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Sunday, May 04, 2008

WaPo: Cristian Guzmán Reemerges in ‘08 (RR)

Which is probably the greatest reemergence since bloated Insp. Dan Clay sucked in all that wormdirt!

On Sept. 1, 2005, Guzmán was hitting .195. After yesterday’s 4-for-5 performance—one that delivered the Nationals’ fifth win in their last six games—the shortstop is hitting .303. Why even bring up the past?

“That’s three years ago,” Guzmán said. “Why do I have to think about 2005? We’re in 2008. Let’s think about 2008.”

It is, of course, so much more palatable. Guzmán has undergone two career-altering surgeries since the nadir of his career, the first to fix his shoulder, the second a Lasik procedure to fix his eyesight. That one he considers more important, and the evidence could be in his 46-game stint last season, when he hit .328.

“For me, I think that’s the biggest, my eyes,” he said.

..."He’s healthy,” Manager Manny Acta said. “He’s not walking a lot. But just being healthy, having that [eye] surgery a couple of years ago, he’s making better contact and really enjoying the game.”

Repoz Posted: May 04, 2008 at 08:55 AM | 8 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralWashington

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   1. Sean McNally Posted: May 04, 2008 at 10:56 AM (#2768380)
When Guzman came back last year briefly - he just looked like a different player at the plate. He was swinging with authority, rather than slapping at the ball - especially lefthanded.

While much of that ridiculous contract was a waste, its hard to say that on balance, it wasn't maybe even a fair deal considering salary inflation these days.

If he keeps it up, Bowden would be wise to flip him to a contender at the deadline this year.
   2. Chris Needham Posted: May 04, 2008 at 11:05 AM (#2768384)
While much of that ridiculous contract was a waste, its hard to say that on balance, it wasn't maybe even a fair deal considering salary inflation these days.

I still remember BPro coming up with a new formula to evaluate contracts that off-season and proclaiming Guzman to be the best signing.

I wonder if they've revised it since then!

If he keeps it up, Bowden would be wise to flip him to a contender at the deadline this year.

Given their lack of MI in the minors, and their likely unwillingness to spend Furcal-type money, I wonder if they'll make a push to re-sign him instead.
   3. Clarence Thomas luuuvs Jacoby Ellsbury (scott) Posted: May 04, 2008 at 03:19 PM (#2768512)
in a sport where hand eye coordination is so vital, i don't understand why every player doesn't consider LASIK.
   4. Craig K some obscure verb phrase Posted: May 04, 2008 at 03:29 PM (#2768516)
in a sport where hand eye coordination is so vital, i don't understand why every player doesn't consider LASIK.

Probably some still concerned about the risk of it, I assume.
   5. Danny Posted: May 04, 2008 at 03:30 PM (#2768517)
I still remember BPro coming up with a new formula to evaluate contracts that off-season and proclaiming Guzman to be the best signing.

I wonder if they've revised it since then!

That was Nate Silver, and he ran a mea culpa after the season.

I felt bad for him, because his methodology was sound. The problem was he had to use BPro fielding stats, and nearly all of Guzman's projected value came from his excellent FRAA ratings (which have since been changed). Every other system rated Guzman as pretty awful with the glove.
   6. Chris Needham Posted: May 04, 2008 at 04:09 PM (#2768551)
I remember something funky with his defensive numbers at the time of the signing (and I'm too lazy to check my archives).

I think the year before he signed with the Nats, the Twins installed the fieldturf. His range numbers shot right up, which if you weren't making an adjustment for that in your formula would skew things to make him look better than he is.

I've been less-than impressed with him in the field. He's not Jeter out there, but a few too many grounders zip through into LF. He also seems to hold back on some throws. I don't think he quite trusts his shoulder post-surgery. He's probably in that next tier above the worst in the league.
   7. Belfry Bob Posted: May 05, 2008 at 08:36 AM (#2769093)
Which is probably the greatest reemergence since bloated Insp. Dan Clay sucked in all that wormdirt!

Well, of course, because as we all know, the future is where we will spend the rest of our lives.
   8. 3Com Park Posted: May 05, 2008 at 10:22 AM (#2769166)
Just off the top of my head, I'd rate NL shortstops into four broad categories, listed below. I didn't attempt to rank players within categories, so listings are just as I thought of them. At his current level of play Guzman seems to fit pretty well with the below average group, but not anywhere near the bottom of the league.

Elite
Ramirez
Reyes
Rollins
Furcal

Above average
Tejada
Tulowitzki
Escobar

Below Average
Drew
Hardy
Greene
Guzman
Wilson
Theriot
Keppinger/Gonzalez

God Awful
Izturis
Vizquel et al.
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