Nats Acquire CF Denard Span

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Hadn't Washington been after Denard Span for like...2 seasons before they got him?

I have no idea why...they gotta be regretting it at this point.

[Slateman]

Hadn't Washington been after Denard Span for like...2 seasons before they got him?

I have no idea why...they gotta be regretting it at this point.

Rizzo has been after a speedy, leadoff hitting center fielder aka The White Whale.

If he regrets it, Rizzo would never admit it.

[Guest]

Rizzo has been after a speedy, leadoff hitting center fielder aka The White Whale.

If he regrets it, Rizzo would never admit it.

But they had been in talks with the Twins for Span for at least a year. Also for Ben Revere if I am not mistaken.

I'm also of the opinion that the white whale you are referring to, the "prototypical lead off hitter" is a myth just like the closer, but one that teams are starting to break from instead of clinging to like the closer. Just from the beltway, both of our teams used a non-prototypical lead off hitter last season- Markakis and Werth- to great effect.

[Slateman]

But they had been in talks with the Twins for Span for at least a year. Also for Ben Revere if I am not mistaken.

I'm also of the opinion that the white whale you are referring to, the "prototypical lead off hitter" is a myth just like the closer, but one that teams are starting to break from instead of clinging to like the closer. Just from the beltway, both of our teams used a non-prototypical lead off hitter last season- Markakis and Werth- to great effect.

Yes, like I said, the White Whale.

I agree with you about it being a myth. Werth said he didn't like hitting leadoff. Davey Johnson doesn't have the stones to tell him to pound sand, you're leading off because you're best at it. And, frankly, Werth is actually hitting for some power this year, unlike last year. Made more sense to put him back in the order where he could hit with guys on. Problem is that no one was getting on.

[Villain]

How's the other half of the trade doing?

[Goober]

How's the other half of the trade doing?

Top 50 prospect. Nats.

[Slateman]

How's the other half of the trade doing?

61IP in Double A this year so far. High walk rate (4.0 BB/9) but a high K rate (10.8 K/9), which you would expect from a guy who is 6'8" and throws upper 90s and has a nasty slider. No real change up yet, but that will take time. Twins are usually take young arms slow. Still say he's more of a set up/closer type guy.