Nationals new 1B discussion

[cmdterps44]

Is he smoking the ganja? Wouldn't you rather have Werth and Harper in the outfield and Norris at 1b?

Yeah, wtf. It seems like he rose to Blub Twatson levels.

[HalfSmokes]

Does Norris' bat project to be anything special at either corner outfield or first base?

[imref]

Via MLBTR, St. Petersburg times says the Rays may sign Casey Kotchman, but Dan Johnson is the fall-back option for 1B.  So I guess it's down to us and Baltimore for Lee/LaRoche unless some surprise team makes a bid.

[Tyler Durden]

Via MLBTR, St. Petersburg times says the Rays may sign Casey Kotchman, but Dan Johnson is the fall-back option for 1B.  So I guess it's down to us and Baltimore for Lee/LaRoche unless some surprise team makes a bid.

That would be a double-coup for us.  Crossing Kotchman off our list and the Rays off the list of teams in the market for a 1B.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Interesting that a few teams have decided to move for the lesser 1Bs (SD, TB), which lowers the competition for the top of the market.  Either they thought the price would go up once Lee and LaRoche sign, or they thought there was not as much of a difference between L & L and the ones they signed. 

Kotchman I guess is Dan Johnson with a better glove, but I thought they'd go for  a righty bat for DH/ 1B to platoon with Johnson  and Joyce.

[spidernat]

The plan on waiting for Lee/Laroche will probably work out in the end because whoever is leftover will be cheaper. It worked two years ago when the Nats played chicken with Dunn and they ended up getting him at a lower number than he wanted.

[PANatsFan]

The plan on waiting for Lee/Laroche will probably work out in the end because whoever is leftover will be cheaper. It worked two years ago when the Nats played chicken with Dunn and they ended up getting him at a lower number than he wanted.

Ok, but that's actually smart negotiating, isn't it?

[imref]

Interesting that a few teams have decided to move for the lesser 1Bs (SD, TB), which lowers the competition for the top of the market.  Either they thought the price would go up once Lee and LaRoche sign, or they thought there was not as much of a difference between L & L and the ones they signed. 

Kotchman I guess is Dan Johnson with a better glove, but I thought they'd go for  a righty bat for DH/ 1B to platoon with Johnson  and Joyce.

the article lists  Johnny Damon, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and Jason Giambi as possible DH signees.

[PC]

Ok, but that's actually smart negotiating, isn't it?

Or trying to save a buck.

[comish4lif]

The plan on waiting for Lee/Laroche will probably work out in the end because whoever is leftover will be cheaper. It worked two years ago when the Nats played chicken with Dunn and they ended up getting him at a lower number than he wanted.

Playing chicken is a good analogy. With Dunn, the Nats won last time. Sometimes with chicken, you crash in a ball of fore.

It would not surprise me if the Nats go to Spring Training with neither Lee nor Laroche.

[spidernat]

Ok, but that's actually smart negotiating, isn't it?

Absolutely. That is, when it works out. But it's also risky and while I don't mind it, especially if it meant using the savings on continuing to improve the team (as it should be) rather than going into the Lerner's vault, I would rather they stop being cheap and stop bargain hunting so we can get some quality talent. You have to pay for quality talent.

[NatsDad14]

What is Arizona doing now at 1B?

[Vega]

What is Arizona doing now at 1B?

Juan Miranda/Xavier Nady VI.

[NatsDad14]

Juan Miranda/Xavier Nady VI.

Why won't they go after Lee or resign LaRoche?

[RyanTheRiot]

http://www.masnsports.com/phil_wood/2010/12/post-christmas-update.html
Lee's willingness to sign a contract for just a single season makes him all the more attractive to the Nationals, who feel they have other first base options beyond 2011. No one should be terribly surprised to see Jayson Werth move to first base in 2012, with Bryce Harper taking over in right field. Fans should also look for Derek Norris to get playing time in the outfield this year as well as behind the plate. Scouts think his bat will play in the major leagues, and feel he can transition to left field without much problem.

This guy is crazy to think that Werth will move to first base after this season.  Absolutely nuts. 

But the first part is music to my ears.  Neither Lee nor LaRoche is a long-term solution at first base.  Lee would be a solid one-year option, but going any longer than one year would be risky.  As a young team, we need to keep our options open.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Sorry Phil, I would be surprised to see Werth at first in 2012.  I could see some sense in shifting Norris to left rather than first if he can't catch, and I could eventually see Werth moving to first in the last years of his contract, but the obvious move is Werth (or Harper) to CF in 2012 rather than to first.  It would be a waste of Werth's arm, speed, and general athleticism (the reasons given for his signing) to put him at first at this stage of his career.  I can see an eventual move to first, and if you think 5 years down the road, then you may want Norris capable of playing a position other than first when that happens.  That said, the choice in 2012 would be between another temporary first baseman after Lee (including possibly Lee again) and Werth in CF v. Nyjer / Roger / Rick in CF and an under utilized Werth at first.  I'd be surprised if the latter was the preferred option.

[PANatsFan]

Who is Rick? Corey Brown maybe.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Who is Rick? Corey Brown maybe.

Ankiel.  I suppose Corey Brown can be in the mix, too. If that is the case, then I still don't move Werth to first. I use him in left because he'll be superior to Norris defensively for 3 or 4 years, at least.

[PANatsFan]

Ankiel.  I suppose Corey Brown can be in the mix, too. If that is the case, then I still don't move Werth to first. I use him in left because he'll be superior to Norris defensively for 3 or 4 years, at least.

How many years of control do we have on the Ankle?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Just this year, per cots.

[welch]

This guy is crazy to think that Werth will move to first base after this season.  Absolutely nuts. 

But the first part is music to my ears.  Neither Lee nor LaRoche is a long-term solution at first base.  Lee would be a solid one-year option, but going any longer than one year would be risky.  As a young team, we need to keep our options open.

Laroche is perfect. Young enough and good enough to hold 1B for three years. In baseball, four years is the misty and unpredictable future. Sign him, and worry about starting pitchers.

[Evolution33]

Laroche is perfect. Young enough and good enough to hold 1B for three years. In baseball, four years is the misty and unpredictable future. Sign him, and worry about starting pitchers.

Worry would be the right term for this teams starting pitching.

[JMW IV]

Laroche is perfect. Young enough and good enough to hold 1B for three years. In baseball, four years is the misty and unpredictable future. Sign him, and worry about starting pitchers.

right. I'd go 3 years on Laroche, and then get pitching.

[PANatsFan]

right. I'd go 3 years on Laroche, and then get pitching.

Lee is a 50% chance on a big bounce back on a one-year deal. Either is a good choice.

[JMW IV]

Lee is a 50% chance on a big bounce back on a one-year deal. Either is a good choice.

but despite what Phil Wood says, we DON'T have a viable 1B option for next year.

for that reason, I'd want the younger Laroche for 2-3 years, than the older Lee for one year.

Laroche would give us time to find a longer term 1B.