Nationals new 1B discussion

[PANatsFan]

OK, assuming we get LaRoche prognostication anyone?

LaRoche+a starter=81 wins

[RD]

I wouldn't say I'm overvaluing defense, because for the most part, I don't consider it a deal breaker.

I wouldn't have minded Dunn back, and I would get irritated that Ladson would point out his defensive liabilities in every article he wrote.

However, it does have some value to a team. Were trying to improve defense, and he is a pretty large upgrade over Dunn in that regard.

All things equal, I would've kept Dunn. But at less money per year, on a likely shorter term deal LaRoche does make some sense. He is a defensive upgrade while still being a potent bat in the middle of the lineup. He's good enough to make us better now but could be moved rather easily if we find a long tern solution in the next year or so.

Just have to get it done.

[wpa2629]

If we get LaRoche, we are significantly better defensively, particularly with a full year of Espinosa. That has to count for something, right?

[RyanTheRiot]

69 wins.  Call me a realist.

[wpa2629]

$1 million is a big difference.  Personally, I value LaRoche to be worth $6-7 million on the open market, not $8-9 million.  Overpaying for average talent is not the way to build a consistent winner.

But it's short term, a stated place holder, so really, what does it matter what you pay him under those circumstances? It's not like there's a cap.

[RyanTheRiot]

But it's short term, a stated place holder, so really, what does it matter what you pay him under those circumstances? It's not like there's a cap.

If he's a placeholder anyway, then why not play someone who is already under contract and save the $8 million?

[wpa2629]

69 wins.  Call me a realist.

We lost several games because of errors little leaguers don't make. I refuse to believe we'll be losing games like that again. I'm going to say 77 wins.

[wpa2629]

If he's a placeholder anyway, then why not play someone who is already under contract and save the $8 million?

Like who? Morse?

[RyanTheRiot]

Our pitching staff is the worst in baseball.  We won't approach .500

[RyanTheRiot]

Like who? Morse?

Yes, I was alluding to him

[wpa2629]

Yes, I was alluding to him

You want to go with an unproven Morse playing out of position as the full time first baseman in lieu of the proven major league first baseman LaRoche? Yeah, I don't agree with that course of action.

Though, i do agree that Morse needs more playing time. I'd rather see more of Morse and less of Nyjer.

[Tyler Durden]

I'd take a .340ish OBP and .830ish OPS from him if he plays great defense and upgrades the defense of the infield as a whole.

I'm not sure what this means, though, in terms of the types of players Rizzo wants.  Lee is a better defender and a better leader.  Honestly, it looks like Rizzo just holding out for the guy that came cheaper. 

If we signed LaRoche first, I'd see it as Rizzo wanting him over Lee.  Signing him after Lee is off the market smells a lot like LAC, as much as I don't like to say it. 

[Tyler Durden]

I don't care how much they pay him.  I'd rather have LaRoche than not.  Don't care if it takes 7, 8, or 9 million a year.

[wpa2629]

I'd take a .340ish OBP and .830ish OPS from him if he plays great defense and upgrades the defense of the infield as a whole.

I'm not sure what this means, though, in terms of the types of players Rizzo wants.  Lee is a better defender and a better leader.  Honestly, it looks like Rizzo just holding out for the guy that came cheaper. 

If we signed LaRoche first, I'd see it as Rizzo wanting him over Lee.  Signing him after Lee is off the market smells a lot like LAC, as much as I don't like to say it. 

You know, Lee does have a say in where he goes. He may have simply not wanted to come here. It's been known to happen. It's not like the Nats are Vegas right now.

[wpa2629]

I don't care how much they pay him.  I'd rather have LaRoche than not.  Don't care if it takes 7, 8, or 9 million a year.

This is my feeling on the matter

[Ray D]

RBIs mean nothing? How so?

RBIs can be misleading (for the reasons given); to say they mean nothing is a bit of hyperbole I think.  They've always been one of the numbers I look at, but the key is "one of" and I always look at them in context.

[wpa2629]

RBIs can be misleading (for the reasons given); to say they mean nothing is a bit of hyperbole I think.  They've always been one of the numbers I look at, but the key is "one of" and I always look at them in context.

Yes, agreed

[RyanTheRiot]

In my opinion, the value of a player cannot be determined without knowledge of his contract.  It's not that I don't want LaRoche, its that I don't want him at $8 million per season.

[wpa2629]

Yeah, I don't care what we pay him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If we do sign LaRoche, then I would not mind seeing us also try to bring in Jorge Cantu as a second backup IF and a potential

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for LaRoche v. LHP.  He has around an .800 OPS v. LHP the last 3 years over about 470 PAs.  roughly a neutral fielder at first over 1600 innings.  We could

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first and one outfield slot (assuming Morse is not every day, given Rizzo's and Riggles preferences).

[Nick the Pig]

RBI's do not mean nothing. RBI's are not well correlated with INDIVIDUAL performance. Put Ron Belliard on the Yankees and his RBI will double, that's what people are trying to say. They are an interesting stat, but not that useful in a 1:1 comparison of players.

Ronnie Baseball wouldn't likely get a chance to drive in a bunch of runs playing for the Yankees.

RBI's by themself ~= WAR by itself.

[MarquisDeSade]

With or without LaRoche this team isn't improving if we're still carting out the AAAA rotation and using 15+ starters.  

[PANatsFan]

Ronnie Baseball wouldn't likely get a chance to drive in a bunch of runs playing for the Yankees.

RBI's by themself ~= WAR by itself.

10x2=20

Our pitching staff is the worst in baseball.  We won't approach .500

Just off the top of my head, the Pirates are worse.

[PANatsFan]

In my opinion, the value of a player cannot be determined without knowledge of his contract.  It's not that I don't want LaRoche, its that I don't want him at $8 million per season.

It's the AAV that gets the deal done and keeps the third year off the contract.

[hammondsnats]

$1 million is a big difference.  Personally, I value LaRoche to be worth $6-7 million on the open market, not $8-9 million.  Overpaying for average talent is not the way to build a consistent winner.

Well that's your opinion.  I don't see a big difference.

But I think they will spend it on him and get a deal done.