Jim Riggleman is finding out that there are few positions less rewarding than being a caretaker for a train wreck of a team. He's taking on increased criticism from fans and the media about how he's handling things down the stretch, even getting defensive over some questions.
With little, if any, control over the roster, there's only so much he can change. He rode Nyjer Morgan's hot stretch to an eight-game winning streak, which was helped by everything on the team finally clicking at once.
But now that the team is back to normal, losing more than they win. Water, as the cliche goes, finds its level.
Since the team was winning, and now it's losing, someone must be blamed. So Riggles is under fire.
He runs too much. His base-runners make outs on the bases, in a misguided attempt to "make things happen." He calls for too many squeeze bunts -- most of which have resulted in runners on third being tagged out needlessly.
But the most vehemence lately has been directed at his lineups.
The Nats recently called up a bunch of prospects, but Riggles has most of them riding the pine. Many fans are especially galled at his treatment of Ian Desmond.
Desmond is one of the team's few position prospects. A shortstop, he's primed and ready to take Cristian Guzman's place -- he just needs the opportunity to show what he can do.
One catch: Guzzie's under contract next year, and Riggles doesn't want to show the vet up.
Riggles argues that it's not fair to the teams fighting for the playoffs to send kids out there, The Washington Post reported, as if Guzman's 4-month-long cold streak and indifferent defense, which have led to a 110-loss pace, are going to put up a huge fight.
It appears that Interim Jim is sacrificing a long-term view of the kids and the future in a misguided attempt to win a few extra games in the short-term.
Needless to say, many fans aren't happy. And with another string of losses to the Phillies, Braves and Marlins sure to come, there aren't likely to be many smiles around Nats Park in the coming weeks.
