The Jon Daniels Era Begins With A Bang

Soriano traded to Washington for 3 players ….

I don’t know much about Sledge or Galarraga (check with www.Newbergreport.com for that) but I have some opinions on Brad Wilkerson.

Wilkerson is only a career .256 hitter but has taken at least 80 walks in each of the last three seasons and has an attractive .365 career on-base percentage. The left-handed hitter could slide into the leadoff spot, which is where he hit for most of last season with Washington.

Wilkerson is coming off a subpar year. He hit a career-best 32 homers in 2004, but fell to just 11 in 2005. Some of that may have been due to the Nationals' move from Montreal to a more pitcher-friendly stadium in Washington.

First, I don’t know if they are keeping him. Some papers think the Rangers picked him up to move him on. I hope they keep him. Left handed bat. Center Field is an option, although the Washington Post wrote this about Brad on the way out:

The loss of Wilkerson takes away the player who, when the Expos franchise moved from Montreal after the 2004 season, figured to be the face of the new Washington franchise. He was the Nationals' most significant chip to trade, and there are scouts who feel he has enormous potential.

He admirably performed whatever task Manager Frank Robinson asked of him over his first four major league seasons, filling in at center field when he was better suited for left, taking long stints at first base when Nick Johnson was injured, and even serving as the franchise's leadoff man for the bulk of the past two seasons, even though he has little speed and would have preferred to hit lower in the order.

But some of Washington's top executives felt that Wilkerson would have been exposed hitting third or fifth in the batting order. Ultimately, some of the top brass felt, he would be an ideal sixth-place hitter. Robinson, with an already-thin lineup, couldn't afford to hit him that low.

But, I want to support this acquisition based on the lovely OBP Wilkerson brings to the table. He had 100 walks in 2004, and at least 80 IN EACH OF THE LAST 3 YEARS! He averages 4.2 pitches per AB. He actually knows how to work a pitcher. He actually realizes that getting to a team’s bullpen is the key to success in baseball. On a roster of players who can’t wait for the first pitch to arrive, they may actually find a player who appears to have some plate discipline. Something Rudy evidently either doesn’t teach or isn’t obeyed.

I do think it makes sense (despite my lack of knowledge of the other two players involved), but two things:

1) If Washington is going to play Soriano in Left Field (without asking/begging him) doesn’t that further frustrate you? I thought he would never play there! I thought he couldn’t be reasoned with. Do you mean if a team just says, “look, if you enjoy payday, you will get your rear-end out to left field”, he will do it? Wow. I feel cheated on that front.

2) Wilkerson is a Boras client. Enjoy him in 2006 and 2007. Then say goodbye.

2a) If Wilkerson gets traded today, don’t worry about that.

And now, allow the Clemens-to-Texas talk to begin again …Sorry. Not falling for it another time….But if anything could convince that genius who owns the team to expand his payroll, it would be Clemens (or Major Applewhite, Chris Mihm, or Darrell K Royal)…

After Houston, they are the most geographically suitable club. Hicks' affection is sure to eliminate any internal opposition to letting Clemens serve as a pitching consultant, following his own schedule and avoiding most road games.

Hicks has said he would increase the payroll for special cases. Clemens qualifies as special case worth about $18 million, his salary this season.

That can offset any reluctance to face deeper American League lineups while pitching in a park that decidedly favors hitters.

This rosy scenario for the Rangers hinges on one factor.

Can Clemens get back on a mound in 2006?

Stars win with Jere doing the damage …

Paid attendance was announced at 17,377. The actual American Airlines Center crowd was probably no more than a third of that, the result of a nasty snow-ice mixture that descended over North Texas.

The Stars don't play at home again until Dec. 23 against the Phoenix Coyotes, following a six-game road trip.

With Lehtinen's goal, the Stars tied a franchise record by scoring on the power play for the 17th consecutive game. But they needed five man-advantage tries in the third period.

"We cranked up the urgency and started getting the power plays, and then our power play fed off that," Stars coach Dave Tippett said.

I must confess, I no-showed.



The Christmas classic that almost wasn’t …

Lost theory that might work …nice rerun last night (not)…by the way, next new episode is Jan 11th!

Great Bit! Lions fan has had enough …

See Brett Hull and Lanny McDonald sing! …



Fire Drew Rosenhaus.com …

Click at your own risk, I prefer you do so with great discretion and speakers down: Over the top Santa …

The following is the most insane thing I have ever read. I assume Todd Willis follows sports, because if he didn’t, he most likely would not be allowed to write for the DMN sports department. To my knowledge, he is a frequent baseball writer, so his credentials are impeccable I am sure. But, this is crazy …

So who is the Mavericks' best player?

My vote goes to Josh Howard, followed by Jason Terry and then Dirk. Howard first because he's the best all-around player, Terry second because he can make the clutch shot at the end of games and Dirk third because he can score, but he plays defense like UCLA did against USC the other day.

Again, everyone is entitled to their opinions (and then of course, everyone is entitled to having opinions about other people’s opinions), but if you think that
Dirk is not the best player on this team (by a good margin) you are either:

a) someone who doesn’t watch the Mavericks
b) someone who is high
c) someone who is looking for your baseball, and doesn’t like anyone touching your ears

Oh well. Just thought you would enjoy it.

And now, some email:

Bob,

I desperately need Rhyner’s list of NHL nicknames. I got into a discussion with my hockey buddy and we could not come up with the name for the Florida Panthers – but I am requesting the entire list.

Pretty Please Bob !!!!
P1 Shawn in Richardson

Help us out, America. Someone put that list together…

hey bob, have you noticed Adrian Griffin's new jersey number? its 44! i know that Diop took his old #7, but come on. why would ANYONE pick #44? i cant help but to see bradley running all over the court when its actually griffin playing. i think #44 should be retired for its infamousness

rik

Perhaps a Bradley fan? Tribute to Shawn?

So we’re falling all over ourselves to lock up John Hart through 2013, but AJ Burnett, Brian Giles, or Kevin Millwood through 2010 is bad business? I’m really starting to hate this team.

Right there with you, brother…