2018 and beyond rotation

[Mattionals]

I know this is way early to think about, but given that the top three is set for next season, but the last two spots being in somewhat flux, what do you think the Nats do for next season?

Roark is probably going to bounce back a bit, but he seems to have an "on year" followed by an "off year". As a number 5 that is fine. Ross is on the shelf until 2019, and Fedde is obviously not ready for primetime. The problem with getting a one year guy is that Gio leaves after next season, so you could hope 2019 is Scherzer, Stras, Roark, hopefully Ross, and hopefully Fedde. Stras can opt out after 2019 and Roark is a FA after 2019.

Would you like to see the Nats maybe make a trade for a controlled back to middle starter? If the Giants ate some cash on Samardzija, I think he'd be a safe bet for a four or five starter and the Nats would only be giving up someone like Daniel Johnson and Brian Goodwin.

[imref]

I don't see them having budget to add a high-level starter.  Voth / fedde should be fine as a #5.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Roark has already essentially "bounced back" since the AS break and I think there are no reservations about him returning as the 4th starter.  It's hard to expect Gio to replicate his numbers this season, but his option is a lock to be picked up and hopefully he's somewhere in between his 2015 and 2016 performances and what he's done in 2017.  That's a solid #3 guy. 

I doubt we bring in a big ticket guy, but a vet to eat innings as the 5th guy (Edwin Jackson return if he doesn't get too unaffordable) plus another vet or 2 to come into camp (ala Guthrie/Worley) can be expected.  Fedde obviously still needs some seasoning then of course Cole could still be used as a long man or spot starter. 

[Truconfidence]

A guy who i think is a huge candidate for a bounce back because he has been solid until this year is Chris Tillman of the Orioles especially if Wieters holds over.  He will be dirt cheap because of his terrible year this year going into FA.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

A guy who i think is a huge candidate for a bounce back because he has been solid until this year is Chris Tillman of the Orioles especially if Wieters holds over.  He will be dirt cheap because of his terrible year this year going into FA.

Yea, I think that's the type of guy we'd target.  A vet to at minimum eat some innings but maybe with some bounce back upside.  I don't see us targeting any injury reclamations and risky guys like that, because what we need most is just somebody to take the ball every 5th day and eat 180+ innings for the year. 

[DPMOmaha]

I'd consider getting a big name FA. You know you'll have an open spot next year and Gio is gone after next year, too. You could fill both holes at once. As we've seen this year, (and many, many times before), there's no such thing as too much pitching.  There might even still be a place for someone like Tillman, but I wouldn't go the lottery ticket route first.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I'd consider getting a big name FA. You know you'll have an open spot next year and Gio is gone after next year, too. You could fill both holes at once. As we've seen this year, (and many, many times before), there's no such thing as too much pitching.  There might even still be a place for someone like Tillman, but I wouldn't go the lottery ticket route first.

Nobody saw us going after Max when we already had Stras, JZ, Gio, and at the time a really good Doug Fister.  You never know. 

[UMDNats]

Max
Stras
Roark
???
???

I have little faith in anyone in our system being a factor for those 2 spots in 2019 other than Fedde. Don't believe much in him either.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Nobody saw us going after Max when we already had Stras, JZ, Gio, and at the time a really good Doug Fister.  You never know. 

5-Aces_R-U/Kidding~Me?

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Max
Stras
Roark
???
???

I have little faith in anyone in our system being a factor for those 2 spots in 2019 other than Fedde. Don't believe much in him either.

I do have reasonable hope that Joe Ross is a solid piece of the 2019 rotation. 

[Glockypoo]

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/starting-pitcher/

Not a great bunch. Arrieta, Lynn & Darvish are at the top of the class.

[Slateman]

Going to be a significant drop off, regardless. Scherzer can't stay in Cy Young form forever. Strasburg's arm will likely fall off. Gio ain't gonna be this good.

Honestly, looks like Fedde and Ross will be the aces of the staff.

[Glockypoo]

Honestly, looks like Fedde and Ross will be the aces of the staff.

No way.

A.J. Cole.

[raleighnat]

Going to be a significant drop off, regardless. Scherzer can't stay in Cy Young form forever. Strasburg's arm will likely fall off. Gio ain't gonna be this good.

Honestly, looks like Fedde and Ross will be the aces of the staff.

You are pretty much a half glass empty kind of guy!

[bluestreak]

You are pretty much a half glass empty kind of guy!

*HALF* Empty??? You don't know Slateman. 

[Count Walewski]

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/starting-pitcher/

Not a great bunch. Arrieta, Lynn & Darvish are at the top of the class.

Yeah I wouldn't want to touch Arrieta, and Darvish will likely command a hefty premium.

[Smithian]

I'm not worrying about 2019 until at least 2018.

The 2018 rotation has a really solid top four. I would hope they look for a workhorse fifth starter. Someone who will go every five days. Think of Gio in his bad days. At least he was healthy.

Maybe Jackson is that guy.

Leave Ross and Fedde in the minors until someone gets hurt.

[Truconfidence]

You are pretty much a half glass empty kind of guy!

no he is a glass thrown off the Empire state building type guy lol

[Truconfidence]

I'm not worrying about 2019 until at least 2018.

The 2018 rotation has a really solid top four. I would hope they look for a workhorse fifth starter. Someone who will go every five days. Think of Gio in his bad days. At least he was healthy.

Maybe Jackson is that guy.

Leave Ross and Fedde in the minors until someone gets hurt.

I think Tillman is the best option. Dude used to eat innings and not pitching in that little league park cant hurt. he probably would only cost 6-8 mill.

[Slateman]

You are pretty much a half glass empty kind of guy!

The glass is always full. It just depends on what it's full of.

[Slateman]

I think Tillman is the best option. Dude used to eat innings and not pitching in that little league park cant hurt. he probably would only cost 6-8 mill.

I also like Tillman. If for nothing else, it will be amazing to watch the O's fans cry again about a starting pitcher getting away.

[Natsinpwc]

Should have traded for Sonny Gray.

[Mathguy]

No - Ross deserves to be one of five starters

I'm not worrying about 2019 until at least 2018.

The 2018 rotation has a really solid top four. I would hope they look for a workhorse fifth starter. Someone who will go every five days. Think of Gio in his bad days. At least he was healthy.

Maybe Jackson is that guy.

Leave Ross and Fedde in the minors until someone gets hurt.

[Slateman]

Should have traded for Giancarlo Stanton.

I fixed it for us

[ZimW1N]

No - Ross deserves to be one of five starters

Ross will be out until July at the earliest and what has he done to deserve anything on his return? He was bad all season this year and iirc he started sucking after his hot start last year. Now obviously he's a young pitcher with plenty of time to turn it around but I wouldn't say he deserves a guaranteed rotation spot.