Great Moments in Defensive Shifts: Washington Nationals Edition

By Craig CalcaterraMar 4, 2014, 4:07 PM EST
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LAKE BUENA VISTA — This morning I reported that Nationals manager Matt Williams sounded receptive to defensive shifts. I wonder if I put an idea in his head, because he made a doozy of one today.  This was what the Nats’ infield looked like in the eighth inning today with the game tied, one out and the bases loaded:

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For those scoring at home, that’s the right fielder playing second base, more or less, with three infielders on the left side against Braves’ infielder Philip Gosselin (there is a left fielder, he just got cropped out of my pic). Very bold!

Only problem: Gosselin tripled over the center fielder’s head, clearing the bases. But still, bold.

Astros assistant GM Mike Elias reported to be next Orioles general manager

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By Craig CalcaterraNov 14, 2018, 6:46 AM EST
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Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Astros assistant GM Mike Elias will be the new general manager of the Orioles “barring a change of heart.”

Elias, 35, has been the Astros’ assistant general manager since August 2016. He had previously served as Houston’s scouting director and, before that, as a scout for the Cardinals. He was part of the team that came over from the Cardinals when Jeff Luhnow joined the Astros.

If he does take the O’s job his work will certainly be cut out for him. Baltimore was historically bad in 2018, finishing 47-115 thanks to a roster full of expensive, past-their-prime players and an underdeveloped farm system. He’ll have to hit the ground running too, as he’ll not join the team until nearly two months into the club’s offseason, having had no time to assess its needs and personnel. Oh, and the Winter Meetings begin in a little over three weeks.