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For some time, the Nationals have been concerned about Guzman's range, especially when he goes to his left. Now that Guzman had right shoulder surgery after the season, it behooves the Nationals to play him at a new position. The big question is, who will play shortstop for the Nationals in 2010? Riggleman said he wouldn't mind going into the season with Ian Desmond at the position. Desmond was impressive after his September callup this past season, hitting .280 with four home runs and 12 RBIs. "I don't know if Desmond will be the shortstop, but as I stand here right now, I would be happy with it, because I know what kind of effort I'm going to get," Riggleman said.
While Guzman remains a respectable shortstop from an offensive standpoint, his defensive range has regressed substantially. So much so, that the Nationals indicated they intend to move him over to second base permanently, clearing the way for prospect Ian Desmond to eventually take over at shortstop following his strong Minor League campaign and impressive September callup.
Guzman's shoulder has bothered him for over a month, growing worse when he twice threw to home plate against the Dodgers on Sept. 24. He did not play shortstop for the rest of the season after that game and was instead regulated to pinch-hitting duties, with Ian Desmond taking his place. Once he is healthy, Guzman more than likely will be the everyday second baseman, as his career as a shortstop with Washington is over.
In one month's time, Desmond has made a strong case to be the club's starting shortstop in 2010 with his .305 average, two homers, six doubles, one triple and eight RBIs over his first eight big league games. It's a given that Cristian Guzman will not be the Nats shortstop in '10, and if Desmond keeps raking down the stretch, he could convince the team that bringing in another shortstop by way of a trade or free agency will not be necessary.
Guzman, who missed his second consecutive start on Sunday, has apparently been playing with the ailing shoulder for at least a month. After a blistering start to the year in which he was batting .385 on May 18, Guzman calmed down to hit .256 the rest of the way, including a .181 batting average since Aug. 13. That tender shoulder could help explain why the shortstop hit so poorly down the stretch.
Guzman's three-month run of hitting in the neighborhood of .300 has been placed in serious danger after seeing his September average stall out at .219 over his first eight games. Chances are that Guzman will wind up finishing with his lowest on-base percentage since 2005, but even a mediocre final few weeks should ensure that he bests last year's totals in runs scored and RBIs. The veteran shortstop is hitting .296 with 70 runs scored and 50 RBIs this year.
Guzman, who did not give Rizzo and Riggleman an answer, reportedly was in shock, as he's never played second base in a game. The switch would create room for prospect Ian Desmond to take over at shortstop or for the team to acquire a more experienced hand. Desmond homered and plated four runs in his big league debut Thursday.
The dazzling debut creates a pleasant problem for the Nationals: Will it be Desmond manning shortstop most down the final stretch or veteran Cristian Guzman? There's been talk of Guzman moving over to second base to make room for the 23-year-old -- who hit .330 with seven homers, 21 stolen bases and a .477 slugging percentage across two levels of the Minors this year -- but it's unclear how serious the Nationals are about making that move at this point.
Of the five players joining Washington, Desmond is the most interesting, because he has made tremendous strides with the bat, hitting a combined .328 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs for Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. Washington may be looking for a shortstop next season, with the possibility of switching Cristian Guzman from shortstop to second base. The team could also trade Guzman. Detwiler, meanwhile, figures to join the rotation.
This marks the first time all season that Guzman's average has fallen below .300, to .298. It's a direct result of his 0-for-10 slide.
Guzman has had a season very much in the tradition of some of the notable campaigns from early in his career. The 31-year-old is hitting .307 with six long balls and 64 runs scored on the year. If only Guzman could rediscover some of the speed that led to double-digit totals in stolen bases from 2000-2004, he would cement his status as a bona fide mixed-leaguer once again.
According to The Boston Globe on Sunday, the Red Sox may have put in the claim for Guzman's services. But the source said the Nationals have no intentions of trading Guzman. In fact, the team was upset that the story on Guzman even came out. Boston is in need of a shortstop following Jed Lowrie's return to the DL this past weekend. However, the Nationals don't want to trade their hottest hitter. Guzman is batting .460 (29-for-63) with two home runs and 16 RBIs during his 15-game hitting streak.
Guzman, who was put on waivers by the Nationals on Sunday, likely became an appealing option to the Red Sox after shortstop Jed Lowrie returned to the DL. If the Red Sox are awarded the claim, then they would have 48 hours to work on a deal with the Nationals, or Washington could award him to the Red Sox or pull him back off waivers. For Boston to be awarded the claim, every team with a worse record would have to pass on the shortstop. He has a career .237 batting average in 76 career at-bats at Fenway Park, although his .317 batting average in '09 would be a welcome addition to a lineup that has struggled to score runs even after the addition of Victor Martinez.
According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox may have put in the claim, but that will not be known until Monday, according to a baseball source. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo declined to comment on the situation. The Red Sox are in need of a shortstop, as Jed Lowrie went on the disabled list on Saturday with a left wrist injury. Guzman is having another solid season with the Nationals, hitting .315 with five home runs and 39 RBIs entering Sunday's action. A move to Boston would surely increase his fantasy stock, as he'd be leaving behind a decent Nationals offense to join a deep and explosive Red Sox lineup.
Surprised? Don't be. Since stumbling out of the All-Star break, Guzman has been one of the game's hottest hitters in recent weeks. The three-hit showing extended his hit streak to 12 games, a span that's yielded a ridiculous batting average of .471 (24-for-51). On the season, he's hitting .314 with five homers, 39 RBIs, 55 runs scored, 20 doubles and six triples, overlooked all-around numbers at a scarce position.
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