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Odds And Ends: Draft, Stark, Selig

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [May 6, 2009 at 8:53pm CST]

Links for Wednesday night...

ESPN.com's Rob Neyer argues that the Nats shouldn't take Stephen Strasburg unless they're sure he'll help their team more than any other player, regardless of the hype surrounding the college righty.
Neyer also weighs in on the possibility of Bill James appearing as a cartoon in the upcoming Moneyball movie.
Speaking on ESPN radio, Jayson Stark says the Dodgers should win the NL West by 15 or 20 games.
He says they're a starter and a bullpen arm away from becoming much stronger and adds that they have the pieces to deal for the pitching they need.
Jenny Vrentas of the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that Bud Selig says teams are making the necessary adjustments to cope with the struggling economy. Selig was speaking with the commissioners for the NBA, the NFL and the NHL.
MLB.com's Ken Gurnick writes that the Dodgers are thrilled to have added Orlando Hudson.
MLB.com's Bill Chastain spoke with Carl Crawford about the 100-steal plateau and heard that the speedy left fielder doesn't expect his stolen base tally to reach triple digits. Crawford, who has 20 steals, will likely become a free agent after 2010. How much could he command as baseball's first 100-steal man since Vince Coleman in 1987?

Comments

I think the Nats should definitely take Strasburg. KLaw said today on ESPN that he thought Strsburg would sign for 18 million to 20 million because his draft value is already maxed out...he can't show he's better by pitching another year in college or in an independent league. A really good 1B prospect might be a safer choice, but I think you gotta gamble with Strasburg. He's not just some super hyped prospect, he's the most talented pitching prospect ever according to pretty much every scout.

Posted by: mford | May 06, 2009 at 11:23 PM

We should sign Hudson long-term and let DeWitt be the super utility guy like Teahen is in KC. I love DeWitt but he's only 22 (23?) and could be better as a very good utility player instead of a marginal Jeff Kent-type with less power.

Posted by: GScott | May 07, 2009 at 01:18 AM

My concern with the Nationals (or any team that is budget constrained) signing Strasburg is the impact that the cost will have on their signings in the rest of the draft. Already I have read comments to the effect that they would probably have to draft a signable player with their #10 pick instead of the best player available IF they draft Strasburg. I'm sure that same concern will impact throughout the rest of the draft.

So the question to me is, which option is better:

1. drafting a player like Strasburg in a higher risk position and carrying an extremely high price tag along with a raft of sub-par prospects more notable for signability than talent,

2. drafting and signing the best talent (other than Strasburg) throughout the draft?

I'm guessing the Nats will operate with a 2009 budget of about $10 Million for the draft. Strasburg alone could absorb an unhealthy chunk of that budget.

Posted by: Robin | May 07, 2009 at 06:49 AM

1.)Drafting Strasburg makes too much sense. Even if the Nationals run out a marginal team in the next couple of years, I would be willing to bet that you would see a sellout every fifth start. That means that much in the way that other organizations have justified big contracts, this player will pay for himself by generating the hype and buzz to get people to the ballparks and selling ungodly amounts of paraphernalia. This type of justification has been used by McCourt in LA for the signing of Manny and other owners have used it before as well.

2.) You don't come to own a major league baseball team without having some ridiculous amount of money. (even Jeffrey Loria) The Nationals could choose to take the next best available talent that swings a bat (that isn't an outfielder)at the #10 pick. This will be necessary if the Nationals are going to attempt to put a contender together.

Posted by: oxfrat1665 | May 07, 2009 at 07:40 AM

"Even if the Nationals run out a marginal team in the next couple of years, I would be willing to bet that you would see a sellout every fifth start."

Have the Natinals ever sold out a game that wasn't opening day?

Strasburg looks good, but they won't be selling out games because of him. Not while the rest of the team is terrible.

Posted by: stellar | May 07, 2009 at 08:13 AM

100? please. when someone steals 70 or more again, we'll talk 100. until then, rickey's stolen base record is one of the most untouchable records on the books.

Posted by: homer | May 07, 2009 at 09:28 AM

Carl Crawford is a menace on the base path. I watched him steal SIX bases in one game against the red sox, you couldnt keep him from running. Whoever had him in their fantasy lineup that night struck gold.

Posted by: 04Forever | May 07, 2009 at 10:08 AM

Strasburg is the guy for the Nats, thats that. They are in BAD need of starting pitching and he provides that but I hope the Nats pitching coaches at various levels are ready for this kid's ego and fire.

Posted by: xethicx | May 07, 2009 at 10:32 AM

The Nats should draft the best player available and give him whatever money he so desires.

Right now, that looks like Strasburg.

Posted by: melonis rex | May 07, 2009 at 12:26 PM

"Carl Crawford is a menace on the base path. I watched him steal SIX bases in one game against the red sox, you couldnt keep him from running."

Not trying to take away from Crawford's speed, but take into account that 4 of those were while the awfully slow to the plate Penny was on the mound and all of the 6 steals were while can't throw at all Varitek was behind the plate. I imagine if that combo was not the battery, that he would not have had the opportunity to tie the ML record 04forever, but yes, it was amazing to watch him get those 6 steals and steal 2nd and 3rd base at will against those 2.

Posted by: johns | May 07, 2009 at 12:38 PM

"100? please. when someone steals 70 or more again, we'll talk 100. until then, rickey's stolen base record is one of the most untouchable records on the books."

Reyes stole 78 in '07. Taveras stole 68 last year, so 70 really isn't so impossible. Rickey's record is unbreakable though, just like Cy Youngs win record.

Posted by: pinetarhand | May 07, 2009 at 08:14 PM

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Odds And Ends: Draft, Stark, Selig

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