General Sports Water Cooler

Want me to lock the off-season thread so that discussion moves over here?

The power of the lock.

BTW, the Nationals play Georgetown at Space Coast Stadium on March 2nd.

16 days before the first ST game. That's 48 days in dog time...

I'm moving my news recap post here because I shortened like 5 links for that shit and they will not go unnoticed, goddammit. If you've already read it then read it again.

Time for a NEWS RECAP :

1) Peter Gammons is ON the bandwagon: http://atmlb.com/wmBNQw

"But as players gather this week in Florida and Arizona, there are few more compelling and fascinating teams than the Washington Nationals. Baseball is entertainment, and entertainment is built around stars, and every one of Strasburg's starts in 2010 was on some form of national television, while Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16."

2) Ladson thinks <3 H-Rod <3 is due for a breakout year (so, aw, fuck): http://atmlb.com/wlJw7k

"I think Rodriguez is going to have a breakout season, provided that he throws strikes." Really going out on a limb there, old Bill.

3) Kerzel ponders the backup C position given a Flores spring trade: http://bit.ly/yAevwT

"Flores was a popular subject of conversation when opposing GMs engaged Washington's Mike Rizzo in offseason talks and his performance in the Venezuelan Winter League - where he hit .330 with eight homers and 39 RBIs with a .368 OPB, .514 slugging percentage and .881 OPS - means teams that come up with a hole behind the plate will continue to pester Rizzo during spring training."

Pretty easy call to give the gig to HOF Jhonatan Solano if Flores is traded. Best catch and throw guy in the organization, excellent job keeping the K rate down last season in AAA. Plus, he's Colombian.

4) P-Redd talks sickly bullpen: http://sbn.to/zDNcHN

Links Drew Storen interview with Rouhier on OT. Storen: "Our entire bullpen is almost borderline overkill. That's what's kind of fun about it. In the National League pitching is so important, you see that with the Phillies and stuff like that, and I put our rotation and bullpen against anybody's in the league."

5) Kilgore predicts his 25-man: http://wapo.st/wt5AYm

Pretty straightforward. Thinks Lannan is gone. Turd bench with Lombo as utility IF.

72 hours 'til pitchers and catchers

Yes, we never discussed this. Tell us more about the mythical creature that is Bill Ladson, UGW.

Did you at alll discuss the fact that he has the social media skills of a 77 year old?

So many questions.

I would have liked to have heard his thoughts on Larry Broadway's chances to stick this year.

40-Man Roster
as of February 16

# Pitchers B/T
17 Sean Burnett L-L
36 Tyler Clippard R-R
48 Ross Detwiler R-L
47 Gio Gonzalez R-L
32 Tom Gorzelanny L-L
33 Edwin Jackson R-R
65 Cole Kimball R-R
31 John Lannan L-L
TBA Brad Lidge R-R
52 Ryan Mattheus R-R
29 Yunesky Maya R-R
45 Ryan Perry R-R
50 Matt Purke L-L
63 Henry Rodriguez R-R
59 Atahualpa Severino L-L
35 Craig Stammen R-R
22 Drew Storen S-R
37 Stephen Strasburg R-R
40 Chien-Ming Wang R-R
27 Jordan Zimmermann R-R

# Catchers B/T
26 Jesus Flores R-R
3 Wilson Ramos R-R
23 Jhonatan Solano R-R

# Infielders B/T
7 Mark DeRosa R-R
20 Ian Desmond R-R
8 Danny Espinosa S-R
25 Adam LaRoche L-L
1 Steve Lombardozzi S-R
14 Chris Marrero R-R
30 Tyler Moore R-R
38 Michael Morse R-R
6 Anthony Rendon R-R
19 Carlos Rivero R-R
11 Ryan Zimmerman R-R

# Outfielders B/T
2 Roger Bernadina L-L
34 Bryce Harper L-R
55 Eury Perez R-R
28 Jayson Werth R-R

4 Outfielders? Missing Ankiel of course.

LOL, omg. Thank you for pointing this out.

Makes sense, just didn't put it together. In other news... Jellis and I are officially season ticket holders. Got the George plan in right field.

We'll probably be selling tickets to some games as 20+ is a lot for us to make. Got to sit down soon and decide which games to sell out of our tickets and which ones to buy with our points. Then also decide if we should sell any "points tickets" to make some money back. Either way, i'm pumped for this season. Can't decide if I'll send out an office notice now that I'll be on vacation for Opening Day or if I'll be "deathly ill" that morning.