{"id":745,"date":"2011-03-03T11:54:59","date_gmt":"2011-03-03T16:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/?p=745"},"modified":"2011-03-03T11:54:59","modified_gmt":"2011-03-03T16:54:59","slug":"how-about-morse-bernadina-werth-in-the-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationalsarmrace.com\/?p=745","title":{"rendered":"How about Morse-Bernadina-Werth in the OF?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Is Morgan's time running short with the Nats?<\/p><\/div>\n

I know its early in the spring, and I know that we’re only three games in, but I wonder if the team is seriously considering whether or not Nyger Morgan<\/strong> is the presumed starter in CF.\u00a0 Jim Riggleman<\/strong> was quoted as saying (paraphrased) that if the season started today, Morgan is his center-fielder.<\/p>\n

Last season was a disaster for Morgan.\u00a0 Behavioral issues, the brawls, the suspensions, the antics in the outfield, plus his serious regression at the plate.\u00a0 His slash line for 2010 was .253\/.319\/.314.\u00a0 Two things jump out there; his slugging percentage was LOWER than his OBP, and his OBP was ridiculously low for a supposed table-setting lead-off hitter.\u00a0 Even his defense regressed (per UZR\/150 rankings) from his stellar 2009 season.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Michael Morse<\/strong> hit the cover off the ball last year and Roger Bernadina<\/strong>, while slumping badly<\/a> in September (his slashline for his final 107 plate appearances was .161\/.243\/.215 and took his season OPS+ from somewhere in the 110 range down to its season ending 86).\u00a0 Bernadina bulked up in the off-season and came ready to compete for the left fielder job while Morse has picked up right where he left off with a 2-homer game earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Here’s the thing though; perhaps it isn’t a straight up competition between Morse and Bernadina for left field.\u00a0 Perhaps the right solution is to put Bernadina in center, Morse in left and have Rick Ankiel<\/strong> serve as the 4th outfielder.\u00a0 It would mean the probable end of Morgan with the team though.\u00a0 He has an option and can be sent down, but (based on his behavior last year) its hard to believe he’ll rise to the occasion of the demotion and earn his way back up.<\/p>\n

Some other side-effects of such a move:<\/p>\n