Nationals new 1B discussion

[cmdterps44]

LaRoche has to be Rizzo's #1 first base target now, right? He wants better D at first, and LaRoche is a better defensive first baseman than Pena. Seriously, we need to get LaRoche. 2 or 3 years at $8 mil per would probably get it done.

I agree. I want LaRoche over Pena.

[RD]

I hope we are able to land Pena or LaRoche.

Honestly, Im torn between the two, but it needs to be one of them.

A left handed power bat in the middle of Zimmerman and Werth would be a very potent middle of the lineup.

On one hand, I think Pena is the better player. Pena's OBP is actually a couple points higher because of his ability to take walks, despite his batting average being over 60 points less. And do we really think he'll hit under .200 again? Im not predicting or even expecting a rise over .250, but even if he just gets back up to .220 like he was in '09, his OBP then goes even higher than LaRoche's. Not to mention, he has more power than LaRoche. Hitting between Zim and Werth could push him back into 35 bomb territory.

But, he's also a career american leaguer. Will the shift in leagues, to better pitching, make his numbers drop again? LaRoche has been very consistent as virtually, a career national leaguer.  I think it's safe to assume we know we'll get .250, 20 HR, 75 RBI at least.

So I really don't know where I prefer they go, but either one would be a solid addition. I would probably lean towards whichever one takes a one year deal, but that's me. We can re-address the situation in a year. I haven't given up on Marrero at least reaching decent defensive abilities at 1b considering his age, and hopefully he can pick up some things in spring training by working with either of these players. If he makes an improvement on defense and can still project as a solid bat at the big league level, you look at him as a viable option in 2012. If he doesn't make strides, we can re-sign Pena/LaRoche, or find a new long term answer. Who knows - Pujols and Fielder could be free agents. Adrian Gonzalez may be too, depending on what happens with the Red Sox. Nick Swisher could be another option. Just sayin ...

One of these two players likely becomes the key to the off season offensive upgrade.

[cmdterps44]

Adrian Gonzalez is officially on the Red Sox.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/red-sox-acquire-adrian-gonzalez-1.html

[PANatsFan]

Adrian Gonzalez is officially on the Red Sox.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/red-sox-acquire-adrian-gonzalez-1.html

Ok,. rumors are becoming absurdly useless now.

[The Chief]

Ok,. rumors are becoming absurdly useless now.

???

They've been saying he's going to Boston for days.

[Nathan]

???

They've been saying he's going to Boston for days.

Actually, I just read earlier that the two sides still couldn't reach an agreement and a deal was still far off.

[NatsDad14]

@washingnats
#Cubs, #Nats and #Orioles are in the mix for Carlos Pena's services. Pena's first choice is to play for the #Rays.

[imref]

Actually, I just read earlier that the two sides still couldn't reach an agreement and a deal was still far off.

MLBTR says they've finalized the deal, news conference scheduled for tomorrow.

[PANatsFan]

Actually, I just read earlier that the two sides still couldn't reach an agreement and a deal was still far off.

Rumor was that it all fell apart. They just spout random gibberish IMO.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

W/r/t Adrian, the reporting in Boston is the trade happens, and the speculation is that there is an [pick one: agreement in principle on / agreement on parameters of] deal that will be announced on day 2 of the season so as to limit luxury tax implications.

In my heart, I'd still like to see Lowrie and Anderson at 2d and first next year for the Nats, after trading Burnett, Willingham and perhaps Flores, with other players to balance things out a bit like Stolmy Pimental and the like.  I don't see the Sox signing Crawford, so Willingham might be the best plan B for them with Werth off the table.  The Nats could then bring in a Damon for a year or two until Harper or Burgess is ready, and trade Desmond or Espinosa for high minors pitching talent.

[PANatsFan]

W/r/t Adrian, the reporting in Boston is the trade happens, and the speculation is that there is an [pick one: agreement in principle on / agreement on parameters of] deal that will be announced on day 2 of the season so as to limit luxury tax implications.

In my heart, I'd still like to see Lowrie and Anderson at 2d and first next year for the Nats, after trading Burnett, Willingham and perhaps Flores, with other players to balance things out a bit like Stolmy Pimental and the like.  I don't see the Sox signing Crawford, so Willingham might be the best plan B for them with Werth off the table.  The Nats could then bring in a Damon for a year or two until Harper or Burgess is ready, and trade Desmond or Espinosa for high minors pitching talent.

Youk for Willingham straight up.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Youk for Willingham straight up.

Never on your life, despite how nice it would be to have a MOT on our team

[PANatsFan]

Never on your life, despite how nice it would be to have a MOT on our team

I love his versatility, approach, and attitude, too.

[JMW IV]

Pena is the guy. book it.

and you know what? I am fine with it now.

i preferred to keep Dunn and still sign other major free agents. but Pena for 1 year wont be so bad.

[ronnynat]

Pena is the guy. book it.

and you know what? I am fine with it now.

i preferred to keep Dunn and still sign other major free agents. but Pena for 1 year wont be so bad.

Why are you so sure it'd be Pena over LaRoche?

[The Chief]

Maybe it'll be someone none of us have heard mentioned.

[shoeshineboy]

Why are you so sure it be Pena over LaRoche?

Boras

[ronnynat]

Maybe it'll be someone none of us have heard mentioned.

Rizzo wants a good fielding first baseman and he probably wants one who has Major League experience. I think it'll be LaRoche, Loney (via trade), or Pena.

Barton would be awesome, but that'd never happen.

[The Chief]

But Pena isn't a good fielder.  That said, SSB is probably right.  Personally I'd prefer LaRoche.

[ronnynat]

Boras

He needs to form new relationships. Expand.

[shoeshineboy]

But Pena isn't a good fielder.  That said, SSB is probably right.  Personally I'd prefer LaRoche.

I'd prefer Morse and spend the money elsewhere. but at this point, any move at 1B, barring some super aggressive move to get AGonz is going to be a lesser deal for a defensive stopgap regardless. Pena seems like he is coming since they have been talking about it for months. At this point, whatever they do is likely going to six of on half dozen of the other. I'm far more interested in knowing what they will do to address the real need of pitching. I'm hoping for a trade more than a Pavano signing. But it's all about the pitching now.

[The Chief]

I'd prefer Morse and spend the money elsewhere. but at this point, any move at 1B, barring some super aggressive move to get AGonz is going to be a lesser deal for a defensive stopgap regardless. Pena seems like he is coming since they have been talking about it for months. At this point, whatever they do is likely going to six of on half dozen of the other. I'm far more interested in knowing what they will do to address the real need of pitching. I'm hoping for a trade more than a Pavano signing. But it's all about the pitching now.

Agreed.  Well, except the Morse part, though I'd be okay with that too.

[welch]

I'd prefer LaRoche, based on his consistent hitting. Better a consistent .275 hitter than Pena, who might not hit .196 again, but consistently hits .240 or less. Pena hit .227 in '09, so this season was not like he got hit by a lightning bolt that took away his batting eye.

Oh, and, how about Nick Johnson as insurance, just in case old Nick can recover his health one more time? He was hitting .295 in '09 when the Nats traded him for someone named Aaron Thompson. I'd rather have the '09 Johnson PH than, say, Nyjer or AGonzalez or Justin Maxwell or...who else do they have???

[Coladar]

I think it's Pena after today simply due to the Boras connection. I likewise wouldn't be shocked if, for the same reason, we see some insane news about signing Lee this week. I'm more convinced it might happen than ever before. Obviously the Lerners and Rizzo and Boras get along fantastically well compared with the 29 other clubs. Today was the icing on the cake for evidence of that. I think from now on, when there are comparable players and Boras represents one of them, your odds are best with the Boras client.

And likewise, after today, I actually would prefer we sign Pena. His defense is stellar. And he just might rebound. Go for it.

[Potomac Cannons]

Pena is the guy. book it.

and you know what? I am fine with it now.

i preferred to keep Dunn and still sign other major free agents. but Pena for 1 year wont be so bad.

Considering how Werth wasn't even on the radar, I'd hope some of you guys would have learned something by now.  Edwin Jackson was all the chatter and he turned out to be Wilson Ramos.  Carlos Pena was all the chatter and he turned out to be Jayson Werth.

Not saying it won't happen, but come on.  No one has an idea what Rizzo is actually up to.  He just made our team better with a major FA signing that absolutely no one believed would happen.  I really hope he goes LaRoche instead of Pena but, like everyone else including the wonderful media hacks, I don't have any idea what it will actually be.