It’s getting to the point where it’s almost too easy to pick on the Washington Nationals, because it’s just one thing after another. And regrettably, none of what’s happening is good. They still have time to get their feet back under themselves, but they need to start pushing the ball now to get it rolling the other way.
The only question I have about the trade of Danny Espinosa is why the Nationals hadn’t done it long before he pulled his little tantrum because he could read the crystal ball that said he would be getting reduced playing time.
The fact that the Nationals made the trade within hours of the incident shows, if nothing else, they are capable of getting it done when they put their mind to the task at hand.
Because Something Is Happening Here, But You Don’t Know What It Is, Do You, Mr. Jones? (Bob Dylan)
The other thing that the incident with Espinosa displays is living proof of what is widely suspected about this team. And that’s the fact that there is widespread discontent in their clubhouse, and further that the removal of Espinosa from the equation is not likely to keep the cancer from spreading. And if the front office has the balls to look, they’ll find the fire that lurks beneath the smoke. If they want to.
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But there was something else that came from the Nationals camp yesterday that was equally, if not even more disturbing. It was disclosed that pitcher Koda Glover appeared in several games while pitching with pain, even as he was getting lit up. How is it that no one on the Nationals coaching staff noticed that something was “off” with the kid and step in to at least have him examined by the medical staff? Is it the kid’s fault because he’s pitching for his major league life and he has heard that all pitchers at this level pitch through pain?
“Every time I was landing, it felt like an ice pick going in my hip,” Glover said at Nationals Winterfest on Saturday to the Washington Post. The kid hid the injury so what are you gonna do – shoot him? Next time he’ll know better. The real question, though, should be if the Nationals will know any better.
The Nationals Need to Make a Big Splash in the Pool
As mentioned before, there is still time for the Nationals to recover before the season begins. They desperately need a closer. So why not get out there, take no prisoners, and sign Kenley Jansen before the Dodgers do? He’s on his honeymoon, so that might be a good chance to sneak right in with an offer just above the one given to Aroldis Chapman, giving him bragging rights.
The other thorn in the Nationals’ side is Bryce Harper. He’s going to wear out the Nationals if they let him. Best bet is to simply ignore him. He gets no extension because he has no proven loyalty to the team or the organization. The beauty of it that has has to play and put up numbers. Otherwise, there’s no chance he’s going to get that self-promoted $400 million number. Just let him sulk in the corner until he’s ready to be promoted from kindergarten.
And Maybe It’s Time for Dusty Baker to Ride Off into the Sunset
The other thing is about the manager of the Nationals, Dusty Baker. There’s no way you cannot like him. He lives and breathes baseball. But there was a troubling piece on ESPN about him that more than suggested he is becoming too aloof in his old age, being more content to sit in his office swapping stories with friends who have nothing to do with the Nationals. And you know the old adage, when the cat’s away, the mice will play. So that should be one more thing added to the Nationals’ plate, again sooner rather than later.
Next: Pirates Not Doing Right By McCutchen
The Nationals are already built to contend in the National League East and an epic collapse like the one we saw two years ago when the Mets stole the division title from them is not likely, but it’s still possible. What they do in the next few weeks will go a long way toward determining if they’ve caught a bit of a cold, or if they’re suffering from a severe case of the flu.