Cf next season

[Smithian]

My opinion (assuming LaRoche opts out to test out the market) is one of the following will happen;

1. Bourn is willing to take a not ridiculous contract and is signed. LaRoche is let go. Morse drops down to the 1st. Harper/Werth in corners. Goodwin turns into an excellent 4th outfielder who gives great value in the future or if he is too good, great trade chip.

2. Bourn was $$$$$$$ so Washington moves to sign LaRoche and continues with Harper/Werth in CF. Leadoff will again not be fun unless Morse is traded for a CF.

3. LaRoche and Bourn both find offers that are at a level not suitable for the Nationals to match. The Nationals drop Morse down to 1B and either go all in on Corey Brown in CF (yikes) or signs/trade for a midlevel CF like Span or Upton.

I think the Nats have to wait to see how the FA market plays out to see how CF is addressed. I like Goodwin and think we have a star coming up, but when you're all of a sudden in a position with a roster that has proven itself to be very competitive you can't gamble on prospects. You have to find guys who you know, not hope, can get the job done.

[BigMeech]

Upton is doin ok

Not really.  A .242 batting average, a .301 OBP, and a WAR of only one.

In comparison, Denard Span has a .288 batting average, a .352 OBP, and a WAR of nearly three.  Fowler has a batting average of .294, an OBP of .382, and a WAR of nearly three.  Bourn has a batting average of .287, an OBP of .345, and a 4.6 WAR.

If Upton is the best we can do, we might as well just stick with what we have or get one of the three I named above.  Upton shouldn't even be considered.

[suns senators chiefs]

The point of leading off isn't to have a high average, it's to get on base.

Perez is allergic to walks. He's not a MLB leadoff quality hitter.

That's great that he's a good defender, I'm sure he'll look great playing CF for some other team.

Right having a average over 300 Dosent mean u get on.....................

[suns senators chiefs]

Not really.  A .242 batting average, a .301 OBP, and a WAR of only one.

In comparison, Denard Span has a .288 batting average, a .352 OBP, and a WAR of nearly three.  Fowler has a batting average of .294, an OBP of .382, and a WAR of nearly three.  Bourn has a batting average of .287, an OBP of .345, and a 4.6 WAR.

If Upton is the best we can do, we might as well just stick with what we have or get one of the three I named above.  Upton shouldn't even be considered.

That's why I said ok

[BigMeech]

That's why I said ok

I wouldn't consider that "ok", especially if he ends up being your lead off man like everyone wants our CF to be.

[Hogie]

LaRoche walking and having to scramble and settle for BJ Upton is my worst nightmare.

[Tyler Durden]

I like Bourn now, but I think he's going to get more than he's worth in the free agent market. I think he gets something like 5/$70M.  And that's more than I would want to pay.

I agree with this.  He's also not going to get any better than he is now as he ages.

Victorino is a free agent.  Maybe he'd sign here for a couple of years.  It would give him a chance to stick it to the Phillies who just traded him.  Maybe Werth could help get him to come here.

[HalfSmokes]

Right having a average over 300 Dosent mean u get on.....................

In aaa- MLB pitchers will lower that average a bit

[BigMeech]

Right having a average over 300 Dosent mean u get on.....................

In AA he only had an OBP of .325.  I assume that would go down a fair amount once he faces major league pitching.

He's only had 64 plate appearances in AAA too.  Let's not get too carried away in regards to that .413 OBP.

[suns senators chiefs]

In aaa- MLB pitchers will lower that average a bit

how do you kno that for a fact though, could keep doin what he's doin

[Tyler Durden]

LaRoche walking and having to scramble and settle for BJ Upton is my worst nightmare.

BJ Upton is a solid player.  In 2010 and 2011, he was worht about 4 WAR.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=5015&position=OF

[suns senators chiefs]

I wouldn't consider that "ok", especially if he ends up being your lead off man like everyone wants our CF to be.

He couldn't lead off no way

[BigMeech]

He couldn't lead off no way

Then what would be the point in acquiring him?

[blue911]

I'd wait and see what Brian Goodman does in the AFL before making any long term roster commitments

[suns senators chiefs]

Then what would be the point in acquiring him?

DEFENSE and he has put up better numbers in previous seasons

[suns senators chiefs]

Me starting this topic was about cf not top of the lineup

[Hogie]

Screw it. Josh Hamilton on a 4-year deal. The salaries almost don't even matter.

[cmdterps44]

Me starting this topic was about cf not top of the lineup

Are the two mutually exclusive? If we were to get a CF, it would most likely be a guy who can lead off so we can get rid of both problems.

But here's where the problem is... What do we do with Morse and LaRoche? I wouldn't mind having Harper play center and keeping Morse in LF and LaRoche at 1b. Then in 2014, we could have Goodwin in CF and Morse at 1b. That's banking on our prospects working out.

Another option I'd consider is trading Morse for prospects in the off season. Sign LaRoche to another year and sign Bourn. Then in 2014, when LaRoche is gone, move Werth to first and have an OF with Harper, Bourn, and Goodwin/Hood.

I don't know though. There are many ways this cold go but the biggest problem is the leadoff thing.

[UMDNats]

Harper in center? Or Adam dosent get option picked up and morse goes to 1st and Eury is the new cf? Or sign bj upton/Michael bourne?

[Lintyfresh85]

(Image removed from quote.)

HOW DARE YOU POST A GIF OF KONY?!?!!?

[GMUTrkstar]

Fill the position from within until Goodwin is ready to take over full time. Instead of spending a ton on upton/bourn we can give Znn and possibly Desmond an extension.

[DPMOmaha]

Corey Brown could compete for a spot and maybe Hood later in the season - not the worst situation

I think Brown is a real sleeper for the spot.  I really see him as a Granderson type of player.

[Clever]

I don't understand why we would have to work out a deal with LaRoche. Because right now the 10m option for 2013 is a definite no-brainer right now.

[DPMOmaha]

I don't understand why we would have to work out a deal with LaRoche. Because right now the 10m option for 2013 is a definite no-brainer right now.

Mutual option, dude.  He has to agree to it too.

[suns senators chiefs]

Mutual option, dude.  He has to agree to it too.

he might want an extension