Reilly
02-01-2005, 05:08 AM
Inside Pitch: Nats Need to Stay Healthy
By Inside Slant (javascript:location.href='http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22' + escape('Inside Slant') + '%22&sssiteid=235';)
Date: Jan 31, 2005
If the Nationals are going to have any shot in the highly competitive NL East this season, they're going to have to be a healthier ballclub than they were a year ago.
Inside Pitch
The former Expos were beset by injuries in their final season in Montreal, with 10 key players missing a combined 547 games while on the disabled list. That played a huge factor in the club's fall from a wild-card contender in 2003 to a last-place finish in 2004.
Though several players underwent offseason surgery, all are expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Washington will benefit in particular from the return of All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro, who missed the season's final 40 games with tendinitis in his right knee. Vidro played much of the year in pain before undergoing surgery, and the Nationals expect him to return to top form and be a steadying presence in the heart of the lineup.
First baseman Nick Johnson (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1739324) also battled a variety of ailments a year ago, making two extended stays on the DL with a strained back and broken cheekbone. The Nationals desperately need the promising hitter to stay healthy all year and finally realize his potential.
The Expos' starting rotation was decimated by injuries last season -- only ace Livan Hernandez pitched more than 140 innings on the staff. Washington is counting on right-handers Tony Armas Jr. (strained rotator cuff), Tomo Ohka (fractured arm), Zach Day (fractured finger) and John Patterson (strained groin) to stay healthy in 2005.
The Nationals might be deep enough to withstand an injury to one of their pitchers. Two injuries, though, could spell doom for this rebuilding club.
Notes, Quotes
The Nationals signed former major league infielder and Japanese hitting sensation George Arias to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Arias, who has not played in the majors since 1999 with the Padres, put up huge power numbers the last five years in Japan. The 32-year-old swatted 159 homers with 432 RBI in 622 games split between the Orix Blue Wave and the Hanshin Tigers. In Washington, he'll have a chance to make the roster as a backup first and third baseman.
Washington came to terms with three returning players on 2005 contracts: INF Jamey Carroll, LHP Michael Hinckley and RHP Darrell Rasner. Carroll returns as the club's primary utility infielder. Hinckley was rated the organization's top prospect and is a long shot to win the No. 5 spot in the rotation this spring. Rasner is likely headed for Double-A Harrisburg or perhaps Triple-A New Orleans.
RHP Sun-Woo Kim and OF Brandon Watson, who had been designated for assignment, cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans.
By the Numbers: 1 -- Expos pitchers who threw more than 140 innings in 2004. Only RHP Livan Hernandez made it past that modest benchmark.
Quote to Note: "For the first time, I can see a promising future for our team." -- OF/1B Brad Wilkerson (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1730230), in USA Today.
Roster Report
The offseason makeover from the Montreal Expos to the Washington Nationals (http://nationals.scout.com/) appears to be complete. Interim general manager Jim Bowden signed free agent RHP Esteban Loaiza (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1730229) to a one-year deal, giving the Nationals the innings-eater they coveted for so long. Loaiza joins OF Jose Guillen (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1628929), SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Vinny Castilla (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1739323), RHP Antonio Osuna and 1B/OF Wil Cordero as major acquisitions for the new-look Washington franchise.
Arrivals RHP Esteban Loaiza (free agent from NY Yankees), OF Jose Guillen (trade with Anaheim), SS Cristian Guzman (free agent from Minnesota), 3B Vinny Castilla (free agent from Colorado), RHP Antonio Osuna (free agent from San Diego), 1B/OF Wil Cordero (free agent from Florida), C Gary Bennett (free agent from Milwaukee), OF J.J. Davis (trade with Pittsburgh), OF Tyrell Godwin (Rule 5 draft from Toronto), IF Tony Blanco (Rule 5 draft from Cincinnati), OF Jeffrey Hammonds (minor league free agent from San Francisco).
Departures RF Juan Rivera and SS Maicer Izturis (traded to Anaheim), RHP Rocky Biddle (released), OF Valentino Pascucci (sold to Chibba Lotte of the Japan League), C Einar Diaz (free agent to St. Louis), 3B Tony Batista (free agent to Japan).
Biggest Needs: Veteran leadership. The Nationals continue to talk to Barry Larkin (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1263390) and could sign the longtime Reds SS as a utility infielder if Larkin decides not to retire.
Free Agents: None.
In Limbo: 1B Nick Johnson has been the subject of trade rumors.
Medical Watch: 2B Jose Vidro is rehabbing following late season knee surgery. 1B Nick Johnson is expected to be fully recovered from a broken cheekbone, which knocked him out for the final weeks of the season.
By Inside Slant (javascript:location.href='http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22' + escape('Inside Slant') + '%22&sssiteid=235';)
Date: Jan 31, 2005
If the Nationals are going to have any shot in the highly competitive NL East this season, they're going to have to be a healthier ballclub than they were a year ago.
Inside Pitch
The former Expos were beset by injuries in their final season in Montreal, with 10 key players missing a combined 547 games while on the disabled list. That played a huge factor in the club's fall from a wild-card contender in 2003 to a last-place finish in 2004.
Though several players underwent offseason surgery, all are expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Washington will benefit in particular from the return of All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro, who missed the season's final 40 games with tendinitis in his right knee. Vidro played much of the year in pain before undergoing surgery, and the Nationals expect him to return to top form and be a steadying presence in the heart of the lineup.
First baseman Nick Johnson (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1739324) also battled a variety of ailments a year ago, making two extended stays on the DL with a strained back and broken cheekbone. The Nationals desperately need the promising hitter to stay healthy all year and finally realize his potential.
The Expos' starting rotation was decimated by injuries last season -- only ace Livan Hernandez pitched more than 140 innings on the staff. Washington is counting on right-handers Tony Armas Jr. (strained rotator cuff), Tomo Ohka (fractured arm), Zach Day (fractured finger) and John Patterson (strained groin) to stay healthy in 2005.
The Nationals might be deep enough to withstand an injury to one of their pitchers. Two injuries, though, could spell doom for this rebuilding club.
Notes, Quotes
The Nationals signed former major league infielder and Japanese hitting sensation George Arias to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Arias, who has not played in the majors since 1999 with the Padres, put up huge power numbers the last five years in Japan. The 32-year-old swatted 159 homers with 432 RBI in 622 games split between the Orix Blue Wave and the Hanshin Tigers. In Washington, he'll have a chance to make the roster as a backup first and third baseman.
Washington came to terms with three returning players on 2005 contracts: INF Jamey Carroll, LHP Michael Hinckley and RHP Darrell Rasner. Carroll returns as the club's primary utility infielder. Hinckley was rated the organization's top prospect and is a long shot to win the No. 5 spot in the rotation this spring. Rasner is likely headed for Double-A Harrisburg or perhaps Triple-A New Orleans.
RHP Sun-Woo Kim and OF Brandon Watson, who had been designated for assignment, cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans.
By the Numbers: 1 -- Expos pitchers who threw more than 140 innings in 2004. Only RHP Livan Hernandez made it past that modest benchmark.
Quote to Note: "For the first time, I can see a promising future for our team." -- OF/1B Brad Wilkerson (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1730230), in USA Today.
Roster Report
The offseason makeover from the Montreal Expos to the Washington Nationals (http://nationals.scout.com/) appears to be complete. Interim general manager Jim Bowden signed free agent RHP Esteban Loaiza (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1730229) to a one-year deal, giving the Nationals the innings-eater they coveted for so long. Loaiza joins OF Jose Guillen (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1628929), SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Vinny Castilla (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1739323), RHP Antonio Osuna and 1B/OF Wil Cordero as major acquisitions for the new-look Washington franchise.
Arrivals RHP Esteban Loaiza (free agent from NY Yankees), OF Jose Guillen (trade with Anaheim), SS Cristian Guzman (free agent from Minnesota), 3B Vinny Castilla (free agent from Colorado), RHP Antonio Osuna (free agent from San Diego), 1B/OF Wil Cordero (free agent from Florida), C Gary Bennett (free agent from Milwaukee), OF J.J. Davis (trade with Pittsburgh), OF Tyrell Godwin (Rule 5 draft from Toronto), IF Tony Blanco (Rule 5 draft from Cincinnati), OF Jeffrey Hammonds (minor league free agent from San Francisco).
Departures RF Juan Rivera and SS Maicer Izturis (traded to Anaheim), RHP Rocky Biddle (released), OF Valentino Pascucci (sold to Chibba Lotte of the Japan League), C Einar Diaz (free agent to St. Louis), 3B Tony Batista (free agent to Japan).
Biggest Needs: Veteran leadership. The Nationals continue to talk to Barry Larkin (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=235&p=8&c=1&nid=1263390) and could sign the longtime Reds SS as a utility infielder if Larkin decides not to retire.
Free Agents: None.
In Limbo: 1B Nick Johnson has been the subject of trade rumors.
Medical Watch: 2B Jose Vidro is rehabbing following late season knee surgery. 1B Nick Johnson is expected to be fully recovered from a broken cheekbone, which knocked him out for the final weeks of the season.