Nationals new 1B discussion

[JMW IV]

the quibbling over 1m per year is ridiculous.

does signing laroche tomorrow make this team better than it is right now?

if so then sign him for 8 or 9 mill per if that is what it takes.

Dunn is gone. get the freak over it people. i wanted him re signed too but it did not happen.

lets consider that just maybe Rizzo knows exactly what style of team he wants and he is moving to change the team into that style. nothing he is doing is random, despite what some would have us believe.

i think Rizzo knows what he is doing, even if we dont.

[hammondsnats]

I'm agreeing with u jmad, I don't think there is a difference.  Happy new year bud.

[Evolution33]

I wonder if Pavano had made up his mind before Lee and choose the Twins if the Nats would have increased their offer to Lee. The Nats are kind of stuck right now not knowing if that money is going to Pavano next season or not.

[Kevrock]

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.  

IDK, LaRoche was probably holding out for three years. I would go bonkers if we gave LaRoche three years. I question Rizzo's judgment in wanting LaRoche over Lee, but like someone said earlier perhaps Rizzo just wasn't convinced Lee's down year was because of his surgery. I really really thought Lee screamed "Rizzo guy". 

I'm not crazy about LaRoche but I'm warming myself up to seeing what he can bring to the table.

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

You crazy boyee. This is phase two.

[RyanTheRiot]

You crazy boyee. This is phase two.

The real spending should come in 2012-2013.  Phase 2 is seeing what we have in our young guys (Morse, Bernadina, Dez, Espy, etc)

[natstime]

does laroche really have any other opsions?  This 2 year deal we offered him sounds pretty good if no one else needs a starting first baseman.

[RyanTheRiot]

does laroche really have any other opsions?  This 2 year deal we offered him sounds pretty good if no one else needs a starting first baseman.

That's what I'm saying.  If we are his only suitor, we can bargain down the average annual value of his contract.

[PC]

$8 to $9 million per year for two years is obscenely high for LaRoche but the alternatives are even more obscene. 

[welch]

Argh! Sign Laroche. If he wants three years, give him three years and consider the third year extra money on the first two...if the Nats have anyone better.

Oh, and sign Nick Johnson as pinch-hitter and backup. He gets hurt, but he is one of the most skillful hitters in the last ten years...compare Ks to BBs. Even when injured, Nick can contribute as much as the Nats' pinch-hitters this year.

[PANatsFan]

Oh, and sign Nick Johnson as pinch-hitter and backup. He gets hurt, but he is one of the most skillful hitters in the last ten years...compare Ks to BBs. Even when injured, Nick can contribute as much as the Nats' pinch-hitters this year.

Agreed 100%.

[Kevrock]

I'd love Johnson back as a backup/bench player. NOT as an everyday 1B or platoon guy though.

[RyanTheRiot]

Nick would be a great part time 1B. The perfect complement to Morse

[CALSGR8]

Did you hear that the O's may get Lee?  

[Nathan]

But then the OF is screwed.  I really don't want both Morgan and Bernadina in CF/LF every day, or even Ankiel as an every day player.

[imref]

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.

and there is a report that Lee turned down more from San Diego to go to Baltimore.

[PC]

One of the best ways Rizzo could have improved the team woutd have been to drop Morgan, as soon as possible after the end of the season, and replaced him with a "frontline" centerfielder and trade for him, if he had to.

There is no greater detriment to this team getting better, based on his play and behavior, than Nyjer Morgan.  Subtracting Morgan and adding a top centerfielder would have been a big plus, ie taking away a big negative and adding a big positive.  Hell, just getting rid of Morgan is addition by subtraction.

[RyanTheRiot]

One of the best ways Rizzo could have improved the team woutd have been to drop Morgan, as soon as possible after the end of the season, and replaced him with a "frontline" centerfielder and trade for him, if he had to.

There is no greater detriment to this team getting better, based on his play and behavior, than Nyjer Morgan.  Subtracting Morgan and adding a top centerfielder would have been a big plus, ie taking away a big negative and adding a big positive.  Hell, just getting rid of Morgan is addition by subtraction.

I wouldn't write off Nyjer. He had a great 2009 and he's making less than $1 million

[PC]

I wouldn't write off Nyjer. He had a great 2009 and he's making less than $1 million

He had a good 2009, not great.  I think we're kind of misremembering his 2009 because his 2010 was so dreadful.  What I fear is that we'll get into spring training and he'll be just as bad as he was last year (and he was really, really bad last year) and we'll have far fewer options to replace him than we would have if we'd started looking when the offseason started.

[Kevrock]

Nick would be a great part time 1B. The perfect complement to Morse

Again, disagree. He'd make a great compliment to Morse for three weeks until he's on the DL. The dude is not a starting first baseman or even a platoon player anymore. And I really like him FWIW.

LaRoche. Johnson maybe as a backup.

[Kevrock]

He had a good 2009, not great.  I think we're kind of misremembering his 2009 because his 2010 was so dreadful.  What I fear is that we'll get into spring training and he'll be just as bad as he was last year (and he was really, really bad last year) and we'll have far fewer options to replace him than we would have if we'd started looking when the offseason started.

Nyjer is bad. I think he's still here because we can't get anything for him and they're holding out hope that he can return to 2009 form (which was half good, the half as a National... but certainly not a great year). I don't think he can possibly have a 2011 as bad as his 2010, but we'll see.

Replacing him in CF this off-season wasn't a priority though, considering how many priorities we had. Although, with Ankiel they took out some insurance.

[PANatsFan]

If you look at UZR/150 Nyjer was the best defensive player in baseball in 2009. If you look at his UZR in 50 games in DC, you come to the same conclusion.

[MarquisDeSade]

If you look at UZR/150 Nyjer was the best defensive player in baseball in 2009. If you look at his UZR in 50 games in DC, you come to the same conclusion.

And if you watched him 130+ times this year you'd realize he sucked ass.  I look forward to the day I see "Nyjer Morgan: Non-Tendered" in the transactions.

[Tyler Durden]

the quibbling over 1m per year is ridiculous.

does signing laroche tomorrow make this team better than it is right now?

if so then sign him for 8 or 9 mill per if that is what it takes.

Dunn is gone. get the freak over it people. i wanted him re signed too but it did not happen.

lets consider that just maybe Rizzo knows exactly what style of team he wants and he is moving to change the team into that style. nothing he is doing is random, despite what some would have us believe.

i think Rizzo knows what he is doing, even if we dont.

Just got back from my new year party so I'm in a good mood.

I agree witht he first part of this and I hoep the second part is treu.  But I think what has palyed out since the Werth signing smacks of randomness of the market.  losing out on Greinke and Lee especially.  Also lee.

[Tyler Durden]

Argh! Sign Laroche. If he wants three years, give him three years and consider the third year extra money on the first two...if the Nats have anyone better.

Oh, and sign Nick Johnson as pinch-hitter and backup. He gets hurt, but he is one of the most skillful hitters in the last ten years...compare Ks to BBs. Even when injured, Nick can contribute as much as the Nats' pinch-hitters this year.

Agree with signing LaRoche and not dicking around anymore.  No to Kotchman!

[Tyler Durden]

And if you watched him 130+ times this year you'd realize he sucked ass.  I look forward to the day I see "Nyjer Morgan: Non-Tendered" in the transactions.

Agree.  Nyjer is too mcuh of a risk to blow up.  Don't like his attitude.  Seemed like most on the team even tired of the Silver Elives thing after a while.