2014 Spring Training Prediction Thread

[imref]

Something new this year: Predict the 25 man coming out of camp (including position, rotation spot, bullpen role)

Bonus: Which of the minor league contract with spring training invitees end up in Syracuse?

[imref]

The starting eight:

1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gio
11. JZ
12. Fister
13. Jordan

Bullpen:
14. LHR: Detwiler
15. RHR: Ohlendorf
16. LHR: Cedeno
17. RHR: Stammen
18. Setup: Storen
19. Setup: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Lobaton C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston IF/OF
24. Moore IF
25. Espinosa IF (reaching a bit)

Bonus: Jamie Caroll ends up in Syracuse.

[aspenbubba]

The starting eight:

1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gio
11. JZ
12. Fister
13. Jordan

Bullpen:
14. LHR: Detwiler
15. RHR: Ohlendorf
16. LHR: Cedeno
17. RHR: Stammen
18. Setup: Storen
19. Setup: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Lobaton C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston IF/OF
24. Moore IF
25. Espinosa IF (reaching a bit)

Bonus: Jamie Caroll ends up in Syracuse.

You missed Blevins . I  would have him over Cedeno and yes we need to acquire Lobaton. Jamey Carroll retires and Rhymes goes to 'Cuse. Wouldn't Jeff Baker look good on that roster ?

[blue911]

You missed Blevins . I  would have him over Cedeno and yes we need to acquire Lobaton. Jamey Carroll retires and Rhymes goes to 'Cuse. Wouldn't Jeff Baker look good on that roster ?

No, having Hairston's bad enough. Having two bench guys that struggle against righties would be a disaster.

[HalfSmokes]

The starting eight:

1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gio
11. JZ
12. Fister
13. Detwiler

Bullpen:
14. LHR: Blevins
15. RHR: Ohlendorf
16. LHR: Cedeno
17. RHR: Stammen
18. Setup: Storen
19. Setup: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Snyder C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston IF/OF
24. Moore IF
25. Walters IF

Bonus: Koyie Hill ends up in Syracuse.

(basically the same as imref's - but it's not like there are many spots up for grabs

[Smithian]

Admittedly, I lose interest in baseball in offseason, but I am assuming the Nationals replaced LaRoche over the offseason?

[Mr Clean]

[/quote]

Admittedly, I lose interest in baseball in offseason, but I am assuming the Nationals replaced LaRoche over the offseason?

No but hopefully they get an offer during spring training. His perpetual slump has grown tiresome.

[lylelgreen]

The starting eight:

1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gio
11. JZ
12. Fister
13. Detwiler

Bullpen:
14. LHR: Blevins
15. RHR: Ohlendorf
16. LHR: Cedeno
17. RHR: Stammen
18. Setup: Storen
19. Setup: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Solano C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston OF
24. Moore IF/OF
25. Espinosa IF

Bonus: Goodwin in Syracuse

Nats will not sign Burnett (asking too much), will not get Lobaton (Rays in no hurry to move him), and will not trade Espinosa (asking more than teams are willing to give).

No. 5 starter position is Detwiler's to lose and barring reinjury he will win it.

Most significant acquisition/impact over offseason: Matt Williams

[imref]

You missed Blevins . I  would have him over Cedeno and yes we need to acquire Lobaton. Jamey Carroll retires and Rhymes goes to 'Cuse. Wouldn't Jeff Baker look good on that roster ?

jeez, forgot about blevins already - put him in cede no's spot.

[Mattionals]

The starting eight:

1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gio
11. JZ
12. Fister
13. Detwiler

Bullpen:
14. RH Long: Ohlendorf
15. RH Long: Stammen
16. LH Mid: Blevins
17. LH Mid: Oliver Perez
18. Setup: Storen
19. Setup: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Lobaton C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston OF
24. Moore IF/OF
25. Espinosa IF

Interesting: Solis isn't sent to minor league camp until the last two weeks of camp.  He gets sent to AA but quickly moves up to AAA by June.

Most significant acquisition/impact over offseason: Livan Hernandez and teaching pitchers to bunt properly.

At some point in June, the Nats fully bench LaRoche and Zim becomes the full time 1B.  Espinosa slots in at 2B with Rendon moving over to 3B.  LaRoche gets moved at the deadline as a defensive replacement and the Nats eat the remaining salary on his deal.  Walters is called up to replace Espinosa (now a starter) on the bench.

EDIT 2/12/14 - Removed Burnett after he signed with the Phillies.  Jumped the gun obviously on that one.  I still have Oliver Perez as a potential candidate in the Pen.

[Bloo]

he starting eight:

1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gio
11. JZ
12. Fister
13. Ohlendorf

Bullpen:
14. LHR: Blevins
15. RHR: Mattheus
16. LHR: Detwiler
17. RHR: Stammen
18. Setup: Storen
19. Setup: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Solano C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston OF
24. Moore IF/OF
25. Carroll IF

[PowerBoater69]

MLB over/under win totals

Los Angeles Dodgers 92.5
Detroit Tigers 91.5
Washington Nationals 90.5
St. Louis Cardinals 90.5
Tampa Bay Rays 88.5
Boston Red Sox 87.5
Cincinnati Reds 87.5 (under -115)
San Francisco Giants 86.5
Texas Rangers 86.5
Atlanta Braves 86.5
Oakland A’s 86.5 (over –115)
Pittsburgh Pirates 86.5 (under -115)
Kansas City Royals 85.5
Los Angeles Angels 84.5
New York Yankees 83.5
Cleveland Indians 82.5 (under -115)
Seattle Mariners 81.5
Arizona Diamondbacks 81
Baltimore Orioles 80.5
Milwaukee Brewers 78.5 (under -115)
Philadelphia Phillies 78
Toronto Blue Jays 77.5 (over –115)
Colorado Rockies 76.5
San Diego Padres 76.5
Chicago White Sox 76.5 (under -115)
New York Mets 71.5
Miami Marlins 66.5
Chicago Cubs 65.5
Minnesota Twins 65.5 (under -115)
Houston Astros 57.5 (over –115)


http://forums.viewfromvegas.com/user/discussion.aspx?id=378961&p=1&fps=0&anchor=a2214112

[Baseball is Life]

I don't think I've ever seen a team whose roster has been this set before spring training. What are we talking about...one bench spot open and maybe a couple of BP spots?

[terpfan417]

The starting eight:
1. Ramos C
2. LaRoche 1B
3. Rendon 2B
4. Desmond SS
5. Zimmerman 3B
6. Werth RF
7. Span CF
8. Harper LF

Rotation:
9. Strasburg
10. Gonzalez
11. Zimmermann
12. Fister
13. Detwiler

Bullpen:
14. Long: Ohlendorf
15. Long: Stammen
16. LHP: Blevins
17. LHP: Cedeno
18. RHP: Storen
19. RHP: Clippard
20. Closer: Soriano

Bench:
21. Lobaton C
22. McLouth OF
23. Hairston OF
24. Moore 1B
25. Espinosa IF

I'd honestly be pretty surprised if this isn't the 25 unless Detwiler loses his rotation spot to Roark or Jordan in which case he moves to the bullpen (bumping Cedeno). I feel like everything else is pretty locked in at this point assuming no injuries. Solis is possibly a darkhorse to beat out Cedeno for the second LHP spot but I think he'll probably be sent down before making his way back up to the majors in a few months.