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2009 Bats (90-73)
Stout Champions
Lost in ILCS 4-1 to WC
Additions:
SP Troy Martin (Trade)
SP Travis DuFour (Trade)
1B/OF Gabrielle Clareno (FA)
Subtractions:
MA John O'Kerrigan (Retired)
CF Al Anguiano (Trade)
C Willie Lara (Trade)
SP Joey Anderson (Waivers)
SP Dave Adamson (Waivers)
Heading into the 2009 Off-Season, the Bats addressed a rotation that desperately lacked legit RH arms in acquiring promising youngster Martina and long-time D.C. legend Travis DuFour. The Bats were also left with the task of replacing their manager O'Kerrigan who was as surprise retirement.
Month-by-Month:
April: 15-9
May: 17-10
June: 21-6
July: 17-9
August: 17-11
September: 14-13
October: 1-2
With Washington going 102-60, their highest win total since 2000 (110-52), and their 4th highest win total in franchise history. The team's momentum slowed a bit in September and October with the roster expansion. The Bats gave the veterans regular rest and gave a handful of youngsters playing time. This not only kept the team healthy but also got a chance to see what the future holds. The strategy did keep the team healthy but did the lack of momentum entering the post-season cost them?
In-Season Trades:
3rd round pick to Indy for SP BJ Carpenter
OF Tommy Phillips to Hartford for 4th round pick
SP Robby Aten to Toronto for SP Jody Richards
The acquisition of Carpenter was a gamble on a once promising young pitcher who had lost his mojo and was stuck in Triple-A at 30-years-old. He didn't receive the call to the show until late in the year but is projected to be a starter for 2011. Phillips was sent packing after failing to find the magic he showed in 2009. The big trade was Aten for Richards, which cleared $21M off the books for 2011, allowing Washington to re-sign slugger SS Antonio Cardenas.
Season Ranks:
1st in Runs
4th in Runs Allowed
4th in Defensive Efficiency
Not your typical Bats season. The lineup was arguably the best the Bats have ever had. Their 812 runs were 2nd best in franchise history and top to bottom of the lineup had threats. However, normally near the best in the BLB in runs allowed the rotation and bullpen was far from flawless.
Playoffs:
W 4-3 in ILDS vs. Carolina
L 4-1 in ILCS vs. Philadelphia
Can't say I'm surprised by either outcome. Washington finished with a better record than Carolina and arguably top to bottom a better team. The series easily could have gone the Tobs way but the Bats finished the series in Game 7 in a 8-4 game that featured 22 combined hits. In the ILCS the Freedom proved to be the Bats kryptonite. In the four losses the Bats scored a combined six runs. For a team that averaged 5/gm, that's a very poor showing.
Off-Season Projections:
Gone:
SP Jody Richards (FA)
SP Travis DuFour (FA/retirement?)
SP Ian Fain (FA)
MR Ismael Ramirez (FA)
OF Gabrielle Clareno (FA)
Richards (36), DuFour (38), Ramirez (37) and Clareno (36) are the four oldest players in the Bats organization. Fain (33), isn't too far behind. While Washington does have a little bit of projected budget room (~$12M) all five players are likely to be let go.
Team Options:
C/1B Diego Flores ($7M)
MR Davis Saucedo ($2.3M)
Flores and Saucedo have been rumored to be on the DC trading block but neither is expected to have their option declined. Both were very key contributors throughout the season.
Arbitration Eligible:
2B Danny Romero (~$10M)
3B Alex Otero (~$6M)
OF Pat Forester (~$700k)
3B Victor Sandoval (~$600k)
Don't be surprised to see Romero and/or Otero bought out of their last few years of arbitration. Forester and Sandoval are both north of 30 and there is a chance Washington could decline to offer them arbitration.
Off-Season Plans:
With the Free-Agent departures the Bats will have a few holes in the rotation and bullpen projected. However, the pitching staff down in Triple-A Richmond is loaded with options, some which have been dying for a chance to make the BLB roster. Expect the Bats to go full 40/40 with the Spring Training roster with at least two SP slots and a RP slot being battled for by multiple players.
The lineup/depth chart should remain quite similar. Gone is Clareno who was basically a glorified pinch-hitter. The Bats boast a very talented and deep bench so they shouldn't be that active in Free-Agency or trades that involve batters.
Way to early prediction for Stout:
1. Washington (94-68)
2. Death Valley (92-70)
3. Morgantown (80-82)
4. Seattle (70-90)
I expect a slight decline in Washington as aging veterans are replaced by promising youngsters. Also, the expectation is to use the budget room for Player Development and Scouting, each of which have been depleted in recent years. Death Valley is budget strapped and projected to have the most expensive BLB team in 2011. Their win total should remain similar and will compete with Washington for the Stout title all year long, with a likely Wild Card birth backup plan. I expect Morgantown and Seattle to have much improved win totals not only from Washington's decline but they are quite frankly overdue.