10/11 offseason

[tomterp]

I hated that contract. It was based on the number of starts and not on helping the team. He got pissed when he was sent to the bullpen because it cost him $100K per start. (I'd be pissed also).

I think there are limits to what sort of incentives can be in a contract.  Very basic stuff allowed, like starts, innings, plate appearances for a hitter, etc.

[blue911]

I think there are limits to what sort of incentives can be in a contract.  Very basic stuff allowed, like starts, innings, plate appearances for a hitter, etc.

Time on the active roster is allowed and would have been better for the team and the player.

[CALSGR8]

Time on the active roster is allowed and would have been better for the team and the player.

That's why they are called INCENTIVES!!!  He has to be on the active roster to be able to earn them!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

There's so much random Nats stuff in this week's Cafardo Notes column that I can't figure out where to post it.  Remember, Cafardo mostly has his favorite sources, uses the general clip service that other writers use, and engages in his own speculation e.g., who would fit where). At any rate, here are a few quotes relevant to the Nats.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2010/11/07/checking_out_the_offseason_marketplace/?page=full

Rather than double post.  he mentions about 5 FAs and one trade target he thinks the Nats may be in on, as well as a few others we've talked about.  Also updates on a few former Nats, including a sad quote from Elijah.

[Potomac Cannons]

Rather than double post.  he mentions about 5 FAs and one trade target he thinks the Nats may be in on, as well as a few others we've talked about.  Also updates on a few former Nats, including a sad quote from Elijah.

His info seems old and a bit odd.  Didn't the Tigers come out and say they will not being going after Dunn as a DH?

[NatsDad14]

His info seems old and a bit odd.  Didn't the Tigers come out and say they will not being going after Dunn as a DH?

When did the Tigers say that? If a "source" from the team actually said that, then they are wrong because they are hacks.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

His info seems old and a bit odd.  Didn't the Tigers come out and say they will not being going after Dunn as a DH?

My warning on Cafardo is he's a bit of a regurgitator / recycler at times, and some of the speculation is just his thoughts on logical fits.  I wondered about Garland, and he is the first one to list Konerko as a potential fit here.  On that list, I kind of like Laroche, maybe prefer him to Pena, but think his last season probably makes LaRoche a buy high rather than a buy low.

[PANatsFan]

My warning on Cafardo is he's a bit of a regurgitator / recycler at times, and some of the speculation is just his thoughts on logical fits.  I wondered about Garland, and he is the first one to list Konerko as a potential fit here.  On that list, I kind of like Laroche, maybe prefer him to Pena, but think his last season probably makes LaRoche a buy high rather than a buy low.

Garland took less money to go to the west coast last year, so i highly doubt he's coming to DC.

[Potomac Cannons]

Garland took less money to go to the west coast last year, so i highly doubt he's coming to DC.

It really seems like a lot of these guys don't do much homework.  The Garland staying west thing is pretty well known by anyone doing the slightest bit of research.  Interesting speculation though.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don't buy Garland emerging as a candidate here because we have Livo and Marquis under contract as well as Lannan under team control. Garland is a IP quantity guy; what we are lookign for is an IP quality guy.  But in fairness, Cafardo is trying to assess 30 teams, not just his local team.

[NatsDad14]

Garland isn't that much different than J.D. Martin. Martin is like at least 95% of the pitcher that Garland is while making like 15X less.

[Vega]

Jorge De La Rosa is going to get horribly overpaid by a bad team. He's this year's version of Gil Meche and Carlos Silva.

[blue911]

Eric Bedard, that way we'd have a lefty that will never make it back from shoulder surgery.

[PANatsFan]

Eric Bedard, that way we'd have a lefty that will never make it back from shoulder surgery.

Put his good shoulder on Wang, give Bedard Wang's bad shoulder, then DFA him

[Potomac Cannons]

Jorge De La Rosa is going to get horribly overpaid by a bad team. He's this year's version of Gil Meche and Carlos Silva.

Prior to injury in KC, Meche was actually performing at a level close to his contract (9.4 WAR first two seasons).  Silva had good years in 04, 05 and 07.  It was nice to see him come back a bit this year.

DLR has been average, good and average the last 3 years.  He'll get decent money for 3-4 years and come close to earning it.

[cmdterps44]

I know its all bologna but I hate seeing the MLBTR top 50 prospects and seeing the Nationals get: Pena, Vazquez and Webb.

[Lintyfresh85]

I know its all bologna but I hate seeing the MLBTR top 50 prospects and seeing the Nationals get: Pena, Vazquez and Webb.

Is that really all that surprising?

Trick the fan base that doesn't follow baseball (320, etc. etc.) into thinking that you brought in big name FA's... and then act shocked when they don't work out. Only those of us who frequent the message boards will know that the guys they signed are well past their prime.

The average fan, they see those names and they start to think contending team.

[cmdterps44]

It just sucks. I like to dream big during the offseason (who doesn't). Then I'd like to get real, which could very well be a signing of Dunn, Crawford and another pitcher? How would I know this? They have the money. Yeah, yeah, I'm tooting that horn, but you have to spend money to make more money (and get us to a playoff race). Seeing that list just makes me feel like were trading in Dunn to get used condoms. Sure we COULD get the Vasquez and Webb of old, but what if we don't? All we would get would be another decent 4-5 pitcher for probably close to what we could've gotten a Pavano for. We already have a Webb here and his name is CMW. No reason to do it again. It drives me nuts that "hacks" and our GM are placing our name towards players we don't have to settle for when we could easily have an upgrade if we went all out!

[HalfSmokes]

Is that really all that surprising?

Trick the fan base that doesn't follow baseball (320, etc. etc.) into thinking that you brought in big name FA's... and then act shocked when they don't work out. Only those of us who frequent the message boards will know that the guys they signed are well past their prime.

The average fan, they see those names and they start to think contending team.

It's what they do at catcher - LoDuca, Pudge

[imref]

MLBTR predicts we get Webb, Vazquez and Pena.

Sigh....

[Potomac Cannons]

MLBTR predicts we get Webb, Vazquez and Pena.

Sigh....

And they've been right about any of our moves?  Didn't think so.

It's amazing how eager "fans" are to nag about things that haven't happened and are based on nothing from sources with a strong history of never being right.

[cmdterps44]

And they've been right about any of our moves?  Didn't think so.

It's amazing how eager "fans" are to nag about things that haven't happened and are based on nothing from sources with a strong history of never being right.

Like I said in the other thread, who cares if its right or wrong. Its a forum. It's meant to be discussed, moaned about, etc etc. Without it, we'd have nothing to talk about. He's just saying how he feels. If that does happen, it would suck. <<<< that sentence is a hypothetical response to those three signings. We are just doing it prematurely. Leave it be.

[Minty Fresh]

And they've been right about any of our moves?  Didn't think so.

It's amazing how eager "fans" are to nag about things that haven't happened and are based on nothing from sources with a strong history of never being right.

You could try understanding:

 - this is a message board
 - it's the off-season and we need something to talk about
 - you're constant chiding of posters for speculating is as tired as hammonds' "sign dunn" posts
 - you're a douche

Other than that, try just shutting your pie-hole.

[comish4lif]

The most depressing part out the speculation that we'll sign Webb, Vazquez and Pena - is the well-established perception that the Nats are and will continue to be dumpster divers.

And I think it's a fair observation, until the Nats/Lerners/Rizzo can show that they are willing to sign good players for top dollars.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Anyone watch MLB Networks' "Front Burner" last night at 8 PM?  They discussed the Nats having contacted Lee (one of 7 teams) and how Lee would fit into the rotation this year and next.  They said this year, basically he would take pressure off of JZ and Lannan (they had the rotation as Lee ? JZ ? lannan / Marquis / Livo), called it respectable at least, then started drooling over 2012 - Lee / Stras / JZ / Lannan / Maya.  They also repeated the Pena to Washington if Dunn does not resign, and down played most of the Dunn to the NL saying teams do not want him to play first.  It was a writer from Houston, Heyman, and Verducci.