Nationals Emergency, The race to 70 wins.

Back on here then are we?

After the trauma of the last two seasons it's a good time to put the previous Nats board to bed and start afresh.

So this means slightly less posts from yours truly and hopefully this will get some kind of response from other fans out there - around 80% of the missives on the Room 102 board were from me and that's never a good thing.

I'll still be doing the mailbags (and during my pneumonia enforced abscence Mr Ladson's been busy indeed) so they'll be one on here later. Worse luck.

Speaking of busy, Mike Rizzo has signed Cheng-Ming Wang for a year at $2m with $1m more in incentives but the deal is more about next year, as come the end of the season DC will have the Ex-Yankee under contractual control - just (He'll have 21 days of service time left before becoming a free agent). A successful 130 innings will see Wang double his money but that's going to be worth it.

Spring training has of course begun for all MLB teams and a former and current Nats player have hit the DL with Detweiler out until the All-Star break after hip flexor surgery and Joel Hanrahan's going to miss ST too. It's not giving away state secrets to say that the preferred rotation would be Marquis - Lannan - Detweiler - Stammen - Martin/Olsen/Chuck James with Wang getting the number 3 spot when fit.

Detweiler's injury throws all this into confusion and it's believed that Matt Chico may crack the starting rotation as the team is determined not to throw Strasburg into the front five on opening week.

Bullpen looks OK but we were assured this was the case last year. As it stands, I'll take a stab at Miguel Batista being the long man, Eddie Guardado as the pure LOOGY, Tyler Walker mostly for the righties, either Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard in the 7th, with Brian Bruney setting up Matt Capps and cross everything last year was an aberration.

Hi Barney...

Not sure if you got my PM but MAIN /Original site is up and running

Regards

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the White Sox and Angels have interest in trading for Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn. Dunn, who is entering a contract year, has emerged as a fan favorite and leader for the Nationals in just two seasons with the club. So far, he is hitting .276 with 17 home runs and a .366 on-base percentage. Dunn is a career .251 hitter so it is nice to see him improving on his average.

Sources say the Nationals are considering an extension for Dunn, but that won't be discussed until after the season. However, Dunn would really help both the White Sox and the Angels.

For the White Sox, he would give them a designated hitter who can actually do some hitting. Their current DH, Andruw Jones, is hitting a sloppy .199. He would also split some time at first with Paul Konerko and right field with Carlos Quentin.

For the Angels, he would replace Kendry Morales' bat in their lineup, giving them a stronger lineup for the second half of the season. With Morales coming back in 2011, the Angels could collect two draft picks if Dunn becomes a Type-A free agent.

And here's the latest Ladson mailbag:

And we've got Engineers on the stereo right now.

How do you think Jayson Werth has done this year, considering he hasn't had Ryan Zimmerman, Adam LaRoche or a productive leadoff hitter in the lineup for most of the season so far?
-- Connor D., Silver Spring, Md.

I was asked this question on a radio show Sunday. If I had to give Werth a letter grade, I would give him a "B." I realize Werth is not hitting for average and not driving in runs, but I think his presence is one of the reasons the Nationals have a respectable record.

His winning attitude has brought a spark to the team. Young players such as Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond look up to Werth. Those kids don't want to disappoint him. I think you have to look beyond the numbers when it comes to Werth this year.

No he gets a 'D' and that's generous. Werth's season has never really got going and he's batting leadoff, which is hardly what he was paid to do and being a great influence doesn't cut the mustard either and it's rather desperate of Bill Ladson to roll out the 'clubhouse force' argument so early.

It's almost as if the team's lost confidence in Werth and are already battening down the hatches but it's true he needs a strong second half - about .280/350 to get anywhere near his value.

Should the Nationals trade a valuable reliever like Tyler Clippard to get a hitter that could improve the team's offense?
-- Alex C., Montreal

There is no way I see the Nationals trading Clippard, who is arguably the best reliever on the team. General manager Mike Rizzo would have to be blown away by the chance to acquire a superstar player for Clippard. It's not going to the happen. If the Nats trade Clippard, the bullpen would take a hit.

It's no secret DC are actively looking for a regular CF but the Rays want both Clippard and Morse for the declining BJ Upton, which is just fantasy. But Clippard should really be untouchable for all but the most lopsided of deals. You don't trade baseball's best setup guy but you don't overwork him either.

Todd Coffey, on the other hand will be elsewhere next month and it's heartening the team is finally prepared to deal pitching for hitting. Wonder if Texas have totally given up on Julio Borbon?

Should Espinosa start hitting strictly right-handed?
-- Ryan K., Carlisle, Pa.

I think he should continue to be a switch-hitter. He shows a lot of power from the left side. I believe the batting average will go up with his hard work. Entering Tuesday's action against the Mariners, Espinosa is hitting .206, with nine home runs and 32 RBIs.

No, he'll probably never hit .280 but you'll trade a .240 clip for that left-handed wallop and the league-best defense.

Do you see the Nationals making many major moves at the Trade Deadline?
-- Noah L., Aldie, Va.

I do. Rizzo said they are looking for starting pitching. It will be interesting to see how long they stick with Tom Gorzelanny in the rotation; it's pretty clear that he has not pitched well lately. The Nationals also need a leadoff man, because they see Werth as a middle-of-order hitter.

Aside from Coffey, Jason Marquis and Mike Morse are also believed to be trade bait and despite the former's announcement that he'd like to sign a multiyear deal in DC it's probably not going to happen and he could well be elsewhere soon. Those scoreless 8IP against Seattle tonight won't hurt either.

Morse, like Bernandina, is still not entirely trusted by the front office and they still would favour a recovering LaRoche over the ex-Mariner as the 2012 1B. Tampa need a 1B with some power, they would have the horses in the farm system and I'd probably nod through Morse for Desmond Jennings.

Why would the Nats trade Jason Marquis? He solidifies the third spot in the rotation for 2012.
-- Grant S., Saranac Lake, N.Y.

I know a lot of news outlets are talking about Marquis as trade bait. However, if the Nationals are playoff contenders, I could see Marquis staying the entire season. But if Washington drops out of the race before the All-Star break, I could see Marquis getting dealt before the Trade Deadline.

So there you go. Marquis is off to newer pastures. Not sure if the Nats need another starting pitcher, if you are going to trade a Jason Marquis, you should be getting his direct replacement in the deal. You could of course have a look at Tom Milone, who is having a pretty solid year in AAA Syracuse.

Michael Morse has played well at first base. Is there any chance the Nationals will trade or release Adam LaRoche to make sure Morse stays at the position?
-- Billy H., Washington

I don't see the Nationals trading LaRoche until opposing teams see him play during Spring Training. I also don't see the club releasing him. Although he played just 43 games, I believe LaRoche is one of the reasons the team's defense has improved tremendously this year.

7.5 million reasons why LaRoche will start at 1B for DC in 2012. You can bet Bill Ladson will point to Marquis as a reason why the Nats shouldn't give up on a high-priced free agent signing after an injury-riddled year.

Do you think we might persuade Ivan Rodriguez to join the Giants to get some pitching in return?
-- Tom F., Bethesda, Md.

First of all, there are reports that the Giants don't see Pudge as the answer to their catching predicament. And personally, I don't see a need to trade him. Rodriguez is a positive influence in the clubhouse and has accepted his role as a backup. Besides, for this year, I think he and Wilson Ramos make a good combination behind the plate.

The stories regarding Pudge's good vibes in the clubhouse don't go away and his earlier Texas Rangers surliness appears to have gone. This means that Ramos is getting one of the best on-the-job training he can get and if he can pass on a few pointers to Derek Norris that's all good. The Giants are having a look around at Brayan Pena and Yorvit Torrealba to platoon with Eli Whiteside and have indeed cooled on Pudge,mainly because the Nats won't throw in any $$$ towards any deal.

Also whilst his hitting is Mendoza level, that playcalling and arm haven't faded with age. He's throwing out 50% of baserunners and the Nats don't have that many fireballers in their starting rotation.

Regarding Matt Stairs -- aren't Pudge, Laynce Nix and Marquis better designated-hitter options during Interleague Play?
-- Brian R., Rockville, Va.

I think many fans would agree with what you said. But I would not be surprised if manager Jim Riggleman gave Stairs a couple of starts, but I don't see him as the primary DH.

Now this is someone who's influence is really worth the $$$. The Nats have missed a veteran prescence and now have a couple in Pudge and Stairs, who has helped out Storen in ST, pointing out he's tipping the slider with his pitching motion. That seems to have worked out fine.

Would be nice to see him keeping an eye on Bryce Harper and his alleged growing sense of entitlement and lollygagging during warmup. He's been 'rested' over the last few days before the single A AllStar break. Of course he has.

To get back onto the rails, I'd have a look at Chris Marrero to platoon with Nix as the DH. He can probably hit MLB lefty pitching as a pinch-hitter and I'm not sure how much more he can improve against AAA hurlers.

Stairs' age may have finally caught up with him, but the Nats love having him around and a coaching/instructor's gig should be in the offing for 2012.

Well the word on the Mets/A's broadcast is that Riggelman has resigned. If he has WTF is that about Barney?

As ever with DC, the timing is horrible.

Early reports suggest it's down to the Nats front office's refusal to discuss extending Riggleman's deal beyond the end of the season.

Bo Porter has long been regarded as the ' incoming man' from 2012, no way did he pull out of the Marlin's final interviews last year without an assurance he'll be the favoured candidate to take over the Nats in the near future.

That the Marlins' job is once again up for grabs may have forced Mike Rizzo's hand, but the team did quite like Riggleman and whilst the players share the suits' high opinion of Porter, they also liked Riggleman's 'Plain Dealer' attitude and this season's unexpectedly good record does demonstrate the Ex-Cub boss did have his charges onside through a difficult few years.

In Rizzo we trust, again.

Cubs fans may be interested to know there's a whisper going around the Nats fansites about Ryne Sandberg being the next skipper in DC..

it would seem that Riggleman issued a 'back me or sack me' call to Rizzo before the game regarding picking up his option for 2012. The front office were unmoved by this and Riggleman immediately quit.

Looking at the ongoing press conference Rizzo has a face like thunder stating 'The way this was handled is disappointing to the players, fanbase, city and myself'

Bobby Valentine's thrown his hat into the ring, though this has been thrown back at him by said fanbase.

Davey bloody Johnson.

The best thing I can say about this mis-step is that it's a shade better than Bobby Valentine.

Enjoy Florida, Mr Porter.

Would you liked to have seen the Nationals pick up Riggleman’s option? It seems like such a crazy series of events with nobody coming out of this looking good. When will Johnson take charge? Knowing our luck it will be on Monday against the Angels.

Was he mad at himself for the inept way he handled it? Nobody expects 'The team formerly known as the Expos' to be in serious contention until after next year, so why not pick up the option, he's not exactly expensive, and seemed to be handling the youngsters well?

I was surprised by the decision, the timing is terrible for the Nats given there recent good run and the team seemed to be growing in confidence.

I'm quite surprised the Nats didn't envoke the option as well, if they wern't planing on bringing him back in 2012 who did they have in mind that was going to jump to them that would be an upgrade on Riggleman and if they have nobody why not pick up the option of 2012?

Things may have worked out for us as Bo Porter remains available and a top candidate for our job next season.

Why the fascination for a guy with just one season's experience of being a manager, and that at single A? Surely someone with a bit of experience rather than a gamble on an unknown commodity would be preferable. At least wait until he's actually shown he can manage at AAA or even AA level first.

Now that some of the dust has settled, there appears to be a pattern developing here in the multiple interviews Riggleman and Rizzo have given.

It seems that a schism developed between the two protagonists after Jason Werth made those comments about 'ideas' he had to improve the team. Werth was then asked by one of the senior players (He's probably heading for the Hall Of Fame and has caught for 20 years in the MLB - Guess Who?) to expand on this and didn't really convince anyone.

Reading between the lines now, Riggleman had a few choice words for Werth and feels he was undermined by Rizzo breaking off a scouting trip to (Rizzo's words) 'douse some fires'. The erstwhile skipper clearly feels he had dealt with the situation beforehand but there was genuine friction in the clubhouse after the high-salaried outfielder made those remarks.

As has been mentioned previously Bo Porter walked away from the probable Marlins job in the offseason to take on a more junior role with DC, almost certainly with the premise of being the next Nats manager. Riggleman has read the tea-leaves after Edwin Rodreiguez' jump before he was pushed and 'Requested a conversation'(Riggleman')/'issued an ultimatum' (Rizzo) regarding his deal being extended, the inferrence of which would decide if he got on the plane to Chi-Town.

The result of which saw Riggleman partying in one of the more expensive bars in DC and the team heading to the Windy City with John McLaren in charge before Rizzo signing Davey Johnson takes over the reins for the rest of the season.

I personally am torn as to whether I would've given Riggleman the extension he coveted, he has done the most with least this year but the front office felt he overmanaged on occasions and his use of the bullpen was called into question on many an occasion.

Thinking about it, the answer would have been 'yes' but on the understanding the team needed to be heading for at least 81 wins in 2012 and he would be pulled very quickly if things went awry. By that point, Porter would be taking the Miami Marlins into Nationals Park and the fear remained amongst Lerner and Rizzo they were passing on a very highly regarded coaching talent.

Nice Barney, but still no explanation why people in Florida and Washington are so high on a totally unproven and completely inexperienced guy.

Highly regarded hitting coach maybe, but what has that got to do with managing?