Author Topic: What is the biggest hole remaining? (Read 2141 times)

hammondsnats · « **on:** February 10, 2011, 10:45:24 am »

I think everyone will admit that this offseason was (at least) somewhat of a success. Whether you agree with the new philosophy or not, the club should be better on defense, deeper in pitching and they even added a few bats.

With that said, spring training is only five days away. What do you see as the Nats most glaring hole remaining?

This isn't an exercise to blame the front office/ownership/etc; only to see what the fans think is the one area we still need improvement in. I'm just curious. I think it'll be interesting to learn what everyone feels about this now and then check back a couple months into the season and see who was right (hopefully nobody is

).

Ready ... Go ...

R-Zim#11 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:46:37 am »

Left, assuming Morgan isn't still a psycho...

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:46:59 am »

Slots 1-3 in the rotation

JMW IV · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:48:27 am »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on February 10, 2011, 10:46:59 am

Slots 1-4 in the rotation

fixed.

R-Zim#11 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:49:11 am »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on February 10, 2011, 10:46:59 am

Slots 1-3 in the rotation

At the current moment, I might agree with you. But I have full faith in Strasburg and Zimmermann taking up that mantle by the end of the year.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:51:04 am »

for me it was SP.

ronnynat · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:56:07 am »

Quote from: R-Zim#11 on February 10, 2011, 10:46:37 am

Left, assuming Morgan isn't still a psycho...

I'm expecting Morse to have a 22+ HR, .850+ OPS season. Willingham-like numbers and better D in left.

R-Zim#11 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:56:55 am »

Quote from: ronnynat on February 10, 2011, 10:56:07 am

I'm expecting Morse to have a 22+ HR, .850+ OPS season. Willingham-like numbers and better D in left.

Not sold on Morse. That is a big question mark.

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:01:20 am »

Quote from: ronnynat on February 10, 2011, 10:56:07 am

I'm expecting Morse to have a 22+ HR, .850+ OPS season. Willingham-like numbers and better D in left.

That would be pretty awesome but with that swing I don't see him putting up similar numbers to last year. I really hope I'm wrong 'cause I like Mike.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:02:27 am »

Quote from: ronnynat on February 10, 2011, 10:56:07 am

I'm expecting Morse to have a 22+ HR, .850+ OPS season. Willingham-like numbers and better D in left.

if they let him play

Mr Clean · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:02:31 am »

Francesco Liriano (sp) anyone?

ronnynat · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:08:00 am »

Quote from: Mr. Clean on February 10, 2011, 11:02:31 am

Francesco Liriano (sp) anyone?

I don't see any more major trades happening this offseason. Replacing Lannan w/ Liriano would be awesome, though.

houston-nat · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:10:41 am »

I voted for CF. We lack quality starting pitching, but at least we have 5-6 major league guys. We can fill a rotation with mediocre starters. Marquis, Livan, Lannan, and JZimm aren't sexy, but they are major league pitchers with track records at least one or two notches above "suck." We may not yet be able to fill center field with a decent starter, and I think Nyjer will probably get DFA'd.

Quote from: ronnynat on February 10, 2011, 11:08:00 am

I don't see any more major trades happening this offseason. Replacing Lannan w/ Liriano would be awesome, though.

But he took the Auto Train all the way down to Florida! That's dedication

Potomac Cannons · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:20:07 am »

I went for the rotation. We have 8 legit options to fill rotation spots this year but JZ is the only one with front of the rotation potential. Stras returns next year so he doesn't count. Right now we've got a lot of solid 4-5 starters that could have a nice year and be a 3 along with JZ who can pitch like a 1 if his control has returned.

If one of the teams with surplus mid/front rotation guys moves one to us then CF becomes the biggest hole.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:21:24 am »

Quote from: Potomac Cannons on February 10, 2011, 11:20:07 am

I went for the rotation. We have 8 legit options to fill rotation spots this year but JZ is the only one with front of the rotation potential. Stras returns next year so he doesn't count. Right now we've got a lot of solid 4-5 starters that could have a nice year and be a 3 along with JZ who can pitch like a 1 if his control has returned.

If one of the teams with surplus mid/front rotation guys moves one to us then CF becomes the biggest hole.

wow I actually agree with potomac cannons, almost, I think left is a bigger hole than CF

JMW IV · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:21:41 am »

Quote from: ronnynat on February 10, 2011, 10:56:07 am

I'm expecting Morse to have a 22+ HR, .850+ OPS season. Willingham-like numbers and better D in left.

the only thing that would stop Morse is Riggleman's idiocy.

Potomac Cannons · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:25:39 am »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on February 10, 2011, 11:21:24 am

wow I actually agree with potomac cannons, almost, I think left is a bigger hole than CF

I'm assuming Morse wins the spot and is actually allowed to play there.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:26:44 am »

Quote from: Potomac Cannons on February 10, 2011, 11:25:39 am

I'm assuming Morse wins the spot and is actually allowed to play there.

If you're right, then CF becomes the biggest hole. I just have a bad feeling that all of this defense first crap will land us roger as the starting lf

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:40:32 am »

I put CF. The rotation will be in the bottom 5, maybe bottom 10. CF has the potential to be a league-wide embarrasment like it was last year.

NatsDad14 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:41:55 am »

Manager.

shoeshineboy · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:51:44 am »

Quote from: Potomac Cannons on February 10, 2011, 11:20:07 am

I went for the rotation. We have 8 legit options to fill rotation spots this year but JZ is the only one with front of the rotation potential. Stras returns next year so he doesn't count. Right now we've got a lot of solid 4-5 starters that could have a nice year and be a 3 along with JZ who can pitch like a 1 if his control has returned.

If one of the teams with surplus mid/front rotation guys moves one to us then CF becomes the biggest hole.

This. And a healthy JZ is still potential, not a track record. If he emerges as a legit 1 to 3 (preferably a 2), and we actually have guys like Lannan and Marquis pitch well, we may do ok. But at this point, the only guy you write in as a definite if healthy in 2012 is Strasburg. Everyone else is potential or a stopgap.

Potomac Cannons · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:55:30 am »

Quote from: shoeshineboy on February 10, 2011, 11:51:44 am

This. And a healthy JZ is still potential, not a track record. If he emerges as a legit 1 to 3 (preferably a 2), and we actually have guys like Lannan and Marquis pitch well, we may do ok. But at this point, the only guy you write in as a definite if healthy in 2012 is Strasburg. Everyone else is potential or a stopgap.

1.8 WAR in 16 starts as a rookie. That's a pace for top 30 results over a full season. His FIP was 3.59 and xFIP was 3.39. The only real question is exactly when his control returns. When it does he's a #1/#2 SP. He's about as much a sure thing as there can be. I'd put him right in the ballpark with a Tommy Hanson type of pitcher.

houston-nat · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:58:16 am »

Quote from: Potomac Cannons on February 10, 2011, 11:55:30 am

He's about as much a sure thing as there can be.

As can be currently seen in another thread, certain WNFFers think that not even Albert Pujols is a sure thing.

Potomac Cannons · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2011, 12:01:41 pm »

Quote from: houston-nat on February 10, 2011, 11:58:16 am

As can be currently seen in another thread, certain WNFFers think that not even Albert Pujols is a sure thing.

That's not remotely true if you have a modicum of reading comprehension.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2011, 12:03:56 pm »

Quote from: ronnynat on February 10, 2011, 11:08:00 am

I don't see any more major trades happening this offseason. Replacing Lannan w/ Liriano would be awesome, though.

Lannan > Marquis

I would take:
Livan
Liriano
Zimmermann
Lannan
Wang (when ready)/Marquis/Gorzelanny/Maya

Poll

What is the biggest hole remaining?

Author Topic: What is the biggest hole remaining? (Read 2141 times)