How much can you bench?

February 15, 2006

The latest in the MLB series of articles posted today: Around the Horn: Bench. Meet Bowden’s off-season collection of bench players and learn who is supposed to replace Jamey Carroll, the reportedly last former bench player likely to have been on the team this year (umm.. what about Marlon Byrd?). I really had to laugh at the following quote (more because I have hard time dealing with complete overhaul and change than any stat based reason):

So Bowden dramatically revamped the bench this winter, and it could be one of the best in baseball in 2006.

Best in baseball in 2006?! Call me a skeptic… Oh no! I really have turned to the dark side, haven’t I?? To me, it’s going to be like starting from scratch and this article pointed out why. Everyone’s gone!

The PR machine is already spinning Damian Jackson to replace Carroll and win the hearts of fans everywhere. Or at least, that’s the plan:

Right after the World Series ended, he signed Damian Jackson, who could be this year’s Jamey Carroll. Jackson can play shortstop, second base, third base and the outfield. The Nationals are hoping that Jackson will add more speed and power than Carroll did last year.

And then preparing us for no Ryan Church:

The outfield is crowded. For now, Brandon Watson, Ryan Church and Marlon Byrd will battle for the center-field job. Watson will be sent down if he doesn’t get the job, and it seems unlikely that Church will come off the bench. One of the reasons Bowden revamped the lineup was because of how unproductive Church was off the bench. Church struck out 11 times in 24 pinch-hit at-bats.

At least not off the bench. So maybe, just maybe, he’ll be a starter? It’s almost too confusing to follow at this point.

So say hello to Damian Jackson, Royce Clayton, Robert Fick, Matt LeCroy, Marlon Anderson, and Michael (no jokes, please) Tucker.

Posted in Players, Washington Nationals