Fair to Middlin'

(Photo by Reuters. Pitchers and catchers report on February 19th. Orlando Hudson isn't a pitcher or a catcher, but we'd feel a whole lot better with the O-Dog in the fold going into Spring Training, that's for sure.)

Middle Infield, that is.

John Paul Morosi reported earlier today on FoxSports.com that the Nats are willing to give Orlando Hudson a 2 year deal. If the price is right:

One person with knowledge of Hudson’s market believes Washington would be willing to make him a two-year offer at the right price.

But maybe the price isn't right, which is why Bill Ladson is reporting (via Twitter) that the Nationals are interested in Adam Kennedy:

The #Nationals have interest in 2B Adam Kennedy. I'll have more on nationals.com.

Ugh. We'll take the O-Dog's glove, thank you very much.

On a related note, in an interview with Mr. Ladson on Nationals.com today, Ian Desmond defended his reputation of an inability to make routine plays at short, indicating that he's ready to go:

"I feel totally comfortable at shortstop. Go back to any Spring Training I've been in, I've always played good defense. I've been solid. I felt like I've played very well. I played very good when I went to the big leagues, I thought. When the routine ball came to me, I felt like I made the plays. I'll be the first to admit, I'll make errors on crazy plays that most people wouldn't even try to make."
(Ian Desmond, via Nationals.com, 1/12/2010)

Sounds good, Ian. But from where we're sitting, it seems Mike Rizzo has no choice but to upgrade the middle infield defense somewhere to remove any questions from at least one of two slots up the middle. Even if it means overpaying for Orlando Hudson. Everybody could sleep a little easier at night with Hudson at second, leaving Guz and Desmond to fight it out for the starting job at SS. Doesn't that seem much more palatable than penciling in Desmond at short and Guz at second, closing your eyes, and hoping Desmond really can be an everyday shortstop and Guzman can play second? Of course it does!

Then again, there's always Felipe Lopez. Or Ronnie Belliard.

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Comments

[Hendo]

Can I have Belliard? Please?

Shucks, guess not.

[The Nationals Enquirer]

But where's the love for FLop, Hendo?

[ckstevenson]

Am I the only one who seems to recall some Nats third baseman having a similar rep to Desmond on botching routine plays? Zimm was even doing it last year (!) with throws. And he's seemingly fixed the problem. And definitely has addressed his prior "issue" with trying to make too many amazing plays when they weren't possible.

So don't we think Desmond playing with Zimm all year would lead to some maturity, sage advice, etc?

I take Desmond over Guzman every day of the week. I think the decay of Guzman (who often gets overly harsh treatment) will only continue. IMO, Guzman ONLY has value at 2B.