TheDoyler23
March-29th-2005, 06:18 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10400-2005Mar29.html
Nationals Send Chavez to Class AAA New Orleans
By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 29, 2005; 4:59 PM
VIERA, Fla., March 29 -- The Washington Nationals instigated a dramatic overhaul of their stagnant offense Tuesday, sending center fielder Endy Chavez -- the presumed lead-off hitter -- to Class AAA New Orleans, all but granting the center field spot to Ryan Church, who looked unlikely to make the club as recently as last weekend. With Opening Day just six days away, the lineup is now in disarray.
"We sent a message to the clubhouse," General Manager Jim Bowden said. "You've got to perform. Potential's great. We need performance."
Chavez, a fleet-footed 27-year-old from Venezuela, hadn't performed this spring, even after being given specific instructions on what adjustments he needed to make if he was to retain the leadoff job, one which he lost last season. In 35 plate appearances this spring, Chavez hit just .212 with a .257 on-base percentage, walking just twice. Bowden and Manager Frank Robinson said they wanted Chavez to come into the spring with the mind-set that he needed to score 100 runs this season. He scored just three in 11 games.
"We felt like he wasn't doing the job he needed to do," Robinson said.
Chavez was despondent in the Nationals' clubhouse, and he declined to elaborate on how he took the news.
"I'm not going to answer nothing," he said after packing his bag. "I don't want to."
The lineup could now go several different directions. Shortstop Cristian Guzman, who has a .303 career on-base percentage, will bat leadoff in tonight's game against the New York Mets. But the leading candidate might be left fielder Brad Wilkerson, who had a .382 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot last season. Wilkerson has batted fifth all spring and would like to remain there.
Robinson indicated that his preference would be to play Church, 26, in center, leaving Wilkerson in left, and keep Terrmel Sledge as the fourth outfielder. Church hit .343 with 17 homers in 347 at-bats with Class AAA Edmonton last year, but just .175 after being recalled to Montreal.
The Nationals also optioned right-handers Jon Rauch and Gary Majewski to Class AAA New Orleans, finalizing the staff with 11 pitchers.
Nationals Send Chavez to Class AAA New Orleans
By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 29, 2005; 4:59 PM
VIERA, Fla., March 29 -- The Washington Nationals instigated a dramatic overhaul of their stagnant offense Tuesday, sending center fielder Endy Chavez -- the presumed lead-off hitter -- to Class AAA New Orleans, all but granting the center field spot to Ryan Church, who looked unlikely to make the club as recently as last weekend. With Opening Day just six days away, the lineup is now in disarray.
"We sent a message to the clubhouse," General Manager Jim Bowden said. "You've got to perform. Potential's great. We need performance."
Chavez, a fleet-footed 27-year-old from Venezuela, hadn't performed this spring, even after being given specific instructions on what adjustments he needed to make if he was to retain the leadoff job, one which he lost last season. In 35 plate appearances this spring, Chavez hit just .212 with a .257 on-base percentage, walking just twice. Bowden and Manager Frank Robinson said they wanted Chavez to come into the spring with the mind-set that he needed to score 100 runs this season. He scored just three in 11 games.
"We felt like he wasn't doing the job he needed to do," Robinson said.
Chavez was despondent in the Nationals' clubhouse, and he declined to elaborate on how he took the news.
"I'm not going to answer nothing," he said after packing his bag. "I don't want to."
The lineup could now go several different directions. Shortstop Cristian Guzman, who has a .303 career on-base percentage, will bat leadoff in tonight's game against the New York Mets. But the leading candidate might be left fielder Brad Wilkerson, who had a .382 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot last season. Wilkerson has batted fifth all spring and would like to remain there.
Robinson indicated that his preference would be to play Church, 26, in center, leaving Wilkerson in left, and keep Terrmel Sledge as the fourth outfielder. Church hit .343 with 17 homers in 347 at-bats with Class AAA Edmonton last year, but just .175 after being recalled to Montreal.
The Nationals also optioned right-handers Jon Rauch and Gary Majewski to Class AAA New Orleans, finalizing the staff with 11 pitchers.