Wilmer Difo

[Slateman]

How many cortisone shots did have have?  Those cause joint deterioration.   

Too many

[Natsinpwc]

How many cortisone shots did have have?  Those cause joint deterioration.

Definitely. There is also probably a small mental aspect to the problem. If you knew your shoulder was jello it would not be conducive to a good mental attitude. .

[spidernat]

How many cortisone shots did have have?  Those cause joint deterioration.   

There is something else that will cause that.

[NatsAllThe Way]

There is something else that will cause that.

Smoking too much weed?

[whytev]

He’s had 2 games after not hitting for two months. I probably would give home some time before coming to any conclusion.

He isn't going anywhere until rosters expand.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

He isn't going anywhere until rosters expand.

He can't come off until August 28th at the earliest anyway because they moved him to the 60.

[whytev]

He can't come off until August 28th at the earliest anyway because they moved him to the 60.

Yeah and there is no point in waiving anyone else. I guess they could shuttle Sánchez for a couple days, but Turner isn't pounding down any doors yet.

[zimm_da_kid]

Trade bait

[whytev]

Trade bait

Bench utility guy.

[Slateman]

Turner doesn't have to prove anything. He'll get slotted in when he gets back and play just about every day. He has to *improve* hitting vs. lefties, but that's probably a winter project.

Difo hitting like .392 against LHP. Perhaps we should consider a platoon at SS?

[DPMOmaha]

Difo hitting like .392 against LHP. Perhaps we should consider a platoon at SS?

I said that the other day.

[Smithian]

I think Wilmer Difo has the ability to be a really solid second baseman.

I think Trea Turner has the ability to be a perennial all star short stop who may be an MVP level bat.

Turner plays every day. Let him work unless the coaching staff thinks he is developing bad habits.

[rileyn]

Turner plays.  Difo sits.  End of story. 

[Truconfidence]

I think if Difo has the 2b job and he hits like .270 with 12 hrs and 25sb in a full time role.

[DPMOmaha]

I think Wilmer Difo has the ability to be a really solid second baseman.

I think Trea Turner has the ability to be a perennial all star short stop who may be an MVP level bat.

Turner plays every day. Let him work unless the coaching staff thinks he is developing bad habits.

this is what will happen. And I think Turner gets it figured out vs. lefties. But we're not talking about their careers, we're talking about this October.

[imref]

Difo has really been impressive this year.  Who would have expected .291 / .341 with some pop out of the guy?  If he keeps this up, we won't miss Murphy after 2018.

[Ray D]

  If he keeps this up, we won't miss Murphy after 2018.

If he keeps it up we won't miss Harper in the postseason.

[Slateman]

Difo has really been impressive this year.  Who would have expected .291 / .341 with some pop out of the guy?  If he keeps this up, we won't miss Murphy after 2018.

I do wonder how much of this is sustainable.

But the Nats are like 21-6 when he hits in the number 2 hole

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I do wonder how much of this is sustainable.

But the Nats are like 21-6 when he hits in the number 2 hole

What he's done this year has been awesome and one of my favorite storylines of the season.  I love the way he plays, and it's possible at 25 he's just developed into a much, much better player.  However, you do look at how awful he was in AA in 2016 and take pause.  With this many at bats, the league you would think is going to get a book on him and make adjustments.  Can he adjust back and stay productive? 

Even if he regresses back as a hitter, as long as it's not to the mendoza line like Espinosa, he has value.  He's got speed to burn and is a good and versatile defender.  He at worst is a better version of what Espinosa was. 

[bluestreak]

BABIP .353. That's a little high to think it's sustainable at this level, but I still think he will end up being a solid middle infielder.

[Smithian]

I think if he closes the season strong he has to be competing with Michael Taylor to start next season.

I need a stat expert. Fangraphs has him with a negative offensive WAR. His slash line is .291/.341/.408 and he has some homers and stolen bases. That is pretty solid.

[bluestreak]

I think if he closes the season strong he has to be competing with Michael Taylor to start next season.

I need a stat expert. Fangraphs has him with a negative offensive WAR. His slash line is .291/.341/.408 and he has some homers and stolen bases. That is pretty solid.

Compete to play CF? We've seen that movie.

[NJ Ave]

I need a stat expert. Fangraphs has him with a negative offensive WAR. His slash line is .291/.341/.408 and he has some homers and stolen bases. That is pretty solid.

I think it's probably just that offense has gone up so much the past couple of seasons. I think he certainly seems like a full-time player, and given Murphy's status I see no reason it can't be 2019 here, at 2B. Difo/Turner up the middle and at the top of the order has a ton of potential.

[Slateman]

I think if he closes the season strong he has to be competing with Michael Taylor to start next season.

I need a stat expert. Fangraphs has him with a negative offensive WAR. His slash line is .291/.341/.408 and he has some homers and stolen bases. That is pretty solid.

This is where I disagree with FG. Look, is that slash line amazing? No. But it's certainly serviceable. His OPS puts him in the same realm as Xander Boaegarts and Trevor Story. His WRC+ is middle of the pack too.

[Smithian]

Compete to play CF? We've seen that movie.

No, if Difo wins a job then Eaton shifts to center and Difo goes to left field. Difo will have to hit a heck of a lot better than Taylor to make that move realistic, but I can see it happening.