http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6032401947.html

 

Looking to Add

 

Though the Nationals are rumored to be looking at Detroit's Nook Logan as a potential center fielder -- and the Tigers have scouted the Nationals this week -- Bowden said his first preference for an addition to the team in the final week of spring training is pitching. Still, the Nationals would consider Logan or Florida's Eric Reed as a way to add more speed to the lineup. . . .

 

 

Renyel Pinto and Eric Reed for Ryan Church :whistle

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6032401947.html

 

Looking to Add

 

Though the Nationals are rumored to be looking at Detroit's Nook Logan as a potential center fielder -- and the Tigers have scouted the Nationals this week -- Bowden said his first preference for an addition to the team in the final week of spring training is pitching. Still, the Nationals would consider Logan or Florida's Eric Reed as a way to add more speed to the lineup. . . .

 

 

Renyel Pinto and Eric Reed for Ryan Church :whistle

No problem doing that. It would prove further Bowden is an idiot.

No problem doing that. It would prove further Bowden is an idiot.

 

 

:lol :lol :lol

 

Im pretty sure Reggie has that CF Job locked up so I would see no wrong dealing Reed...

very interesting...i love the upside reed has...but i depending on who bowden is offering...if it was church, id do it in a second

Would he switch the Leftfield because Jeremy is in right?

Would he switch the Leftfield because Jeremy is in right?

 

 

 

Yea... No way anyone is moving Hermida out of the RF slot with his Cannon!

Would he switch the Leftfield because Jeremy is in right?

 

 

Yea... No way anyone is moving Hermida out of the RF slot with his Cannon!

 

Has Church ever played in left?

Yeah, I'll take Church in a heart beat.

 

Newflash to Bowden: There are other positions on the field besides OF.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/ryan-church.shtml

 

RYAN CHURCH, of Age: 26 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-1 Wt: 190

Drafted: Nevada, 2000 (14th round) Signed by: Paul Cogan (Indians)

 

Background: Former Expos general manager Omar Minaya made one of his best trades when he acquired Church and infielder Maicer Izturis from Cleveland for lefthander Scott Stewart in January 2004. Like Admin Broadway, Church began his college career as a pitcher before hurting his arm. By learning to use the entire field and work counts better, he turned in his best offensive season in 2004.

 

Strengths: In many ways, Church is similar to Brad Wilkerson. He has a quick, classic swing and makes consistent hard contact. Strong and athletic, he?s an average runner with a good arm. He could fill in as a center fielder in the majors but fits better in right.

 

Weaknesses: Despite his 17 homers and .620 slugging percentage in Triple-A, Church might not have enough power to hit in the middle of the order in the majors. At 26 he?s not young for a prospect, and he didn?t exactly seize a big league job with his late-season performance.

 

The Future: The Nationals? offseason trade for Jose Guillen decreases Church?s chances of winning a starting role. But if given the chance, he could develop into a .300 hitter with 20-25 homers a year

 

Also rated as the best National Defense OF in the system in 2004.

 

Out of Tavares, Gathiright and w/e might be available I think Ryan Church is the best player (though Bowden will disagree) and best fit for the Marlins. Ryan Church can play anywhere in the OF and I believe if given regular playing time he can post numbers similar or better than to those of Josh Williangham.

 

(Note: Struggling in spring training + Bowden GM who favors atheletes he could be a goner for a very good price.)

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/ryan-church.shtml

 

RYAN CHURCH, of Age: 26 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-1 Wt: 190

Drafted: Nevada, 2000 (14th round) Signed by: Paul Cogan (Indians)

 

Background: Former Expos general manager Omar Minaya made one of his best trades when he acquired Church and infielder Maicer Izturis from Cleveland for lefthander Scott Stewart in January 2004. Like Admin Broadway, Church began his college career as a pitcher before hurting his arm. By learning to use the entire field and work counts better, he turned in his best offensive season in 2004.

 

Strengths: In many ways, Church is similar to Brad Wilkerson. He has a quick, classic swing and makes consistent hard contact. Strong and athletic, he?s an average runner with a good arm. He could fill in as a center fielder in the majors but fits better in right.

 

Weaknesses: Despite his 17 homers and .620 slugging percentage in Triple-A, Church might not have enough power to hit in the middle of the order in the majors. At 26 he?s not young for a prospect, and he didn?t exactly seize a big league job with his late-season performance.

 

The Future: The Nationals? offseason trade for Jose Guillen decreases Church?s chances of winning a starting role. But if given the chance, he could develop into a .300 hitter with 20-25 homers a year

 

Also rated as the best National Defense OF in the system in 2004.

 

Out of Tavares, Gathiright and w/e might be available I think Ryan Church is the best player (though Bowden will disagree) and best fit for the Marlins. Ryan Church can play anywhere in the OF and I believe if given regular playing time he can post numbers similar or better than to those of Josh Williangham.

 

(Note: Struggling in spring training + Bowden GM who favors atheletes he could be a goner for a very good price.)

 

:drool

 

DCFishFan Likey Very Much...

We're not going to get Ryan Church.

 

Just thought I'd get that out of the way.

No Church? Rats...

 

This team could use a little extra faith

If Beinfest trades Reed, it will be for young pitching. :banghead

Am I the only one who looked at this and actually thought it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Marlins to see what it takes to get Nook?

We're not going to get Ryan Church.

 

Just thought I'd get that out of the way.

 

 

 

While you might be right look at some facts:

 

LF Alfonso Soriano

CF ? Manager Frank Robinson likes Brandon Watson (Ryan Church wants church put is also looking at Nick Logan and Eric)

RF Jose Guillen

 

Backups- Marlon Bryd and Michael Tucker

 

 

http://www.marlinbaseball.com/forums/index...topic=58364&hl=

 

 

Brandon Watson went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a sacrifice against the Orioles today.

Watson is outhitting Ryan Church .342 to .219 so far. Church closes the gap a bit with his nine walks, but Watson actually has five in 38 at-bats. Since manager Frank Robinson clearly wanted Watson to win the starting job in center, it might be that Church will turn into trade bait for pitching help.

 

In an interview with MLB.com, Nationals GM Jim Bowden said Ryan Church should be the favorite to claim the opening in the club's outfield.

Indications are that Frank Robinson would prefer to see Brandon Watson win the job to give the team a true leadoff hitter -- you know, a guy who runs really fast the 31 percent of the time that he reaches base. Bowden has this one right; Church should be in the starting lineup against right-handers

 

 

Ryan Church started in right field today and hit a two-run homer off southpaw Paul Maholm.

Jim Bowden could always do something crazy (a Juan Gonzalez signing?), but Church's place in the Nationals' outfield seems more secure as a result of Jose Guillen's injury. Maybe he'll even get to play against left-handers sometimes. In 30 at-bats against them last year, he hit .367/.441/.633.

 

The Boston Herald believes the Nationals may attempt to trade for Bronson Arroyo using either Nick Johnson or Ryan Church.

 

 

 

Mar. 19, 2006 - 8:52 pm et

 

 

Jose Guillen took part in another simulated game on Sunday morning and didn't feel any pain in his injured wrist.

Guillen is set to make his spring debut. He will receive two at-bats Monday against the Dodgers.

 

 

Mar. 25, 2006 - 12:59 am et

 

 

Nationals GM Jim Bowden met this week with Jose Guillen's agent, Adam Katz, regarding an extension for the right fielder.

Guillen, who turns 30 in May, is looking for a four- or five-year extension. Especially given his often erratic behavior, he'd be a terrible gamble for that length of time.

 

 

 

 

 

So IMO Ryan Church is definately available. Ryan Church should have starter last year(but was lefted on the bench instead) then when I believe someone got injured the Nationals went off and traded for Preston Wilson(who is not better than Church) which leads me to believe that ain't to high on him. At 28 years of age Ryan Church is in the same boat as Williangham and is ready to have a breakout year if given the oppurtunity.

 

Am I the only one who looked at this and actually thought it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Marlins to see what it takes to get Nook?

 

 

 

Eric Reed Career Stats http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/R/eric-reed.shtml

Nook Logan Career Stats http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/nook-logan.shtml

 

I would say Eric Reed is the better player and prospect of the 2.

There's speculation that Church might even not make the Nats' opening day roster. Shame. He's a good player. He could fill our hole in CF pretty easily. (Yes, he plays CF too)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6032401947.html

 

Looking to Add

 

Though the Nationals are rumored to be looking at Detroit's Nook Logan as a potential center fielder -- and the Tigers have scouted the Nationals this week -- Bowden said his first preference for an addition to the team in the final week of spring training is pitching. Still, the Nationals would consider Logan or Florida's Eric Reed as a way to add more speed to the lineup. . . .

 

 

Renyel Pinto and Eric Reed for Ryan Church :whistle

 

Oh hell yeah, but Bowden's not stupid..... or is he? :mischief2

 

I'd even consider sweetening the deal with something a little more than Pinto perhaps.

rferry Posted Today, 02:54 PM

There's speculation that Church might even not make the Nats' opening day roster. Shame. He's a good player. He could fill our hole in CF pretty easily. (Yes, he plays CF too)

 

 

Thats what I been hearing rferry.

 

 

I don't know if some of you understand all the options we will have if we acquire Ryan Church. This guy plays LF, CF, RF is a high .OBP type of hitter like Jeremy Hermida, Josh Williangham, Miguel Cabrera he ca

 

1) He can play LF, CF, RF

2) Another high OBP type of a player to go along with Miguel Cabrera, Jeremy Hermida, Josh Williangham

3) He's a lefty

4) He's cheap both in terms of salary and what we will have to give up.

5) Can hit 2,3,4,5,6 in the line-up

 

Line-up could look something like, though you can set it up any number of ways

 

SS Hanley Ramirez

RF Jeremy Hermida

3B Miguel Cabrera

LF/CF Ryan Church (yes I put him here and not Jacobs)

C Josh Williangham

1B Mike Jacobs

LF/CF Chris Aguila/ Reggie Abercrombie/ Reed though line-up if different with him in it

2b Dan Uggla

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6032401947.html

 

Looking to Add

 

Though the Nationals are rumored to be looking at Detroit's Nook Logan as a potential center fielder -- and the Tigers have scouted the Nationals this week -- Bowden said his first preference for an addition to the team in the final week of spring training is pitching. Still, the Nationals would consider Logan or Florida's Eric Reed as a way to add more speed to the lineup. . . .

 

 

Renyel Pinto and Eric Reed for Ryan Church :whistle

 

Oh hell yeah, but Bowden's not stupid..... or is he? :mischief2

 

I'd even consider sweetening the deal with something a little more than Pinto perhaps.

 

 

Seriously though if we have to give up Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Yusmeiro Petit for Joey Gathright I would much rather give it up for Ryan Church. Except for speed and hype he is much better than Joey Gathright in just about everything statistical category and projects for more.

 

 

I have said this before and I'll say it again. I think we can land Ryan Church for a package of 2/3 Travis Bowyer, Adam Bostick, Renyel Pinto.

I'd rather not give up who is right now considered our closer of the future.

I agree with Spike again.

 

I think I may need to reevaluate my life.

 

Oh and touche to My3Username, although the phrase "lefted on the bench" made me want to kill myself.

Bowyer over Ryan Church??

 

What's the value of a bullpen arm who you hope will have closer stuff and still be here 3-4 years away when you're ready to contend? Heck at this point we could turn one of our 4 thousand starting pitching prospects into a closer next season and go from there. It's even been thrown around that Annibal Sanchez could be closer material, who knows.

 

Look at how easy we've been able to acquire good closers. Bullpen arms are replaceable. I guess Nen would be a good example of grooming a closer... but regardless, our entire bullpen will more than likely be completely overhauled by the time we're a playoff team again. Don't get me wrong, I like Bowyer & hope he can be our future closer & all that stuff, but wow.

 

I'd sure as hell prefer a solid outfielder over a bullpen arm who hasn't shown anything at the big-league level yet. Church has at least shown limited success here, and his versatility helps as well. I must be over-valuing him...

I'd rather not give up who is right now considered our closer of the future.

 

 

Word on the street is that Bowyer is overrated and that the Twins ripped us by trading him while his stock was still high. He may simply be the next Kyle Farnsworth.

Going to Church: Church was hitting only .222 entering Friday's action, but he has walked team-leading 10 times. There is a strong possibility that Church could be leadoff hitter to start the season.

 

"In an ideal world, he is a down-in-the-lineup type of guy, but with what we have out there, what Frank's choices are, Church is as good as any," Bowden said. "This spring, he has had a lot of walks, and he's really starting to get it. Watch out when he gets it, because his hands are as good as they come."

 

Of the players who are likely make the team, Soriano and Marlon Byrd are the only other players with experience as leadoff hitters. Robinson said it is doubtful that Soriano will bat first during the season. The skipper wants Soriano to bat in the middle of the order.

 

Byrd most likely will be a backup or platoon with Church, a and he'll likely hit leadoff when he starts.

 

 

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/NASApp...t=.jsp&c_id=was

 

Also, I know it's been said that Robinson favors Watson over Church, but Bowden clearly favors Church and Robinson isn't the one making trades.

 

Robinson still undecided on leadoff hitter

By Mark Zuckerman

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

March 25, 2006

 

VIERA, Fla. -- Frank Robinson swears he hasn't thought about it yet. Maybe sometime early next week, he says, when Opening Day truly is in his sights.

 

For now, the Washington Nationals manager figures it's not worth formulating starting lineups in his head. Much can still happen between now and April 3, when his club faces the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

And in Robinson's defense, much really can happen in these final days of spring training. Think back just 12 months ago, when it was assumed Endy Chavez would be at the plate for the first at-bat in Nationals history. Then, less than a week before camp broke, Chavez was sent to the minors, reconfiguring the entire lineup.

 

Washington fans shouldn't expect any roster moves quite that dramatic this time around, but it's possible Robinson won't settle on his Opening Day lineup until the last possible moment.

 

At this point, only a handful of assumptions can be made with any degree of certainty:

? If rookie outfielder Brandon Watson makes the team, he will bat leadoff.

? If Watson doesn't make it, Robinson likely will have no choice but to use his center fielder (Ryan Church or Marlon Byrd) at the top of the order.

? Jose Vidro, Jose Guillen, Nick Johnson, Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Zimmerman will constitute the heart of the order. There's just no telling what order they will be in.

? Brian Schneider and Royce Clayton will hit seventh and eighth unless Robinson wants to take a chance on Clayton in the No. 2 hole.

 

In other words, everything is up for grabs nine days shy of the season opener.

 

Once Robinson finally sits down and starts scribbling out possibilities on a napkin, his first task will be to settle on his first hitter. Everything else should fall into place once that's accomplished.

 

The decision could be a no-brainer. As Robinson has said repeatedly this spring: If Watson makes the club, he's the leadoff man. But there have been growing signs the 24-year-old outfielder won't make the final cut.

 

Not that Watson has done anything wrong -- entering last night's exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves, he was hitting .314 with a .368 on-base percentage. And he has been receptive to the Nationals' coaching staff, which has tried to get him to take more pitches, bunt more often and look to spray the ball over all three fields.

 

But Watson hasn't dazzled the Nationals, either. And because he's one of the few players remaining in camp with minor league options, the consensus seems to be that he would be best served opening the year at Class AAA New Orleans.

 

Which would leave Robinson scrambling again for a leadoff hitter.

 

No one else fits the prototype. Soriano certainly has the most experience from his days setting the table for the New York Yankees' All-Star lineup. But his .309 on-base percentage last season was worse than every other Nationals veteran projected to start, and his 36 homers were more than anyone else on the roster hit in 2005, so he likely will hit further down in the order.

 

The process of elimination wipes out just about everyone else: Vidro, Johnson, Guillen, Zimmerman and Schneider. All are considered run producers, and Robinson has said he wouldn't use any in the No. 1 position.

 

So that leaves only two remaining candidates: Clayton, who has led off some in his lengthy career but produced only a .320 on-base percentage last year, and the eventual starting center fielder (either Church or Byrd).

 

Chances are, the choice will be the center fielder. Church, a big, strong outfielder with power potential, hardly fits the mold. But he hit .287 as a rookie, reached base at an impressive .353 clip and is a good fastball hitter. Byrd, meanwhile, has experience leading off while with the Philadelphia Phillies, and his .431 on-base percentage this spring is among the best on the club.

 

So figure one of the two is leading off come Opening Day. The rest of Robinson's lineup should fall into place after that.

Vidro, a career .302 hitter with a little pop who doesn't strike out much, is the likely No. 2 hitter. And Robinson seems to prefer batting Guillen (a high-average, good-power hitter) third.

 

Robinson also likes to alternate between left-handed and right-handed hitters, preventing opposing managers from bringing in relief specialists for long stints in the late innings. So using that logic, Johnson (the club's best on-base player in 2005 at .408) would bat cleanup, followed by Soriano and Zimmerman (a rookie whom Robinson wants to keep pressure off).

 

Wrap things up with the left-handed-hitting Schneider seventh and the right-handed-hitting Clayton eighth, and there's the Nationals' starting lineup.

 

Just don't write it down in permanent ink yet.

 

In light of this new information, I am taking the bold move of rescinding my touche and going back to my original stance.

 

We're not getting Ryan Church.

Yes I realize our bullpen will be completley overhauled by the time we are contending again, but I'd expect the back end of the bullpen to feature resop/messenger/bowyer, with kensing, harvey garcia, delgado, and tankersly making up the rest...i.e. completely built in house.

Word on the street is that Bowyer is overrated and that the Twins ripped us by trading him while his stock was still high. He may simply be the next Kyle Farnsworth.

 

I would love it if Bowyer turned into Kyle Farnsworth* :blink:

 

 

 

* Non 2002 version