The goal was to improve the starting rotation. So far the Nationals have done it, signing free-agent Jason Marquis to a two-year contract.
But here’s the rub: The rotation as constructed has zero power pitchers — the kind who can blow a hitter away in any count. Marquis, John Lannan, Craig Stammen, Scott Olsen, Shairon Martis, J.D. Martin and Ross Detwiler each have their own style. But batters will put the ball in play against every one of them. And when you have a defense as bad as Washington’s, that’s an issue.
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Of the Nats starters who pitched at least 60 innings in 2009, only Jordan Zimmermann (16th, 9.07) and Garrett Mock (49th, 7.58) ranked higher than 131st in strikeouts per nine innings. And Zimmermann is out the entire 2010 season after elbow surgery.
Of the 170 pitchers who qualified. Martis was last and Stammen, Lannan and Martin joined him in the bottom nine. Marquis was ranked 150th and Detwiler 131st. Olsen’s rate declined four straight years until it hit 5.0 in 2008 and now he’s had shoulder surgery. Collin Balester only pitched 30 innings, but his rate (5.93) wouldn’t crack the top 100 anyway.
Top draft pick Stephen Strasburg is the epitome of a power pitcher. But no one knows if he will even pitch in the majors this season. Until he arrives and Zimmermann recovers, the Nats need middle infielders who can defend at a high level. That’s the next task for general manager Mike Rizzo. His pitchers will thank him.
