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« Brad Wilkerson Retires | Main | Yankees Issues »
Nationals Overhaul Bullpen
According to Chico Harlan, the Nationals have made some major changes to their 25-man roster. Here's a quick synopsis of the moves:
- Josh Bard: Optioned to AAA-Syracuse
- Saul Rivera: Optioned to AAA-Syracuse
- Wil Ledezma: Designated for assignment
- Steven Shell: Designated for assignment
The quartet was replaced by pitchers Jordan Zimmermann, Garrett Mock, Jason Bergmann, and veteran Kip Wells.
Following today's loss to the Marlins, which completed the second three-game sweep of the Nationals this season for the Fish already in 2009, Manny Acta was not shy about the bullpen:
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No where to go but up.
Posted by: icedrake523 | April 19, 2009 at 09:36 PM
That's right ice. I have been a supporter of Manny since he arrived but so far this season, he has made some atrocious calls from the manager spot--not starting Dukes, leaving Saul in the game today, it is mind boggling how he works sometimes. If we are still this bad at the end of May, I will be at the head of the line calling for his head. We started fixing our problems when we canned Bowden, we need to continue it.
Posted by: DC Nats Fan | April 19, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Manny Acta maybe fired by Thursday...
Posted by: Braves for NL East!! | April 19, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Total knee-jerk reaction by optioning S. Rivera to AAA. 7.1 lousy innings and he's gone? He, along with J. Hanrahan, may be their best reliever.
Posted by: Chris W. | April 19, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Not that I want him too, the Nats are tryin to win finally, and they'd accept nothin more you'd think..if he was fired, who would be the logical interm? Pat Listasch?
Posted by: Braves for NL East!! | April 19, 2009 at 10:03 PM
they should get bob schaeffer
Posted by: GScott | April 19, 2009 at 10:18 PM
or tim wallach
Posted by: GScott | April 19, 2009 at 10:18 PM
"Manny Acta maybe fired by Thursday..."
That would be a bad idea for the Nats. Acta is actually a good manager. Even the best managers need talent to work with. If the players don't carry their weights, there is very little a manager can do.
"Total knee-jerk reaction by optioning S. Rivera to AAA. 7.1 lousy innings and he's gone? He, along with J. Hanrahan, may be their best reliever."
It doesn't matter though. Nats are noncontenders. If Saul is one of the best relievers the Nats have, he'll be back up in no time.
Posted by: melonis rex | April 19, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Nationals have a problem, so they are attempting to fix it. The braves on the otherhand, are sitting their waiting to give more games away. Medlen needs to be called up. Bennett and O'F needs to go.
Posted by: XavierBraves | April 19, 2009 at 10:20 PM
However, if Dukes is not starting full time, since Milledge is in AAA, I will be calling for Acta's head, along with the heads of everyone in the front office.
Posted by: melonis rex | April 19, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Melonis,
I want Acta to stay, but unfortunately he probably won't. Good analogy, though!
XavierBraves,
Thank you. You're the person who I was looking for this whole time, get rid of Bennet!!
Posted by: Braves for NL East!! | April 19, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Acta sat Dukes because Dukes was five minutes late after doing charity work for the local Little League. Start calling for Acta's head.
I would be surprised if ACta is still manager of the Nationals on June 1st.
I would not be surprised if he isn't the manager on May 1st.
His priorities are in the wrong place. He is more interested in laying down the law according to Manny than in winning.
The Nationals will sadly be perennial losers until that front office and coaching staff are purged along with many of the minor league staffs.
Posted by: Websoulsurfer | April 19, 2009 at 10:27 PM
No way he lasts till May...
Posted by: Braves for NL East!! | April 19, 2009 at 10:30 PM
"Acta sat Dukes because Dukes was five minutes late after doing charity work for the local Little League. Start calling for Acta's head."
And Joe Maddon sat Upton for "lack of hustle", along with pulling him midgame for the same issue. Small incident.
Posted by: melonis rex | April 19, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Bennett has been walking a tight line so far, but he's sitting on a 1.29 ERA over 7IP. I'm not quite sure why you're THAT intense about seeing him beheaded.
Do I think that will last? No, but I don't think he needs to be DFA'd either.
Posted by: CT | April 20, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Good for him. It's about time a major league manager held his team accountable for losing instead of making excuses for them.
Posted by: GScott | April 20, 2009 at 03:32 AM
The Nationals are just trying to gain some respectability and not be so embarassing. They are the "Knicks" of baseball.
Posted by: cingular | April 20, 2009 at 03:55 AM
Any bullpen that has Julian Taveras in it is in deep trouble. I was surprised that he was brought in on Saturday in extra innings vs Florida, but not surprised that he blew the game when he did. That guy was toast 2 years ago when Boston finally released him, yet desperate teams for some reason still give him a chance.
He still was using the Tiant style wind up occasionally that he is famous for on occasion, but he has absolutely nothing left anymore.
Posted by: johns | April 20, 2009 at 05:20 AM
"They are the "Knicks" of baseball."
I was actually thinking of that the other day. At least they've fired their Isiah.
Posted by: icedrake523 | April 20, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Julian Tavarez has been doing a great job for the Nats, yeah he took the loss teh other night but he had pitched a scoreless 10th, if they would have used him in the 9th he would have saved the game for them. I know alot of Braves fans would love to have him back compared to what they have in their pen right now.
Posted by: jct | April 20, 2009 at 09:39 AM
"I know alot of Braves fans would love to have him back compared to what they have in their pen right now."
That was my point about having to rely on Taveras for a "stud" type pitcher in the BP. The guy really has nothing left, except the 3-4 different deceptive deliveries that he uses that will throw a batter off and those teams get used to after a little while. His slider is flat and his FB has lost a lot of it's steam, but he still has the fire that he's always had and competes as hard as ever and it keeps him going.
His being in the AL for nearly 3 years, the NL batters are not used to him, but it probably won't take long have a feeling, like Okajima and his funky delivery.
Always like catching a game and seeing the one nearly perfect imitation Taveras pulls of "El Tiante", where he turns and faces 2nd base before delivering the pitch.. Brings back fond memories.
Posted by: johns | April 20, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Ive always liked Ledezma, if he was to really get his stuff together he could be a starter in my opinion. When he is hitting his spots and pitching his best he is quite tough.
I hope he bounces back.
Posted by: xethicx | April 20, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Is Milledge going to stay in the minors for the forseeable future, or is this a temporary move, Nats fans?
Posted by: Tigerdog | April 20, 2009 at 04:23 PM
Lets go Natinals!!! apparently i spelled that right too... its becoming a joke...
Posted by: DC Sports Fan | April 20, 2009 at 06:51 PM
If the Nationals are extra-special nice and say pretty-please then I think they could talk the Royals into trading Kyle Farnsworth.
I know. It's a generous move on the part of Dayton Moore...but the Royals are rich in pitching now. All the Nationals have to do is assume $4 million a year of his contract. Easy.
Posted by: Otis26 | April 20, 2009 at 06:53 PM
""They are the "Knicks" of baseball."
I was actually thinking of that the other day. At least they've fired their Isiah."
Jim Bowden was just named the new athletic director at FIU.
Posted by: nrmax88 | April 20, 2009 at 09:51 PM