2012 free agency

[Tyler Durden]

I expect better years from several players.  Werth, LaRoche, the two rookies Espinosa and Ramos.

We also would be solid across the board on defense minus LF with someone like Upton in CF, LaRoche at 1B, and Morse in LF.  If our pitching next year takes another step forward, that's a winning recipe.

[Tyler Durden]

I forgot Desmond - I don't think he'll be as bad as he was in the first half, either.

[Lintyfresh85]

Disagree, I think the offense is pretty crappy, and has a long way to go before being deemed respectable.

[HalfSmokes]

I expect better years from several players.  Werth, LaRoche, the two rookies Espinosa and Ramos.

We also would be solid across the board on defense minus LF with someone like Upton in CF, LaRoche at 1B, and Morse in LF.  If our pitching next year takes another step forward, that's a winning recipe.

isn't that what we always say?

[Obed_Marsh]

Wow. Apologists and toadies unite. Pretty sad they have trained the fan base to defend lackluster off-seasons before we even go out with a whimper.

[cmdterps44]

What linty and smokes said. I think we really need a CF that can give us some offense, especially in the leadoff.

[Tyler Durden]

What linty and smokes said. I think we really need a CF that can give us some offense, especially in the leadoff.

I'd take Rick Ankiel's solid D and below average offense before I'd take Dejesus and his below average defense and solid offense.

With respect to always saying the same thing - not really.  Not everything will go well - Morse may regress, Zim may get hurt again, maybe something else.  But as a whole, yeah, even without any significant additions, I'd expect our offense to be better - mostly due to Werth and LaRoche.

[MarquisDeSade]

This offense sucks monkey dick.  freak defense, we need to bash the ball if we plan on doing anything other than saying "wait two years" or "wait until they get old" with the Phillies and Braves.

[cmdterps44]

This offense sucks monkey dick.  freak defense, we need to bash the ball if we plan on doing anything other than saying "wait two years" or "wait until they get old" with the Phillies and Braves.

Exactly how I feel.

[Tyler Durden]

I dunno - I think Morse in LF and someone like Dejesus in CF would be pretty ugly. 

[Lintyfresh85]

Uglier than scoring 0 runs a night?

I doubt it.

[Tyler Durden]

I'm pretty sure we've scored more than 0 runs a night.

[Lintyfresh85]

And the offense still sucks with Ankiel.

I just don't understand the mindset with being OK with scoring less runs than the 2011 Nats.

[DPMOmaha]

There's no reason that we should have to sacrifice defense for offense to fix the CF hole.

[Slateman]

If Zimmerman is health I can't imagine us scoring fewer runs

[HalfSmokes]

There's no reason that we should have to sacrifice defense for offense to fix the CF hole.

If we're trading for one, we probably will- teams tend to hold onto guys who can do both at CF

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Can we figure out a way to get two good obp guys hitting 1st and 2d?  Maybe Werth is one of them.

[HalfSmokes]

If Zimmerman is health I can't imagine us scoring fewer runs

that's fine, but we should be looking to score more not stay static- we don't score nearly enough now, putting the same offense out there next year and expecting significant improvement doesn't make much sense

[DPMOmaha]

If we're trading for one, we probably will- teams tend to hold onto guys who can do both at CF

But I'm saying we can have both in the position.  Even if we have to trade some valuable pieces, we can add a headliner CF w/o losing something that's currently in place.

[Evolution33]

Nats in 2011 7% below NL average which is the exact same as it was in 2010. The Nats offense is the same compared to league average. Runs are down yet again across all of baseball. The Nats need to have a better offense next year but DeJesus in center is not an answer. They need to trade for a real CF. 

[imref]

Nats in 2011 7% below NL average which is the exact same as it was in 2010. The Nats offense is the same compared to league average. Runs are down yet again across all of baseball. The Nats need to have a better offense next year but DeJesus in center is not an answer. They need to trade for a real CF. 

a lead-off hitter is our biggest need, if he plays a good CF then that's even better.

[HalfSmokes]

trade LaRoche for spare parts, Morse to left, sign Fielder, then you can get away with a defensive center fielder.

[DPMOmaha]

trade LaRoche for spare parts, Morse to left, sign Fielder, then you can get away with a defensive center fielder.

Except that you still won't have anyone to get on base consistently in front of those guys.  And I still think it will be very difficult to move LaRoche, even for spare parts.

[HalfSmokes]

Except that you still won't have anyone to get on base consistently in front of those guys.  And I still think it will be very difficult to move LaRoche, even for spare parts.

Werth has a career .360 OBP. Zimmerman and his .350 obp would be ahead of him in the lineup too.

[DPMOmaha]

Werth has a career .360 OBP. Zimmerman and his .350 obp would be ahead of him in the lineup too.

That's fine.  I'd love to have one more guy in front of him with a similar obp.  That would make the lineup pretty solid regardless of who's at 1B.  Maybe that guy is Lombo and they move Desmond.  IDK. 

Also, if the do move LaRoche, I think they give the job to Marrero rather than go after someone like Fielder.