Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman Impresses On The DoDCast

Ryan Zimmerman’s big swing, the never-ending chase for a closer and a preview of Miami is jammed into our Washington Nationals podcast, The DoDCast.

On this week’s version of The DoDCast, Call to the Pen’s David Hill joins Ricky Keeler and myself to discuss the Washington Nationals and preview the Miami Marlins.

Also on a jam-packed hour show, Ricky and I talk about the positive changes to Ryan Zimmerman’s swing. The venerable first baseman has torn the cover off the ball in the last week.

We go through the latest in the Nats search for a closer along with the rumor Shawn Kelley will not be that man. Ricky and I yap whether Blake Treinen or Koda Glover will win the role. Also, we ponder what role Joe Nathan might land on the roster after an improved weekend.

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Before Hill joined us, we discussed the long man options out of the pen. A poll we posted before the show says you think A.J. Cole is the favorite for the position over Vance Worley, Jeremy Guthrie and Matt Albers. A smart reader suggested the lefty veteran Oliver Perez.

After a brief audio hiccup, we chat with Hill about the Marlins and their offseason. A team that will contend for a wild card spot, we talk about how the team fared over the winter and their excellent bullpen.

Hill mentioned how impressed he was with the signing of Junichi Tazawa from the Boston Red Sox as a solid seventh-inning arm.

Then, the group spends a few minutes discussing the loss of Jose Fernandez and speculate when owner Jeffrey Loria sells the club. Hill feels whoever buys the Marlins will focus more on the on-field product and building baseball in Miami and South Florida.

We chat about the Martin Prado injury before discussing what Miami’s X-factors are and a final prediction. (Hint: they are a good club.)

Also, Ricky and I are candid about the lack of playing time for Tanner Roark and Daniel Murphy for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic. Since Murphy has not started, how much will this long layoff affect his preparation for the season ahead.

We chat with how much we enjoyed the tournament and suggest a few changes the next time around.

Before signing off, we discuss what story lines Ricky and I will follow this week in Florida.

Next: Should Werth Hit Second?

As always, worth a watch and listen. Remember next time, we have a roundtable of other Nats bloggers to preview the season!

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