The Washington Nationals wrapped up another lack luster season this year finishing with 59 wins, by far the worst record in baseball. The honeymoon appears to be over as there is clearly mounting frustration among the fan base. Apparently people didn't realize that taking the team from Montreal meant taking the Expos. Yet, many remain hopeful after the (eventual) signing of pitching star Stephen Strasburg. This certainly seems to be a step in the right direction. While the Nationals have proven they can at least put up competitive offensive numbers (ninth in the National League in runs scored), they are the second worst defensive team in the league (second to Baltimore by only 2 runs). Defense in baseball begins and ends with pitching, so signing Strasburg is a good first step, assuming the Nationals do what's right. Sorry Nats fans, but that means Strasburg is going to have to wait.
Strasburg may be good enough already to enter the Nationals' rotation, but that's not because he's ready. The Nationals' pitching is just that bad, ranked 28th in the league with a 5.00 ERA. For an NL team, that's bad. Adding one pitcher is a start, but barring some major off season moves or dramatic player development over the off season, the Nationals don't look like they will have much going for them next season. This makes me question whether Strasburg should play at all in the majors next season.
Now I know many people out there really want to see the kid play and it's hard to argue against his numbers. In 2009, while pitching for San Diego State University, Strasburg finished with a 13-1 record, a 1.32 ERA, 195 strike out over 109 innings pitched, and one no-hitter. Impressive to say the least. Yet, this was against college players and in the Mountain West Conference, not one of the major baseball conferences. I'm not saying his accomplishments aren't impressive, his numbers would be impressive if he was pitching against peewee teams, but facing major league batters takes physical and mental preparation. He needs to develop into a major league pitcher and mentally prepare himself for not being the dominant pitcher he was in college before he steps onto the mound for the Nationals.
This probably isn't what the Nationals' front office wants to hear. In five seasons, the Nationals best season was their first when they finished with a .500 record of 81-81. Since then the team has really struggled with four losing seasons and back to back 100 loss seasons in 2008 and 2009. Attendance has dropped as well. In 2005 the Nationals were ranked 9th in the league in attendance, but this dropped all the way down to 24th in the 2009 season. With a brand new stadium and a dwindling fan base, the Nationals are looking for a draw to bring people in for the 2010 season. Strasburg seems like the perfect solution. But history is full of rushed prospects with disappointing major league careers. Why risk it? The Nationals will not compete next year and while the fans may be impatient, it's not the front office's job to please the fans. They are there to build a successful team. I just don't see how does throwing Strasburg to the wolves next year helps him. Let's hope the Nationals can look at the big picture and not just worry about their popularity. Winning, despite how long it takes, will always bring the fans back.
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