Nationals News: Storen, McCatty to miss Clippard’s presence
By Pablo Roa
Good morning DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Day Two of Spring Training is in the books and there’s plenty to talk about regarding the Nationals as the 2015 season gets closer and closer.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses how Nationals reliever Drew Storen and pitching coach Steve McCatty will miss reliever Tyler Clippard, who was traded to Oakland earlier this offseason. As Ladson notes, Clippard was more than just one of the best late inning relievers in baseball last season, he is also a very close friend of both Storen and McCatty.
Those two aren’t alone. Clippard has been a key part of the Nationals’ bullpen for years and his presence will undoubtedly be missed by many in 2015. Only time will tell if other relievers, such as newly-acquired right-hander Casey Janssen, will be able to step up and make up for the loss of Clippard.
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Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier discusses which of the team’s aces will get the start on Opening Day. After adding Max Scherzer this offseason, the Nationals have the best rotation in baseball and arguably any of the top-four pitchers on the staff could be the ‘ace’.
Checkout what Collier has to say below, and then check back here later today as our Co-Editor Ricky Keeler gives his take on who should get the start for the Nationals on Opening Day.
As winter roars on throughout most of the country, the baseball world is heating up and excitement is building for the Nationals. As always, stay tuned to DoD as we strive to bring you the best Nationals Spring Training coverage possible in the coming days and weeks. For now, start off your day with these great Washington Nationals articles from around the web:
Storen, McCatty to miss Clippard’s presence
VIERA, Fla. — For Nationals closer Drew Storen and pitching coach Steve McCatty, it seems weird that right-hander Tyler Clippard is no longer on the team. Clippard was more than just a productive late-inning reliever the last six years. He was a great friend to both Storen and McCatty.
The Nationals needed an everyday second baseman, so they traded Clippard to the Athletics for Yunel Escobar last month. Storen and Clippard were roommates during the season from 2010-12, and they sometimes traveled together during the offseason.
“It’s funny. I saw him last weekend and it was just weird,” Storen said. “I still expect him to be one of the last guys to show up. You walk in and not see his locker. It’s just a weird thing. He is such a great presence. It’s one of those things.
Which Nats ace will get the call on Opening Day?
VIERA, Fla. — Nationals manager Matt Williams is going to have a bit of a quandary on his hands to start the season.
Washington has built a starting rotation that was already being deemed historic before anyone arrived for Spring Training. And with a plethora of aces at his disposal, Williams will have to decide who will take the ball on Opening Day.
He could stick with right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who has served as the team’s Opening Day starter for each of the past three years. Then there is Max Scherzer, the 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner who the team signed to a seven-year, $210 million contract in the offseason. Read full article here.
Next: Nationals Opinions: Jordan Zimmermann Should Start Opening Day