2012 free agency

[Lintyfresh85]

Jonny Gomes has been a 1.2 WAR player this year

How much of that has come as a Nat?

[Evolution33]

How much of that has come as a Nat?

Does that really matter when talking about options for next year?

[HalfSmokes]

How much of that has come as a Nat?

you'll have to e-mail fangraphs and ask them to break it out- they just have 2011 2 teams

[PC]

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.

that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid.  Michael Morse is not a left fielder.

[spidernat]

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

Bob Carpenter preaching the company line worked on some.

[Lintyfresh85]

Does that really matter when talking about options for next year?

It would if it benefited your argument, I do believe.

[spidernat]

It would if it benefited your argument, I do believe.

[Kevrock]

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

Reason? Source?

[HalfSmokes]

Reason? Source?

unwillingness to pay him the ~8-9 million they'd owe him in arb?

[PC]

Reason? Source?

Well, if they offer him arb then this is moot because he is expected to accept it.

[Evolution33]

It would if it benefited your argument, I do believe.

For not bringing back Willingham and adding to what could be an already crowded corner outfield between Werth, Morse, and Harper at some point?

Not really sure it is smart to give Willingham the contract he is going to want and might get when he is just going to move to the bench when Gomes can likely be had on a one year deal for $2 million.

[DPMOmaha]

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.

I'm not really worried about that.  By his own admission, the platooning and not knowing he was going to play every day played more of an impact in his slump at the start than the actual playing of LF.  He's not a brilliant LF, but he's capable.  If it's anything other than him there and LaRoche at 1B, I'll be shocked.  I think he'll be the Jason Marquis of next year.  I don't see the point in picking up a stud 1B when you've already got two pretty good ones and one in the minors who just about everyone says is just about ready, especially when you've got bigger, more pressing needs.

[Slateman]

Bob Carpenter preaching the company line worked on some.

Or maybe I've seen them both play? Either way, UZR and dWAR back up my point. Laroche has been in positive numbers this season and last. Morse is in the negative. Mindfact

[Lintyfresh85]

I think you guys forget how badly Morse moves about in the OF.

He's built for 1B. Hopefully the half year in LF will not be too bad for the Nats.

[MarquisDeSade]

UZR and dWAR back up my point...Mindfact

UZR and dWAR are mindfacts by definition.

[Kevrock]

Well, if they offer him arb then this is moot because he is expected to accept it.

If the A's think he would accept arbitration why wouldn't they deal him at the deadline? Has some source said that Willingham will accept arbitration? I'd like to read more on the subject, and I can't find anything about it. Thanks.

Here's what I found on Willingham:

His agent, Matt Sosnick, says Willingham seeks a two- to three-year contract and that the ball is in the A's court.

"I think his inclination would be to stay here, if it's something that could get done by the end of the season," Sosnick said. "If not, he's going to go out and really explore his options."

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18733836

[HalfSmokes]

God knows agents never posture

[Kevrock]

Thanks for your insight.

[RD]

I think you guys forget how badly Morse moves about in the OF.

He's built for 1B. Hopefully the half year in LF will not be too bad for the Nats.

His ability to play left field is no worse than Nix or Gomes, so that point doesn't really mean much.

Bringing Willingham back to come off the bench is a terrible idea. And that's exactly where he'd be - the bench. The offensive difference between LaRoce and Willingham is minimal, if anything, but LaRoche brings tremendous defensive value to first base and is left handed. He's starting easily over Willingham.

[HalfSmokes]

Thanks for your insight.

you quoted an agent saying his client wants a long term deal- find me an agent who says my client couldn't beat arbitration this far before the deadline to file

[Slateman]

His ability to play left field is no worse than Nix or Gomes, so that point doesn't really mean much.

Bringing Willingham back to come off the bench is a terrible idea. And that's exactly where he'd be - the bench. The offensive difference between LaRoce and Willingham is minimal, if anything, but LaRoche brings tremendous defensive value to first base and is left handed. He's starting easily over Willingham.

Thank you

[RD]

The only free agent that definitely makes sense now and for the future is Jose Reyes, as far as Im concerned. Everyone else, we have a potential fill in already on the big league roster or coming up in a year. Since we aren't going to win a WS next year, we might as well not criplle the future by overpaying for guys now. I understand the risk with Reyes and his injuries, but his ability to come in and leadoff for us would be huge. Not saying Id go after him at all costs(say, a Crawford deal) but he's the only guy Id really pursue. We can get long term value at 1B from Morse, or even Marrero or Rendon(or Werth in a year or two, as he slows down athletically). We have OF's with some pop(Harper, Hood possibly Rendon), but the only potential lead off candidate is Lombo, and he's not such a big prospect that he's a lock to make the jump.

[MarquisDeSade]

The only free agent that definitely makes sense now and for the future is Jose Reyes

We sign Reyes he'll end up breaking his back doing jumping jacks.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

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

yes, but Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns, and Ryan Wagner aren't producing for another major league team!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

UZR and dWAR are mindfacts by definition.

Other than the fact they are derived from explained methods and can be duplicated from the BIS data, I can see how you'd say it is a mindfact like an SF assertion.