Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson yesterday cautioned about the potential negative effects of a blockbuster trade in coming weeks that could break up his club’s chemistry.
General manager Jim Bowden has talked since spring training about the need to add a big bat or a front-line pitcher, though even he has stated he’s reluctant to tinker with a Nationals roster that has become tightly knit.
Before yesterday’s game against the New York Mets, Robinson went a step farther, saying he would be against any move that creates dissension within Washington’s clubhouse, no matter how good a player was available.
“I don’t care what he brings if he’s disruptive,” Robinson said. “There is great chemistry on this ballclub, on the field, in the dugout and in the clubhouse. I’d certainly hate to have that disrupted. This ballclub pulls for each other, roots for each other, and they go out and play hard and look out for each other. And I’d hate for someone to come in and disrupt that.”
Many names have been thrown out as potential trade targets, from Colorado outfielder Preston Wilson to Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells to Tampa Bay outfielder Aubrey Huff to San Francisco right-hander Jason Schmidt.
Robinson, though, worries about the cost of acquiring such a player. And in the case of the available outfielders, whether anyone would be a substantial improvement over the Nationals’ current left field platoon of Ryan Church and Marlon Byrd, who have combined to hit .296 with seven homers and 44 RBI.
“I’m not opposed to adding a good offensive bat, don’t get me wrong,” Robinson said. “But that’s what you have to kind of look at: What will that individual do that we’re not already able to get out of the people here?”
Spivey at the corners?
Jose Vidro’s return from the disabled list leaves Junior Spivey a man without a position. Acquired last month to serve as Vidro’s fill-in at second base, Spivey now doesn’t figure to get more than a handful of at-bats a week.
Robinson said he may try to start working Spivey at both third base and first base, hoping he might be able to pick up the two corner positions and perhaps make occasional starts at either.
Spivey has played all but 82/3 innings of his career at second base. He played four innings in center field in 2003 and 42/3 innings at shortstop split between 2001 and 2004. The Nationals have no plans to use Spivey at shortstop, so whatever time he gets in the field will have to come elsewhere.
That may not sit well with someone who has rarely come off the bench in his career.
“I’ve pretty much been an everyday player since I’ve been in the big leagues,” Spivey said. “It’s a touchy thing to be considered a utility player. It’s definitely been tough.”
Rotation realignment
Next week’s All-Star break will allow Robinson and pitching coach Randy St. Claire to re-calibrate their starting rotation for the second half of the season.
The Nationals plan to start ace Livan Hernandez for their first game back, Thursday in Milwaukee. Hernandez, whose streak of 11 straight wins was snapped Wednesday night, will be followed by Esteban Loaiza, John Patterson, Ryan Drese and Tony Armas Jr.
Those plans could potentially change, though, if Hernandez is used significantly in the All-Star Game. A long shot candidate to be named National League starter, the right-hander figures to get at least one inning of work in the game.
Extra bases
With Ryan Church nearly ready to return from a shoulder and collarbone injury and Brad Wilkerson still ailing from a bad forearm, Robinson said he may consider switching the outfielders back to their Opening Day configuration. Church would take over in center field, with Wilkerson moving to left in an effort to ease his workload. … The Nationals observed a moment of silence at the end of the sixth to honor the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attacks in London.
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