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Ozzie Guillen weighs in on Stephen Strasburg’s impending shutdown
Sometimes the stars align perfectly. And by that I mean the 162-game schedule happens to put the most talked about and hotly debated story currently in baseball and the most opinionated personality in the game in the same city on the same weekend.
Alright, well, maybe it doesn't happen all that often, but such is actually the case this weekend as Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals host Ozzie Guillen's Miami Marlins. And without hesitation, reporters asked Guillen for his opinion on the Nationals plan to shut Strasburg down after his Sept. 12 start against the New York Mets.
Naturally, Guillen didn't hold back with his response, especially when it came to how the developing story has been covered by the media.
"It's nobody's [bleeping] business what they do with Strasburg. That's between Washington, Strasburg and the team."
Don't forget his agent. I hear he has a little pull, too.
"Those guys made a decision in spring training -- this kid is not going to be there [in late September]. A lot people have different [bleeping] opinions. They're doing this for a reason and it's not my problem.
"It's funny how people are making a big deal about it. Maybe it's TV time…
Cover your eyes, Yankees fans, your team is about to be not-so-subtlety jabbed.
"Do they need him? Yes. But the four guys they have behind him are [bleeping] good, too. If those guys have a Yankees situation, [bleep] you, you're pitching. But they don't. They have four guys out there plus they have one of the best bullpens in the league…
"Be careful if you change your mind, you might regret it…
"I guarantee if they was the Yankees…they need that guy to start, 'You start and we'll see what happens later.' But they are in a great position. And they have four guys behind him. Obviously he's one of the best pitchers in the game…
"At the end of the day it's nobody's business…"
Well, actually, it's kind of everybody's business, but...
"But I bet you if he was their one ace, 'ah, man, let's think about this.' But they have four (solid) guys out there. For the playoffs you're going to need three starters. Gio, Zimmerman…. And the lefty (Detwiler) is better than everyone in the last three months! They don't talk about him."
There's actually a lot more to Guillen's rant, but I think you get the gist of it.
Basically, he thinks the Nationals are making a good decision to shut Strasburg down, which I can honestly say makes sense, I just think they could have structured this a lot differently to make sure he was available to them in some capacity at the most important time of the season. But that's obviously where Scott Boras had the most influence.
Guillien also clearly thinks the Nationals are good enough to win without Strasburg, which is believable after the St. Louis Cardinals championship run without Adam Wainwright last season. And lastly, he seems to believe we shouldn't have an opinion on it, which is absurd, but not nearly the most absurd thing out of Guillen's mouth this season.
So there you have it. Ozzie Guillen's thoughts and soundbites on Stephen Strasburg's shutdown prior to Friday's series opener. And I highly doubt his opinion changed much on afterwards as his Marlins pummeled Strasburg for five runs in three innings, which equals the shortest outing of his career in their 9-7, 10-inning victory. Although "it might" alter the Nationals plans a bit. More on that if and when it develops.
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