Welcome to another edition of Chatter Up! here at NLEC. This week will match up Mark P Centerfield Gate against Matt Smith of Phillies Phandom. Enjoy!

MrNorthJersey(NLEC): Do you want and expect Willingham back in a Nationals uniform in 2010?

Mark P(CFG): There was talk of trading Willingham all season, but it never happened — and for good reason. The guy proved to be the hitter that we anticipated (and that I anticipated) when we got him from the Marlins. I think he’s now untouchable. You know, nothing’s impossible: but it would be hard to name a guy who the nats could get for him that would be as good. The fans love him and the guy just hits the hell out of the ball: who knows what he might have done had he started the season in the outfield, instead of that other guy … what’s his name? Oh yeah, Austin Kearns. How the Nationals brain trust could have ever concluded that he was better than Willingham is a question so embarassing it cannot be asked: and gives the term brain trust a whole different meaning.

MrNorthJersey(NLEC): Do you think MacDougal will opt out of his contract and test free agency?

Mark P(CFG): Good question. I somehow don’t think so. The Nats front office seems to think he will be back, talking endless of getting a set up guy that will make him the reliever for the team in 2010. This scares me, because MacDougal is one of those 9th inning guys who just scrapes by — but barely. The last thing this team needs is another collapses bullpen in 2010. Th next to last thing it needs is placing its trust in just one closer. I wouldn’t hold an audition for the spot necessarily (Joel Hanrahan won the audition in the Spring, for pity sake) but I sure wouldn’t think that “Heart Attack Mike” is the only answer we have.

Matt S(PP): The Nationals have been a much-improved squad over the last several weeks. Adam Dunn has had a tremendous season. Are you surprised by Dunn’s production this year and do you view him as a vital piece to the puzzle for next year?

Mark P(CFG): Yes, I’m surprised. You know, Dunn came with baggage: that he was a good hitter but with an indifferent attitude. That turned out to be false, or rather, perhaps it was true because Dunn got bored in Cincinnati (which is more than possible). I thought he would come in with about 29 to 32 homers and make a mash of the outfield. I could see it in my dreams: Dunning chasing down a ball hit over his head, dropping a line drive, tripping over his feet going into the corner. But not only has he really hit the cover off the ball, he has made a real effort to get better as a first baseman. You can see his defensive improvement, which is key, considering Guzman’s boot em and throw em away capabilities. If his defense gets better and he keeps hitting I would expect that the Nats would try to extend him. There aren’t many guys in the majors who can hit 40 homers and drive in 100 runs. And for some reason (stop the presses) Dunn seems to love it here. Who knew?

Matt S(PP): Are Nats fans clamoring for Stephen Strasburg at this point? Can you explain how Strasburg making the team out of spring training would impact the franchise and its fanbase?

Mark P(CFG): I am surprised and gratified by the patience showed by Nats fans. We regularly draw 20,000 to games in which the late innings are so painful that people have to wish they were somewhere else. But they keep coming back for more, night after night. That same patience is being shown now by fans who realize that while it would be nice to see Strasburg right now — or early next year — it would be far better to see him in the post-seasons, with a healthy arm, in 2011. If Strasburg makes the team out of spring training I would advise the front office (they’re not exactly on the phone with me all the time, but there you have it) to pitch him during the third or even fourth home game — when they absolutely need to fill the stadium. My sense is that when Strasburg arrives DC will have to assign more cops for crowd control. The place will be packed. We’re patient, very patient. But honestly, we can’t wait to see this guy.

Matt R(NLEC): I read on your site that it seems the Nats have asked Christian Guzman to move to 2b, how helpful will this truly be for the Nats going forward or does it just shift his suspect defense to a different position?

Mark P(CFG): I think this is a bad decision that confirms the kind of decision making that baseball eggheads rightly criticize: which is based on the assumption that a bad shortstop will somehow improve when he moves to second. I don’t buy it. Not even a little bit. You know, I am such a fan of Alberto Gonzalez (for those who don’t know, a kid out of the DR) that I hope the Nats put him at second, keep Ian Desmond (our rookie phenom) at short — and work a trade for Guzman. He will command an $8 million dollar salary next year and freeing it up would help us to get some middle infielders who can do the job. Or, better yet, we can use the money to sign a guy like Jon Garland. But then, of course, we’d really need a replacement for Guzman, as Garland is a ground ball specialist. To answer your question: putting Guzman at second simply shifts his suspect defense to a different position

Thanks again Mark, now onto Matt Smith of Phillies Phandom

MrNorthJersey(NLEC): With names like Brett Myers, Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino, Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, Tyler Walker, and possibly Pedro Feliz ($0.5mil buyout), becoming free agents this year who do you feel will they miss most if they do not resign them for 2010?

Matt S(PP): Well, most of these players are arbitration eligible. Blanton, Victorino, Durbin, Walker and Condrey won’t be free agents until after the 2010 season. In fact, I’m pretty sure Victorino has at least two more seasons until he can become a free agent. That said, I’m positive Victorino will be signed to a long-term deal in the neighborhood of three-four years. I have a feeling Blanton will ask for a lot of money, so he could go to arbitration. I don’t expect Myers back unless the Phillies feel he can compete with Brad Lidge for the closer role. At the same time, I don’t think Myers will turn down starter’s money in free agency, and the Phillies don’t really have a spot for him in the rotation. I think Chan Ho Park will re-sign, unless, of course, he’s hellbent on being a starter again. The Phillies should pick up Feliz’s option, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they let him go. And don’t be stunned if Pedro re-signs, too.

Matt R(NLEC): Continuing from the question above, I know the Phillies have bigger fish to fry (literally?) but do you think there are any obvious off-season targets?

Matt S(PP):Not at the moment. I’m sure they’ll look for a left-handed reliever and some bench help. If they part ways with Feliz, they’ll obviously be in the market for a third baseman.

Matt R(NLEC): If you had to choose today, rank what potential National League playoff teams you’d like to see the Phils play and why.

Matt S(PP): Dodgers, Cardinals, Rockies, Giants in order of which team I’d like to see them play in the first round. There is nothing the Dodgers are doing that worries me. I don’t think they have the starting pitching to win a playoff series. The Cardinals have an excellent lineup and an awesome one-two punch at the top of their rotation, but we’ve played them well this year, winning four of five games. The Rockies are hot right now, so they can be a scary opponent. If the Giants somehow get in, I fear facing Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain in the first two games of a five-game series.

Matt R(NLEC): What about the American League? The Phils took two of three from the Yanks early in the year, but this Yankees team is very different now, what about the Angels and Tigers? How well do you see the Phils matching up if they get there?

Matt S(PP):I actually think they match up well with any AL team. It’s so far off the radar, I prefer not to think about any potential World Series match ups right now In the AL, starting pitching isn’t as worrisome as some of those NL teams I mentioned.

Matt R(NLEC): Health check: Bullpen.. . after this weekend, are you more, less, or just about the same confidence in the bullpen?

Matt S(PP):Less. It’s been a struggle. It’s not a good thing having question marks at the back of the bullpen. It’s a different situation from last year, when the team was good to go in the pen. I know the offense has been hit-or-miss the last month or so, but the ninth inning is the biggest concern right now. Nothing will really change from now until October, either.

Please feel free to email any recommend questions or comments about the segment to mrose@nleastchatter.com or go to this forum topic and post a reply. We need questions for our next Chatter Up! Those games are Nats @ Mets and Phillies @ Braves.  Thanks for everyone’s participation!

Please feel free to email any recommend questions or comments about the segment to mrose@nleastchatter.com or go to this forum topic and post a reply.

Werth(background) hits a homer in 4 straight games

The Phillies kept on truckin’ Thursday night, even after falling behind early.  The Phillies rallied from an early 3-0 deficit in the finale of a four game set against the Reds to take three of four, winning this one 9-6.  Jamie Moyer(8-6) went the minimum required giving up six runs for the win, while Brad Lidge recorded his 17th save of the season.  Jayson Werth hit a solo shot in the sixth inning which gives him a home run in each of his last four games.  The Phillies welcome in the Pirates this weekend, for more go to Phillies Phandom.

Micah Owings(6-9) took the loss while failing to get through five and giving up seven runs and Encarnacion and Phillips homered in the losing effort.

The Marlins with a huge come from behind win

The Florida Marlins did something in the eighth inning in Thursday night which they had never done before, score ten runs in one inning.  They entered the inning trailing 7-4 and looking to be headed to a loss and 3.5 games back of first, they left the inning shockingly up 14-7 with much better fortunes.  Ross Gload actually made the first two outs of that inning, both with fielders choice grounders to earn RBI’s.  Kiko Calero(2-0) was welcomed off the disabled list with a relif win, while former Met Scott Schoeneweis(1-1) took a rough loss for the D’Backs.  We’ll see if the two teams can try not to combine for over 20 runs with Ricky Nolasco and Dan Haren on the mound tomorrow night in AZ.

Atkins comes through in the clutch

The severly struggling Garret Atkins came up to the plate in the eighth inning and got a hit that might just help get his confidence back, a two run double to win it.  Against usually solid Mike Gonzalez of the Braves(3-2), Atkins was able to get the best of this and get the Rockies to their fourth straight win and fifth in seven.  Juan Rincon(1-0) got the win in relief as Huston Street worked a shaky ninth for his 22nd save of the season.  The Braves just couldn’t shut the door on the Rockies, after taking three seperate leads, they allowed the Rox back everytime.  They ‘ll hope for better luck tomorrow.  Check out The Braves Baseball Blog to follow the Braves more.

Ouch, 4IP 8ER

There was a point this year when the Mets had to consider Livan Hernandez their second best pitcher and he was at one point 5-1.  Now he is 5-5 after losing in brutal fashion to the Dodgers on Thursday. Hernandez(5-5) got through four pain staking innings giving up eight runs on eleven hits and four more walks, and led the Mets to an 11-2 loss and series loss.  Every single Dodgers position player that started the game got a hit in this game, and just when you wondered if the Mets could gain some confidence, there it goes.  Randy Wolf(4-3) pitched into the seventh for the cruising victory.  The Mets hope that facing a team with a losing record will be a remedy tomorrow night in Flushing.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog has all the info you want on the Mets.

Lannon shaky in loss

John Lannan has been very solid for most of the year, and was tonight through five innings, then things got bad.  Lannan(6-6) took the loss while working into the sixth inning and giving up five runs as the Nats lost 9-6 to the Astros on Thursday night.  The Nationals mustered offense early, but decided to quit after the fourth inning which didn’t help the pitching.  Alberto Arias(2-0) got the win in relief for the ‘Stros who evened their record for the night with the win.

Earlier in the night, they finished a suspended game from May, that was played in Washington.  The Nationals got the victory with a final score of 12-11.  Odd stat you will likely never see again? Joel Hanrahan(1-3) gets the win in that game since he pitched for the Nats, but has since been traded to the Pirates.  The loss goes to LaTroy Hawkins(1-3).  The two teams continue the rest of their series, in hopefully normal fashion starting tomorrow night in Houston.  Check out CenterfieldGate for more Nats News.

Earlier this afternoon the Nationals officially completed a trade which will bring them OF Nyjer Morgan from the Pittsburgh Pirates and left handed reliever Sean Burnett.  The Nationals gave up still young, but troublesome Lastings Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan to get the deal done.

Morgan is having a very solid season at the age of 28 batting .277 with 18 SB, 27 RBI and 77 total hits and is playing very solid defense as well.  Burnett has been a pretty solid reliever appearing in 38 games, pitching 32.1 innings to a 3.08 ERA and should help a troubled Nats bullpen.

Milledge will now play for his third team and hope to have the luck and success everyone thought he would for years now.  He is still only 24 years old and has the potential to put up All-star numbers.  He was demoted to the minors this year after failing to produce in the leadoff spot for the Nationals.

Hanrahan has had a rough season after being named the closer in spring training.  He only recorded 5 saves before being removed from the role.  The Nationals had been using a more closer by committee type approach and it is unclear how Pittsburgh will utilize the former starter.

Weigh in on your thoughts on the trade in the comments section