Plan "B"

[Minty Fresh]

Do you read? 

If Willingham plays first, then we're forced to play Kearns or WMP.  Can't wait for that!

I can imagine that Kearns or WMP would be a far cry better than Fat Belly, Cast-no, and Orr-my-God I can't believe I'm on a major league roster.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

And NOTLD, yeah I'll be upset because we lost a good option.  He's not a savior, but he's better than what we have.  Stats don't lie. 

We already lost the best option, he went to the Yankees. There is no need to get obsessed with the sloppy seconds, which Dunn is. If he was as good as you are touting, he would of been picked up a long time ago and given his outlandish demands. If we get him, fine. If we don't, I'm not going to throw a tantrum about it.

And to be completely fair to you, I will do one better than eating crow: the day Adam Dunn signs with the Nationals, just for you, I will design, complete, and post just the gayiest, most man-loving, avatar of Adam Dunn I can come up with (PG, of course, Chief) and have it as my avatar for a full month.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

[blue911]

I can imagine that Kearns or WMP would be a far cry better than Fat Belly, Cast-no, and Orr-my-God I can't believe I'm on a major league roster.

Billy Rhinehart. He'll be 25 this year. He played 4 years of PAC-10 ball. It's time to find out if the Nats can develop players or just freak around ala the Orioles (which is why Hammonds throws his little hissy fits)

[hammondsnats]

I can imagine that Kearns or WMP would be a far cry better than Fat Belly, Cast-no, and Orr-my-God I can't believe I'm on a major league roster.

WMP hit two home runs last season with a pathetic clip, Kearns wasn't much better with 7 long balls and a .217 average in 313 at bats.  Neither one has lived up to their "potential".

We already lost the best option, he went to the Yankees. There is no need to get obsessed with the sloppy seconds, which Dunn is. If he was as good as you are touting, he would of been picked up a long time ago and given his outlandish demands. If we get him, fine. If we don't, I'm not going to throw a tantrum about it.

And to be completely fair to you, I will do one better than eating crow: the day Adam Dunn signs with the Nationals, just for you, I will design, complete, and post just the gayiest, most man-loving, avatar of Adam Dunn I can come up with (PG, of course, Chief) and have it as my avatar for a full month.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Did Teix get his 10 year deal?  No.  Did Burrell get a crazy contract?  No.  Is someone going to give Manny six years like he wanted? No.  If some idiot out there gives Dunn a 5 year deal/75 million bucks, I'll laugh and say I'm glad that wasn't us.     

And yeah Teix was our best option.  But that doesn't mean we should sit on our asses and not go out there and find that freaking dog.  That doesn't mean we should wave the white towel and say okay we're content with what we had last season.

And some of you have a problem with reading, because I never said I'm obssessed with Dunn, nor do I think he's the savior.  I think he'd help out, that's all.  I wanted Teix, we lost out on him, which hurt.  But Dunn would still help a club that lost 102 freaking games last year, go in the right direction. 

What you do with your avatars, fine by me. 

[ronnynat]

Do you read? 

If Willingham plays first, then we're forced to play Kearns or WMP.  Can't wait for that!

Bernadina, Davis, Harris, and Maxwell (maybe) are other options.

I wanted Dunn here more than anyone before last season even ended, but I'm starting to feel okay with going into the season with NJ as our starting first baseman. At least we know Willingham could step in if NJ goes down again. Then maybe Davis would get his shot.

[hammondsnats]

Billy Rhinehart. He'll be 25 this year. He played 4 years of PAC-10 ball. It's time to find out if the Nats can develop players or just freak around ala the Orioles (which is why Hammonds throws his little hissy fits)

.233 average in AA-Harrisburg.  Yeah bring him up.  He's the savior.

[R-Zim#11]

Billy Rhinehart. He'll be 25 this year.

Same with Leonard Davis.

[BerkeleyNat]

And to be completely fair to you, I will do one better than eating crow: the day Adam Dunn signs with the Nationals, just for you, I will design, complete, and post just the gayiest most AZesque, man-loving, avatar of Adam Dunn I can come up with (PG, of course, Chief) and have it as my avatar for a full month.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Fixed.

[natsfan4evr]

.233 average in AA-Harrisburg.  Yeah bring him up.  He's the savior.

Not saying this is the case, but Jesus wasn't doing that great when he was in the minors. Once he was called up though he was dominant.

[spidernat]

Who knew that anyone dipping into free agency had to follow the O's business model!?!  

Really -- I don't see a problem with waiting out FA until we know what we need --

Are you saying they still don't know what we need?

[hammondsnats]

Not saying this is the case, but Jesus wasn't doing that great when he was in the minors. Once he was called up though, he was dominant.

True but Flores had been up here before and was pretty impressive.

My main point is I'm all for seeing kids play, but a whole team full of them?  I don't know.

[blue911]

Are you saying they still don't know what we need?

The Nats haven't produced a MLB level player. What is needed is to find out if they are at least on the right track.

[R-Zim#11]

Are you saying they still don't know what we need?

We won't know what we need until we know what we have. Wow that was Zen right there...

Seriously -- yes we need a First baseman and a leadoff hitter in '09. Even if we get those, we're still going to suck in '09. However, how do we know we'll still need those in '10, '11 etc. when we are more ready to contend?

[MrMadison]

hammonds has some really extreme tunnel vision here.

I'm in favor of signing Dunn, but damn...you take it to a whole 'nother level. I get the feeling that if we do get a new First Baseman and it isn't Dunn, you are going to cry bloody murder.

[hammondsnats]

We won't know what we need until we know what we have. Wow that was Zen right there...

Seriously -- yes we need a First baseman and a leadoff hitter in '09. Even if we get those, we're still going to suck in '09. However, how do we know we'll still need those in '10, '11 etc. when we are more ready to contend?

In terms of leadoff hitters ... is Hudson the answer?  Is Hernandez the answer?  Is Guzman the answer?  Right now we're going in with Guzman.  Which honestly is fine by me.  I'm surprised we haven't seen a Hernandez vs. Hudson debate thread on here.  I don't think it's our biggest need though.

As for 1B, I don't want a long-term stopgap, I just want someone who can come in for three years that we can plug in there at first, let him do his thing (hit homers) allowing us to develop our 1st basemen of the future and not force our bench players at other positions to step in and play first.  As I said in a perfect world Nick Johnson would be our guy and hit .285 AVG, 30 HR, 110 RBI, .395 OBP, .480 SLG ... but we don't live in a perfect world. 

[hammondsnats]

hammonds has some really extreme tunnel vision here.

I'm in favor of signing Dunn, but damn...you take it to a whole 'nother level. I get the feeling that if we do get a new First Baseman and it isn't Dunn, you are going to cry bloody murder.

No I won't cry if we go another route and I don't heve tunnel vision.  I just want to see us get better.  And a healthy, slugging first baseman is our most glaring need.

[ronnynat]

No I won't cry if we go another route and I don't heve tunnel vision.  I just want to see us get better.  And a healthy, slugging first baseman is our most glaring need.

I'd say our biggest need is a #1 starter. A #2 would be nice, too.

[blue911]

I'd say our biggest need is a #1 starter. A #2 would be nice, too.

And Hey there's a #1 still available. Although if I was Sheets I wouldn't sign with anybody but the Dodgers or Mets.

[MrMadison]

dude, you do have tunnel vision. all you can see is Dunn, Dunn, Dunn.

you can't bring yourself to engage in any conversation without bringing him into it. even in discussions that have nothing to do with him, you always have to make him the center of the discussion.

now, I am not criticizing you for wanting to sign Dunn, and I understand your reasons. but that doesn't change the fact that you seem to be pretty obsessed about it.

[hammondsnats]

dude, you do have tunnel vision. all you can see is Dunn, Dunn, Dunn.

you can't bring yourself to engage in any conversation without bringing him into it. even in discussions that have nothing to do with him, you always have to make him the center of the discussion.

now, I am not criticizing you for wanting to sign Dunn, and I understand your reasons. but that doesn't change the fact that you seem to be pretty obsessed about it.

i just don't see many people on here listing other possible options.  ronnynat was kind enough to do so, and i responded kindly.  i offered my two cents when NOTLD said swisher/barton.  this what plan b thread is here for, to discuss our options for first base. 

[wpa2629]

i just don't see many people on here listing other possible options.  ronnynat was kind enough to do so, and i responded kindly.  i offered my two cents when NOTLD said swisher/barton.  this what plan b thread is here for, to discuss our options for first base. 

<Hammondnats> ... The options are Dunn, Dunn, Dunn, Dunn, oh and if that doesn't work than it can either be Dunn, Dunn or Dunn --- and I'm going to hold my breath and turn blue until it happens -and if it doesn't happen - the Lerners are cheap sob's and I'll hate, they won't be my BFF anymore and take them outta my fav five <hammondnats>

[R-Zim#11]

I'd say our biggest need is a #1 starter. A #2 would be nice, too.

Not with the #1 overall pick and a prospect like Strasburg staring us in the face.

[blue911]

Not with the #1 overall pick and a prospect like Strasburg staring us in the face.

Any time you can get a #1, you try to close the deal.

[ronnynat]

Not with the #1 overall pick and a prospect like Strasburg staring us in the face.

I'd much rather have two or three potential aces and one established ace than wait for one "maybe" who isn't even a part of our organization yet.

[hammondsnats]

<Hammondnats> ... The options are Dunn, Dunn, Dunn, Dunn, oh and if that doesn't work than it can either be Dunn, Dunn or Dunn --- and I'm going to hold my breath and turn blue until it happens -and if it doesn't happen - the Lerners are cheap sob's and I'll hate, they won't be my BFF anymore and take them outta my fav five <hammondnats>

It's funny because I don't remember saying any of that

I'm hearing a lot of insults, and not a lot of options here people.  How are we going to improve on the position of first base of our 102 loss ballclub?  Other than ronnynat and NOTLD, no one has brought up options.