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Andrew Flax

I am the Managing Editor for The Nats Blog, and I've been with TNB since 2013. I'm a senior at Brown University and a Nats fan since 2005. Send me your thoughts on Twitter: @AndrewFlaxTNB!

Which Relievers Could the Nats Target?

Andrew Flax May 17, 2017 2017 Articles Leave a Comment

After yet another game in which the bullpen proved porous, Nats Twitter is once again abuzz with demands for a new reliever. As if there was any doubt, the team has acknowledged its greatest weakness in a significant way, announcing that top starting pitching prospect Erick Fedde will shift to relief with an eye towards contributing in the majors sooner rather than later.

But even returns to form from existing relievers and a star turn from Fedde would not be enough to rescue the sorry bunch that is the Nationals’ relief corps. It’s stupendously likely that the Nationals will move to acquire a reliever at the trade deadline. That deadline is still more than two months away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about guys who might soon be wearing the curly W.

Continue Reading Which Relievers Could the Nats Target?

The Strange Case of Enny Romero

Andrew Flax May 14, 2017 2017 Articles, Features 1 Comment

With every day, and from both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to the truth, by whose partial discovery I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two.

            —Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Continue Reading The Strange Case of Enny Romero

Which Nats Prospects Have Raised Their Stock?

Andrew Flax May 04, 2017 2017 Articles Leave a Comment

A disclaimer: I am not a scout. None of the opinions expressed below reflect any assessments I have made based on any video or information a scout might utilize. What I am is an aggregator of scouting reports: I read any I can find, and what I have written below is based on my synthesis of the reports of others. Without further ado, I present to you: the Nationals prospects whose stock has risen the most this season, in no order.

Continue Reading Which Nats Prospects Have Raised Their Stock?

Trea Turner Hits The Ball Hard

Andrew Flax April 27, 2017 2017 Articles 1 Comment

If you stayed up to watch the entirety of Wednesday’s game, perhaps the only drama in the late innings was to see whether or not Trea Turner would get another at-bat, and with it a chance for a second consecutive cycle. The accomplishment is laughably improbable; the career record for cycles is three, set by four players. The only player to match the feat since World War 2 is Adrian Beltre.

Continue Reading Trea Turner Hits The Ball Hard

Don’t Worry About Jayson Werth, Not That You Were

Andrew Flax April 18, 2017 2017 Articles 1 Comment

Think about Jayson Werth for a second.

As a Nats fan who loves to worry, is he on your list of concerns? The bullpen, the defense, Trea’s hamstring… Werth doesn’t register, right?

Well, he shouldn’t. Just in case you were thinking about it.

Now, there is a reason or two to worry about Werth. But let me explain why even those shouldn’t concern you. Please, remain calm for the duration of the article.

Continue Reading Don’t Worry About Jayson Werth, Not That You Were

How Bad Is The Bullpen?

Andrew Flax April 10, 2017 2017 Articles Leave a Comment

If you’re reading this, you’re surely aware that the Nationals’ bullpen has been very bad this year. To put it empirically, Nats relievers have allowed 18 runs in 20 1/3 innings this year, or a 7.98 ERA. That’s awful!

Continue Reading How Bad Is The Bullpen?

The Nationals’ Window Isn’t Closing, As Far As We Know

Andrew Flax April 03, 2017 2017 Articles 1 Comment

Two years is a long time in baseball.

Continue Reading The Nationals’ Window Isn’t Closing, As Far As We Know

It Doesn’t Matter Who The Closer Is

Andrew Flax March 31, 2017 2017 Articles Leave a Comment

The Nationals announced today that Blake Treinen will start the season as the closer, ending months of speculation that began right as the Nationals were eliminated in the NLDS last October. Their failed runs at the elite free agent closers showed a commitment to shoring up what has been a weak spot in the franchise’s history, but they came up empty.

Of the three reported finalists for the spot — Treinen, Koda Glover, and Shawn Kelley — all had their flaws. Glover is a rookie with a career 5.09 MLB ERA. Kelley has had two Tommy John surgeries and may not pitch back-to-back days. Treinen has had struggles with lefties and command, though he made strides in both areas last year. But the fact that this decision was so close implies something else: These players are not far apart, talent-wise. And because of that, it doesn’t really matter who the closer is.

Continue Reading It Doesn’t Matter Who The Closer Is

The Nats Blog is Recruiting!

Andrew Flax March 30, 2017 2017 Articles Leave a Comment

Have you ever wanted to write for a press-credentialed Nationals blog? Here’s your opportunity.

The Nats Blog is recruiting! We’re looking for writers who can commit to writing at least once a week during the 2017 season. We’re looking for skilled, thoughtful writers who can contribute original content. In-depth knowledge of baseball is a must, as is a dedication to writing.

Continue Reading The Nats Blog is Recruiting!

So Do The Nationals Need A Long Man?

Andrew Flax March 22, 2017 2017 Articles Leave a Comment

The Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes wrote a nice piece yesterday about the difficult bullpen choice the Nationals will have to make as Spring Training winds down. She notes that the team already has five spots locked down for guys on MLB contracts (Joe Blanton, Oliver Perez, Shawn Kelley) or established contributors (Blake Treinen, Sammy Solis). That means if the Nats want a long man, either hotshot rookie Koda Glover or fireballing lefty Enny Romero will be left out — which would almost surely mean a new team for Romero, who is out of options. Janes also quotes Dusty Baker as saying the Nationals need a long man and Mike Rizzo as saying they don’t.

It’s an informative article, but it fails to answer its titular question: Do the Nats need a long man?

Continue Reading So Do The Nationals Need A Long Man?

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