2012 free agency

[hammondsnats]

Cuz I'm a jerk 

hahahahaha i love the stars good work mr. president

[Slateman]

Cuz I'm a jerk 

You're better than this

[The Chief]

You're better than this

Just having some fun with PANatsFan.

[Slateman]

Then give everyone stars except him

[imref]

Here is the problem with the Nationals offense.

Nationals 1-2 hitters have hit .215/.277/.320, NL average .262/.322/.381. Nats 3-6 .262/.336/.438, NL average .266/.337/.437

The Nationals have a league average middle of the order and a down right pathetic top of the order. Prince Fielder doesn't fix the real problem with the offense.

he could hit a lot of solo HRs though (or 2 run HRs if he bats 4th.)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I really am afraid they are going to do something stupid and/or cheap like trade Morse for farm scraps.

Morse is still cheap and 2 years away from free agency. He'd get more than scraps in trade.  Zimmerman is more expensive and just as close to free agency. Less value in the contract. If LAC, then it would be RZ and not Beast Mode who is dealt.

[The Chief]

It wasn't an LAC post.  More like a RIS post.

[tomterp]

Morse is still cheap and 2 years away from free agency. He'd get more than scraps in trade.  Zimmerman is more expensive and just as close to free agency. Less value in the contract. If LAC, then it would be RZ and not Beast Mode who is dealt.

I've seen enough of Morse that I'd put a 4 year deal on him now, make it a win-win.

[HalfSmokes]

I've seen enough of Morse that I'd put a 4 year deal on him now, make it a win-win.

I hope so, but I think he might be a trade chip. LaRoche is here next year, Rendon could slot into first when he's gone

[tomterp]

I hope so, but I think he might be a trade chip. LaRoche is here next year, Rendon could slot into first when he's gone

1st would be the least valuable place for Rendon to play.  I think they will give him every chance to make it at 2nd before throwing in the towel.

[PC]

the smart, non-cheap solution is resign Willingham, keep Morse at first and have LaRoche as the left handed bat on the bench. 

This improves the offense plus it gives us an immediate fallback position WHEN Josh gets hurt, Morse at LF and LaRoche at 1B.

And the difference between Morse and Willingham at LF isn't that great so don't give us that DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE bullcrap Rizzo.

[Slateman]

Ummm .... the difference between Morse and Laroche defense is pretty huge

[PC]

Ummm .... the difference between Morse and Laroche defense is pretty huge

No it's not.  

[HalfSmokes]

1st would be the least valuable place for Rendon to play.  I think they will give him every chance to make it at 2nd before throwing in the towel.

I think that depends on how long it takes, if he's raking, but struggling defensively, I would think they would shift him to first. The other option is leaving him at third as insurance if the Zimmerman talks don't go well

[Evolution33]

Ummm .... the difference between Morse and Laroche defense is pretty huge

And Willingham isn't that much of an offensive upgrade on LaRoche. .838 OPS compared to .815 and LaRoche is left handed which is something the Nats wouldn't have with Zim, Morse, Werth, Willingham all in the line-up.

[PC]

And Willingham isn't that much of an offensive upgrade on LaRoche. .838 OPS compared to .815 and LaRoche is left handed which is something the Nats wouldn't have with Zim, Morse, Werth, Willingham all in the line-up.

but Willingham is replacing our current left field mess, a clear offensive upgrade and we're keeping Morse where he is outstanding and LaRoche dramatically improves our left handed bench bats.

this is the perfect solution.

[Kevrock]

Willingham isn't worth losing the draft picks.

[PC]

Willingham isn't worth losing the draft picks.

We wouldn't lose picks because the A's aren't going to offer him arbitration.

[Evolution33]

but Willingham is replacing our current left field mess, a clear offensive upgrade and we're keeping Morse where he is outstanding and LaRoche dramatically improves our left handed bench bats.

this is the perfect solution.

Jonny Gomes has been a 1.2 WAR player this year and Willingham a 1.6. At this point keeping Gomes makes more sense than bringing back Willingham. I also don't think LaRoche would adapt well to being a pinch hitter.

Also did you notice that Aaron Thompson is currently shutting out the Brewers?

[PC]

Also did you notice that Aaron Thompson is currently shutting out the Brewers?

I did.  See the MLB/Division Watch thread. 

[The Chief]

Also did you notice that Aaron Thompson is currently shutting out the Brewers?

Did you notice that he's doing it for another team?

[Slateman]

No it's not.   

Yea it is. Or how else do you explain Desmond looking good and not having throwing errors. Laroche was picking like a beast. Its why they were so reluctant to shut him down.

Oh and healthy Laroche puts up numbers similar to Josh Willingham. So Morse in LF and Laroche is our best option for next season.

[The Chief]

I'm fine with LaRoche back at 1B assuming his bat reverts to career norms - in a void.  My concern is that putting Morse back out in LF is going to screw with his bat and expose him to more injury risks.

[spidernat]

I guess when I say scraps, I'm just showing my own cynicism about trading semi-proven talent for prospects. 

Chief is an anti-semi-proven. 

[The Chief]

Chief is an anti-semi-proven.