Fantasy Sleeper: Washington Nationals

For whatever reason, the Nationals signed Adam Kennedy to play second base. This move ranks with Oakland A's GM Billy Beane's decisions to accumulate unproductive hitters to play the outfield.

There is a player in the Washington organization who has the outfield production in two brief stints over the past three seasons that makes fantasy players drool. He is CF Justin Maxwell. At 252/333/461 over 129 PAs with 6 HRs and 6 SBs, Maxwell has the skill set fantasy players look for. (Yes, AVG is typically ignores.)

What struck me was this line in the Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2010:
"...got the idea to lower his hands to chest level...fueled Maxwell's September surge [306/370/551]..."

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

Riggleman: Guzman a second baseman | nationals.com: News: "'I don't know if Desmond will be the shortstop, but as I stand here right now, I would be happy with it, because I know what kind of effort I'm going to get,' Riggleman said. 'I know the energy that he brings to the team. I know how athletic he is. I'm excited about Desmond's future. He has a future somewhere. It might be this year.'"

This doesn't comport with the anonymous NL sources who told FOXSports the Nats want veterans Alex Gonzalez or Adam Everett to play SS for their last place, going nowhere team, but it is the kind of statement that strengthens a sleeper like Ian Desmond.

Over the past three seasons, Desmond has seen his SLG go from the high .300s in 2006 to the high 400s in 2008. At SS, he is a sleeper. Add-in double digit HRs and 20+ SBs and you have the potential to send the on-line baseball community into spasms of apolexy if the Nats waste space on a veteran SS.

Fantasy Baseball: Steven Strasburg Signs

The Washington Nationals signed the #1 pick, Steven Strasburg, to a four-year deal. Yes, a four year deal. That means the Nationals have no reason whatsover to not use Strasburg like a 200+ inning seasoned veteran. After all, he'll be a free agent in the winter prior to the 2014 season.

Unless the Nats can offer him arbitration (contract details not yet known). Then I still expect serious financial considerations to occur because I expect him to try and set the 1st year arbitration record. Currently, that stands at $10 MM.

Bail Trade Blowout

Yesterday's news that Washington Nationals' rookie SP Jordan Zimmermann will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss most, if not all, of 2010 has led to something that has not happened to me in my 14 years of Rotisserie baseball experience. I have had a bail trade turn against me.

In the beginning of July, I dealt and out-of-time Ryan Howard for Zimmermann and Giants' OF Nate Schierholtz.

Has this happened to you?

Fantasy Baseball: High On The Washington Nationals 2010

Baseball Prospectus | Under The Knife: Out Outfielders:

"Jordan Zimmermann looked solid in his rehab start, showing no trouble with the elbow. The Nats will decide soon if he'll need one more."

I am very high on the Nats in 2010 - as long as Jordan Zimmermann is healthy. Crossing my fingers this elbow thingy was a convenient reason to limit his 2009 innings.