Nats Links: Gio to the World Baseball Classic
Team USA announced that Washington Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez has been added to the World Baseball Classic roster. The Classic begins March 2 and we will keep you updated on Nats players that are in the Classic.
The World Baseball Classic begins March 2 and will involve 16 teams from 4 continents. The United States will compete in Pool D against Mexico, Italy, and Canada at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona March 8, 9, and 10.
More on Gio from Federal Baseball.
Paul Swyden writes for ESPN Insider about the Nats lopsided bullpen. As one would expect, the lopsidedness arguments comes from lack of southpaws in the bullpen. Zach Duke is the only southpaw in the pen and will be transitioning from a starter role.
More articles continue popping up that puts the Nationals as the team to beat in Major League Baseball. Here is one from TCPalm. More World Series or Bust from Pro Sports Blogging. And of course, as we have written numerous times, coming with that is the pressure to be #1.
Good read by Mark Zuckerman on the swan song season for Nats skipper Davey Johnson. Despite long odds, OF Corey Brown is hoiping to crack the opening day roster for the Nats. No doubt Brown is ready, but Brown is with a franchise that is deep, very deep at the major league level.
Here are some Spring Training thoughts from Luke Erickson.
Finally, whither Chris Marrero? There’s been chatter that he’ll be traded in Spring Training. With Tyler Moore ahead of him, and Marrero’s defensive limitations, it’s certainly possible that an American League club might be interested. There are contingencies at AAA if Marrero leaves (Mike Costanzo). But what kind of return he’d net for the Nats seems negligible at this point. Seems more likely that Marrero will start in Syracuse in the hopes of proving his health and productivity.
Story worth watching. Injuries have derailed Marrero's carrer in DC and gave opportunities to a guy like Tyler Moore, who has now surpassed Marrero as the future at first base.
Former Washington Senators broadcaster Shelby Whitfield passed away. Our condolences to his family.
