 20 more innings than Stras. And, admittedly, I'm a big Strasburg guy, he is a 'true Nat' whilst Max seems more like the hired gun. I prefer the 'just go pitch' style of Strasburg to the theatrics of Max. So I may not be unbiased, but I'd give the Cy Young to Stephen Strasburg.
By a nose.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Saturday, November 4, 2017
The W & W Boys
With the Hot Stove warming up, there were a few pieces of Nats news over the past day. One, from impeccable source Jon Heyman, notes that it is possible that Jayson Werth returns to the Nats on a one year deal. The other, from John Feinstein (a New York Yankee reporter), was about the status of Matt Wieters, who has an option to extend his contract for one year. Feinstein at first reported on Friday that Wieters had opted to return to the Nats; a few hours later this report was revoked.
I personally hope both Werth and Wieters return next season.
I don't know why a certain portion of the fan base has turned on Jayson Werth. Even injured, he remained the heart and soul of the team in 2017. He was performing at a good rate before an early June injury in Oakland. When he returned ,he had one monster game against the Marlins, but struggled the rest of the year at the bat. He also will be remembered not so fondly for missing a ball in the lights in Game 5. But are two off months enough to write off Jayson Werth? Not to me. He's done so much for the organization, is a fan favorite, a leader in the clubhouse. This is said to be a 'must' year for the Nats in 2018. Do you rip the heart out of an organization by letting a team leader go in a 'must' year? Does Werth have the physical ability to bounce back after an injury riddled season? Don't bet against Jayson.
I also hope Matt Wieters returns. How many times during 2017 have the top Nats pitchers praised the pitch calling of Matt Wieters. You know, guys like Strasburg and Scherzer. Wieters also fielded the position much better than his predessor. Apparently Buffaloes can't catch a throw from a cut off man when there is a play at the plate. Wieters made a lot of good plays throughout the season and seemed to be steady force that the Nats have lacked since the carefree days of Brian Schneider. I know his batting was not good the second half, but perhaps with a little more rest and another year under his belt in the Senior Circuit, his batting stats go back up to Wieters norms. Who's the alternative if Wieters walks? Pedro Severino? He didn't do anything to improve his stock this past season? Wellington Castillo? No, thanks.
Both of the W&W boys have the 'clutch' gene, too. That thing you can't quantify by logging onto BaseballReference.com When the game is on the line, I'll take Werth or Wieters in the batters box over many others.
Sometimes the best change is no change at all. I hope the Nats keep these two valuable veterans around for the all important 2018 season.
I personally hope both Werth and Wieters return next season.
I don't know why a certain portion of the fan base has turned on Jayson Werth. Even injured, he remained the heart and soul of the team in 2017. He was performing at a good rate before an early June injury in Oakland. When he returned ,he had one monster game against the Marlins, but struggled the rest of the year at the bat. He also will be remembered not so fondly for missing a ball in the lights in Game 5. But are two off months enough to write off Jayson Werth? Not to me. He's done so much for the organization, is a fan favorite, a leader in the clubhouse. This is said to be a 'must' year for the Nats in 2018. Do you rip the heart out of an organization by letting a team leader go in a 'must' year? Does Werth have the physical ability to bounce back after an injury riddled season? Don't bet against Jayson.
I also hope Matt Wieters returns. How many times during 2017 have the top Nats pitchers praised the pitch calling of Matt Wieters. You know, guys like Strasburg and Scherzer. Wieters also fielded the position much better than his predessor. Apparently Buffaloes can't catch a throw from a cut off man when there is a play at the plate. Wieters made a lot of good plays throughout the season and seemed to be steady force that the Nats have lacked since the carefree days of Brian Schneider. I know his batting was not good the second half, but perhaps with a little more rest and another year under his belt in the Senior Circuit, his batting stats go back up to Wieters norms. Who's the alternative if Wieters walks? Pedro Severino? He didn't do anything to improve his stock this past season? Wellington Castillo? No, thanks.
Both of the W&W boys have the 'clutch' gene, too. That thing you can't quantify by logging onto BaseballReference.com When the game is on the line, I'll take Werth or Wieters in the batters box over many others.
Sometimes the best change is no change at all. I hope the Nats keep these two valuable veterans around for the all important 2018 season.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Thoughts on Dave Martinez's Presser
I feel like a voter waking up the next morning after Election Day when his candidate did not win. You know, the election is over, but lets try to find some good in the guy who we didn't want.
Now not much can be gleaned from an introductory press conference other than a photo op for the new guy so his face can be shown without a photo shopped hat. But, in the midst of all the clichés (he believes in communication, etc.) a couple of things stood out that I liked.
One, he has confidence. The good kind. He calmly responded to a question about his selection by stating that he knew he was selected based upon the merit of his performance in the past as a coach and could hardly wait to get started.
Two, he does seem to be a people person. He acknowledged Charlie Slowes from the crowd during the Q&A's and after the presser was over, before approaching the press, before even approaching Ted Lerner, he went over to Charlie and gave him a big bear hug. Presumably they know each other from Tampa Bay Devil Rays days. I was impressed that Dave/Davey, in his biggest moment to date, found it most important to greet an old friend before blowing his own horn.
Three, he is a likeable fellow. He is humble. He looked people in the eye.
On the other hand....
I still don't know what makes him qualified. All I gleamed from the presser is that the belief around Nationals Park these days is that Joe Maddon walks on water and Joe found Dave/Davey worthy to stand in his presence. It also sounded like Martinez was something of a hit man for Maddon -- if its bad news, good ol' Joe sent Dave/Davey to deliver it. Rizzo likes Joe Maddon -- you know, the guy that recommended Yunel Escobar for Tyler Clippard. Davey like Joe Maddon - -the guy that gave him a start in coaching. All well and good. I can stand next to Max Scherzer. Doesn't mean I'm going to throw a no-no.
Also in the presser it came out that Dave/Davey is big on analytics, but understands not to give players too much information. I'm not sure what this means. You have info but don't share it. Maybe this makes sense to a ballplayer, but I'm not sure that it makes sense to me.
I found myself really liking Dave Martinez personally but cringing ever time his former employers or boss was brought up. Hopefully in time the homage to Joe Maddon will die down and Dave Martinez, with his own staff and responsibilities, discovers his own niche. He's got a year to do to it. GO!
Now not much can be gleaned from an introductory press conference other than a photo op for the new guy so his face can be shown without a photo shopped hat. But, in the midst of all the clichés (he believes in communication, etc.) a couple of things stood out that I liked.
One, he has confidence. The good kind. He calmly responded to a question about his selection by stating that he knew he was selected based upon the merit of his performance in the past as a coach and could hardly wait to get started.
Two, he does seem to be a people person. He acknowledged Charlie Slowes from the crowd during the Q&A's and after the presser was over, before approaching the press, before even approaching Ted Lerner, he went over to Charlie and gave him a big bear hug. Presumably they know each other from Tampa Bay Devil Rays days. I was impressed that Dave/Davey, in his biggest moment to date, found it most important to greet an old friend before blowing his own horn.
Three, he is a likeable fellow. He is humble. He looked people in the eye.
On the other hand....
I still don't know what makes him qualified. All I gleamed from the presser is that the belief around Nationals Park these days is that Joe Maddon walks on water and Joe found Dave/Davey worthy to stand in his presence. It also sounded like Martinez was something of a hit man for Maddon -- if its bad news, good ol' Joe sent Dave/Davey to deliver it. Rizzo likes Joe Maddon -- you know, the guy that recommended Yunel Escobar for Tyler Clippard. Davey like Joe Maddon - -the guy that gave him a start in coaching. All well and good. I can stand next to Max Scherzer. Doesn't mean I'm going to throw a no-no.
Also in the presser it came out that Dave/Davey is big on analytics, but understands not to give players too much information. I'm not sure what this means. You have info but don't share it. Maybe this makes sense to a ballplayer, but I'm not sure that it makes sense to me.
I found myself really liking Dave Martinez personally but cringing ever time his former employers or boss was brought up. Hopefully in time the homage to Joe Maddon will die down and Dave Martinez, with his own staff and responsibilities, discovers his own niche. He's got a year to do to it. GO!
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