Jayson Werth Appreciation Thread

[whytev]

So who would play 1B then? Souza is better at this point in time than Taylor, McLouth, and Frandsen. Taylor has the potential to be solid, but McLouth and Frandsen are the definition of meh.

This scenario is not ideal, but it gives Rizzo the freedom to carry Moore and see how he does, hopefully raising his value for a trade down the line, or else maybe he does awesome.

Give me the pencil on opening day if nothing else changes, and I write:

Span CF
Rendon 3B
Harper RF
Zimmerman LF
Desmond SS
Ramos C
Moore 1B
Espinosa 2B

Lobaton
Frandsen
McLouth
Taylor
Uggla

McLouth, Taylor, Fransen, and Moore all take turns filling in for Werth.  Moore and McLouth have the opportunity to play themselves out of a job, or not.  Taylor goes back to AAA when Werth returns, unless he suddenly rises to the occasion and McLouth or Moore get dealt as a result.

[madj55]

Move on? Lol I'm not stuck on Souza, but none of those players are better than him.

[whytev]

Move on? Lol I'm not stuck on Souza, but none of those players are better than him.

Souza has 0 career hits against RHP.  He gushes potential, but that's all so far.  Just potential.  Him and Taylor are equals, but we needed Taylor more because of his higher ceiling and the fact that we're likely to have a CF opening first.

[madj55]

This scenario is not ideal, but it gives Rizzo the freedom to carry Moore and see how he does, hopefully raising his value for a trade down the line, or else maybe he does awesome.

Give me the pencil on opening day if nothing else changes, and I write:

Span CF
Rendon 3B
Harper RF
Zimmerman LF
Desmond SS
Ramos C
Moore 1B
Espinosa 2B

Lobaton
Frandsen
McLouth
Taylor
Uggla

McLouth, Taylor, Fransen, and Moore all take turns filling in for Werth.  Moore and McLouth have the opportunity to play themselves out of a job, or not.  Taylor goes back to AAA when Werth returns, unless he suddenly rises to the occasion and McLouth or Moore get dealt as a result.

I could live with that. I don't think Moore is as terrible as some think, he's not great, but when he got consistent playing time in 2012 he provided some pop. That was three years ago though, and he hasn't shown much in the majors since. But, if Werth will be done with rehab by Opening Day like they said this won't be an issue. And I'd send Taylor back down regardless of if he rises to the occasion, he needs a bit more seasoning.

[whytev]

Move on? Lol I'm not stuck on Souza, but none of those players are better than him.

Moore hit .260 last year when starting, and .071 when PHing.  He's fine to start on 1B when an OF or Face needs a day off. 

[whytev]

I could live with that. I don't think Moore is as terrible as some think, he's not great, but when he got consistent playing time in 2012 he provided some pop. That was three years ago though, and he hasn't shown much in the majors since. But, if Werth will be done with rehab by Opening Day like they said this won't be an issue. And I'd send Taylor back down regardless of if he rises to the occasion, he needs a bit more seasoning.

So would I but I'm talking like if he suddenly hits .320 over a month, maybe keep him on the bench and start giving Werth every day game off.

If he's just adequate, send him down.

As long as Zimmerman and his hamstring are hanging around first base, I want Moore on the roster.  That is not a popular opinion around here, but that's how I feel.

[madj55]

Souza has 0 career hits against RHP.  He gushes potential, but that's all so far.  Just potential.  Him and Taylor are equals, but we needed Taylor more because of his higher ceiling and the fact that we're likely to have a CF opening first.

17 ABs, that's not enough for me to draw any conclusions. At this point in time Souza is a better player than Taylor. I'm not upset that Souza was traded, I just disagree with your "meh" notion as if McLouth and Frandsen will actually contribute more than Souza.

[madj55]

So would I but I'm talking like if he suddenly hits .320 over a month, maybe keep him on the bench and start giving Werth every day game off.

If he's just adequate, send him down.

As long as Zimmerman and his hamstring are hanging around first base, I want Moore on the roster.  That is not a popular opinion around here, but that's how I feel.

I personally think that'd be a waste of Taylor's time, especially if we're grooming him to be our starting CF in 2016. He needs all the reps he can get.

[whytev]

17 ABs, that's not enough for me to draw any conclusions. At this point in time Souza is a better player than Taylor. I'm not upset that Souza was traded, I just disagree with your "meh" notion as if McLouth and Frandsen will actually contribute more than Souza.

Of Frandsen, Moore, McLouth, Taylor, and Souza, any of the five of them could very well contribute, and it's most likely none of them actually would.  I'd say for a stint over April helping out, it goes:

Highest Ceiling:

Souza
Taylor
Moore
McLouth
Frandsen

Highest Floor:

Frandsen
Moore
McLouth
Souza
Taylor

[whytev]

I personally think that'd be a waste of Taylor's time, especially if we're grooming him to be our starting CF in 2016. He needs all the reps he can get.

Yeah.  It's probably better to have him up and down like a yo-yo every time Harper or Werth or Span gets injured. Jinx!

[madj55]

Yeah.  It's probably better to have him up and down like a yo-yo every time Harper or Werth or Span gets injured. Jinx!

Span's not a concern for me. Unless he gets hit in the head again, besides that he's stayed relatively healthy his whole career. We can always make a move for a corner outfielder. No need to rush Taylor and have him waste his time on the bench waiting for an injury that might never happen.

[Mattionals]

Of Frandsen, Moore, McLouth, Taylor, and Souza, any of the five of them could very well contribute, and it's most likely none of them actually would.  I'd say for a stint over April helping out, it goes:

Highest Ceiling:

Souza
Taylor
Moore
McLouth
Frandsen

Highest Floor:

Frandsen
Moore
McLouth
Souza
Taylor

Taylor has a higher ceiling then Souza.  80 defender, 60 arm, 60 power, 70 speed and probably like 40~50 hitting.  He is the CF equivalent of Desmond with a better glove and better wheels.  Souza is probably a 60 defender, 40 arm, 60 power, 50 speed and 60 hitting.  His defense rating is going to be lower as he is probably best as a LF.  He will hit better than Taylor probably but for equal amount of power.  Taylor has the tougher position and fields it better.  Also Taylor is younger.

[whytev]

Taylor has a higher ceiling then Souza.  80 defender, 60 arm, 60 power, 70 speed and probably like 40~50 hitting.  He is the CF equivalent of Desmond with a better glove and better wheels.  Souza is probably a 60 defender, 40 arm, 60 power, 50 speed and 60 hitting.  His defense rating is going to be lower as he is probably best as a LF.  He will hit better than Taylor probably but for equal amount of power.  Taylor has the tougher position and fields it better.  Also Taylor is younger.

My ceiling was for a one month fill-in job, not overall.  For just April this year, I'd take Souza.

[Slateman]

Zimmerman isn't playing LF again, mkay? It was nice, but its done. He wasn't that great, and frankly, that hamstring needs to be babied for the year. No running in the outfield please.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Agree with Slateman on Zimmerman sticking to first base.  The Nats would rather weaken themselves at one position, perhaps only against lefties, by playing Moore in left and RZ at first, than move RZ back for a few games to left, away from his full time position for the next several years.  Moore might be a better first baseman than an outfielder, but the Nats would likely use him sort of like SF used Morse last year.  He'll play early and get replaced by McLouth if we have a lead.  The only issue will be whether Moore would start against righties or whether the team will
<========
with McLouth getting the bulk of time.

This may not even be an issue if Werth recovers in 2 months rather than 3 (or more).  This can be a simple surgery.  One of the guys on MLB network pointed out Mo had this late in his career and did not miss much time.  Werth is an outfielder, so it is not like he has to make as many quick throws without proper position like an infielder.  The move to left also helps.  I just don't see the panic before the surgery. If they find out it is more complex than they thought once they go in, then I can see maybe making more of a move than signing a low tier FA to compete for a roster slot.

I don't think this team burns roster time for M. Taylor.

[Mattionals]

Agree with Slateman on Zimmerman sticking to first base.  The Nats would rather weaken themselves at one position, perhaps only against lefties, by playing Moore in left and RZ at first, than move RZ back for a few games to left, away from his full time position for the next several years.  Moore might be a better first baseman than an outfielder, but the Nats would likely use him sort of like SF used Morse last year.  He'll play early and get replaced by McLouth if we have a lead.  The only issue will be whether Moore would start against righties or whether the team will
<========
with McLouth getting the bulk of time.

This may not even be an issue if Werth recovers in 2 months rather than 3 (or more).  This can be a simple surgery.  One of the guys on MLB network pointed out Mo had this late in his career and did not miss much time.  Werth is an outfielder, so it is not like he has to make as many quick throws without proper position like an infielder.  The move to left also helps.  I just don't see the panic before the surgery. If they find out it is more complex than they thought once they go in, then I can see maybe making more of a move than signing a low tier FA to compete for a roster slot.

I don't think this team burns roster time for M. Taylor.

I only see BMT making the team out of ST if Werth isn't totally ready to go and a fill in flyer type OF is used.  The Nats could get a low ball deal on a guy like Schierholtz and just dump him when Werth returns.  Either way, BMT needs everyday at bats to lower the strikeouts.

[Smithian]

I think the Nats wouldn't be hurt by platooning Moore/McLouth full time in LF while Werth is recovering. Serviceable bats in the interim. Though, if McLouth doesn't look good early, I would just go full time with Moore.

[madj55]

I'd consider a trade for Allen Craig if we're so concerned about injuries. He can play the OF and 1B off the bench and start if need be. I'd rather have him than Moore, plus I don't think it'd take that much to get him with the Sox logjam and him coming off a disappointing season.

[whytev]

See?  This isn't a big deal!  Like I said.

The lack of a more viable 4th OF does stress me out a little.  I really hope McLouth bounces back.  I wish we were spending his money on Aoki this year.

[Mr Clean]

Successful surgery today: https://twitter.com/masnNationals/status/553668765733621760

[Ray D]

I don't think it'd take that much to get him with the Sox logjam and him coming off a disappointing season.

Dissapointing?  He played 29 games for Boston and stunk.  The rest of his career has been sparking.  I think you can write off those 29 games.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Dissapointing?  He played 29 games for Boston and stunk.  The rest of his career has been sparking.  I think you can write off those 29 games.

he stunk in 2014 with St L, too.  His contract is rather large if he does not have a bounce back year. 

[Slateman]

I only see BMT making the team out of ST if Werth isn't totally ready to go and a fill in flyer type OF is used.  The Nats could get a low ball deal on a guy like Schierholtz and just dump him when Werth returns.  Either way, BMT needs everyday at bats to lower the strikeouts.

To me it's not worth it unless BMT gets to start. McLouth should be healthy, let's see what he can do.

[mitlen]

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v37118967/kenny-evaluates-werth-on-digging-in

[whytev]

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v37118967/kenny-evaluates-werth-on-digging-in

Hell yes!