Nationals new 1B discussion

[hammondsnats]

Interesting info about Dunn at the trade deadline.  I guess in the end the Nats wanted it both ways and ended up with essentially nothing.  I think it ultimately comes down to the Nationals wanting to get "more athletes" on the field at all positions.  The search for a long-term solution at first is on.  Hawpe and Morse aren't long term solutions, though I believe Morse could be, if he keeps mashing at the plate and shows he can handle the glove at first.

dude hawpe has played a grand total of 9 games at 1B on the major league level.  yeah he played a chunk @ the corner in the minors, but that's a long time ago.  that's a huge risk (and cheap one too) to have a platoon of morse/hawpe @ 1b.

[hammondsnats]

Dude, just to piss off Hammonds, you have to complete your account by using this picture as your avatar.   

lol that'd be strike 2.

[RyanTheRiot]

Those numbers are not equivalent because they aren't park-adjusted.

Well played, sir.

But my point is the same.  Hawpe and Morse can look a lot like Dunn if you squint a little bit.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Agreed, but I think LaRoche/Morse could be even better if you account for defense.

[hammondsnats]

the thing is ... rizzo preached how he wanted to get better defensively at 1B.  now i have never seen hawpe play defense, but to pick him up and insert him in a platoon would give me the impression that we let dunn go because we didn't spend for him.  if we get laroche, okay i truly believe the nats wanted to get better defensively. 

i pleaded the nats to get hawpe in the past - when we needed another outfielder.  unless we plan on having werth play CF (which we're not), our OF is pretty set.  i like hawpe's bat - or i did a couple years ago - but his numbers are declining.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Hello fellow Nats fans.  This being my first post, I figured I would introduce myself.  First off, I love the Nats.  Season ticket holder since day 1.  I was raised in a baseball family, was never very good at the game but I've always loved watching and following the MLB.  I'm in college now and I feel like I have a solid grasp on baseball stats and what it takes to build a winning team.  

Welcome. As Belushi said when Pinto was up as a potential pledge in Delta house:  "We can use the dudes."

Comparing Hawpe to the newest Nat Jayson Werth yields interesting results.  Check out this graph comparing their wOBA by age.



Shockingly similar, up until Hawpe's uncharacteristic 2009.

Hawpe is also a former first baseman (see: http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_15536823 ) who has practiced fielding ground balls his whole career and can definitely handle the position.  He can also play a corner outfield spot when the situation calls for it.  

A platoon at first base with Hawpe and Morse could provide Adam Dunn-esque production at a discount price.  Let's get it done.

Funny you point out the similarity of Hawpe and Werth prior to last year.  Hawpe is his top comparable on Baseball Reference.  Nice catch.

I agree that a Morse / Hawpe platoon could be extremely productive.  I'm a big fan of platoons.  I was using the word so much last year that I used a poster from the movie as my avatar.  Hawpe may be an awful RF defensively, but, as we saw with Dunn, that may not mean much about how a guy plays first.

Nice first post!

[RyanTheRiot]

IMO if we sign LaRoche, he won't be platooning. And we'd have to make a 3 year commitment.  This is what I fear.

[RyanTheRiot]

I agree that a Morse / Hawpe platoon could be extremely productive.  I'm a big fan of platoons.  I was using the word so much last year that I used a poster from the movie as my avatar.  Hawpe may be an awful RF defensively, but, as we saw with Dunn, that may not mean much about how a guy plays first.

Nice first post!

We are...the Platoon Squad.  Join the ranks Nats fans!

[hammondsnats]

and a lot of players don't like platoons (we've had plenty) or neither player in the pairing could get into a groove and deliver for us.  just sayin.

how do we know that hawpe has a good glove @ 1B?

[comish4lif]

According to Linty's post earlier Dunn could've been re-signed for 3 years $42 million.

According to Linty's post earlier Dunn could've been re-signed for 3 years $42 million.

Am I the only that thinks it's crazy that Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo have to go in front of "the board" when they want to extend/trade a player?

[The Chief]

Am I the only that thinks it's crazy that Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo have to go in front of "the board" when they want to extend/trade a player?

I'm kinda hoping that it was only because they disagreed.  Y'know...  like arbitration.  Otherwise I completely agree with you.

[spidernat]

Am I the only that thinks it's crazy that Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo have to go in front of "the board" when they want to extend/trade a player?

Nope. It's probably worse than that. They probably have to go in front of "the board" to approve the use of stamps, envelopes, stationery, pens, paperclips and staplers

[tomterp]

I agree, re: Jayson Werth.  I like the addition even if we had to overpay to get him.  He brings 5 tools to the field and a powerful influence to the clubhouse.

Back to first base:

The fact that Mike Morse is a former middle infielder should tell you something about his ability to play first base.  He grew out of the shortstop position, as he lost some of his quickness and athleticism but gained a lot of size and strength.  In my opinion, his skill set is a better fit at first base than in the outfield.  And his bat against lefties is significantly better than LaRoche. Look at these career numbers:

LaRoche vs LHP: .753 OPS
Morse vs LHP : .893 OPS (.999 (!!) last year)

LaRoche vs RHP: .850 OPS
Hawpe vs RHP: .890 OPS

Platoon! LaRoche is fool's gold.

Welcome, RTR.

If Willlingham is going to be dealt as we keep hearing, then I think Morse is the heir apparent for LF, which would diminish the value of the 1st base platoon idea.  Otherwise it would probably be a good option.

[imref]

why "couldn't" morse play 1st?  Assuming last season wasn't an aberration, he seems like the clear answer at 1B and should put up numbers as least as good as LaRoche.

[RyanTheRiot]

Welcome, RTR.

If Willlingham is going to be dealt as we keep hearing, then I think Morse is the heir apparent for LF, which would diminish the value of the 1st base platoon idea.  Otherwise it would probably be a good option.

With the Nationals new emphasis on athleticism and defense, I believe Bernadina will ultimately get most of the playing time in left field (perhaps being spelled by Morse vs lefties).  In this scenario, Willingham is either traded or moved to first base. 

[tomterp]

With the Nationals new emphasis on athleticism and defense, I believe Bernadina will ultimately get most of the playing time in left field

 

[Lintyfresh85]

I was thinking the same thing... but I was too apathetic about the situation to even muster an emoticon.

[hammondsnats]

yeah ... sorry rTr i respect everyone's opinion on here, but bernadina starting?  going for discount prices?  i don't know buddy.

[Lintyfresh85]

I don't think anyone thinks we're going to make the playoffs...

But they still need to field an MLB caliber team to entice fans to the park while the rebuilding takes place.

Plus, Marrero is a worse fielder than Dunn... and is half the hitter. What would be the point in watching him flail about in the majors, well over his head?

[imref]

I'd like to see us sign LaRoche for a year, trade willingham to Boston for Lars Anderson, and give Morse a chance to be an everyday player in LF.  If he puts up the kind of numbers he did last year, he's going to make some waves in 2011.

[Lintyfresh85]

If we trade for Anderson, I just want the kid in the driver seat from day one.

Let him cut his teeth now.

[tomterp]

I'd like to see us sign LaRoche for a year, trade willingham to Boston for Lars Anderson, and give Morse a chance to be an everyday player in LF.  If he puts up the kind of numbers he did last year, he's going to make some waves in 2011.

Boston, having just acquired Crawford, would also trade for Willingham? 

[Lintyfresh85]

Oh. Right.

That Anderson kid looks like he sucks anyways.

[RyanTheRiot]

I acknowledge that we are not going to compete next year.  So why would we give LaRoche significant money when his contributions are ultimately going to go for naught?  If we aren't going to compete, why not try to minimize our spending on the position until a long-term solution presents itself?  What if Morse shows that he can field the position while improving his approach at the plate?  He could be the guy.  Maybe Norris has a future at first.  Maybe a free agent will be available in the next two years that is a better long-term fit than Adam freakin' LaRoche. 

So we go the cheap route.  The reason we don't just hand the job to Morse is because our lineup lacks left-handed power.

That's where Hawpe comes in. Its the perfect situation for the Nationals to buy low. Let's say Hawpe has a resurgent first half of the season.  His value increases, and when the trade deadline comes around, we probably won't be competing, and we can trade him for young assets.  Think Matt Capps. 

The Nationals need to focus their spending on players that can contribute from 2013 and beyond, when we expect to be competing for the division.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Bernadina should start, but at center and not left.

And Nyjer Moron should go suit up for the Long Island Ducks.