Cristian Guzman News

In this July 10, 2009, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Nats nuggets: bench coach, Guzman, Flores, et al. Just got done speaking to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and meeting the majority of his new front-office hires -- the amassing of which Rizzo called "the most important part of our offseason." Suffice it to say there is a lot of optimism around the organization these days.

What did you think about the Nationals making Jim Riggleman the permanent manager? -- Charlie B., Washington It was a great move, because there is going to be discipline and accountability on the team, something that was missing before he became the interim manager.

The World Series may still be fresh in your mind, but MLB GMs are already focusing on next season.

Let's start this morning with some reading material, because there is plenty. Here is the news story I wrote for the dead-tree edition off the Riggleman presser, and here is Boswell's typically excellent column.

Adam Dunn's single in the bottom of the 11th inning scored Cristian Guzman, as Washington got by the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game interleague set at Nationals Park.

And incredibly, the person's name was not Manny Acta.A After the first 10 or 12 defeats, wouldn't the writing be on the wall?A Unless you're planning to fuck, marry or kill Cristian Guzman , is there any excuse for this sort of behavior?A The Wall Street Journal's Carl Bialik considers the case of Nationals fans Stephen Krupin, who recently told DC ...

Do you see the Nationals bringing in another bat this offseason? And who might be the fit at the position? -- Justin L., Washington Yes, I think they will get another bat in the outfield.

Brewers: Milwaukee has announced an $8 million, one-year contract with Trevor Hoffman, the career saves leader, with a mutual option for 2011.

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Infielder Cristian Guzman #15 of the Washington Nationals watches play against the Atlanta Braves April 12, 2009 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.

Okay, the 2009 season is finally over. A Now what? A Although the Nationalsa TM 59-103 record was the worst in all of baseballa 'and for the second year in a row, no lessa 'the surprising number of good things that happened this year will make the off-season a time for building, and not rebuilding.

ATLANTA, Oct. 3 -- Nyjer Morgan is back home in San Francisco now, completely detached from the final days of the season, excluding some passing curiosity about the stat races.

'Hey,' Morgan asked in a recent telephone conversation. 'Am I still second [in the National League] in stolen bases?'

He is. Even though he hasn't played since Aug. 27, when he broke his left hand sliding headfirst into third base. (That was the 42nd and final stolen base of his season.) Since heading to the disabled list, Morgan has left behind a Washington Nationals team that misses his speed and defense. And Morgan, whose hand is almost fully recovered, has turned his attention to next season.

Justin Maxwell's two-run homer in the 11th inning was the difference, as the Washington Nationals edged the Atlanta Braves, 6-4, in the third installment of a four-game set.

Eight years as one of the sport's most consistent and most productive hitters, yet not one of them spent on a winning team.

Written by Associated Press on Sep 30th, 2009 and filed under Featured , Sports .

Pinch-runner Justin Maxwell scored thanks to two wild throws on a potential inning-ending double play grounder in the eighth and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 4-3 on Tuesday night.

I would think a player as strong as outfielder Elijah Dukes would hit far more home runs than he has this season.

With one week remaining in the Washington Nationals' season, shortstop Cristian Guzman might have played his final game in the field and reliever Sean Burnett his final game on the mound.

Guzman could be used as a pinch hitter in select situations, interim manager Jim Riggleman said before Saturday's loss to the Atlanta Braves, but his 'tender' right shoulder could keep him from playing shortstop again in 2009. He has not been throwing during pregame activities. Because he cannot take the field, his pinch-hitting opportunities would be limited to a pitcher's at-bat. Riggleman has not ruled out shutting down the veteran for the remainder of the season.

When Washington Nationals reliever Sean Burnett took a comebacker off his left thumb against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug.