Washington Nationals: Five Takeaways From The Grapefruit League
By Ron Juckett
THE CLOSER AUDITION
Held largely in private, we now know Blake Treinen won the job.
With more twists than a cheap murder mystery, fans and writers alike remained in suspense until Florida’s final day to get the answer we waited for since Mark Melancon departed for the San Francisco Giants.
From the start, Shawn Kelley was not on the short list. When Glover continued to wow everyone, then there was a true audition.
Although all three pitched well, and Glover bought his way on the team with his performance, the takeaway here is how the Nationals do business. As with the Matt Wieters and Joe Blanton signings, the Nationals do their business out of the public eye.
Sure, it puzzles us all on where the team is headed. We have questions and want answers. By playing things cool and quiet, Rizzo and company never reveal their full hand.
The shot-term fallout, as with the Chris Sale/Andrew McCutchen failed deals, leaves a harsh taste. Whenever the story of this year is finished and written, we will see a well-constructed plan making sense.
No one wants to watch sausage making, although we all claim to want to, but the end product rarely disappoints. With Treinen, you get that sense.