{"id":22733,"date":"2013-11-05T13:47:45","date_gmt":"2013-11-05T18:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yurasko.net\/wfy\/?p=22733"},"modified":"2013-11-05T13:47:45","modified_gmt":"2013-11-05T18:47:45","slug":"nats-the-matt-williams-era-has-begun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yurasko.net\/wfy\/2013\/11\/nats-the-matt-williams-era-has-begun\/","title":{"rendered":"Nats: The Matt Williams Era has begun"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MattsTown<\/a>Last Friday, the Washington Nationals officially hired Matt Williams<\/strong> to be the fifth manager since baseball returned to The District. The move was expected. He has never managed before, other than in the Arizona Fall League. GM Mike Rizzo<\/strong> seems to have had his heart set on him based on their days in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.<\/p>\n

What I think I like most about Williams so far is that he wants to focus more on defensive alignments and has brought on Mark Weidemaier<\/a> (The Post)<\/em>, a former D-Backs scout, to be “defensive coordinator.” In theory this raises the opportunities to get outs, but could also keep the fielders a more focused which seems to be have been an issue in 2013.<\/p>\n

I’m skeptical about RISP being his favorite stat though<\/a> (DC Sports Bog, The Post<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Jim Lett<\/strong> is the only departure from the coaching staff. Matt LeCroy<\/strong>, best known for Frank Robinson’s tearful press conference after pulling the then-catcher<\/a>, replaces Lett as bullpen coach. I guess Lett had trouble picking up the phone. <\/p>\n

The big news is that Williams asked\/was told to keep bench coach Randy Knorr<\/strong>. Is it just me or does Knorr, bench coach and candidate for the manager’s job, look extremely uncomfortable at about 2:40? <\/p>\n