Plan "B"

[cmdterps44]

Milledge even in his prime will never even put up the stats that Zimmerman put up in his rookie year.

I don't think that but Zimmerman right now is better than Milledge.

[natsfan4evr]

Milledge even in his prime will never even put up the stats that Zimmerman put up in his rookie year.

I think Milledge is a .265 hitter with 20 HRs and 30+ SBs
Milledge has a lot of pop when he get a hold of one.

[sportsfan882]

I dunno about that, he's certainly capable of his .280 with 20 HRs.

And 110 RBIs. And great defense. I'll believe it when I see it.

[spidernat]

If the Brian Giles thing has any legs, maybe the Padres would be a better trading partner, especially since Gonzalez would be a better option over Fielder.

[HalfSmokes]

And 110 RBIs. And great defense. I'll believe it when I see it.

any major leaguer batting 3rd or 4th everyday should be be able to get 110 RBIs. That is the most meaningless stat- its entirely lineup dependent

[spidernat]

Milledge even in his prime will never even put up the stats that Zimmerman put up in his rookie year.

The legend of Zimmerman is growing. That rookie season would net him a phat ass contract if some of his fans were in charge. 

[MrMadison]

And 110 RBIs. And great defense. I'll believe it when I see it.

come on now, RBIs? that's just a function of where you hit in the lineup and who gets on base in front of you. 

and you said stats, not defense.

Milledge can hit .280 with 20 HRs and a buncha doubles. that's what Zimmerman did in his rookie season.

[sportsfan882]

any major leaguer batting 3rd or 4th everyday should be be able to get 110 RBIs. That is the most meaningless stat- its entirely lineup dependent

Sure. It's all about producing with RISP. Zim hit .323 with RISP in his rookie year.

It's not like he had a billion chances, hit .220 with RISP, and just got a bunch of RBIs because he had an enormous amount of chances.

[MrMadison]

If the Brian Giles thing has any legs, maybe the Padres would be a better trading partner, especially since Gonzalez would be a better option over Fielder.

why would Brian Giles being a douche make it easier to trade for Gonzalez?

[spidernat]

Someone refresh my memory, Zimmerman's rookie season was how long ago?

[spidernat]

why would Brian Giles being a douche make it easier to trade for Gonzalez?

Because they may have more interest in an OF like Milledge, that's if they're trying to unload Gonzalez.

[MrMadison]

Because they may have more interest in an OF like Milledge, that's if they're trying to unload Gonzalez.

oh yeah, ok I get it now.

[sportsfan882]

Someone refresh my memory, Zimmerman's rookie season was how long ago?

2006. 3 years ago. His '07 numbers were decent too. I'm confident that he'll play 155+ games this season and put up 20-25 HRs and near 100 RBIs.

[spidernat]

Maybe MLB network should launch their baseball coverage tonight at 6 with a piece on Zimmerman's legendary rookie season. 

[xposbrad]

If the Brian Giles thing has any legs, maybe the Padres would be a better trading partner, especially since Gonzalez would be a better option over Fielder.

It doesn't make any sense to go after a Fielder or a Gonzalez. Both are due for huge raises, and both will require WAY too much young talent to obtain. If we were on the verge of going for it all, then it would make sense to acquire that last piece. But we are in the process of rebuilding, you don't give up 2-3 top prospects and create more wholes until you test some of them out. The Padres/Brewers will be asking for a ton. We need to look at Free Agents only right now and stick with drafting top guys. The Yanks/Red Sox could do something like that, they don't really need to rely on young prospects as much as we do, since their payrolls are in the top. We're not in that same position.

[spidernat]

^ I guess since we're now actually acquiring FA's you're right. We should stick to this strategy. 

[PANatsFan]

^ I guess since we're now actually acquiring FA's you're right. We should stick to this strategy. 

xposbrad=Stan Kasten

[natsfan4evr]

Everyone on MLBTR is not happy with the prospects of trading Milledge

[MrMadison]

Everyone on MLBTR is not happy with the prospects of trading Milledge

not at all.

[PANatsFan]

not at all.

more opinions from random dudes

[hisownfool]

Everyone on MLBTR is not happy with the prospects of trading Milledge

All Ladson said was "could be trade bait." Almost anyone on the team "could be trade bait" if the opportunity presented itself. Fielder is out of reach because we have nothing, apart from Ryan Zimmerman and our better pitching prospects, that the Brewers want and trading neither makes sense for a team that is trying to create a home-grown rotation and whose minor league system has no infield prospects worth talking about above short-season ball.

Milledge is mentioned because he's the only regular who is theoretically expendable and has real market value. I say "theoretically" because, as of now, the Nats' three best outfielders are Milledge, Dukes and Willingham. One of these is injury-prone and has, as they say, "character issues." The other not surnamed "Milledge" is at best a so-so fielder and is a good bet to play 1B when NJ goes down on April 28 with beriberi after reporting to ST in "the best shape of his life." Since you need three outfielders to play the, you need to sign another one and keep Milliedge.

[BerkeleyNat]

i vehemently oppose trading Milledge.

For what reason? He hasn't done anything at this point to make me think that he is untouchable when it comes to trades. I have no problem trading him if we can get something decent in return.

[blue911]

If the Brian Giles thing has any legs, maybe the Padres would be a better trading partner, especially since Gonzalez would be a better option over Fielder.

Brian Giles limited no trade and we're one of the teams.

[blue911]

xposbrad=Stan Kasten

No Kasten would know that Gonzalez is locked in through 2011.

[zoom]

I'm sure i'll get blasted for this, but i think it's a year too early to trade any prospects.   i don't think anyone 'knows' what we have in regards to talent and i don't think any of these proposed trades are going to make us that much better.  We won't compete for the division in 2009 with Adrien Gonzalez or Adam Dunn.  We have to stay patient for one more year and let some of these guys develop (mainly Dukes, Milledge, minor league OF's and pitchers). 

Kearns (has option)/Billiard and johnson come off the books next year.  We will have a much better idea of Zimmermann's, Martis, Hanrahan, Dukes and Milledges's progress and have a better idea of which direction we should go (trade, FA's  and positions to pursue). 

If Johnson and Kearns are healthy and playing well early in the year we can try to trade them.

Questions:
Will Morrero be healthy and a possiblity at 1st in 2010?
Will Martis/Zimmermann be ready for 2010?
Is Detwiler progressing?
Is Hanrahan a true closer?