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Choose Your Fighter: Bullpen Edition

Erik Payne May 30, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

Until proven otherwise, the Nats’ bullpen will be “the thing.” Sure, the bats have gone cold in October, and Max Scherzer inopportunely tweaked his hammy last year. But the Bryce Harper Era for most fans will be defined by the bullpen. And Pete Kozma. Even now it’s a sore subject.

This year the bullpen (as a whole) has been league average, though that’s mostly inflated by a dominant Sean Doolittle than the result a collection of league-average-or-above arms. What’s worse is that peppered across the league are former Nats ‘pen arms who have found new, productive life on other teams. Craig Stammen is killing it for the Padres? A.J. Cole* is getting outs for the Yankees?? Drew Storen is still in baseball??? (Just kidding on that last one).

To drown our sadness, let’s play a game.

The Nats have used 14 bullpen arms this year, with yearly contracts that total approximately $29 million. Altogether, these pitchers have accumulated 1.2 WAR (eight have posted negative WAR, making Pablo Sandoval a more valuable reliever than more than half of the Nats pen). Using current and former Nats arms, can you build a better eight-man bullpen for the money?

So go ahead, choose your fighters and let us know, in the comments or on Twitter, how your bullpens stack up.

*We’re counting Nats A.J. Cole and Yankees A.J. Cole as two different pitchers. Why? Look at the numbers and tell me that’s the same guy.

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The Ex-Nats

Is Bryce Harper Doing Too Much?

Erik Payne May 22, 2018 2018 Articles 2 Comments

 Watching Sunday’s loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers, I was struck by something said by color commentator F.P. Santangelo – and not in a head-scratching way.

He was talking about Bryce Harper’s struggles at the plate in recent weeks, which are only magnified by the fact that he has not been the team’s best hitter this year (or in 2017…or in 2016) and is potentially on his way to the largest contract in the history of the sport.

Continue Reading Is Bryce Harper Doing Too Much?

A Potential Parting Gift Imparts More Than Face-Value

Maddie Cross May 11, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

Last weekend, Bryce Harper’s legacy as a Washington National was further cemented, as the Nationals Dream Foundation dedicated Bryce Harper Field in Northwest DC, at the Takoma Community Center. The city was able to open the field with a donation from the Nationals Dream Foundation and Harper himself. The Nationals Dream Foundation plans to donate a field to the community every year, and so far they’ve made good on that promise, with Bryce Harper Field joining Ryan Zimmerman and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez Field.

Continue Reading A Potential Parting Gift Imparts More Than Face-Value

Oh, Gio: Reflecting on the Southpaw’s Years with Washington

Joe Arvis May 11, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

The Nationals could potentially lose a franchise mainstay this coming offseason. A player who has brought magic to Nats fans, one whose arrival signified a turning point from mediocrity to excellence. A player who has had frustrating moments that make you scratch your head, but also moments of brilliance that make your jaw drop.

No, I’m not talking about Bryce Harper. I’m talking about Gio Gonzalez.

Continue Reading Oh, Gio: Reflecting on the Southpaw’s Years with Washington

Is Ryan Zimmerman Washed?

Erik Payne May 08, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

My most prized possession in this world is a signed Ryan Zimmerman Nats jersey. I wore it to every home game I attended for a span of years until, two winters ago, I met Zim at an event and he signed it. Now, it holds a special place in my closet until I find the wall space required to hang it on the wall.

Continue Reading Is Ryan Zimmerman Washed?

Here comes Trea Turner

Dan Zaudtke May 08, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

About two-and-a-half weeks ago, fellow TNB writer Nathaniel Brose thoroughly detailed Trea Turner’s increased selectiveness at the plate. Like many of us, she was waiting for Turner to start hitting. Trea has been getting on base all year — he has failed to reach base in only six games in 2018. Coming into play on the on April 11, he was slashing a paltry .195/.340/.268. He had just one extra-base hit in that span too, a home run.

Continue Reading Here comes Trea Turner

A Quick Look at the Nationals Schedule and Its Impact

Nathaniel Brose May 02, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

As of Wednesday morning, the Washington Nationals are in fourth place and 4.5 games back of 1st place in the NL East, a division they were supposed to run away with. Though they have dug themselves something of a hole, all is not lost.

Continue Reading A Quick Look at the Nationals Schedule and Its Impact

Do More Or Doolittle: On The Nats’ Late Inning Struggles

Erik Payne May 01, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

For the first time in what seems like forever, it’s May, and that Washington Nationals aren’t in first place in the National League East.

Why? Well, the bullpen hasn’t helped.

Continue Reading Do More Or Doolittle: On The Nats’ Late Inning Struggles

Are Trea Turner’s Struggles the New Normal?

Nathaniel Brose April 20, 2018 2018 Articles 1 Comment

Five to ten years ago, talking heads in baseball may have been calling for 24-year-old phenom Trea Turner to be sent down. After all, the NC State product is hitting just .236 in the first month of the season. Forced into the leadoff spot following Adam Eaton’s absence, it has been frustrating to see him unable to produce base hits. Yet there he is halfway through April, sporting a .368 OBP thanks to a 17.2% walk rate. While nowhere near a guy like Bryce Harper (27%), this is a rate on par with players like Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Judge, or Paul Goldschmidt. Essentially, we are talking about a walk rate prototypical of a slugger, not a leadoff man like Dee Gordon (3.9% career BB%), Ender Inciarte (6.7%), or Adam Eaton (8.2%).

Continue Reading Are Trea Turner’s Struggles the New Normal?

Bryan Harper Exposes a Double Hairdryer Wielding Brother Bryce Harper in the Wild

Mina Dunn April 11, 2018 2018 Articles Leave a Comment

(Update: We regret to inform you that the video was a marketing stunt. Maybe next time, kids.)

Bryce Harper has very good hair. Our compliments to his mom, who is clearly responsible for the golden thread growing out of our unseated MVP’s head. When his baseball career winds down in 237 years, and before he is inducted as the grand master of the Hall of Fame, he could probably have a long and fruitful career as a (hopefully not-creepy) Johnny Bravo impersonator.

Continue Reading Bryan Harper Exposes a Double Hairdryer Wielding Brother Bryce Harper in the Wild

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