2018-2019 Offseason Moves

[Natsinpwc]

I'd imagine next year's 2B plan will depend on Garcia's development.

The way I figure one of Kieboom or Garcia will be a good MLB player.

[DCFan]

The way I figure one of Kieboom or Garcia will be a good MLB player.

Are you guaranteeing that? (since it's something that you think that applies in baseball) 

[DCFan]

Because both of those guys are premiere in the regular season.  Kimbrel isnt.

It's a new day and you're still being as ignorant as you were yesterday. Kimbrel finished 2nd in the AL in saves last year and 3rd the year before so if that doesn't merit premiere status I don't know what does. I'd love to chat further with you but I'm worried that your ignorance is contagious. Ciao.

[Natsinpwc]

Are you guaranteeing that? (since it's something that you think that applies in baseball) 

I only guarantee death and taxes.

[DCFan]

I only guarantee death and taxes.

So enough with the stupid questions then. 

[Natsinpwc]

It's a new day and you're still being as ignorant as you were yesterday. Kimbrel finished 2nd in the AL in saves last year and 3rd the year before so if that doesn't merit premiere status I don't know what does. I'd love to chat further with you but I'm worried that your ignorance is contagious. Ciao.

Maybe the fact that he pitched for the best team helped his save totals? Just a thought. I hate it when you make me agree with Slate.

[Natsinpwc]

So enough with the stupid questions then. 

What question?

[DCFan]

Maybe the fact that he pitched for the best team helped his save totals? Just a thought. I hate it when you make me agree with Slate.

Maybe he's the reason they're the best team. (Damn I'm talking with idiots this morning) 

[Natsinpwc]

Maybe he's the reason they're the best team. (Damn I'm talking with idiots this morning) 

Yea. The best offensive team in baseball. And he was the reason.

[Slateman]

Don’t be so sure. Corbin has one good year and look what he got. If Strasburg has a good year teams will figure he has learned how to pitch.

No one is going to pay him as much for 20-25 starts a season

[mach1ne]

No one is going to pay him as much for 20-25 starts a season

Agreed.  He is a Nat for the long-term with his injury history. He still hasn't shown his velocity is back either.

[imref]

Kerzel confirms the Nats' interest in Kimbrel, but says that the ownership doesn't want to go over the luxury tax threshold again:

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2019/03/on-the-nationals-interest-in-signing-craig-kimbrel.html

[Expos]

I don't understand the hate for signing a top 3 closer. Our pen was a complete mess last year and was arguably the biggest reason we were so inconsistent.

Closer- Craig Kimbrel
8th- (L) Sean Doolittle
7th- Trevor Rosenthal
(L) Mark Grace
Justin Miller
Kyle Barraclough
(L) Sammy Solis

AAA

Koda Glover
Wander Suero
Tanner Rainey

We'd finally have some pitching depth.

1- Max Scherzer
2- Patrick Corbin
3- Stephen Strasburg
4- Anibal Sanchez
5- Jeremy Hellickson

AAA

Joe Ross
Erik Fedde

[bluestreak]

I think people think a 31 year old closer with declining velocity that walks a lot of batters is concerning for a long contract.

[Slateman]

I think people think a 31 year old closer with declining velocity that walks a lot of batters is concerning for a long contract.

Exactly. Imagine signing Soriano to a five year deal

[Natsinpwc]

Kerzel confirms the Nats' interest in Kimbrel, but says that the ownership doesn't want to go over the luxury tax threshold again:

http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2019/03/on-the-nationals-interest-in-signing-craig-kimbrel.html

So they are interested. But not interested.

[imref]

So they are interested. But not interested.

If he’d take four million a year we’d sign him.

[UMDNats]

our bullpen could be really, really, really bad. there's 0 proven guys beyond Doolittle. rosenthal just missed a season. miller probably is a turd in 2019. solis sucks. Glover is awful. Grace is alright. Barrclough? who knows.

[Expos]

Negotiations between the Nationals and free agent closer Craig Kimbrel are "further down the road" than previously reported, hears ESPN's Keith Law. Law clarifies that means the two sides are progressing toward a deal. 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-rumors-nationals-craig-kimbrel-progressing-toward-deal-marcus-stroman-trade-talks-quiet-for-blue-jays/

[Expos]

I think people think a 31 year old closer with declining velocity that walks a lot of batters is concerning for a long contract.

Meh. Give it a rest. He is still an elite pitcher.

.995 whip
13.9 K/9
42 saves

Doolittle is a great pitcher but he isn't near the closer that Kimbrel is. A 1/2 punch of Kimbrel / Doolittle would be lites out.

[Expos]

I doubt 1.3 MPH decreased velocity means anything.

In 2017, he averaged 98.7 mph on the heater and, in 2018, it has fallen to 97.4 mph

https://thegruelingtruth.net/baseball/craig-kimbrel-has-struggled-with-his-fastball-in-2018/

I'd take 97.4 mph any day of the week.

[Trea Burner]

I don’t trust Kimbrel not to fall off a cliff like other closers have in the past, but it’s not my money and they have some to spend now that Harper is gone.

It’s worth a gamble I guess...the nats bullpen has always sucked with no name guys who buckle under pressure.

[Expos]

I don’t trust Kimbrel not to fall off a cliff like other closers have in the past, but it’s not my money and they have some to spend now that Harper is gone.

It’s worth a gamble I guess...the nats bullpen has always sucked with no name guys who buckle under pressure.

8 years. That's how long Kimbrel has been the best closer in the league. Even last year when his numbers dropped he was a top 3 closer.

He had a rough few post-season games. It happens. But he didn't blow any games and closed them out. That's all that counts.

[hotshot]

It's a new day and you're still being as ignorant as you were yesterday. Kimbrel finished 2nd in the AL in saves last year and 3rd the year before so if that doesn't merit premiere status I don't know what does. I'd love to chat further with you but I'm worried that your ignorance is contagious. Ciao.

Ask Sox fans how they liked him. You don't want your supposedly elite reliever living on the edge like Kimbrel has the last several years. The idea is to put out fires, not start them. VERY reminiscent of a declining Papelbon in his last two years in MLB.

[bluestreak]

It’s pretty clear to me that DCFan knows very little about baseball other than what someone told him in the 80s. Hence why he responds to lots of thoughtful data with “but he’s got saves.”  Being stuck in attitudes of 30 years ago seems to be his schitck.