Bill Ladson is the MLB.com reporter for the Washington Nationals. He seems like a good guy and good reporter for the the most part. I honestly don't know much about him other than two things; he loves the Yankees from the mid-70's, primarily Mickey Rivers, and he writes mailbags on Nationals.com. I love the Bill Ladson mailbags. They are topical and sometimes informative, but for the most part, they are absurdly ridiculous. To add to the charm, some of the questions are insane and possibly made up.
I fell in love with his mailbags years ago when I started to see a pattern in which he defended Austin Kearns in the face of all logic and facts. He had an irrational love of Austin Kearns a la Mickey Rivers. I couldn't wrap my head around it. Austin Kearns sucked. I wrote to his mailbag to explain why Austin Kearns sucked, and to my delight he answered my question. He simply answered that Kearns was in a slump of roughly 2 years. Pure genius. Impossible to argue against. I was hooked.
I have decided to check in from time to time to chronicle the funniest moments. The following questions are from various mailbags this off-season. My comments are red and in italics, the questions are in bold, and Bill's answers are in regular font. Enjoy:
A while ago, there was talk about Hanley Ramirez requesting a trade due to his unwillingness to move to third base. What are the chances that the Nats move shortstop Ian Desmond to the Rays for B.J. Upton and then send Stephen Lombardozzi and LaRoche to the Marlins for Ramirez? This would give the Nationals an All-Star shortstop and center fielder. This would also allow for Morse to move back to first base and Bryce Harper to play left field.
-- Cann A., Fairfax, Va.
I'll handle this Bill. I just need a quick clarification from the emailer. In this scenario, are we holding the Rays and Marlins GMs' families hostage? No? Ok then. Now let me answer your question.
The Rays are run by boy geniuses and they would never trade a valuable commodity for a SS who can't really field or hit. Ian Desmond is terrible (5th in outs made in 2011). He has gotten worse every year. Just because the Rays currently have a SS who can't hit, it doesn't mean that they want another SS who can't hit.
The answer to your second trade is more of the same. Why would the Marlins trade for a utility player and a first baseman, who was never really good and coming off a shoulder injury, for arguably one of the most talented hitters in the NL coming off down year when his value is at it's lowest? If anything they would see if he returns to form, or trade him for...you know...good players that will help the team win.
Cann A, I just realized you said the Nationals would receive "All Stars" in return for the poo poo plater you just shipped off. I love it when people make up trades for the Nationals without even considering if the other team would make the trade. On an unrelated note, I think the Nats should trade Craig Stammen for Adam Jones.
Ok Bill, you can berate this poor guy now:
Man, you sound like you want to become the Nats' general manager.
He does. But it's like a black guy girl wanting to be President. We all know it will never happen, but you don't want to crush their dreams.
Call me crazy, but I wouldn't trade Desmond for Upton. Desmond has too much of an upside and I think he will be an All-Star.
You're crazy. Desmond has gotten worse every year. Why would you think he's on the brink of being an All Star? Oh my god.....Ian Desmond is the new Mickey Rivers/Austin Kearns. In 2011, BJ Upton's WAR was 3.8. Ian Desmond's was 1.1. Also, scouts have said that Danny Espinosa is a better defensive shortstop than Ian Desmond. Desmond is actually hurting the team by blocking Espinosa.
I would do the trade for Ramirez in a heartbeat, but I would have him play at a different position like center field.
I remember when Cal and Arod became too old and too big to play the shortstop position and were moved to center field. Natural move. Happens all the time and always works. What's that? Oh sorry, I meant to say that is a stupid idea.You normally move the bad defensive players out of the premium defensive positions.
I am still a believer in Desmond although his batting average and power numbers declined last year. He is a big, strong kid who can hit 15 home runs and steal 30 bases if he can be more selective at the plate and figure out how opposing pitchers are trying to attack him. What do you see for Desmond in 2012?
-- Terry H., New York
I believe Desmond is going to have a big year based on what I saw during the second half of the 2011 season. I think he is going to be more selective at the plate, and it helps that manager Davey Johnson told Desmond not to take every pitch to right field.
I believe in a lot of things: ghosts, big foot, Mike Shanahan, Amanda Bynes' career, but I do not believe in Ian Desmond. Bill's right, his second half was impressive. He had a .289 BA and a .338 OBP. On the surface he looks like a good player. (Walks away, turns around like Columbo) Oh one more thing, I can't ignore that his BABIP was .350 in the second half. When that regresses to the mean of .300, he'll be the same, awful Ian Desmond. As the great TLC would say, don't go chasing waterfalls. (I still have no idea what that means.)
What role will Roger Bernadina play on this year's team? I love the kid's heart, but the people in power don't seem so encouraged.
-- Scott W., Fredericksburg, Va.
Bill used this question. It's the ramblings of a crazy person. Scott W, God Bless you.
How about Raul Ibanez coming off the bench on a one-year deal? He can play one of the corner outfield spots, be a big bat off the bench and help Jayson Werth teach the game to Washington's young outfielders.
-- Andrew M., Alexandria, Va.
Why would anyone want Raul Ibanez teaching outfielders how to play outfield? He has always been a terrible defender.
I don't know. Based on what I saw, it looked like Ibanez is past his prime. To me, he is a free swinger and may not be a productive pinch-hitter. Who knows? I didn't think Tony Batista was going to be a solid bench player for the Nats in 2007, but I was proven wrong. He was solid off the bench.
Past his prime? What gave it away? Was it because he's about to turn 40 years old? I'm not a Tony Batista historian, so I looked up his stats for the 2007 season. He had a OPS+ of 85 and never played again in the majors after that season. He was 33. Solid.
Are there any potential trade suitors for Jesus Flores? He shouldn't be the Nationals' backup catcher.
-- Nate, Washington
I'm confused, are you insinuating that Flores is too good, or too awful? The fact that I have to ask makes this a bad question.
Without a doubt, Flores is an everyday player.
I have a doubt. He's played in 228 games since 2007. He's injury prone and kind of stinks when healthy anyway.
However, the Nats are committed to Wilson Ramos, who is going to be a great player. I'm sure there are teams who would love to acquire Flores' services. But I'm sure those clubs are not willing to give up a lot for Flores. A lot of them consider him to be a project, because last year was the first time since 2008 that he played a full season. Remember, he missed almost two years of action because of a right shoulder injury.
Wait, my doubt is the same doubt that other team have, but Bill Ladson has no doubt while citing the same reasons me and other MLB teams have doubt...(walks away from computer, takes five Ambien and three shots of Aftershock)
Why is right-hander Yunesky Maya still with the Nationals?
-- Keith A., Rockville, Md.
Because he has highlights and looks fancy. NEXT!
Would Casey Blake be a good addition to the Nats' bench? He has better overall numbers than Mark DeRosa.
-- Spencer H., Bethesda, Md.
No, not at all. NEXT!
Oh wait, go ahead Bill....
I don't know if Blake would accept being a bench player. He is coming off a neck injury and I'm sure he wants to show that he could play every day at third base. DeRosa is healthy now and I think he would be a great backup first baseman. Manager Davey Johnson said recently he wants a veteran bench, and I also think Greg Dobbs and Willie Harris would be great additions for the Nats.
Casey Blake was signed by the Rockies to start at third base. I am as shocked as you are. Bill Ladson was right. Somehow Blake is not a bench player or retired. The Rockies also signed Jamie Moyer so maybe they are just morons, or maybe they are into TOBPILF's (Terrible Old Baseball Players I'd Like To Fuck). I'm sure that fetish has a chat room somewhere on the internet. I'll be honest, the reason I used Bill's answer was that Willie Harris is another guy Bill Ladson irrationally loves. Look for Willie in future mailbags... definitely don't look for him on a Major League roster. He won't be there.
Is Michael Cuddyer an option for the Nats? He's got a good bat and is good defensively. Would the Nats consider starting Werth in center and let Cuddyer take over in right?
-- Jon D., Poolesville, Md
Hi, my name is Jon from Poolesville and I have never heard of Bryce Harper. I'm about to have the surprise of a lifetime.
