10/11 offseason

[Sharp]

Not according to Bob Lodson

I'm pretty sure we established long ago that Loblawson has a strong tendency to just make things up.  The two statements contradict each other, especially in light of this recent news.  If Bernie and Morgan were both going to be on the field at the same time, why would they be competing?  It's also possible that the "competing" report is just a plan B if Willingham doesn't get traded, of course, in which case Morgan stays

[natsfan4evr]

I'm pretty sure we established long ago that Loblawson has a strong tendency to just make things up.

I hope not, he just tweeted this

@kevin_reiss Beltre, I'm talking about.

[Sharp]

I hope not, he just tweeted this

He probably just read Mike's blog.

[Lintyfresh85]

We also established that Borb the Lopsided Clown also acts as a mouthpiece for Rizzo.

[Sharp]

On further inspection, what Lobson actually tweeted was, "@kevin_reiss I was told there is nothing to it."  Followed by "@kevin_reiss Beltre, I'm talking about."

[cmdterps44]

I'm pretty sure we established long ago that Loblawson has a strong tendency to just make things up.  The two statements contradict each other, especially in light of this recent news.  If Bernie and Morgan were both going to be on the field at the same time, why would they be competing?  It's also possible that the "competing" report is just a plan B if Willingham doesn't get traded, of course, in which case Morgan stays

That lobsod post isn't all contradicting. What if we are sending wilingham in a deal for another of? That would put Morse on the bench.

[Sharp]

That lobsod post isn't all contradicting. What if we are sending wilingham in a deal for another of? That would put Morse on the bench.

What left fielder is even available that we could swap for Willingham who would provide us with similar production?  Hell, what decent LFs are available for trade, period?

[cmdterps44]

What left fielder is even available that we could swap for Willingham who would provide us with similar production?  Hell, what decent LFs are available for trade, period?

I don't know. I was just saying that its a possibility

[tomterp]

What left fielder is even available that we could swap for Willingham who would provide us with similar production?  Hell, what decent LFs are available for trade, period?

Right, that makes no sense.  What makes sense is that Morse is going to be the #1 RH bat off the bench until Willingham is dealt, at which point he'll earn the right to start in left.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

What's all this stuff about Beltre?  No way in heck anyone signs him as a first baseman.  You'd move Zimmerman, Rolen, or Longoria to first before Beltre plays first.

[Sharp]

No you don't.  Not saying the Beltre rumor isn't bizarre, but he definitely doesn't replace the best (or close to it) defensive third baseman in the league just on reputation.

[RD]

Personally, Id keep Willingham at this moment.

If we sign Carlos Pena and keep Willingham, the offense becomes a strength.

Zimmerman, Pena, Werth, and Willingham 3-6 is a very potent lineup.

I don't see us getting a standout prospect or arm for him, so moving him now doesn't really improve the ball club. His presence does.

If he has a good year, he's potentially a type B free agent. The compensation that would bring would bring in a better talent than a trade now would. Or wait to move him at the deadline when teams may be willing to overpay to land help.

Personally, I expect a bounce back year for Morgan. I know he's not a guy that's been a great player for 10 years and just had one down year, but he did hit significantly better every year in the bigs before this season.

I think a lineup of
1. Morgan
2. Desmond
3. Zimmerman
4. Pena
5. Werth
6. Willingham
7. Pudge/Ramos
8. Espinosa

Is a very good lineup. The best the Nationals have had. Thats 5 potential 20 home run guys, and 4 guys that could steal 20 bases, putting more pressure on opponents.

Sign Pena, and call it an off season in terms of the offense and major acquisitions.

[Minty Fresh]

Personally, Id keep Willingham at this moment.

If we sign Carlos Pena and keep Willingham, the offense becomes a strength.

Zimmerman, Pena, Werth, and Willingham 3-6 is a very potent lineup.

I don't see us getting a standout prospect or arm for him, so moving him now doesn't really improve the ball club. His presence does.

If he has a good year, he's potentially a type B free agent. The compensation that would bring would bring in a better talent than a trade now would. Or wait to move him at the deadline when teams may be willing to overpay to land help.

Personally, I expect a bounce back year for Morgan. I know he's not a guy that's been a great player for 10 years and just had one down year, but he did hit significantly better every year in the bigs before this season.

I think a lineup of
1. Morgan
2. Desmond
3. Zimmerman
4. Pena
5. Werth
6. Willingham
7. Pudge/Ramos
8. Espinosa

Is a very good lineup. The best the Nationals have had. Thats 5 potential 20 home run guys, and 4 guys that could steal 20 bases, putting more pressure on opponents.

Sign Pena, and call it an off season in terms of the offense and major acquisitions.

If Pena is our cleanup hitter I'm gonna puke.

[Sharp]

If Pena is our cleanup hitter I'm gonna puke.

I wouldn't go that far.  But Pena would still not be a good signing, no matter how much Rizzo wishes for it to be so, and particularly not as a replacement for Dunn.  His only virtue is that he is cheap, and if the Lerners are serious about improving the ballclub and money is not a major obstacle (which seems to be the case after the Werth deal), they should go after LaRoche over Pena.

[houston-nat]

On further inspection, what Lobson actually tweeted was, "@kevin_reiss I was told there is nothing to it."  Followed by "@kevin_reiss Beltre, I'm talking about."

That means we ARE signing Beltre.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

No you don't.  Not saying the Beltre rumor isn't bizarre, but he definitely doesn't replace the best (or close to it) defensive third baseman in the league just on reputation.

Well, I've seen plenty of Longoria and Zimmerman, and, judging off the bodies and their type of game, they would be more suited for first than Beltre and there would be no discernible drop off at third.  Depending on the eye of the beholder and the stat base you use, those three are interchangeable defensively at third in terms of run prevention.

[Lintyfresh85]

Zimmerman would be killed offensively for a move to 1B.

His bat becomes a lot less special when compared to Pujols, Dunn, Gonzalez, Fielder etc. etc.

[Sharp]

Well, I've seen plenty of Longoria and Zimmerman, and, judging off the bodies and their type of game, they would be more suited for first than Beltre and there would be no discernible drop off at third.  Depending on the eye of the beholder and the stat base you use, those three are interchangeable defensively at third in terms of run prevention.

One player is 25, my face of the franchise third baseman, and just entering his prime.  One is in his 30's, has been a mercenary his entire career, and is probably leaving his prime.  If I have to make a choice, I'm sure as hell not moving the first player to first base.  And as Linty said, moving Zimm to 1B would kill a lot of his value (which is tied up in his defense).  Beltre's bat is valuable regardless.

Edit: Although actually, looking back at his career, Zimm's bat is potentially better than Beltre's (even park-adjusted)... so yeah, that would be kind of confusing.  That makes the Beltre rumors that much stranger.

[houston-nat]

Sign Pena, and call it an off season in terms of the offense and major acquisitions.

You're forgetting pitching, sir. Pitching was, is, and ought to be the top priority.

I remain convinced that our trade targets are pitchers. I think it's more likely to be Jered Weaver or Dan Haren than Prince Fielder, and more likely Matt Garza than B.J. Upton. (Aside from Weaver [my idea] and Prince, those were suggestions on Mark Zuckerman's blog.)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Seriously, linty and sharp, go over and look at the UZR/150s for Zimmernan, Longoria, and Beltre from 2008 - 2010.  For DRS, Beltre mised a huge chunk of 2009, and FotF in 2008, so look take that with a grain of salt. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Again, who the heck even came up with this?  Why on Earth would Beltre move across the diamond when teams like the Orioles can use him at a more valuable defensive position?  There is about a 2 WAR difference in the positions.

[Lintyfresh85]

Seriously, linty and sharp, go over and look at the UZR/150s for Zimmernan, Longoria, and Beltre from 2008 - 2010.  For DRS, Beltre mised a huge chunk of 2009, and FotF in 2008, so look take that with a grain of salt.  

What does that have to do with my point that Zimmerman's bat would be a lot less special if moved to 1B?

Where did I say a thing about moving Beltre to 1B?

I feel like lately, you're taking everything I say and trying to make it into a "you're wrong" type argument.

[houston-nat]

Mike Harris, the blog that broke the Werth story guy, reported that we're inquiring on Adrian Beltre, and we've all been trying to figure out why the hell Rizzo would want a right-handed 3B.

[Sharp]

Seriously, linty and sharp, go over and look at the UZR/150s for Zimmernan, Longoria, and Beltre from 2008 - 2010.  For DRS, Beltre mised a huge chunk of 2009, and FotF in 2008, so look take that with a grain of salt. 

I see your point, but the fact remains that Beltre is older than either and defense (like everything else) tends to decline after age 30, while Zimm and Longoria should both be entering their athletic primes around 26.

[houston-nat]

Commenter Will on Mike Harris' blog:

I think this rumor can be chalked up to "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours." The Nats are doing a favor to Boras in drumming up more interest in Beltre. Since the Red Sox acquired AGon, Beltre's prospects have thinned significantly. The A's also recently withdrew their 5 year offer for Beltre. So it seems like Boras is trying to make it seem like there's more demand for Beltre than there is. But it's a pretty thinly veiled rumor, because along with Tampa, Washington is just about the least likely suitor for Beltre.