Today’s District Daily features stories on Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth and the importance of bringing on Mike Maddux as pitching coach.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier discusses the importance of Jayson Werth staying healthy this season. Werth, who was plagued by injuries all of last season, will be a crucial part of the Nationals lineup in 2016 — if he can stay healthy.
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Werth played in just 88 games last season in what was his worst year since his injury-shortened 2012 campaign. And at 36 years old (he’ll be 37 in May), the Nationals and their fans have plenty of reasons to be pessimistic about the veteran outfielder’s outlook for 2016.
Hopefully for him and the team, Werth will be able to stay healthy and productive this season. If he’s able to do that, he could help lead the team back to October.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell writes an interesting column on why hiring Mike Maddux as the new pitching coach might’ve been
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Healthy Werth eyeing return to form in 2016
VIERA, Fla. — One of the looming questions surrounding the Nationals at the start of this spring is: What can they expect from Jayson Werth, who turns 37 in May and is coming off an injury-plagued 2015 season?
Werth said he considered last season a wash, with injuries limiting him to hit just .221/.302/.384 and produce a negative 1.6 bWAR in 88 games. He said he believes he can return to form from the 2014 season, when he batted .292/.394/.455 and was a 4.1 WAR player in 147 games. Read full article here.
Hiring Mike Maddux might be the Nationals’ smartest offseason move
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
IERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals’ biggest offseason addition is not Daniel Murphy or Ben Revere. The instant bang, maybe a large one, will be pitching coach Mike Maddux, whose impact on previous staffs in Texas and Milwaukee was legendary.
In 11 seasons before Maddux arrived in Texas in 2009, the Rangers gave up 888 runs a season. MLB orthodoxy: “It’s impossible to pitch in Arlington.” Hitter and homer heaven. In Maddux’s seven seasons, they gave up 707 — 181 fewer runs a year. Or about an additional 20 wins a season. Read full article here.