Looking ahead

[vernon337]

If Souza is for real and Taylor continues to progress, I'd love to see a lineup in future years that featured Zimmerman at 1st and Souza, Taylor and Harper in the outfield. 
 

[houston-nat]

If Souza is for real and Taylor continues to progress, I'd love to see a lineup in future years that featured Zimmerman at 1st and Souza, Taylor and Harper in the outfield. 

If we're talking about 2015, where does that leave Werth?

[WhiteWhale]

If we're talking about 2015, 2016, and 2017, where does that leave Werth?

LF/1B are spoken for by the Albatross Brothers until 2017, and one of the two spots until 2019.

Zimmerman will never play 3rd again, other than muddling through the remainder of this year.
Harper is not going anywhere

What does this mean?
No ALR after this year. No Span either next year or the year after, and out of Moore, Taylor, and Souza (and Goodwin and anyone else you'd like) you get to keep one....so trade them when they fetch something that is not already spoken for.

[houston-nat]

Fair enough, but let the record show Jayson Werth is currently not an albatross, and is a well above-average hitter. Provided Zimmerman is allowed to stick at first base for the rest of his contract, we may have very few true Albatross Years from them.

[WhiteWhale]

I spoke too harshly when referring to them that way.

they block things, but I expect their bats to play just fine for the remainder of their contracts at LF and 1B

[imref]

some predictions:

2015:
Span - CF
Rendon - 3B
Werth- RF
Harper - LF
Zimmerman - 1B
Desmond - SS
Ramos - C
Espinosa - 2B

2016:
Taylor/Goodwin - CF
Rendon - 3B
Harper - LF
Werth - RF
Zimmerman - 1B
Desmond (extended) - SS
Ramos - C
Renda or Espinosa - 2B

[WhiteWhale]

and those line ups state the issue

Pick one of Goodwin and Taylor, and all of the "corner" players are blocked
trade some of those pieces so we can upgrade 2B, or better hedge for Desmond leaving if not extended

[mitlen]

some predictions:

2015:
Span - CF
Rendon - 3B
Werth- RF
Harper - LF
Zimmerman - 1B
Desmond - SS
Ramos - C
Espinosa - 2B

2016:
Taylor/Goodwin - CF
Rendon - 3B
Harper - LF
Werth - RF
Zimmerman - 1B
Desmond (extended) - SS
Ramos - C
Renda or Espinosa - 2B

Who will be the back up catcher to play the majority of the games?

[aspenbubba]

Who will be the back up catcher to play the majority of the games?

That's a good one . Too bad we couldn't keep one of Norris or Nieto. Maybe Severino by then?

[varoadking]

Who will be the back up catcher to play the majority of the games?

Suzuki... 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I suspect Moore or Souza get traded to Texas as soon as they figure out a ransom.  Souza played first before being moved to the OF, right?  No Fielder, no Moreland, playing an AAAA guy now.  That will free up some roster space for one.  Also, I think now that we are moving into the 2d half of June, the GM may be less reluctant to call up internal talent as replacements when there are injuries.  Span's contract makes him another great off-season trade piece.

Kissing off ALR next year will leave a potential need for a LHB at 3d or 2d (if RZ moves to 1st).  Skole, perhaps, at 3d?  He's starting to hit.

I also suspect that they keep Taylor down a little longer than Souza, maybe for 2015, and that they have not yet written off Goodwin.

2015, maybe you see an infield of 3 RZ, 4 Rendon, 5 Skole, and 6 Desi, with an OF of Werth / Span / Harper.

[blue911]

Moore for Profar. Do it Rizzo

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Moore for Profar. Do it Rizzo

Profar is hurt, and I don't know if he can bunt.

[blue911]

Profar is hurt, and I don't know if he can bunt.

He's hurt and repped by Boras, he's a Nats in spirit to begin with.

[Slateman]

What does "for real" mean for these two guys? What are "for real" MLB projections?

[Truconfidence]

Profar might be an option but Danny might not be a lock for 2b next year I'm sure Walters is going to be his competition in Spring Training.

[Truconfidence]

Souza is gonna have to be traded because you can't even use him as a 4th OF because of McLouths contract.

[blue911]

Souza is gonna have to be traded because you can't even use him as a 4th OF because of McLouths contract.

Souza has two more option years, so they don't have to so anything

[ChiliPalmer14]

I didn't read Zack Walters' name.  Not a potential option in the line-up for Espinosa somehow?

[Slateman]

Profar might be an option but Danny might not be a lock for 2b next year I'm sure Walters is going to be his competition in Spring Training.

Walters is Danny but with no fielding and more strikeouts

[Jordanz Meatballz]

This is what I think:

2015:
Taylor - CF
Rendon - 3B
Werth- LF
Harper - RF
Zimmerman - 1B
Desmond - SS
Ramos - C
Espinosa - 2B

But I don't like it. I'd like it a lot better if Zimmerman can tough out another year at 3b and resign LaRoche.

[Slateman]

I think Souza and/or Taylor could be packaged and traded for a starting second baseman.

Move Harper to center, keep Zim in LF, sign Morales to play first.

[aspenbubba]

Profar might be an option but Danny might not be a lock for 2b next year I'm sure Walters is going to be his competition in Spring Training.

I like Walters but his bat is probably around .250 and his glove is no where even close to Espi. I don't think we see him starting.

[PebbleBall]

I didn't read Zack Walters' name.  Not a potential option in the line-up for Espinosa somehow?

Yes that's correct.

[RobDibblesGhost]

For Saturday's game on FOX:



Washington @ St. Louis -- Kenny Albert, Tom Verducci
Anaheim @ Atlanta -- Justin Kutcher, Eric Karros [AK; HI]
Cincinnati @ Milwaukee -- Thom Brennaman, C.J. Nitkowski