Blogger Q&A: Nationals, The Nats Blog

As the Mets kickoff  a three-game series in Washington, D.C. versus the Natioanls tonight, I did a quick Q&A with Willy Yoder from The Nats Blog:

Mike Nichols: In a recent post to your blog, you stated the lack of success of recently fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire had more to do with the front office’s selection of pitching talent than St. Claire’s coaching.  Do you believe new pitching coach Steve McCatty will have the same difficulties or will his philosophy be better suited for the Nationals turn towards their younger pitching staff?

Willy from The Nats Blog:  From what I have read there is a pretty big difference in the two’s pitching philosophies. Randy St. Claire was famous for his use of video analysis, breaking down a pitchers every move on the field to try and perfect their actions on the mound. He wanted pitchers to think about everything they did, every motion they made. McCatty on the other hand cares less about mechanics and more about a pitchers mental approach. He has said that he believes if you are talented enough to be in the big leagues then all that matters is your mental approach and your ability to ‘attack the zone.’

Unfortunately, I feel that with a younger pitching staff like the one the Nationals have, an approach like St. Claire’s might be more beneficial. The four rookie starters for the Nats have the talent to be successful, but they also need to learn to pitch. I sure like McCatty’s character and think he was a great pitcher in the 80’s. But he didn’t get the job done as a pitching coach in Detroit in 2002, and I don’t know if he’ll get the job done here.

Mike Nichols: You haven’t been bashful in your opinion of manager Manny Acta, even stating he should be fired. Using the same argument you gave for Randy St. Claire, can more of the blame be put on organization inability to acquire talent rather than Acta’s presumed inadequacies as a manager?

Willy from The Nats Blog: A pitching coach’s success should be measured on whether or not his pitchers are over or underachieving. The same goes with a clubs batting coach and the teams hitting. However a manager should be evaluated on whether or not the players on the team come to the game as professionals, prepared to play everyday. That is where Manny Acta has failed.

The Nationals this year have been marred by unprofessionalism. In fact I have heard many journalists say that this and last years team were the most unprofessionally run team they’ve ever seen.  There seems to be a losing attitude on this club, and Manny Acta seems to be accepting of it. There is no commitment to play defense, and no accountability for player’s mistakes. These are things a manager can take charge of; regardless of the talent the front office gives him.

Mike Nichols: What are you thoughts on what the Nationals will do as we approach the July 31 trade deadline? Obviously I wouldn’t expect them to be buyers, but do you expect them to trade players like Adam Dunn and/or Nick Johnson?

Willy from The Nats Blog: Under the Jim Bowden regime, it seemed we could never trade any of our older talent at the deadline. I am hopeful this will change this summer under Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten.

Nick Johnson’s contract is up at the end of this season and he should definitely be on the move. Contenders like your very own New York Mets as well as the RedSox both have a need for a solid bat to replace sluggers Carlos Delgado and David Ortiz. I’m sure the Nationals have already investigated both teams young talent.

I expect Adam Dunn to stay at least through this season. The Nationals have him locked up for another year, at a solid price, and he is one of the few exciting players on the team’s roster. I would not be surprised to see Josh Willingham on the move however, if his hot streak at the plate continues through June. The Nats need to clean up that crowded outfield.

Mike Nichols: Lastings Milledge was named the Nats opening day center fielder after spring training, but after hitting just .167 during the the first two weeks of the season Milledge was demoted to the minors. Is Milledge still in the organization’s plan going forward or has Milledge already worn out his welcome?

Willy from The Nats Blog: Lastings Milledge got sent down to Syracuse after only 24 at bats with the Nationals this year. Now in 22 games in Triple-A he is batting .253, and only .194 in his last 10 games. This is surprising for most Nationals fans after watching Milledge grow a great deal last year as he was one of the teams more reliable hitters.

The organization has said very little about their intentions for Milledge, but it seems that his two biggest supporters, Bowden and Acta, are gone or are about to be. Personally I still have high hopes for the young guy. He showed serious 20-20 potential last season, and good defense. He’s not doing himself any favors though, hitting worse now in the minors than he did last year in the majors.

Mike Nichols: Finally, with the MLB First-Year draft coming up next week and the Nationals expected to select pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg with the first overall pick, assuming they can sign him quickly, what are the odds the Nationals will promote him to the Major League level this season?

Willy from The Nats Blog: Acting general manager Mike Rizzo has come out and basically said that no players they take in the draft this year will reach the majors in 2009, and that includes Strasburg. This is probably the best thing for the kid anyways. Contract negotiations, as they do for most top 10 picks, are likely to go down to the August 15^th deadline. This means Strasburg would have not pitched competitively for a good amount of time and wouldn’t even be at the top of his game, much less Major League ready. If he does get significant minor league experience in 2009 however expect him to make a push for the rotation in 2010.

Mike Nichols: Good stuff. Thanks, Willy.

I also answered a few Mets related questions for Willy, which you can read later today, by clicking here.

Tagged as: Mike Nichols, Nationals