2010 Offseason Wheeling and Dealing

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Hudson is an overrated defender. According to UZR, even Ronnie Belliard was a better defender than him last year by a decent margin. There has to be a reason why a Nationals outcast like Belliard started over Hudson in the playoffs.

Torre thought they got a good stretch out of one guy with dreadlocks the year before, so he tried to catch lightening twice?

[NatsDad14]

Torre thought they got a good stretch out of one guy with dreadlocks the year before, so he tried to catch lightening twice?

The decision did work out well for Torre.

[sportsfan882]

Bill Ladson: The Nationals continue to have interest in right-hander John Smoltz, but they are not willing to break the bank to get him.

[Lintyfresh85]

Even though Ronnie could get to a few more balls than Hudson I don't think you can neglect Hudson's value with the bat.

He'd be the perfect #2 hitter for the Nats this year.

1. T. Plush
2. Hudson
3. Zimm
4. Dunn
5. Willingham
6. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?
7. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?
8. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?

Solid 1-5. Now if only we could get a quality RF and a catcher that could stay healthy... the team would be in business!

[Minty Fresh]

Even though Ronnie could get to a few more balls than Hudson I don't think you can neglect Hudson's value with the bat.

He'd be the perfect #2 hitter for the Nats this year.

1. T. Plush
2. Hudson
3. Zimm
4. Dunn
5. Willingham
6. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?
7. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?
8. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?

Solid 1-5. Now if only we could get a quality RF and a catcher that could stay healthy... the team would be in business!

I like your thinking but I'm not sure Morgan is the long-term answer as a leadoff hitter. 

[Lintyfresh85]

Yeah. He's most likely an 8th hitter.

But unless the team finds a guy that keeps his OBP around .380-.400 I think he'll have to do.

[NatsDad14]

Even though Ronnie could get to a few more balls than Hudson I don't think you can neglect Hudson's value with the bat.

He'd be the perfect #2 hitter for the Nats this year.

1. T. Plush
2. Hudson
3. Zimm
4. Dunn
5. Willingham
6. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?
7. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?
8. Flores/Dukes/Desmond?

Solid 1-5. Now if only we could get a quality RF and a catcher that could stay healthy... the team would be in business!

Belliard is just as good of a hitter as Hudson at this point.

2009:
Belliard: .776 OPS
Hudson: .774

2008:
Belliard: .845
Hudson: .817 (.709 Road OPS)

Hudson's hitting reputation comes from a solid .845 OPS in Arizona from 2006-2008. But, those numbers are skewed by playing the hitters park he played in. Here are his Road OPS in those seasons:

2008: .709
2007: .738
2006: .736

[sportsfan882]

so what would you do about the infield situation, gmunat?

Satisfied with Guzman, Desmond, and Orr?

[Lintyfresh85]

Eh.

Belliard put up an OPS of 1.034 with the Dodgers. That's not sustainable.

Plus, I prefer Hudson's style of getting on base .357 to Ronnie's .325.

[sportsfan882]

Just spoke for a while with Matt Capps. A couple highlights ...

> On choosing between the Cubs or Nationals: "I'd really like to get this done in the next couple of days. The way I see it, it's a great opportunity, a great situation whichever way I go. To be in Chicago with that atmosphere every day, and to look at the improvements they've made in Washington ... this will be good either way."

> On the Pirates basically being out of this now: "It's a shame it worked out the way it did, but I'll say it again: I've enjoyed every minute I've spent in Pittsburgh, and I look forward to every time I'll come back there."

> On hearing from John Grabow, Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett, all trying to lure him: "Yeah, and I heard from Gorz today, too, on a voice mail and haven't gotten back to him yet. It's been nice to hear from those guys."

This feels like it's going to be a letdown. I bet he picks the Cubs.

[JMW IV]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Nats-near-deal-with-Guardado-122209-LIVE

Everyday Eddie to the Nats?

[sportsfan882]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Nats-near-deal-with-Guardado-122209-LIVE

Everyday Eddie to the Nats?

blah. looks like a Villone clone

[JMW IV]

blah. looks like a Villone clone

except that he was you know....good...at some point in his career....

Villone never was.

[JMW IV]

anyway...this is why Guardado would be brought in:

Guardado closed for the Twins and Mariners from roughly 2001 until 2006. He’s now considered one of the game’s best bullpen mentors; J.J. Putz and Frank Francisco are among the relievers who have credited him with helping them adjust to closing.

[cmdterps44]

This feels like it's going to be a letdown. I bet he picks the Cubs.

please come to the nats

[houston-nat]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Nats-near-deal-with-Guardado-122209-LIVE

Everyday Eddie to the Nats?

The last sentence is interesting: sources say D.C. is still looking for more starting pitchers.

I agree with the anti-Orlando Hudson crowd. His defense is below average and his hitting is average. What we need, really, is a top-notch defender to give our ground ball pitchers more leeway.

[sportsfan882]

except that he was you know....good...at some point in his career....

Villone never was.

Yeah, but at this point in their careers they are pretty identical. I know Guardado had a few really good years but that was 5+ years ago.

He's not a lefty specialist. Lefties hit .333/.400/.519 off of him last year.

I guess it's not the worst signing. His overall numbers with Texas the last two years (4.00 ERA over 87.2 IP) aren't too bad.

[houston-nat]

Also, we should sign/trade for someone tonight for good measure, just to show Capps we mean business.

[NatsDad14]

so what would you do about the infield situation, gmunat?

Satisfied with Guzman, Desmond, and Orr?

I wouldn't mind Guzman and Desmond starting duo. I wish the team could have rid itself of Guzman. In that scenario, Hudson isn't a bad signing. I think the team needs a backup MI. I wouldn't want to rely on Gonzalez and Orr as the backups.

[sportsfan882]

anyway...this is why Guardado would be brought in:

that's good to hear.

I'll trust Rizzo knows what he's doing.

[Lintyfresh85]

Btw... if I really was in control of the team... these are the moves I would have made.

1. Trade Willingham, Detwiler and Balestar (and whatever else required) to Cleveland for Shin-Soo Choo who hit .300/.394/.489/.883 last season. Choo is a solid defensive OF'er and he went 21/23 for stolen bases. He'd be the 'other' franchise player I'd build the Nats around besides Zimmerman.

2. Sign Mike Cameron. An OF of Choo in RF, Morgan in CF and Cameron in LF would have been sick. I'm guessing a solid .2-3 runs would have dropped of the team ERA easily.

3. Sign Orlando Hudson. Solid enough player and would have fit perfectly in my fake lineup.

4. Trade Guzman. I don't care if its for a PTBNL... or a bad contract. Make the move and get him off the team.

5. Sign Greg Zaun. Perfectly suitable starting catcher.

6. Sign two starting pitchers. Give me two out of Garland, Piniero, Marquis, Sheets, Duchscherer and I'd be happy.

7. Shore up bullpen. Rizzo has done well enough with this.

Line up -

1. Hudson
2. Choo
3. Zimm
4. Dunn
5. Cameron
6. Zaun
7. Desmond - or defensive minded SS
8. Morgan

Pitching staff of

Lannan
FA
FA
Stammen/Olsen/Strasburg
Strasburg/Stammen/Olsen

That's easily a 80-90 win team IMO.

[Kenz aFan]

Hudson is an overrated defender. According to UZR, even Ronnie Belliard was a better defender than him last year by a decent margin. There has to be a reason why a Nationals outcast like Belliard started over Hudson in the playoffs.

Yes, Belliard had a very hot bat, he hit over .350 the last two months of the season.

[NatsDad14]

Eh.

Belliard put up an OPS of 1.034 with the Dodgers. That's not sustainable.

Plus, I prefer Hudson's style of getting on base .357 to Ronnie's .325.

Belliard's .670 OPS with the Nationals wasn't sustainable either. If you look at their BABIP, Belliard had a .318 while Hudson was at .332. Because of Hudson's OBP advantage he might be a slightly better hitter, but he would be getting a lot more money than Belliard.

[sportsfan882]

JonMorosi: Guardado’s deal with the #Nationals should be finalized before the holiday.

[houston-nat]

1. Trade Willingham, Detwiler and Balestar (and whatever else required) to Cleveland for Shin-Soo Choo

That would actually be a GREAT idea. Especially because Manny Acta is in Cleveland, so probably they would ask for Wil Nieves, Alberto Gonzalez, Pete Orr and Jason Bergmann and that would be it.