Nationals new 1B discussion

[Lintyfresh85]

Dunn also said Kenny Williams never talked to him. Dunn told his agent to get him the best deal. Rizzo, Kenny Williams, Jim Hendry, and whoever else never spoke directly with Dunn, only to his agent.

Rizzo never contacted anyone from Dunn's camp.

I don't know why you're arguing that point.

[comish4lif]

Glaus is not with Atl he was granted Free Agency on Nov 1st

My bad, someone mentioned Glaus earlier in the thread - I am thinking of Hinske.

[hammondsnats]

We should all be glad that the hated Orioles are offering LaRoche three years and we aren't

um who is the first baseman. 

I'm confused as to why some people on here magically think Bernadina, Desmond, Espinosa, Morse and Ramos all together are going to have career years. 

[Evolution33]

um who is the first baseman. 

I'm confused as to why some people on here magically think Bernadina, Desmond, Espinosa, Morse and Ramos all together are going to have career years. 

I don't think anyone thinks that. I just think people think they will have years. Bother Bernadina and Desmond were playing their first full years in the majors, and Espinosa, Morse, and Ramos haven't even done that yet. They are all young players. It is likely that at least 1/3 of them are productive major leaguers down the road.

[RyanTheRiot]

And why is that?  Do you really want a lineup that features Nyjer Morgan and Roger Bernadina as its only left-handed bats?

I don't see LaRoche as our three year solution at first base.  And I wouldn't mind that lineup if we fill it out with righties/switch-hitters that can hit right handed pitching.  Lee hits righties pretty well.  Espinosa switch-hits. 

We still lack left-handed power for the moment, but Harper projects to fill that void in a couple years.  I don't want us to overspend on average talent (for 3+ years) when we aren't going to compete anyway.  We can find a cheaper, temporary solution to our left-handed power problem.  Brad Hawpe comes to mind.

[PANatsFan]

My bad, someone mentioned Glaus earlier in the thread - I am thinking of Hinske.

Hinske is on the roster to sit on stuff and make sure it doesn't blow away.

[Lintyfresh85]

I don't see LaRoche as our three year solution at first base.  And I wouldn't mind that lineup if we fill it out with righties/switch-hitters that can hit right handed pitching.  Lee hits righties pretty well.  Espinosa switch-hits. 

We still lack left-handed power for the moment, but Harper projects to fill that void in a couple years.  I don't want us to overspend on average talent (for 3+ years) when we aren't going to compete anyway.  We can find a cheaper, temporary solution to our left-handed power problem.  Brad Hawpe comes to mind.

While I understand what you're saying... I'm always leery of 'don't overspend because we're not going to compete' type post.

Eventually you have to take a blind leap of faith that your team is going to be good... and a mediocre piece might put you over the top. 2011 isn't that year, but what's to say by 2012-2013 LaRoche isn't one of those key cogs at a surprising playoff run?

[RyanTheRiot]

I just don't see LaRoche as a future 'cog' for whatever reason.  I don't think Rizzo does, either.

[DPMOmaha]

I'm confused as to why some people on here magically think Bernadina, Desmond, Espinosa, Morse and Ramos all together are going to have career years. 

I've never seen anyone say that.  I think it's fair to expect them all to take the next step in their maturing as players which should lead to overall improvement for the team.  I think Morse could be on the cusp of a career year if he gets enough ABs and I think Ramos and Espinoza are both massive improvements over the guys they'll be replacing.

[Lintyfresh85]

I just don't see LaRoche as a future 'cog' for whatever reason.  I don't think Rizzo does, either.

Well, who is?

Certainly, Marrero is out the door as he can't field for crap.

Moore? Bloxom? Those are the only guys I can think of in the system.

[Tyler Durden]

The general philosophy of a lot of GM's is 'don't overspend on middling talent.'  They want to spend on the high end guys and use young guys and bargains to fill in the gaps.

LaRoche is decidedly in that group of middle-tier talent.  I'm not totally against signing him because we don't have any young guys in the pipeline who fit 'the mold.'

[Evolution33]

Well, who is?

Certainly, Marrero is out the door as he can't field for crap.

Moore? Bloxom? Those are the only guys I can think of in the system.

I still think Norris could be moved to first. .400 OBP and 20+ homers is pretty anywhere.

[RyanTheRiot]

Well, who is?

Certainly, Marrero is out the door as he can't field for crap.

Moore? Bloxom? Those are the only guys I can think of in the system.

We don't have one right now.  But I think patience is important here.  I don't want us to sign LaRoche just because he's the only left-handed first baseman out there.  Wait until a trade opportunity presents itself, or perhaps a future free agent.  Hell, maybe Mike Morse can separate himself as a plus first-baseman with a chance there this season.  Call me cheap, and I know that what I'm saying is the cheap solution.  But its also the smart decision, in my opinion, given that our window to compete won't come until 2 or 3 years from now

[Lintyfresh85]

I still think Norris could be moved to first. .400 OBP and 20+ homers is pretty anywhere.

It's even better when coming from a catcher.

I understand why some want to see him moved from behind the plate... but I can't stress enough how special he could be, with that bat, if he sticks behind the plate.

[Lintyfresh85]

We don't have one right now.  But I think patience is important here.  I don't want us to sign LaRoche just because he's the only left-handed first baseman out there.  Wait until a trade opportunity presents itself, or perhaps a future free agent.  Hell, maybe Mike Morse can separate himself as a plus first-baseman with a chance there this season.  Call me cheap, and I know that what I'm saying is the cheap solution.  But its also the smart decision, in my opinion, given that our window to compete won't come until 2 or 3 years from now

I secretly wouldn't have minded a 1 year deal for someone like Overbay.

[RyanTheRiot]

I secretly wouldn't have minded a 1 year deal for someone like Overbay.

I would have gladly taken the 1 year 5 million contract he got with Pittsburgh.

[Evolution33]

It's even better when coming from a catcher.

I understand why some want to see him moved from behind the plate... but I can't stress enough how special he could be, with that bat, if he sticks behind the plate.

Or he could be Mike Napoli. If Ramos can put up decent production and Norris can't get the defensive aspects down then I see no reason not to shift Norris to first for the 2012 season. By may or June of 2012 this could be the Nationals line-up

Espinosa
Desmond
Zimmerman
Werth
Harper
Norris
Burgess
Ramos

[Lintyfresh85]

From every report I've seen... Norris's glove is coming along great and that everyone expects him to stick at Catcher.

But, anything to get that type of bat in the lineup, would make me happy.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

um who is the first baseman. 

What's on second.

[Kevrock]

MLBTR:

Lee appears to be the Nationals' top target, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link).

[RyanTheRiot]

MLBTR:

Lee appears to be the Nationals' top target, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link).

Good.  Hoping for 2 years/$13 million or 1 year/$7 million, will settle for 2/$16 mil

[Lintyfresh85]

Espinosa.

But then again, he just underwent a surgery that saps power for a year.

[RyanTheRiot]

I think the Nats can get away with signing a FA left-handed power threat (hoping for Hawpe) who they can plug in the lineup some days, and use as a pinch-hitter other days

[Lintyfresh85]

Matt Stairs?

[Kevrock]

Do the Nats realize that there are right-handed pitchers like Roy Halladay, Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Josh Johnson, and Roy Oswalt in the NL East?  Don't we need a left-handed hitter with some power SOMEWHERE in the lineup?

What Ryan said. If we get Lee I doubt it would be our last move.

I don't mind LaRoche, but again, three years is a lot to give LaRoche. (Broken record, I know).