Do the Nats sign Werth if they know other FA's/Trades won't work out?

[Lintyfresh85]

After reading Boswell's column, I've got to wonder, do the Nats sign Jayson Werth if they know they won't be able to land a top of the line pitcher?

It's interesting to me that Rizzo tried so hard to have a blockbuster 2011 offseason, but the players just weren't interested in going along for the ride.

So, if Rizzo could do it all over again... do you think he passes on Werth and holds tight for one more offseason and hopes to have a beyond massive FA period in 2012... or do they take a chance on Werth, and his contract without being able to bring in any pitching to augment his signing?

[doubler]

Well, they have Werth for a long time, so even if this offseason didnt go as planned they have next year to try and trade for and sign more top of the line guys.

So yeah, I still think they would have signed Werth had they known.

[Evolution33]

After reading Boswell's column, I've got to wonder, do the Nats sign Jayson Werth if they know they won't be able to land a top of the line pitcher?

It's interesting to me that Rizzo tried so hard to have a blockbuster 2011 offseason, but the players just weren't interested in going along for the ride.

So, if Rizzo could do it all over again... do you think he passes on Werth and holds tight for one more offseason and hopes to have a beyond massive FA period in 2012... or do they take a chance on Werth, and his contract without being able to bring in any pitching to augment his signing?

I think they still do it with the idea that they aren't just signing Werth for 2011. Next season they can re-eveluate the team and see what needs still exist and address those and add one more high priced free agent if it is needed or sign a CJ Wilson or Wandy Rodriguez to fit into the rotation behind or between Strasburg and Zimmermann.

[PANatsFan]

They found the player they wanted and signed him. There's no Werth next offseason. However, the huge offer at the beginning wasn't bidding against themselves, they probably wanted a domino effect like the one Pudge started last year.

[tomterp]

I think they still do it with the idea that they aren't just signing Werth for 2011. Next season they can re-eveluate the team and see what needs still exist and address those and add one more high priced free agent if it is needed or sign a CJ Wilson or Wandy Rodriguez to fit into the rotation behind or between Strasburg and Zimmermann.

I think he was setting up 2012 and beyond primarily, but wanted the team to improve significantly this season as well, in advance of the StrasHarp cavalry.  Get some key long term pieces in place, fill in a couple more next year and "voila!"

[Tyler Durden]

They sign Werth regardless.

They would have had to pay a Werth-level talent even more to come here if they lost another 90 games in 2011.  And that's assuming a WErth-level talent would have come here at all if the Nats had another terrible season.

They'll improve moderately this offseason, and that's perfectly acceptable.  They got better relative to (most) of the rest of the division and NL, and are well positioned to do even better in 2012.

[Baseball is Life]

Of course they sign him. It is not about winning this year. It's about setting a tone and changing the perception of the franchise.

You can't succeed if you don't try. But if you don't try, you will surely fail. Or something like that.

[hammondsnats]

yes.  they wanted a power OF bat with solid glove who could help lead a team.  for the future they have werth and harper and just need one more OF to bring them home (unless of course one of them is moved to 1B). 

and in reality it's not like we've been rejected by everyone.  it sounds like we weren't even in on lee.  depends on who you ask, greinke either rejected us or the royals rejected the deal.  de la rosa was comfortable in his surrounding in colorado and signed very early; i think that's more of an indication he really liked it in colorado.  as for lee/pena, maybe the other teams offered better money?  we got laroche, so i'm cool with it.

now we just really need to work some magic to get a top of the rotation pitcher.  hopefully money talks and pavano will come to dc to join up with SS and JZ.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

There's no Werth next offseason.

Winner.  The list of OF who may be free agents is not that impressive.  Jose Bautista and David DeJesus are the only ones under 35 without reasonable team options.  Sizemore, if he shows anything, is trade bait with an $8.5MM option, otherwise, he is just a broken down "dumpster dive" next offseason.  Swisher, at $10.5MM, might have his option exercised.  The next best OF might be Willingham, who does not fit the vision here.

[blue911]

Winner.  The list of OF who may be free agents is not that impressive.  Jose Bautista and David DeJesus are the only ones under 35 without reasonable team options.  Sizemore, if he shows anything, is trade bait with an $8.5MM option, otherwise, he is just a broken down "dumpster dive" next offseason.  Swisher, at $10.5MM, might have his option exercised.  The next best OF might be Willingham, who does not fit the vision here.

Sizemore would be a player option at $9.3M if traded. Pretty much makes him untouchable unless the Indians kick in a bunch of money.

[HalfSmokes]

Winner.  The list of OF who may be free agents is not that impressive.  Jose Bautista and David DeJesus are the only ones under 35 without reasonable team options.  Sizemore, if he shows anything, is trade bait with an $8.5MM option, otherwise, he is just a broken down "dumpster dive" next offseason.  Swisher, at $10.5MM, might have his option exercised.  The next best OF might be Willingham, who does not fit the vision here.

I would like to see them try for a big budget first baseman next season. Prince will be available, we'll see on Gonzalez. I know boston traded for him thinking long term, but until an extension is actually signed, there is little reason to think he won't want to see what he's worth on the open market. If he's not signed going into the season, I don't see much incentive for him not to test the market. The same goes for Pujols. I know he's probably returning to St. Louis, but the fact that they've let it go this long may mean there are big differences between how the team and his agent value him, and as he every day that passes, especially if it goes into next season, the incentive for him to sign is less. 

[Obed_Marsh]

Jose Bautista and David DeJesus are the only ones under 35 without reasonable team options.

Compared to our glove tossing Tony Plush, David DeJesus looks pretty impressive from this seat. Too bad Rizzo didn't pick him up for a long reliever.

[Lintyfresh85]

Compared to our glove tossing Tony Plush, David DeJesus looks pretty impressive from this seat. Too bad Rizzo didn't pick him up for a long reliever.

Yeah... that was a bit puzzling.

Then again, Beane seems to be able to pull off great trades at will by hyping up potential prospects and in return bringing in living breathing baseball players. (Holliday for Gonzalez withstanding).

[blue911]

Yeah... that was a bit puzzling.

Then again, Beane seems to be able to pull off great trades at will by hyping up potential prospects and in return bringing in living breathing baseball players. (Holliday for Gonzalez withstanding).

I think the Royals wanted a MLB starter, something the Nats don't exactly have in abundance.

[Obed_Marsh]

Someone, I think JCA, said give them Craig Stammen. I could have lived with that.

[Lintyfresh85]

Someone, I think JCA, said give them Craig Stammen. I could have lived with that.

Hell, I'd done a three for one.

Detwiler, Martis, Stammen for DeJesus.

[PANatsFan]

Hell, I'd done a three for one.

Detwiler, Martis, Stammen for DeJesus.

Chico and Mock too.

Although, those guys make a cool 70's soundtrack beat - Mock-Chico-Mock-Chico-Mock-Chico-wawa

[blue911]

Someone, I think JCA, said give them Craig Stammen. I could have lived with that.

I don't think JCA is allowed to trade Royal players.

[Vega]

Yes.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Blue - I know you are a stat skeptic, but have you looked at Vin Mazzaro and Stammen's lines in the majors?  There are two better numbers for Mazzaro that might appeal to Dayton Moore - 2010 ERA and 2 years age difference.  Other than that, Stammen has better defense independent numbers (K/BB, FIP, xFIP, HR/9), the same number of innings, better WHIP (in 2009 and the same in 2010), 2:1 GB/FB vs. 1:1. Moreover, Mazzaro played in Oakland, where he could get away with his fly ball tendencies.  I can't see how Mazzaro is more attractive than Stammen as a trade target.  Chief can attest to Stammen's attractiveness.

[CatsEye]

I think he was setting up 2012 and beyond primarily, but wanted the team to improve significantly this season as well, in advance of the StrasHarp cavalry.  Get some key long term pieces in place, fill in a couple more next year and "voila!"

                 Agree. Especially with the "voila" 

 The biggest problem is getting key players to even listen to the Nats offers/proposals. They don't see the Nats as a serious team.......yet. But come 2012, when things start changing, the key pieces (positions) should be in place on the field and on the 25 man roster......

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Sizemore would be a player option at $9.3M if traded. Pretty much makes him untouchable unless the Indians kick in a bunch of money.

If old Sizemore comes back, then there is market (Angels and Red Sox, for example), but if the Sizemore of the past 2 years is Sizemore going forward, then his option is declined and he is not anything more than someone's dumpster dive.

[blue911]

Blue - I know you are a stat skeptic, but have you looked at Vin Mazzaro and Stammen's lines in the majors?  There are two better numbers for Mazzaro that might appeal to Dayton Moore - 2010 ERA and 2 years age difference.  Other than that, Stammen has better defense independent numbers (K/BB, FIP, xFIP, HR/9), the same number of innings, better WHIP (in 2009 and the same in 2010), 2:1 GB/FB vs. 1:1. Moreover, Mazzaro played in Oakland, where he could get away with his fly ball tendencies.  I can't see how Mazzaro is more attractive than Stammen as a trade target.  Chief can attest to Stammen's attractiveness.

Stammen put numbers in the NL, Mazzaro in the AL. Both of Oakland's guys were third round picks which suggests they would be more attractive then one 12th round pick. And you have to throw in that Stammen is 18 months older than Mazzaro, 3 years older than Marks ( the other guy in the trade).

Will DeJesus be ready to play this season?

[Vega]

Vin Mazzaro will do well. His name is far too awesome for him not to.