2012 free agency

[BerkeleyNat]

i worry that signing fielder to a big contract will be a disaster as he grows to 300lbs in a couple of years and becomes a huge liability at 1st.  I'd spend the money on CJ Wilson first and foremost, we need 3 top starters to compete with Philly.

My thoughts exactly. His weight makes me think that he's going to be an injury risk in the future. Let someone else pay the money and take on that risk. Get C.J. Wilson!

[HalfSmokes]

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.

I don't buy this logic- slotting him in at 4 bumps morese back which likely bumps werth to 2 making the whole lineup better

[MarquisDeSade]

I don't buy this logic- slotting him in at 4 bumps morese back which likely bumps werth to 2 making the whole lineup better

Sure, but who bats leadoff?  Sub .300 OBP Desmond?  RicK AnKKKKKKKiel?

[hammondsnats]

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.

and yes adding a leadoff hitter is huge.  i said it at the beginning of the year and i really hit the point home during the deadline.  we didn't make a deal, i see us making one offseason.  i hope it's upton.  and with that we could even move lombardozzi to leadoff (assuming desmond is included in deal for upton) ... then we can look at a line-up like (2B Lombo, CF Upton, 3B Zimmerman, LF Morse, 1B LaRoche, RF Werth, SS Espinosa, C Ramos)

i just think adding a bat of fielder's caliber would do wonders to this line-up going forward. 

[HalfSmokes]

My thoughts exactly. His weight makes me think that he's going to be an injury risk in the future. Let someone else pay the money and take on that risk. Get C.J. Wilson!

the fact that CJ wilson has only been a starter for two years and will be the best available free agent pitcher makes me think he's going to be a huge overpaid rist. Lest someone else pay the money and take that risk

[HalfSmokes]

Sure, but who bats leadoff?  Sub .300 OBP Desmond?  RicK AnKKKKKKKiel?

guy we trade for or Lombo- it's not like there are any leadoff hitters to waste money on other than Reyes

[MarquisDeSade]

the fact that CJ wilson has only been a starter for two years and will be the best available free agent pitcher makes me think he's going to be a huge overpaid risk.

The bigger question is who could want to be moved that we would trade for and extend.

[Evolution33]

and yes adding a leadoff hitter is huge.  i said it at the beginning of the year and i really hit the point home during the deadline.  we didn't make a deal, i see us making one offseason.  i hope it's upton.  and with that we could even move lombardozzi to leadoff (assuming desmond is included in deal for upton) ... then we can look at a line-up like (2B Lombo, CF Upton, 3B Zimmerman, LF Morse, 1B LaRoche, RF Werth, SS Espinosa, C Ramos)

i just think adding a bat of fielder's caliber would do wonders to this line-up going forward. 

It would do wonders for any line-up and your plan would solve both issues in the most cost effective way possible. I am in no way against the Nats signing Fielder I just feel that there are bigger problems with the offense than the middle of the order.

And with that being said the first piece of business this off-season has to be Ryan Zimmerman.

[MarquisDeSade]

And with that being said the first piece of business this off-season has to be Ryan Zimmerman.

Yup, Zimmerman, leadoff hitter, starting pitching.  Get it done.

[BerkeleyNat]

the fact that CJ wilson has only been a starter for two years and will be the best available free agent pitcher makes me think he's going to be a huge overpaid rist. Lest someone else pay the money and take that risk

I want to see us sign Wilson, but I think you're right about him getting overpaid. I could see the Yankees throwing some money his way, especially with what he's done against Boston this year. Any free agent is going to be a risk (see Werth, Jayson), but I think I would rather take a chance on Wilson as opposed to Fielder. His weight scares me.

[HalfSmokes]

Yup, Zimmerman, leadoff hitter, starting pitching.  Get it done.

if they get Zimmerman extend and flop on everything else, I'll consider this off season reasonably successful

[MarquisDeSade]

if they get Zimmerman extend and flop on everything else, I'll consider this off season reasonably successful

Anyone think we'll have a Pujols situation with Zimmerman?

[Lintyfresh85]

if they get Zimmerman extend and flop on everything else, I'll consider this off season reasonably successful

That's what keeps giving this team an excuse to wait till next year.

[MarquisDeSade]

That's what keeps giving this team an excuse to wait till next year.

What do you mean?

[blue911]

I'd rather have Wandy than Wilson.

[Lintyfresh85]

What do you mean?

If they only re-sign Zimmerman? How exactly did they improve the team?

[UMDNats]

I'd rather have Wandy than Wilson.

Agreed.

[MarquisDeSade]

If they only re-sign Zimmerman? How exactly did they improve the team?

I follow.  I guess my concern is would signing Wilson or Fielder result in us having a Sophie's Choice down the road (i.e. we can only keep one of the homegrowns).

[Slateman]

I want to see us sign Wilson, but I think you're right about him getting overpaid. I could see the Yankees throwing some money his way, especially with what he's done against Boston this year. Any free agent is going to be a risk (see Werth, Jayson), but I think I would rather take a chance on Wilson as opposed to Fielder. His weight scares me.

Uhhh ... Cecil Fielder was fat his whole career and was fine. David Wells too. I just don't think weight is as big a deal  at a corner infield position. Especially first. No one is expecting him to run the bases particularly well. Its not like Morse or Laroche are speedsters.

If they only re-sign Zimmerman? How exactly did they improve the team?

They kept Zim here for his career. That improves the team.

Honestly, does anyone really think Werth is going to repeat this season? I don't. He'll have an average around .270 next year. Danny Espinosa isn't going to hit as poorly next season, I hope. While he'll never be a .300 hitter, I think he's capable of hitting .260. Same thing with Ramos. And, hopefully, we'll be getting rid of Desmond in favor of Lombardozzi.

In other words, the offense will improve simply by the experience gained this season. We're starting two rookies full time and Werth is having a dreadful season that I don't see him repeating.

[HalfSmokes]

If they only re-sign Zimmerman? How exactly did they improve the team?

right now the window closes a little in 2013 when he's due to leave, they keep it propped open. Zimmerman, Harper, Stras, Zimmermann, Rendon could be a nice core, but for that to happen, Zimmerman needs to be resigned.

[MarquisDeSade]

In other words, the offense will improve simply by the experience gained this season.

The experience of striking out like they like it and not getting on-base.  Unless we're changing hit coaches, facing weaker pitching, or giving Jobu his needed rum this is wishful thinking.

We're starting two rookies full time and Werth is having a dreadful season that I don't see him repeating.

Desmond isn't a rookie.  Werth could be just as bad, if not worse, next year.  Especially if he gets injured or comes down with a more severe case of post-Philadelphia ennui.

[Lintyfresh85]

right now the window closes a little in 2013 when he's due to leave, they keep it propped open. Zimmerman, Harper, Stras, Zimmermann, Rendon could be a nice core, but for that to happen, Zimmerman needs to be resigned.

Why does it always have to be an either/or with this organization?

Why can't they commit money to keep their best player why also adding a significant piece through FA?

[Glockypoo]

Desmond isn't a rookie. 

No but Ramos and Espy are.

[rjk22310]

Can we get Matt Kemp? I believe he's a free agent this year. Dodger won;t likely let him get away but with their internal probelems you never know. He'd be a nice addition in CF at Nats Park!

[Slateman]

The experience of striking out like they like it and not getting on-base.  Unless we're changing hit coaches, facing weaker pitching, or giving Jobu his needed rum this is wishful thinking.

Desmond isn't a rookie.  Werth could be just as bad, if not worse, next year.  Especially if he gets injured or comes down with a more severe case of post-Philadelphia ennui.

Ramos and Espinosa are considered rookies. I would expect to see improvement out of both. No way is Werth this poor next year. Just no way. No one falls off like that. Good hitters improve as they gain experience with big league pitching. Zimmerman has improved. So has Morse. If Espinosa and Ramos are good hitters, like everything seems to indicate they are, then they will improve. Like I said, I  would expect both to increase their average by ten to twenty points and their OBP more than that.

Add in Lombardozzi and our offense is improved