2012 free agency

[Tyler Durden]

Over the last two seasons Reyes has played in 259 games and had 1189 plate appearances. Ryan Zimmerman in that time has played in 243 games with 1043 plate appearances. So why are we fine with giving one guy nearly $200 million, but not giving another just over $100 million?

Because of what Lintyfresh said.  One guy's injuries are mostly to his legs while his game relies mostly on speed.  The other guys is more of a power guy and defense at third base is much less about speed/agility than SS is.

[HalfSmokes]

Because of what Lintyfresh said.  One guy's injuries are mostly to his legs while his game relies mostly on speed.  The other guys is more of a power guy and defense at third base is much less about speed/agility than SS is.

even with his 'injury history' he's played in more games than Zimmerman over the last two season, so if you want to call Reyes injury prone, then the same applies to Zimmerman. I think both will get monster deals rather than the injury discount that people seem to think Reyes will have to settle for

[wpa2629]

Zim has had 2 fluke injuries that cost him a chunk of time, the other 5 seasons were basically full, healthy seasons. Hasn't Reyes been on the DL at some point every year?

Sounds like Reyes has chronic, continuing problems while Zim needs to just stop sliding head first into second base.

[HalfSmokes]

Zim has had 2 fluke injuries that cost him a chunk of time, the other 5 seasons were basically full, healthy seasons. Hasn't Reyes been on the DL at some point every year?

Sounds like Reyes has chronic, continuing problems while Zim needs to just stop sliding head first into second base.

Zimmerman has had a 'history' of injuries to his core (oblique and abs) and Reyes has had  hamstringh, calf and thyroid problems- I wouldn't call either player injury prone, but to say one is and one isn't is just putting on the blinders

[Lintyfresh85]

I never said Zimmerman wasn't injury prone.

Sigh. Not this again.

[Tyler Durden]

Nobody said that Zim wasn't injury prone or that Reyes wouldn't get a monster deal.  Both are probably true.

[Evolution33]

The biggest offensive problem the Nationals had last season was the top of the order. Leadoff hitters for the Nats hit .226/.285/.347 and Jose Reyes for his career has hit .292/.341/.441. this would fill a giant hole and vastly improve the Nationals run production. Reyes' injury history is a concern, but he can be a difference maker in the 120-130 games he would play in.

[Tyler Durden]

Crisp has a .330 career OBP.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crispco01.shtml

McLouth has a .337 career OBP.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mclouna01.shtml

Both those guys can be had for 1 year and 1/10 the cost of Reyes.  And they play CF.

Cody Ross can be solid in a platoon with a .349 OBP for his career as a RHB [edited to add - against lefties].  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=rossco01&year=Career&t=b

[Evolution33]

Crisp has a .330 career OBP.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crispco01.shtml

McLouth has a .337 career OBP.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mclouna01.shtml

Both those guys can be had for 1 year and 1/10 the cost of Reyes.  And they play CF.

Cody Ross can be solid in a platoon with a .349 OBP for his career as a RHB [edited to add - against lefties].  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=rossco01&year=Career&t=b

I would like to believe the Nationals organization is at a point where they are no longer signing players and hoping for a bounce back season.

[Tyler Durden]

I'd prefer those guys to paying Jose Reyes $100 mil.

I'd be fine with trading for someone like BJ Upton, too.  Or putting Werth in CF and getting a corner OF like maybe DeJesus for a year.

I just think Reyes is such a huge risk at the cost it will take to sign him.

[Slateman]

Zim is injury prone. DFA him!

[Evolution33]

I'd prefer those guys to paying Jose Reyes $100 mil.

I'd be fine with trading for someone like BJ Upton, too.  Or putting Werth in CF and getting a corner OF like maybe DeJesus for a year.

I just think Reyes is such a huge risk at the cost it will take to sign him.

I would like to think the Nats have the money to sign good players. If Nate McLouth is the starting CF and lead-off hitter next season I might shoot myself. 

[Tyler Durden]

Ha.  Fair enough.  They did go through this season with Rick Ankiel and the pathetic leadoff performance you made note of and I hope nobody ended up getting shot because of that.

If they sign Reyes for $100 mil and it goes badly, they've pretty much boxed themselves in going forward.  It's not a risk I would take.

[HalfSmokes]

Crisp has a .330 career OBP.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crispco01.shtml

McLouth has a .337 career OBP.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mclouna01.shtml

Both those guys can be had for 1 year and 1/10 the cost of Reyes.  And they play CF.

Cody Ross can be solid in a platoon with a .349 OBP for his career as a RHB [edited to add - against lefties].  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=rossco01&year=Career&t=b

If we're assuming guys will revert to career norms, I'd be more comfortable with Werth (.360 career OBP) than any of those guys

[Smithian]

We need the Marlins to splurge on Jose Reyes so that we can trade for Hanley Ramirez at an affordable rate and rehabilitate him into a normal human being who destroys people.

[Tyler Durden]

If we're assuming guys will revert to career norms, I'd be more comfortable with Werth (.360 career OBP) than any of those guys

Yeah me too if Werth can play good enough defense for the year in center.

[Slateman]

If we're assuming guys will revert to career norms, I'd be more comfortable with Werth (.360 career OBP) than any of those guys

Why not both?  Werth has the power numbers to keep him in RF. We get to improve defensively and improve the team's OBP. Plus we get  a guy who has experience batting leadoff.

We need the Marlins to splurge on Jose Reyes so that we can trade for Hanley Ramirez at an affordable rate and rehabilitate him into a normal human being who destroys people.

If they get Reyes, they'll move Hanley to third

[Lintyfresh85]

The Pirates will decline Ryan Doumit's contract option after the conclusion of the World Series

Doumit's buyout is $500,000 whereas his option would cost the Pirates $7.25 million in salary next season and $8.25 million in 2013. When healthy, he was one of Pittsburgh's better hitters, posting a .303 average with 30 RBI and a .353 on-base percentage in 77 games. The club is expected to bring back Michael McKenry, Jason Jaramillo, Matt Pagnozzi and Eric Fryer, all of whom spent time on the ML roster this year.

You could do a lot worse than Doumit as the backup catcher. Career .271/.334/.442/.777 line.

[houston-nat]

You could do a lot worse than Doumit as the backup catcher. Career .271/.334/.442/.777 line.

Would Flores or Pudge be "a lot worse"?

[Lintyfresh85]

I do believe so.

[Slateman]

Why are the Pirates declining his option?

[Vega]

Why are the Pirates declining his option?

Because he's ridiculously injury-prone and is thus not worth keeping at that price. They'd rather have a cheaper veteran like Rod Barajas hold down the catcher spot for a year or two until Tony Sanchez is ready.

[zoom]

From ESPN: 
Notable non-tender candidates (2011 salary)

    Alberto Callaspo, 3B -- Los Angeles Angels ($2.0 million)
    Dallas Braden, LHP -- Oakland Athletics ($3.35 million)
    Jeff Mathis, C -- Los Angeles Angels ($1.7 million)
    Peter Moylan, RHP -- Atlanta Braves ($2 million)
    Carlos Gomez, CF -- Milwaukee Brewers ($1.5 million)
    Ryan Theriot, 2B -- St. Louis Cardinals ($3.3 million)
    Joe Saunders, LHP -- Arizona Diamondbacks ($5.5 million)
    Jason Vargas, LHP -- Seattle Mariners ($2.45 million)
    Zach Duke, LHP -- Arizona Diamondbacks ($4.25 million)
    James Loney, 1B -- Los Angeles Dodgers ($4.875 million)
    Andres Torres, CF -- San Francisco Giants ($2.2 million)
    Leo Nunez, RHP -- Florida Marlins ($3.65 million)
    Angel Pagan, OF -- New York Mets ($3.5 million)
    Luke Scott, DH -- Baltimore Orioles ($6.4 million)
    Kyle Kendrick, RHP -- Philadelphia Phillies ($2.45 million)
    Ross Ohlendorf, RHP -- Pittsburgh Pirates ($2.025 million)
    Andrew Miller, LHP -- Boston Red Sox ($1.3 million)
    Ian Stewart, 3B -- Colorado Rockies ($2.2875 million)
    Joel Zumaya, RHP -- Detroit Tigers ($1.4 million)
    David Aardsma, RHP -- Seattle Mariners ($4.5 million)

[Lintyfresh85]

Pagan is probably the only guy I'd have any interest in... And that's just to kick the tires to see what he has left.

Maybe Torres as well.

[HalfSmokes]

Torres, Loney in a bench role, maybe Stewart to see if a change of scenery would help