Washington

As of now we have 5 position players (Espinosa, Lombardozzi, Tracy, Moore, and Bernadina) who have an on base percentage of under .250. Of these, only Lombardozzi is hitting above the Mendoza line. You may be thinking (as I have) that players putting up such putrid numbers have no business on the roster of a contending team. They certainly don't belong in the starting lineup. However, there are problems with replacing most of these underperformers from the standpoint of position flexibility. An obvious candidate for AAA or the DL is Danny Espinosa. There are 3 in AA and AAA who would be likely to put up better offensive numbers (Rendon, Kobernus, and Rhymes). The problem is that Danny is also our backup shortstop. Can any of these guys give Desmond an occasional blow? I wonder if he'd still be with us if he couldn't also play short. Otherwise, Ryan Theriot might be getting a call from the 202 area code. If Danny goes, we need someone who can play shortstop. Maybe Rendon? Seems he would have enough on his plate learning to play second at a major league level. What about sending down Lombardozzi? Even for a good field, no hit utility player his offensive numbers are pretty weak. Kobernus offers as much defensive flexibility, but would he be a better alternative? He, like Lombo, strikes out more than he walks. Still, it would be hard to walk less than Lombo. He isn't likely to hit .300 against major league pitching, but maybe he could put up good numbers until the league figures him out. It would be a crap shoot, but possibly one worth trying. Giving Chad Tracy his walking papers would take away a left handed bat off the bench who can fill in at the corner infield spots. Who in AAA can play the corners and bat left? Will "Batman" Rhymes has played some third, and bats lefty. However, he isn't a threat to do what Tracy did against the Padres. If Lombo stays, or Kobernus is called up, they can also fill in at the hot corner. There are other options at first, including Moore (if he and his .120 average stay) and Marrero. I was afraid Tyler Moore would be exposed if he were put in the starting lineup. It looks like he has been exposed even without starting. If he swung at one of Livo's 65 mph curves they'd probably need a corkscrew to get him out of the ground. At first I thought bringing up Marrero to replace him was a no brainer. He hit around .250 with gap power during a callup in 2011. He seems to be regaining his power stroke at Syracuse. But wait; he's strictly a first baseman. Moore can play the outfield, even if he doesn't play it that well. I think if Moore is sent down for Marrero maybe it should be after Werth returns. Another possible replacement would be Micah Owings, but he has struck out at a rate almost as high as Moore's. On the other hand, his lifetime average against major league pitching is higher. Bernadina, even though he seems completely lost at the plate this year, is a valuable defensive replacement. I don't see this as being as complicated now that Corey Brown is off the DL. Maybe it's time to give him a shot to see if he can make it as a fourth outfielder in the Nation's capital. As you can see, replacing our underachievers isn't an easy task. We have guys who are producing in the minors, but there are complications when it comes to filling positions. Of course there are folks who are paid a lot more than me to make these decisions. What say you? As of now we have 5 position players (Espinosa, Lombardozzi, Tracy, Moore, and Bernadina) who have an on base percentage of under .250. Of these, only Lombardozzi is hitting above the Mendoza line. You may be thinking (as I have) that players putting up such putrid numbers have no business on the roster of a contending team. They certainly don't belong in the starting lineup. However, there are problems with replacing most of these underperformers from the standpoint of position flexibility. An obvious candidat

Young quarterbacks set the NFL on fire last season, but they still have to win over a few skeptics. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is one of them.

Robert Griffin III’s presence at Redskins OTA is encouraging not only for the QB, but also the entire team. Mike Florio says to not put too much stock in RGIII’s return until he can run and cut like a mobile QB should. More...

After his appearance at Redskins’ OTA practice on Thursday, quarterback Robert Griffin III said he has “only” two hurdles left in his recovery from a torn ACL:* (1) clearance for “explosive” sprinting; and (2) clearance to cut. Those are both fairly significant hurdles. As to these obstacles, perhaps the most important maneuver for an athlete… More...

Running back Alfred Morris squashed the perception that a sixth round pick can?t make an instant impact last year after he rushed for a franchise record 1,613 yards. Few outside of his alma mater knew of his talents and those who*didn’t*quickly disregarded him as a blocking fullback?seriously. Just imagine what would have happened to No. […] More...

Robert Griffin III planted his right leg in the Redskins Park turf Thursday and zipped a 15-yard throw into the end zone to Pierre Garcon. Then he did it again. And again. Four months and two weeks removed from right knee ligament surgery, there, for all to see, was evidence ... More...

I prefer the American League brand of baseball. Maybe it is because I grew up an Orioles fan and it is just what I am used to watching. I just think with a starting rotation like the Nats have they would be better served pitching with American League rules. Many times the Nats starters could be left in the game an inning or two longer but, are not because of the need to pinch hit. Many times a starting pitcher who is on the ropes in the NL can get out of the inning with less damage because of there being no DH. Rallies can be shortened because a NL 8th spot hitter often doesn't make the lineup on some AL lineups and besides a select 10-15 or so starting pitchers, pitchers are automatic outs. It just never made sense to me to have separate rules in the two leagues especially with the amount of interleague games now today. The NBA doesn't have different rules for the Eastern or Western Conference. The NFL doesn't have different rules for the NFC or AFC. I would prefer if Bud Selig just made the DH in both leagues. He should too because the offensive numbers overall in baseball would go up. Which would mean more TV ratings and attendance. It more than likely will never go back to not having a DH. Players Unions in sports and in Baseball are too powerful to let that happen. Getting rid of the DH means getting rid of jobs. Some would say by putting the DH in the NL would mean getting rid of pinch hitters. Not really the preparation that it takes to pinch hit isn't that different than to DH. A DH much like pinch hitter has to keep prepared by taking swings in the cage or whatever it takes to stay in the game mentally. The DH just gets more at bats to do this than a pinch hitter. How does everyone here feel about the DH rule? I prefer the American League brand of baseball. Maybe it is because I grew up an Orioles fan and it is just what I am used to watching. I just think with a starting rotation like the Nats have they would be better served pitching with American League rules. Many times the Nats starters could be left in the game an inning or two longer but, are not because of the need to pinch hit. Many times a starting pitcher who is on the ropes in the NL can get out of the inning with less damage because of there being no DH. Rallies can be shortened because a NL 8th spot hitter often doesn't make the lineup on some AL lineups and besides a select 10-15 or so starting pitchers, pitchers are automatic outs. It just never made sense to me to have separate rules in the two leagues especially with the amount of interleague games now today. The NBA doesn't have different rules for the Eastern or Western Conference. The NFL doesn't have different rules for the NFC or AFC. I would prefer if Bud Selig just made the DH in both leagues. He should too because the offensive numbers overall in baseball would go up. Which would mean more TV ratings and attendance. It more than likely will never go back to not having a DH. Players Unions in sports and in Baseball are too powerful to let that happen. Getting rid of the DH means getting rid of jobs. Some would say by putting the DH in the NL would mean getting rid of pinch hitters. Not really the preparation that it takes to pinch hit isn't that different than to DH. A DH much like pinch hitter has to keep prepared by taking swings in the cage or whatever it takes to stay in the game mentally. The DH just gets more at bats to do this than a pinch hitter. How does everyone here feel about the DH rule?

#Redskins CB Josh Wilson, BTW, did have shoulder surgery. Labrum and pec were repaired. #RedskinsTalk — Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 23, 2013 Looking at injury reports, Josh Wilson must have torn the labrum in his left shoulder in mid-Oct. That's 8-9 games with the injury. — Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) May 23, 2013 No foot surgery. RT @davispond: @rich_campbell How about Garcon's foot that bothered him all year?Any surgery on that? — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013 Josh LeRibeus & Maurice Hurt were both out with what Shanahan said were groin injuries. Shanny motioned to his shoulder about Garcon surgery — Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) May 23, 2013 To clarify, Pierre Garcon had minor labrum surgery in January. He's healthy now. Not participating in team drills as a precaution. #Redskins — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013 Roy Helu said his toe feels well since having an offseason procedure. Original tests didn't find damaged cartilage, slowing his recovery. — Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) May 23, 2013 Brian Orakpo has had "no setbacks" & Shanny says he is much better than last year. Carriker was at rehab. Josh Wilson pec surgery. #Redskins — Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) May 23, 2013 RG3: My right lateral collateral ligament was not completely torn. — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013 #Redskins' Shanahan said Garcon's rehab has "really been unbelievable." — Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) May 23, 2013 Shanahan said Fred Davis (Achilles) and Garçon (toe) are about 90 percent. — Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 23, 2013 Shanahan on keeping the zone read in the offense: The zone read gave Robert more time in the pocket than he would have had dropping back. — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013 Shanahan: RG3 would not play in a regular season game without practicing first. — Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013 Mike Shanahan on Griffin: "we're hoping he's ready for training camp. ... He's working really hard." — Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) May 23, 2013 RG3 wasn't the only Redskins player to hit the weights hard this offseason. @hanktime85 grew some guns! twitter.com/NFLSkins/statu…— Ed Sheahin (@NFLSkins) May 23, 2013

Heading into the 2012 season there were high hopes for the Washington Redskins. They drafted Heisman winning quarterback Robert Griffin III and brought in key free agent personnel such as Pierre Garcon and Brandon Meriweather. While everything appeared to be going smoothly, the players then began to drop like flies before the start of the [...] More...

I don't know how many of you get the MLB Network , but it has an interesting show called MLB Now. It is a pardon the interruption style debate show. Brian Kenny and Harold Reynolds argue baseball topics based on two distinctly different positions. Brian Kenny comes from a sabermetrics "new school" point of view and Harold Reynolds comes from a scouting "old school" point of view. They seem to actually vehemently disagree on some topics not just staged to take a certain side like PTI or Around the Horn seems to do. I tend to lean more towards Harold Reynolds point of view especially today. Brian Kenny went as far lately as saying baseball should get rid off the wins and loss records for pitcher. He also said that baseball should get rid of errors for fielders, batting titles, and the triple crown. I think WAR is a good statistic to measure all around performance of a player, However, many people from the sabermetrics camp see it as an end all be all statistic. In 2012 Alex Gordon is the tenth best player in the majors with a 6.2 WAR. Darwin Barney would be the 23rd best player in the majors with a 4.7 WAR. Darwin Barney strictly when it comes to WAR is better than Albert Pujols, Dustin Pedoria, Prince Fielder. Joe Mauer, Brand Phillips, Adam Jones, Josh Hamilton and many more. To say that WAR is the best way to determine the overall value of a player is going way out on a limb. Baseball as much as it has always loved statistics. Is still a game where you need to use your eyes to evaluate. I am not saying one way is better than the other. A combination of both using your eyes and statistics to evaluate a player is probably the best way. What you guys think about the show if you have seen it? Also what do you think about sabermetrics in general? I don't know how many of you get the MLB Network , but it has an interesting show called MLB Now. It is a pardon the interruption style debate show. Brian Kenny and Harold Reynolds argue baseball topics based on two distinctly different positions. Brian Kenny comes from a sabermetrics "new school" point of view and Harold Reynolds comes from a scouting "old school" point of view. They seem to actually vehemently disagree on some topics not just staged to take a certain side like PTI or Around the Horn seems to do. I tend to lean more towards Harold Reynolds point of view especially today. Brian Kenny went as far lately as saying baseball should get rid off the wins and loss records for pitcher. He also said that baseball should get rid of errors for fielders, batting titles, and the triple crown. I think WAR is a good statistic to measure all around performance of a player, However, many people from the sabermetrics camp see it as an end all be all statistic. In 2012 Alex Gordon is the tenth best player in the majors with a 6.2 WAR. Darwin Barney would be the 23rd best player in the majors with a 4.7 WAR. Darwin Barney strictly when it comes to WAR is better than Albert Pujols, Dustin Pedoria, Prince Fielder. Joe Mauer, Brand Phillips, Adam Jones, Josh Hamilton and many more. To say that WAR is the best way to determine the overall value of a player is going way out on a limb. Baseball as much as it has always loved statistics. Is still a game where you need to use your eyes to evaluate. I am not saying one way is better than the other. A combination of both using your eyes and statistics to evaluate a player is probably the best way. What you guys think about the show if you have seen it? Also what do you think about sabermetrics in general?