Here’s the latest from around the NL East…
- Ian Desmond hinted that he is likely entering his last week in a Nationals uniform, as the free agent shortstop told the Washington Post’s James Wagner that “I know that there’s a new chapter looming” in his career. It was a frustrating year for both the team and Desmond personally, as he has hit only .232/.285/.381 over 619 PA in his walk year. “If anything weighed on me, it was the fact that this was most likely going to be my last ride and I really wanted to go out with a bang, not personally but as far as a team,” Desmond said. “I probably, at certain times, tried to do too much but I’m a trier, man. I wanna win. I’m extremely passionate about my teammates and this organization and winning.” Desmond did say that he’s “open for whatever” in free agency and spoke of his pride in being a part of the first generation of Nationals baseball, so it’s perhaps not completely out of the question that he could re-sign with Washington.
- Marlins rookie first baseman Justin Bour is making a strong case for an everyday job in 2016, FOX Sports Florida’s Christina De Nicola writes. Bour had a .266/.326/.474 slash line and 21 homers in 420 plate appearances heading into today’s action, and he’s been particularly hot down the stretch, posting an .887 OPS in 94 September PA. The left-handed hitting Bour has only a .597 OPS in limited at-bats against southpaws, but at worst he seems to have earned himself at least the lion’s share of a platoon for next year.
- Matt Harvey threw 92 pitches over 6 2/3 innings on Saturday, and the Mets ace reportedly told manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen that he wants to make regular starts down the stretch, John Harper of the New York Daily News writes. “When he came to me last week he said, ’I want to pitch. I want to stay out there. I want to throw 100 pitches and I want to do it twice (before the end of the season),’ ” Collins described. “He said, ’We’re going to win this thing and I’m going to pitch in the playoffs, and I’ve got to be ready. And I’m not ready.’ ” Harvey has now thrown 183 2/3 innings in his first season back after Tommy John surgery. Ironically, since the Mets have now clinched the division, this might be the ideal time to shut Harvey down until the playoffs, though this innings-limit controversy may yet have a few more twists and turns.
The Papelbon experience has been a complete disaster for that franchise, and the team’s play over that timespan has been reflective of it. Seems like there’s a lot of dysfunction going on and Matt Williams looks to have phoned it in at this point. Cycle a new manager in there, throw in whatever money it takes to trade Papelbon, and start over fresh in 2016.
Mets should just use the next week to align the rotation. Each starter gives it a final ST start, 45-60 low stress pitches
I imagine they view getting home-field advantage at least mildly important. With the young staff, going into Chavez Ravine with 50,000+ for Games 1&2 could be dangerous. Let them get their first post-season experience at home.
This should be Williams last straw, let Knorr have the job for the next 6 and probably going forward.
In light of cameras being around when you grab a teammate by the throat you’re wrong, eh Jon? Should have done it in the clubhouse after the game? That’s the light you’re wrong in?
This, incidentally, is exactly why I did not want the Cubs to trade for Papelbon even though he probably was the most effective reliever available. This guy’s attitude is just plain bad and I don’t want him anywhere near my team.
Williams has clearly lost control of his team. He needs to go and the Nats have to find a way to take advantage of Harper’s prime years. He’s just too good to be wasted on this kind of stuff. Plus he could have been injured.