Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker has some problems with his lineup, and his public response isn’t exactly encouraging.
Shortstop Danny Espinosa has hit under .200 since the All-Star break, and he struck out three times in three at-bats during Friday’s NLDS opening loss, leaving six on base. When asked about replacing him, Baker didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
#Nats' Dusty Baker was asked about sticking w/ Danny Espinosa through .172/.272/.280 2nd half, and after last night's 0 for 3, 3 Ks, 6 LOB: pic.twitter.com/8r4QLyIMiD
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) October 8, 2016
This statement probably won’t make Espinosa feel better. The Nationals do have options, though. There’s Stephen Drew, and they could also move fleet-footed Trea Turner back to short and put Michael A. Taylor in center, though maybe Dusty just wants Turner to beef up a bit. Neither option is great, but both are probably superior to Espinosa at this point.
