2010 Offseason Wheeling and Dealing

[Lintyfresh85]

LAC.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Why worry about Estes? Do you really think he'll play a major part for the Nats this year?

I think he's a waste of space/resources.  Any nanosecond spent by our coaches doing anything to assess/assist him is a nanosecond too many.

[PANatsFan]

how so? what did he say?

1) No interview with Kennedy, and Hudson is not exactly a riveting interview

2) Acting like he wanted to go to the Twins all along

3) It was a couple days ago

[JMW4th]

I think he's a waste of space/resources.  Any nanosecond spent by our coaches doing anything to assess/assist him is a nanosecond too many.

this.

[imref]

Anyone have any thoughts as to why we haven't tried to sign Braden Looper as a possible starter?  he's nothing special, but he can eat some innings.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Anyone have any thoughts as to why we haven't tried to sign Braden Looper as a possible starter?  he's nothing special, but he can eat some innings.

I think what is happening is that, unless something elite or a big upgrade (think Bedard or Wang) falls into their lap, they are not going to bring in another innings eater.  I think they still want to know whether any of their 3-4-5 starter types can actually make the grade.  If Stammen is healthy, then they probably figure that Marquis - Lannan gets them 400 IP, and that among Olsen, Stammen, Detwiler, Balester, Martin, Martis, and whatever, they more or less have the starting innings covered, at better than a 5 ERA.  They hope they have 1 or 2 real contributors among Stammen / Detwiler / Balester, and acceptable depth among Martin and Martis to give them the 8 or so 50+ IP pitchers most teams use over a season.

[Lintyfresh85]

I'm worried about the rotation this year. In his last blog, Wood said Mock was the #3 starter going into camp.

That scares me.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

About a month ago, a really sharp poster came up with this:

For the record, I do not believe there is such a thing as excess starting pitching, therefore I do not advocate turning anyone into an extra in a Charlton Heston movie. 

In 2009, most every NL team uses 6-8 starters more than 50 IP, and half use at least one more more than 40 IP. 

9 - NYM, 9 SD (+1 > 40 IP)
8 - FLA, MIL (+1 over 40 IP), WSN (+2 >= 40 IP)
7 - Hou, LAD, PHI (+1> 40 IP), PIT (+1 > 40 IP), St. L.,
6 - AZ, ATL, CHI, CIN (+3 over 40 IP),
5 -Col (+2 > 40), SF (+1  > 40 IP)

Figure that between our top 3 teams (H'burg, Syr, and Was), you need 12 or so pitchers who will pitch a lot at MLB or AAA, counting guys who backfill from AA for AAA callups.

This season may depend a bit on how well Scott Olsen bounces back. Concievably, they could be well set with Marquis - Lannan - Olsen - Stammen - Detwiler, with depth from Balester and Martin and Strasburg available by mid-season.  Toss in the various Mocks, Martises, Chicos etc... and they are in OK shape.  I'm also forgetting a veteran on a minor league contract.  I'm nervous about having three holes for much of the year and not just two slots playing sink or swim.  That's why I want a Bedard / Wang in here, to push Olsen down into the mix for #4 and to give #3 quality innings.  I want about 180 IP between Olsen and another good arm.  But I rant about this once a week.

[DPMOmaha]

I'm worried about the rotation this year. In his last blog, Wood said Mock was the #3 starter going into camp.

That scares me.

Meh, beyond our 1 and 2 no one has a defined role.  The closest anyone has to a defined role in the rotation beyond that is Scott Olsen who has the inside track at the #3 spot, IMO.  I'm not gonna get too worked up over it.  If we were gearing up for a playoff run, that might be a different story, but we're not this year.

[sportsfan882]

damn, that's negative. what happened to your old optimistic spirit?

[Lintyfresh85]

I wouldn't call it negative... he's just being a realist.

[PatsNats28]

remember when ronny used to be realistic? i actually barely see him nowadays

[DPMOmaha]

damn, that's negative. what happened to your old optimistic spirit?

Was that directed at me?

I'm very optimistic this team will take a significant step forward.  I just don't think the playoffs are the goal for this year.  I'm not going to get too worked up the back end of our rotation just yet.  If we've got the same rotation a year from now, that will be a different story.  I like the direction in general though and you still won't see me give up on a game before the first pitch once this year.  

 

[Spinman]

I think what is happening is that, unless something elite or a big upgrade (think Bedard or Wang) falls into their lap, they are not going to bring in another innings eater.  I think they still want to know whether any of their 3-4-5 starter types can actually make the grade.  If Stammen is healthy, then they probably figure that Marquis - Lannan gets them 400 IP, and that among Olsen, Stammen, Detwiler, Balester, Martin, Martis, and whatever, they more or less have the starting innings covered, at better than a 5 ERA.  They hope they have 1 or 2 real contributors among Stammen / Detwiler / Balester, and acceptable depth among Martin and Martis to give them the 8 or so 50+ IP pitchers most teams use over a season.

JCA- Your assesment on the rotation is spot on right! What we tend to forget is that most teams don't have 1-2 guys from their farm systems in their rotation. We are expecting to get 3-4 guys from our farm system. With Lannan, Stammen, Balester, Detwiler and Strasburg  all from our system. If we even get 2-3 guys out of this group to stick with the club as starters we will have the makings of a " Braves of the 90's" type of foundation.

JD is from the Indians. Mock is from Arizona.

[JMW4th]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/wang-has-offers-could-sign-soon.html

[Lintyfresh85]

Come on Nats.

He'd plug a huge hole.

[tomterp]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/wang-has-offers-could-sign-soon.html

Could be a nice addition to the rotation if he is able to come back.  Maybe they blow the money saved on Hudson?

[Nathan]

Come on Nats.

He'd plug a huge hole.

[UMDNats]

washingnats
 
The #Nats are “aggressively pursuing” Chien-Ming Wang, according to a baseball source. It’s not known of if they have made an offer.

[DPMOmaha]

this'd have to be a 2 year deal, right?  It wouldn't make much sense to bring him in for just this year.  If he can get close to where he was and, as I and others have mentioned before, they bring in one of those big name FA's next year, suddenly Washington's a player in the NL East in 2011. 

[PANatsFan]

this'd have to be a 2 year deal, right?  It wouldn't make much sense to bring him in for just this year.  If he can get close to where he was and, as I and others have mentioned before, they bring in one of those big name FA's next year, suddenly Washington's a player in the NL East in 2011. 

That would give you a rotation of Strasburg, Marquis, Lannan, Wang, and FA . . . You could do without the FA, even.

[ronnynat]

Not getting my hopes up, but it'd be awesome if we got him.

[cmdterps44]

Not getting my hopes up, but it'd be awesome if we got him.

This. I've been disappointed many times before. If we are mentioned i'll just go with that we have a really slim chance. I do like that rotation though. Zimmermann/Webb

[DPMOmaha]

That would give you a rotation of Strasburg, Marquis, Lannan, Wang, and FA . . . You could do without the FA, even.

Maybe, if Zmann get's back to form...or we could jump right into the fray and be serious about things.

[ronnynat]

Hopefully no one has given up on Detwiler yet. I still think he could be a solid Major League pitcher.