Gio to Nats

[Tyler Durden]

My only real reservation with this trade is that I think we could have had a CF at a lower cost.  Maybe Adam Jones could have been had for AJ Cole and another prospect, for example.  Then we could have signed a pitcher like Oswalt or Edwin Jackson.

But as it stands, I think we made a good trade.  Gio looks like he will be a good, durable #2 level pitcher for the next several years and there are some good CFs available in free agency next year.  Our top 3 is pretty fearsome now and they're all young and under team control for several years.  That could be the foundation of something special.

[raleighnat]

We could keep Gorzo, Detwiler, and Burnett in the pen.  I bet Davey would love that. 

Damn good idea.  Used to be the bullpen were the next best pitchers....not specialists.  Not sure that Davey's era wasn't right on this one.  At least worth a try.  Gorzo did good in relief last year.  He can start when needed so depth and bulllpen plus.  Detwiler will probably hone his skills as a key bullpen piece just as well as if he started in the minors.  Maybe not but how big a difference can that be.  He's fine out of the pen and I really doubt if it will hamper him when he steps in to replace Strass.  Plus he'll be earning the opportunity every outing out.  A lefty with his stuff out of the pen is a valuable asset....not a "waste" of his development.  He'll be a fine piece out of the pen and I will be glad to have him there until needed for starts later in the year.  No way we keep him in the rotation over options when the pen is an legitimate option that is valuable to the team.

[raleighnat]

I've  been following the board for years.  NC native that was an Expos fan.  Go figure.  Move to DC invigorated me and I'm a Nats nut.  Would love to become a regular poster as I love the Nats.

I'm an optimist and have bought into the trade after initial misgivings (love Peacock especially, attached to Milone, and have come to understand what we gave up in Cole.  Norris I figured was always a trade chip given the excellent and thankfully rescued Ramos.)

My take:  this team is very close.  Trading prospects for Gonzalez with 4 years of control and a proven history of success on a sub .500 team seems like a good idea upon reflection.  Who really knows how these things will turn out but it seems to me that money says 4 years of controlling a top flight front three can't be bad.  Injuries could, of course, ruin the plan but that's baseball.

Still, we should be able to replenish the pitching over the next 4 years.  Man its fun to be just a bat a way from a real chance to make a run in as soon as 2012.  Add a bat and we'll begin the season...unlike any other in DC to date...that gives us a real chance.  That's all I ask for...meaningful games in September.

[DPMOmaha]

My only real reservation with this trade is that I think we could have had a CF at a lower cost.  Maybe Adam Jones could have been had for AJ Cole and another prospect, for example.  Then we could have signed a pitcher like Oswalt or Edwin Jackson.

You know how some rivalries are more between fan bases than they are within the actual teams themselves?  I think there's a pretty strong one between front offices.  I can't see Angelos ever signing off on someone like Jones to DC unless it also included shipping the whole franchise to Portland.

[Tyler Durden]

You know how some rivalries are more between fan bases than they are within the actual teams themselves?  I think there's a pretty strong one between front offices.  I can't see Angelos ever signing off on someone like Jones to DC unless it also included shipping the whole franchise to Portland.

Could be.  Maybe there is someone else out there?

I like that we have 3 really good pitchers at the top of the rotation.  But I also see a lineup where, between Desmond, the CF, and the pitcher, we have 1/3 of our hitters who are fairly easy outs.

[PowerBoater69]

Could be.  Maybe there is someone else out there?

I like that we have 3 really good pitchers at the top of the rotation.  But I also see a lineup where, between Desmond, the CF, and the pitcher, we have 1/3 of our hitters who are fairly easy outs.

The dreaded black hole that allows other teams to pitch around the middle of our line up.

[Ray D]

everyone in the deal has potential but warts.

They all have hemorrhoids?

[MarquisDeSade]

They all have hemorrhoids?

Only the fans, only the fans.

[GburgNatsFan]

Well, that's becuase we're in our seats all the time. Nothing to get excited enough about to get us up and cheering.

Only the fans, only the fans.

[MarquisDeSade]

Well, that's becuase we're in our seats all the time. Nothing to get excited enough about to get us up and cheering.

Well, there's that too but I was referring to being ridden like fresh Valley ass by the FO.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Sounds painful

Sounds painful, however the spelling isn't.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

My only real reservation with this trade is that I think we could have had a CF at a lower cost.  Maybe Adam Jones could have been had for AJ Cole and another prospect, for example.  Then we could have signed a pitcher like Oswalt or Edwin Jackson.

I'm pretty sure that had we signed Wilson or Buehrle, then you would have seen all or part of this package being shipped for a CF, maybe with a Hood or a Perez replacing a component.

[tomterp]

I've  been following the board for years.  NC native that was an Expos fan.  Go figure.  Move to DC invigorated me and I'm a Nats nut.  Would love to become a regular poster as I love the Nats.

Welcome back!

[PANatsFan]

My only real reservation with this trade is that I think we could have had a CF at a lower cost.  Maybe Adam Jones could have been had for AJ Cole and another prospect, for example.  Then we could have signed a pitcher like Oswalt or Edwin Jackson.

But as it stands, I think we made a good trade.  Gio looks like he will be a good, durable #2 level pitcher for the next several years and there are some good CFs available in free agency next year.  Our top 3 is pretty fearsome now and they're all young and under team control for several years.  That could be the foundation of something special.

there is a wise saying at Rice that applies here: Jones.  . . freak Jones

No overrated boos needed

[MarquisDeSade]

Adam Jones > Werthless and whatever clown CF platoon we trot out this year.

[aspenbubba]

Adam Jones > Werthless and whatever clown CF platoon we trot out this year.

Would you be unhappy with Crisp? And Ankiel as the 4 and  one of Cameron / Bernadina as the 5?

[MarquisDeSade]

Would you be unhappy with Crisp? And Ankiel as the 4 and  one of Cameron / Bernadina as the 5?

Crisp would be awesome with Ankiel as the 4th OF and a Cameron/Bernadina platoon as the 5.  I wouldn't even mind seeing if Cameron still has some gas left in the tank but Rick Ankiel, who is great at times, having a lot of playing time wouldn't make me happy.

[PANatsFan]

Would you be unhappy with Crisp? And Ankiel as the 4 and  one of Cameron / Bernadina as the 5?

Sounds like a plan. Cameron is a righty isn't he? Def re sign rick.

[Smithian]

Crisp would be awesome with Ankiel as the 4th OF and a Cameron/Bernadina platoon as the 5.  I wouldn't even mind seeing if Cameron still has some gas left in the tank but Rick Ankiel, who is great at times, having a lot of playing time wouldn't make me happy.

I like Ankiel a lot and I always feel like he is competent at the bat and love how he gets hot at times.

But then I look at his line last year. Ouch.

Ankiel and Bernie won't both be back as backups. We have to have a backup right handed bat.

[Lintyfresh85]

Rick "my hot streak is a .600's OPS' Ankiel? Yeah. No thanks.

[MarquisDeSade]

Rick "my hot streak is a .600's OPS' Ankiel? Yeah. No thanks.

But he's a gamer, like Pudge.

[hammondsnats]

haha ankiel/cameron/bernadina/etc ... no thanks.

[aspenbubba]

Maybe someone addressed this but I believe we will only have Wang for this year. Who would replace him internally next year now that Peacock and Milone are gone. What if Detwiler flames in his role as spot starter / long relief?

I do not think Meyer or Purke are ready and we may find out in September. Is there any legitimate starters at Syracuse? I don't think so. We maybe in the FA market next year for a pitcher as well as a CF.

[Lintyfresh85]

Stammen is likely the best in-house candidate as of right now.

[Squab]

Stammen is likely the best in-house candidate as of right now.

Stammen or Myers if he gets returned from rule 5.