Wash. Post - Five Questions re: Nats

[More of #34]

1. Will Dusty return?

2. Will the Nats persue Jason Werth?

3. Do Nats need an upgrade behind the plate?

4. Which players make up their bench?

5. Do the Nats need another starting pitcher?

[DPMOmaha]

1. Will Dusty return?

2. Will the Nats persue Jason Werth?

3. Do Nats need an upgrade behind the plate?

4. Which players make up their bench?

5. Do the Nats need another starting pitcher?

yes, no, yes, TBD, yes.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Question #2 is a disaster.

[Ray D]

Question #2 is a disaster.

It's just a dumb question.

[Mathguy]

Why is it a dumb question ?  Werth has been a leader on the team for a number of years.  Players like Harper might be very interested in how the team handles this circumstance.  It doesn't seem there is an EASY answer to the question of Werth's status.

It's just a dumb question.

[Mathguy]

1. Will Dusty return?      YES

2. Will the Nats persue Jason Werth?   Up in the air, for Werth may say it's enough or look at an AL team with a DH need.

3. Do Nats need an upgrade behind the plate?  Ufortunately, yes

4. Which players make up their bench?  Good question

5. Do the Nats need another starting pitcher? Yes, unless there is somebody rising in the farm system

[nfotiu]

Does Werth really hit well enough to be a DH?   

If he asks to come back as an OF bench bat, it seems like that could work.   I have no idea where his head is at, but finishing out his career like that, and moving on to somewhere else in the organization seems like it could be a benefit. 

[Slateman]

Question #2 is a disaster.

Question #1 is much more of a disaster.

[RiotAct]

1. Will Dusty return?

2. Will the Nats persue Jason Werth?

3. Do Nats need an upgrade behind the plate?

4. Which players make up their bench?

5. Do the Nats need another starting pitcher?

1.) Hopefully
2.) Hopefully not
3.) YES
4.) Lind, Goodwin, Difo, Robles, Severino ... ?
5.) Yes, but not desperately

[Natsinpwc]

Does Werth really hit well enough to be a DH?   

If he asks to come back as an OF bench bat, it seems like that could work.   I have no idea where his head is at, but finishing out his career like that, and moving on to somewhere else in the organization seems like it could be a benefit.

He has no defensive value on the bench.

[Slateman]

Does Werth really hit well enough to be a DH?   

If he asks to come back as an OF bench bat, it seems like that could work.   I have no idea where his head is at, but finishing out his career like that, and moving on to somewhere else in the organization seems like it could be a benefit. 

Werth was OPSing .812 before injury. That would be good enough for 5th amongst players with at least 300 PAs as a DH

[DPMOmaha]

I'd take Werth back in a reserve role. 4th or 5th outfielder.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They probably need a right-handed hitting backup OF.  I'd prefer Kendrick to Werth.  I would be comfortable going into next year with a youngish, mostly system-produced bench of Severino, Difo, Lind, Kendrick, and Goodwin. 

I think we can bring Lind back.  I don't see him getting a multi-year commitment from a 2d division club that is more attractive, and I don't see a 1st division club breaking the bank for him.  Kendrick will be the difficult one, but there is usually some left-over righty FAs near the Spring.

[GburgNatsFan]

I'd take Werth back in a reserve role. 4th or 5th outfielder.

I don't think I would. It might be time to let someone else set the tone for the team, be the leader. But that's based entirely on non-tangibles, and so is probably a stupid thing to say.

[DPMOmaha]

I don't think I would. It might be time to let someone else set the tone for the team, be the leader. But that's based entirely on non-tangibles, and so is probably a stupid thing to say.

That's reasonable. That's what I think will happen, I just wouldn't be opposed to him coming back in a reserve role.

[HalfSmokes]

I'd take Werth back in a reserve role. 4th or 5th outfielder.

if they resign him and dusty, I'm not convinced Dusty would treat him as a 4th or 5th outfielder

[DPMOmaha]

if they resign him and dusty, I'm not convinced Dusty would treat him as a 4th or 5th outfielder

Possible. That's where you need the GM to set that expectation.

[GburgNatsFan]

Re-sign. Resign is like the opposite.

if they resign him and dusty, I'm not convinced Dusty would treat him as a 4th or 5th outfielder

[Ray D]

  It doesn't seem there is an EASY answer to the question of Werth's status.

From the team perspective: Sure, I'd sign him, to be a bench player, for no more than $3M.  From Werth's perspective: he's made an average $17M for seven years.  If he's willing to take a deal for $3M, it's because he loves playing baseball - he wants to play, not sit on the bence. So it does seem like an easy answer to me - there is no fit here. 

He needs to find a very bad team to play on, where he can be the regular left fielder.  And I don't think he wants to be on a very bad team, he wants to be on a team that will contend.  DH is definitely not an option - he doesn't hit nearly well enough.

He should relax, enjoy the money he's made, and enjoy life.

[dracnal]

If Werth took a small contract as a bench guy for 3M, great. He seems to be a good influence on the clubhouse. If he wants to play daily, forget it. Ideally, I'd love for him to just get signed as the bench coach.

[imref]

If Werth took a small contract as a bench guy for 3M, great. He seems to be a good influence on the clubhouse. If he wants to play daily, forget it. Ideally, I'd love for him to just get signed as the bench coach.

Maybe in a coaching role.  He has no business on the 25-man.

[Slateman]

Maybe in a coaching role.  He has no business on the 25-man.

??? Again, .800+ OPS before injury. That belongs on just about every roster in MLB.

[GburgNatsFan]

??? Again, .800+ OPS before injury. That belongs on just about every roster in MLB.

As long as the team is comfortable benching him when that's better for the team.

[HalfSmokes]

Don't trust Dusty to actually bench him- no way do I want him here when Taylor or Robbles has a cold streak just sitting there tempting Dusty to give him his job back

[Ray D]

As long as the team is comfortable benching him when that's better for the team.

Not enough.  Werth has to be comfortable too, otherwise he'll be a malcontent and create havoc.  He can be a force for good when he's onboard with the plan. But we've seen the damage he can do when he is unhappy.