Change of plans - At what point would you push for a wild card in 2024?

[PowerBoater69]

Just don’t see it. I believe the Cubs, Padres, DBacks and maybe the Reds will finish above .500. Add in the Braves and it seems a mission to mediocrity and a middling draft pick.  The farm system is still thin. Bad long term strategy to trade off prospects fora couple months of a player.

I don't see it happening, but I also don't see it as a bad strategy to trade away a prospect if it puts us over the edge in a tight playoff race. Fans will sign up for 2025 ticket plans in order to get 2024 playoff priority. A wild card run would be the best way to boost operating income that could be used to bump up payroll.

[sixthree175]

I don't see it happening, but I also don't see it as a bad strategy to trade away a prospect if it puts us over the edge in a tight playoff race. Fans will sign up for 2025 ticket plans in order to get 2024 playoff priority. A wild card run would be the best way to boost operating income that could be used to bump up payroll.

Definitely not this year.   No change of plans.

[imref]

Astros just released José Abreu. Could he be a Gallo replacement?

[varoadking]

Astros just released José Abreu. Could he be a Gallo replacement?

Depends...is he a Boras client?  If so, then you can likely count on it happening...

[Slateman]

I have a better shot at getting a threesome with Gabbie Carter than Jose Abreu has of signing with the Nationals

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I don't see it happening, but I also don't see it as a bad strategy to trade away a prospect if it puts us over the edge in a tight playoff race. Fans will sign up for 2025 ticket plans in order to get 2024 playoff priority. A wild card run would be the best way to boost operating income that could be used to bump up payroll.

I think this team can stay within earshot of .500 standing pat and potentially dealing guys like Winker and hopefully Trevor Williams and filling those spots with Wood, Gray, and Cavalli.  They won’t make the Wild Card, but playing meaningful 2nd half games and building again on last year’s win total could be a springboard towards a WC push in 2025.

[Natsinpwc]

I think this team can stay within earshot of .500 standing pat and potentially dealing guys like Winker and hopefully Trevor Williams and filling those spots with Wood, Gray, and Cavalli.  They won’t make the Wild Card, but playing meaningful 2nd half games and building again on last year’s win total could be a springboard towards a WC push in 2025.

I think Nats fans assume things will work like that because they did before. But doesn’t always work that way. Reds took a step forward last year and now struggling. Marlins even more. Whereas the Rangers went from bad to a World Series.  Would still rather have the high draft pick.  Could be the last one in a while if things go well. 

[PowerBoater69]

I think this team can stay within earshot of .500 standing pat and potentially dealing guys like Winker and hopefully Trevor Williams and filling those spots with Wood, Gray, and Cavalli.  They won’t make the Wild Card, but playing meaningful 2nd half games and building again on last year’s win total could be a springboard towards a WC push in 2025.

Williams is starting game one in the playoffs for us, I'd offer him a two year extension if he's willing to take the same money.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I think Nats fans assume things will work like that because they did before. But doesn’t always work that way. Reds took a step forward last year and now struggling. Marlins even more. Whereas the Rangers went from bad to a World Series.  Would still rather have the high draft pick.  Could be the last one in a while if things go well.

Not sure what you’re saying here.  Saying you rather have the high draft pick sounds like you want to tank.  I’m not advocating trading prospects to try and make a WC run this year, and I’m in favor of trading any 2025 free agents for what we can get.  Are you saying we should “tank” to the degree of not playing the best available players we have?

[Natsinpwc]

Not sure what you’re saying here.  Saying you rather have the high draft pick sounds like you want to tank.  I’m not advocating trading prospects to try and make a WC run this year, and I’m in favor of trading any 2025 free agents for what we can get.  Are you saying we should “tank” to the degree of not playing the best available players we have?

Yes. You need to trade Finnegan and Harvey and anyone else you can.  To me it’s better this year to finish near the bottom since we are lottery eligible in contrast to a mediocre season and a 16th draft pick.  Basically much of the team will be gone in a couple years. I’m ok with bringing Woods up soon and maybe Crews and House later. See what they can do against MLB pitching.  Don’t think they will help that much. I mentioned previously all the highlight reel stuff from Ella De La Cruz last year. But his OPS+ was 90. So below average. Has improved this year. Give them a chance this year. But don’t expect it to help get wins. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yes. You need to trade Finnegan and Harvey and anyone else you can.  To me it’s better this year to finish near the bottom since we are lottery eligible in contrast to a mediocre season and a 16th draft pick.  Basically much of the team will be gone in a couple years. I’m ok with bringing Woods up soon and maybe Crews and House later. See what they can do against MLB pitching.  Don’t think they will help that much. I mentioned previously all the highlight reel stuff from Ella De La Cruz last year. But his OPS+ was 90. So below average. Has improved this year. Give them a chance this year. But don’t expect it to help get wins. 

so you are saying under no circumstances would you push for the wild card? Would you tank out of wild card position if the Nats were 3rd wild card one week before the trade deadline and still had some short term assets like Winker or Senzel or Harvey / Finny? would you think about trading say a Made and a Lord for bat that can play 1st?

[Natsinpwc]

so you are saying under no circumstances would you push for the wild card? Would you tank out of wild card position if the Nats were 3rd wild card one week before the trade deadline and still had some short term assets like Winker or Senzel or Harvey / Finny? would you think about trading say a Made and a Lord for bat that can play 1st?

Yes. And the schedule gets more difficult in August. Also there are a few teams that I think will play better. I don’t think that trade would net anything. 

[Slateman]

Yes. And the schedule gets more difficult in August. Also there are a few teams that I think will play better. I don’t think that trade would net anything. 

We're where the Orioles were. Stay the course.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

so you are saying under no circumstances would you push for the wild card? Would you tank out of wild card position if the Nats were 3rd wild card one week before the trade deadline and still had some short term assets like Winker or Senzel or Harvey / Finny? would you think about trading say a Made and a Lord for bat that can play 1st?

Tanking for a better MLB draft position is far from a guarantee to net results.  You trade Finnegan/Harvey if you get good long-term value, sure.  I think bullpen arms are extremely volatile.  However, you don’t dump them in an effort to lose games for a pick a few spots higher.

[Natsinpwc]

Tanking for a better MLB draft position is far from a guarantee to net results.  You trade Finnegan/Harvey if you get good long-term value, sure.  I think bullpen arms are extremely volatile.  However, you don’t dump them in an effort to lose games for a pick a few spots higher.

No you trade them because they will not be here when the team is ready to contend in a few years.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

No you trade them because they will not be here when the team is ready to contend in a few years.

It needs to be good value.  Finnegan, Harvey, and Thomas are all likely gone after 2025.  However, while probably not WS contenders next year of course, WC contenders is a reasonable goal and frankly should be the goal.  We need them for that. 

[Natsinpwc]

It needs to be good value.  Finnegan, Harvey, and Thomas are all likely gone after 2025.  However, while probably not WS contenders next year of course, WC contenders is a reasonable goal and frankly should be the goal.  We need them for that.

And then in 2026 you have to replace Finnegan and Harvey most likely as I can’t see the Lerners spending big bucks.  So what do you do then?  Would rather trade them this year and then you can try and find replacements.  Even some of your minor league starters. Finnegan and Harvey were castoffs.

[GataNats]

Finny should be given a contract extension.   Two years.   Harvey and Winkler you absolutely trade.   Not trading Williams a month ago was the height of stupidity

[Slateman]

Finnegan is the exact profile you dont give a contract to