Time to answer another mailbag!
Is Ryan Zimmerman a .290 hitter and a 30-homer, 100-RBI guy or am I expecting too much?
-- Tony L., Amelia, Va.
Yes, no and yes. He already has a 110 RBI season, so that should be self-explanatory. In his rookie year, he hit .287. I see him topping out at a 20-25 HR average (maybe getting 35 or 40 in a fluke year). But I see him as a .295/.355/.500, 45 2B, 20 HR, 105 RBI guy in the future.
Do you think the play at the plate involving Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and Nationals catcher Jesus Flores was a dirty play?
-- Brendan W., Montclair, Va.
The play doesn't have to be intentionally dirty to be a dirty play. Yes, it was dirty.
The fact that you compared Adam Dunn to Dave Kingman is, frankly, way off the mark. Try looking at on-base percentage instead of average. Dunn is a beast. He would be able to play first base just fine.
-- Jon, N., D.C.
I agree. Poor comparison, Ladson. Dunn would be a good addition to this team that desperately needs power.
Will Larry Broadway be getting a September callup? Don't you think it's about time the Nationals' front office gave him a chance on the big stage?
-- Dyer T., Sanches, N.M.
No. He's not worth a 40-man spot and hasn't proved he deserves a chance in the majors. A .266/.354/.410 AAA line at 27 is not that impressive.
With Shawn Hill out for the season, is it possible we might see him move to the bullpen next season and beyond?
-- Mike H., Washington D.C.
I've been pining for this for a while. If we want Hill for any extended period of time, it will be out of the pen.
Given all of the injuries this season, and the youth of this team, I think Acta has done a masterful job keeping the players on an even keel. There have been no explosive temper tantrums that I know of and the team seems to remain positive on the field.
-- John B., Burke, Va.
He's done a good job, yes. I don't know what has happened behind the scenes with Dukes, but he hasn't had a major breakdown. I attribute the lack of insanity to Acta.
Why haven't the Nationals given Willie Harris a full-time position? He is doing a great job offensively and defensively.
-- Carrick H., Falls Church, Va.
He's a supersub and will get almost as many at bats as a starter. It works for him and it works for us, why change it?
How about Emilio Bonifacio? Do you think he will be a legit leadoff hitter in the future for the Nats?
-- Patrick, Fairfax, Va.
I hate to label him already, but the infield version of Endy Chavez is here.
Ladson: If Dunn was that good, the Reds would have kept him.
ReplyDeleteFor what -- so they could finish 22 games back instead of 25 or so, as they probably will? What they desperately need is prospects, not One Big Name that might just keep them from losing 100.
I'm not sure Jocketty is going to get anything like what Dunn was worth in trade, but at least he had the right idea.
Ladson: By the time [Shawn Hill] is ready to pitch, the Nationals most likely will have their bullpen set.
ReplyDeleteEgad, it just keeps getting better and better.
I'm with you, Hoagie. If Hill can pitch out of the bullpen, and if the Nats FO says pretty pretty please, he might just deign to do it.
Not that I'm overly optimistic about his status coming into '09, but why piss him away if he turns out to have a chance to contribute?
by the way, i have officially jumped to the fire jim bowden camp. the remarks he made about nick johnson for next year are absolutely RIDICULOUS.
ReplyDeleteFINALLY!
ReplyDeleteHow are things down VA Tech Way? Thanks for contributing to the political dialogue. I'm Saluting the Spartan Spirit today!
ReplyDelete