VIERA, Fla. (AP) -Manny Acta leaned back in his office chair Sunday and chuckled at the question: Is this the best team the Washington Nationals have brought to spring training since he became their manager?
“Yeah, yeah. This is the first time we have a legit cleanup hitter, power guy, in our lineup. And, man, if all these guys are healthy, without a doubt – position player wise – I would say that,” he said, one day before Washington’s pitchers and catchers hold their first official workout.
“The bullpen, obviously, it’s a challenge,” he continued. “But this is” – and here Acta rapped a finger on his desk for emphasis – “I would say, the best team we’ve had the three years I’ve been here.”
Minutes later, Acta offered another rosy assessment: “This is going to be probably the best starting rotation we had the last three years.”
Not that any of those pronouncements are saying all that much. After all, the Nationals went 73-89 in 2007, Acta’s rookie season, enough above expectations that the team picked up his contract option for 2009.
Then the club went 59-102 in 2008, the worst record in the major leagues.
As pitcher Shawn Hill put it: “Personnel-wise, we’re better this year, going into camp, on paper, than we were.”
Which just might mean more is expected this season from Acta, whose 2010 option has not been exercised by the Nationals.
“All I can control is to manage this team to the best of my ability. And then if whoever’s patience runs out, that I can’t control,” he said.
Acta does feel relatively better about the talent level of his roster, particularly the addition of perennial 40-homer slugger Adam Dunn. There is also an overriding hope that the team can’t possibly be as injury-hit as last year, when Nick Johnson was limited to 38 games, Dmitri Young 50, Austin Kearns 86, Ryan Zimmerman 106, and closer Chad Cordero threw all of 4 1-3 innings.
“Do we feel more comfortable now that we have choices and depth?” general manager Jim Bowden said. “Sure, absolutely we do.”
Again, when it comes to the starting rotation, any optimism is relative. There is no bona fide ace of the staff. Still, Acta is thrilled about heading into spring training with three-fifths of his rotation set.
Doesn’t sound like much, does it? To Acta, it sure does.
Hill, both of whom were coming off operation, were deemed certain to start – and Patterson wound up being released before the team headed north (he has since announced his retirement), while Hill began the season on the disabled list.
“It’s just a lot easier,” Acta said, “because now we don’t have to try to throw out there 10 or 14 guys to fight for three spots.”
This time around, trade arrival Scott Olsen, holdover John Lannan and free-agent signing Daniel Cabrera are thought to be gimmes. Hill, meanwhile, is coming back from yet another surgery, and is in the mix of pitchers who are going to have a shot at making the team, a group that includes youngsters Jordan Zimmermann, Collin Balester, Shairon Martis and returning veteran Odalis Perez.
Acta uses Hill’s status to make his point.
“I mean, go back to last year, when he was our No. 1 guy, and he was coming back from injuries, and now we’re going into this year and we’re hoping that he’s healthy and he’s hoping to be healthy – just to make the rotation, being the fourth or fifth guy,” Acta said. “That tells you right there the quality of our rotation is better than the last two years.”
Then again, even the three starters who seemingly are set – Olsen, Lannan, Cabrera – went a combined 25-36 with a 4.44 ERA last season and have a total of three 10-win seasons among them.
“If everything works out, the plan is right on target to be able to have higher expectations in 2010,” Acta said. “That’s according to people outside. My expectations are always trying to win with what I have.”
Notes: RHP Jorge Sosa has not reported yet to camp, Acta said. Sosa was given a 50-game suspension by Major League Baseball in August after testing positive for an amphetamine – considered a performance-enhancing substance – while pitching for Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization. He signed a minor league deal with the Nationals in December. … Players and staff took physical exams Sunday, and Acta was a bit upset after his: He was told he measured 6-foot-1 1/2, a half-inch shorter than he thought. “I’m shrinking,” he lamented. … Acta on whether RHP Joel Hanranan is ready for the chance to be an everyday closer: “Ready or not, he’s getting it.”
Add A Comment