[閒聊] Washington Expo Nationals All-Decade Team
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Written by Shotgun Spratling
Monday, 21 December 2009 13:13
It was a rough decade for the Washington Nationals. So bad that they even
moved the team and changed the name from the Montreal Expos. The franchise
finished at or near the bottom of the National League East division in every
year except for 2002 when they finished second -- of course, they did finish
19 games back. On average, they finished 21 games back during the decade.
Things can only go up for a team that just drafted a franchise starter in
Stephen Strasburg and will likely draft a franchise catcher in Bryce Harper.
C - Brian Schneider
* The combination of Jesus Flores, Michael Barrett, or Brian Schneider
did not put up great offensive numbers for Washington and Montreal, so no one
jumps out as an All-Decade catcher, but Schneider gets the selection due to
his ability as a defensive catcher. While only batting .252 from 2000 to
2007, Schneider nabbed 38% of attempted base stealers, including a
career-high 50% in 2004 when he threw out 32 potential thiefs.
1B - Nick Johnson
* When he wasn't injured, Nick Johnson was one of the most productive
hitters in the Washington lineup. In his two most complete seasons with
Washington, Johnson averaged 83 runs, 19 home runs, and 76 RBI. He compiled a
.280 average and an .867 OPS in his five seasons with the organization.
2B - Jose Vidro
* Jose Vidro was a solid producer for the Expos and the Nationals. The
Puerto Rican second baseman twice was voted to be the starter for the
National League All-Star team and once was selected as a reserve. From 2000
to 2006, Vidro batted .308 while averaging 14 home runs and 65 RBI. His best
season of the decade came in 2000 when he hit .330, scored 101 runs, banged
24 home runs, and drove in 97 runs.
SS - Orlando Cabrera
* Before Orlando Cabrera bounced around to a myriad of playoff contending
teams, he was a mainstay in the middle of the diamond for Montreal. Cabrera
spent seven years with the Expos, including four this decade. From 2000 to
2004, the Columbian hit .271 averaging 13 home runs, 72 RBI, and 18 stolen
bases. His best season came in '04 when he batted .297, scored 95 runs, and
hit 17 homers and 80 RBI. He also won a Gold Glove in 2002.
3B - Ryan Zimmerman
* Since being called up in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman has become one of the
premier third baseman in the league. In his four full seasons with the
Nationals, Zimmerman has hit . 282 and averaged 23 HR and 90 RBI. His .292
average, 110 runs, 33 home runs, and 106 RBI this past season earned him an
All-Star selection, the Silver Slugger award, and some MVP votes despite how
bad Washington performed. Zimmerman also won his first Gold Glove.
LF - Alfonso Soriano
* Though he only spent one season in Washington and the front office
probably should have traded him away, Alfonso Soriano left his mark in the
nation's capital. Soriano swatted 46 home runs, scored 119 runs, and stole 41
bases -- all current Nationals' records. He was named an All-Star and
captured the Silver Slugger award during his 2006 stint in D.C.
CF - Brad Wilkerson
* Too bad Adam Dunn didn't play any centerfield last season or else he
would probably be the All-Decade CF. Unfortunately, the selection goes to
Brad Wilkerson, who spent five seasons in Montreal and Washington playing
first base and all three outfield . However, Wilkerson wasn't able to
dominant any one of the positions never playing more than 95 games at a
single position in a season. Wilkerson averaged 20 home runs and 65 RBI while
hitting only .256 with the franchise, but he did hit a career-high 32 homers
in 2004.
RF - Vladimir Guerrero
* Vlad the Impaler was an absolute beast for the Expos. Guerrero was one
of the most exciting players to watch during his four seasons with Montreal
this decade. With an ability to hit any pitch in any location and a desire to
swing at every ball every pitched to him, fans couldn't take their eyes away
from Vlad at the plate where he batted .329 with 142 home runs and 428 RBI
from 2000 to 2003. He had to be watched when he was on the bases because he
stole 87 combined bases in 2000 and 2001. And no one wanted to miss him make
a throw from right field where his cannon was that of legend as he gunned
down baserunners with a regularity recording double-digit assists all four
years. Guerrero was an All-Star in three of his four seasons in Montreal this
decade and won two Silver Slugger awards.
SP (LH) - John Lannan
* Despite his 20-30 record, John Lannan has been one of the Nationals
best starters since his debut in 2007. Not that that is an incredible
acomplishment, but the Washington faithful are hoping he can be a consistent
starter as some of their other pitching prospects get to the majors. He
recorded a 3.88 ERA last season and has shown flashes of brilliance such as
in June when he went 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in five starts.
SP (RH) - Javier Vazquez
* Javier Vazquez recorded a 50-45 mark from 2000 to 2003 with the Expos.
The power pitching right-hander averaged over 200 strikeouts per year as he
struck out 824 batters in 902.1 innings. Vazquez had a 3.65 ERA and 1.22 WHIP
with Montreal in this decade thanks to a strong 2003 season (3.24 ERA & 1.11
WHIP).
RP - Jon Rauch
* Though Hector Carrasco (88.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Joey Eischen
(6-1, 1.34 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) had tremendous single seasons at different points
in the decade, Jon Rauch gets the nod on the All-Decade team. From 2004 to
2008, the tall righty was a consistent force for the Expos/Nationals. He
compiled a 21-15 record with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP primarily in the set
up role for Chad Cordero. When Cordero was out for the 2008 season, Rauch
took over the ninth inning role and was having his best season with a 4-2
record, 2.98 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 17 saves before he was traded to Arizona.
Rauch also had two seasons with 85+ appearances, including a league-leading
88 in 2007.
CL - Chad Cordero
* The Expos' first round pick in 2003 out of Cal State-Fullerton, Chad
Cordero, pitched only 26.1 innings in the minor leagues that summer before
bursting onto the big league scene with Montreal pitching 11 innings,
striking out 12, and allowing only four hits. Cordero continued his
flat-billed success for the next four seasons averaging 32 saves and 55 games
finished. He broke out in 2005 when he saved 47 games, including 15 in the
month of June to tie the major league record for one month. He was named an
All-Star and the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year after finishing with a 1.82
ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
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