Offseason moves?

[Slateman]

Thread revival!

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/08/2014-free-agent-power-rankings.html

Necro quote from CMD in a different thread, btw.

How about McCann at 1B?  Surely he has the bat to play their, and he could be had for a decent 4-5 year contract.  Don't have to worry as much about his knees at 1B either.  I know some will hate on him because he is currently a Barve, but the Nats are already getting production out of a division rival's former player.

But Zim has to move to first

[sph274]

The Yankees should easily be able to sign Cano, and possibly McCann as well.  They have a ton of money coming off the books and if ARod is suspended, then they don't have to pay him his money either.

The dodgers are pretty interested in Cano as well. Prepare yourself for a good old fashioned bidding war this offseason with McCann as consolation prize

[sph274]

But Zim has to move to first

Yea, if we are going to overpay someone and then move them to first we might as well just make that guy Zimmerman

[Mattionals]

Yea, if we are going to overpay someone and then move them to first we might as well just make that guy Zimmerman

The only problem with moving Zim to first is the hole it opens at either 3B or 2B.  That means either to hope that Espinosa puts it back together or someone has to be obtained from outside the organization.  Cano and Utley are pretty much the only "available" 2B and there aren't really any 3B of note available.  The only trade pieces I could see are Kendrick and Headley.

[Slateman]

The only problem with moving Zim to first is the hole it opens at either 3B or 2B.  That means either to hope that Espinosa puts it back together or someone has to be obtained from outside the organization.  Cano and Utley are pretty much the only "available" 2B and there aren't really any 3B of note available.  The only trade pieces I could see are Kendrick and Headley.

We can't go through another season with Zimmerman at third unless something borderline miraculous happens in the offseason.

[PC]

Zimmerman is not moving to first.  He's going to work on his throwing.

[GburgNatsFan]

Not to contradict  you,  but that's not the only problem with moving Zimm to 1B. He's sort of a light hitter to be taking a position where you usually park a bopper.

The only problem with moving Zim to first is the hole it opens at either 3B or 2B.  That means either to hope that Espinosa puts it back together or someone has to be obtained from outside the organization.  Cano and Utley are pretty much the only "available" 2B and there aren't really any 3B of note available.  The only trade pieces I could see are Kendrick and Headley.

[MorseTheHorse]

Keeping ALR as a bench piece for next year is an interesting idea. 

[GburgNatsFan]

Can't tell if you are being sarcastic.

I don't think he's a good solution at 1B. So I sure as heck hope he can work out his motion so he can move back to the territory where most 3Bs play, and become a defensive asset again.

Zimmerman is not moving to first.  He's going to work on his throwing.

[PC]

Can't tell if you are being sarcastic.

Nope.  Not at all.

[Mattionals]

Not to contradict  you,  but that's not the only problem with moving Zimm to 1B. He's sort of a light hitter to be taking a position where you usually park a bopper.

Right now in wRC+ he ranks 8th of all qualified 3B, tied with Pedro Alvarez.  Amongst qualified 1B, he'd only be 12th.  LaRoche, for instance, is 23rd.

The argument has been made before about Zimm's hitting.  He wouldn't be a masher like Votto, but he'd be above average for sure.  I for one like Kendrys Morales's line of 132 and I don't see the team moving Zim to 1B.

[Minty Fresh]

Can't tell if you are being sarcastic.

PC never uses sarcasm.

[MorseTheHorse]

Just curious.  A long time ago I remember Zim saying he wouldn't hit as well (or with as much power) if he was playing SS b/c he'd have to be lighter.  So, is there a chance that if he plays 1B he can put even more weight on to get more power, since you might need less speed at 1B compared to the hot corner?

[Slateman]

Zimmerman is not moving to first.  He's going to work on his throwing.

Ohyeasure.gif

[GburgNatsFan]

Interesting thought. Without the "extra help" players used to be able to get, I wonder if it's as easy to just pack on muscle. Adding 10 pounds of muscle takes a ton of work.

Just curious.  A long time ago I remember Zim saying he wouldn't hit as well (or with as much power) if he was playing SS b/c he'd have to be lighter.  So, is there a chance that if he plays 1B he can put even more weight on to get more power, since you might need less speed at 1B compared to the hot corner?

[Slateman]

He's 6'3" and 235lbs. I'm not sure how much bigger he can get without being too big

[GburgNatsFan]

Pfft. Fielder is almost 300 at about 5'10". Zimm can do it.

He's 6'3" and 235lbs. I'm not sure how much bigger he can get without being too big

[Mattionals]

Pfft. Fielder is almost 300 at about 5'10". Zimm can do it.

So I have this baseball man crush on Fielder, mostly because he is EXACTLY the same body type as me.  Although he pulls it off better since he is a brother of some color.  Polish guys are somewhat devoid of melanin...

P.S. - Fielder's only like 270. 

[Slateman]

What I expect to happen:

Not much, really. Most likely will sign a free agent pitcher or trade for one. But even that is questionable. With Karns showing promise and Taylor Jordan doing well, the Nats will have some quality depth in the rotation. Mattheus will be healthy and Storen will be back. Rizzo won't admit he made a mistake by trading for Span and re-signing Laroche. Chad Tracy will be cut, Bernadina may be non-tendered, but that's about it. Moore and/or Espinosa will be called back up.


What I would like to see happen:

Laroche gets moved or cut. Stupid deal was stupid and is more so now. Put Zimmerman at first. Make him learn the position before Spring Training. He gets a little bigger, the bat improves, he keeps it at a nice .830-.850 OPS rate.

Try to move Span. Frankly, I think he's not moveable. If not, he platoons with Hariston. If he can be, sign Ellsbury or Choo (I think I would prefer Choo). Choo can play RF, moving Werth to LF and Harper to CF.

Get rid of Soriano. I hate the signing. I hate his attitude. Get rid of him. Take a hard look at Joel Hanrhan coming back from TJS. Clippard could sub in at closer while he gets back 100%. With Hanrhan closing, Clippard setting up, and Mattheus and Kroll locking down the 7th, we'd have a good bullpen. I also wouldn't be opposed to signing Eric O'Flaherty and giving him a chance to close.

Storen has to go. I like him, personally, but he will never be the same in DC. He needs a fresh start. We move him for some prospects, preferably a middle infield one, or moved as part of a deal that gets us a starting pitcher.

Starting pitcher: Haren goes by bye, unless he takes a huge pay cut. Would love to see Price or Smardjza. Not that realistic. I think the Nats end up with Phil Hughes. Still young and is much better on the road than in Yankee stadium. Combine that with going to the NL and Hughes could be a solid number 5 starter.

[DPMOmaha]

Well, Haren was only here on a one year deal and basically said he's going back to the west coast next year.

[Minty Fresh]

What I expect to happen:

Not much, really. Most likely will sign a free agent pitcher or trade for one. But even that is questionable. With Karns showing promise and Taylor Jordan doing well, the Nats will have some quality depth in the rotation. Mattheus will be healthy and Storen will be back. Rizzo won't admit he made a mistake by trading for Span and re-signing Laroche. Chad Tracy will be cut, Bernadina may be non-tendered, but that's about it. Moore and/or Espinosa will be called back up.


What I would like to see happen:

Laroche gets moved or cut. Stupid deal was stupid and is more so now. Put Zimmerman at first. Make him learn the position before Spring Training. He gets a little bigger, the bat improves, he keeps it at a nice .830-.850 OPS rate.

Try to move Span. Frankly, I think he's not moveable. If not, he platoons with Hariston. If he can be, sign Ellsbury or Choo (I think I would prefer Choo). Choo can play RF, moving Werth to LF and Harper to CF.

Get rid of Soriano. I hate the signing. I hate his attitude. Get rid of him. Take a hard look at Joel Hanrhan coming back from TJS. Clippard could sub in at closer while he gets back 100%. With Hanrhan closing, Clippard setting up, and Mattheus and Kroll locking down the 7th, we'd have a good bullpen. I also wouldn't be opposed to signing Eric O'Flaherty and giving him a chance to close.

Storen has to go. I like him, personally, but he will never be the same in DC. He needs a fresh start. We move him for some prospects, preferably a middle infield one, or moved as part of a deal that gets us a starting pitcher.

Starting pitcher: Haren goes by bye, unless he takes a huge pay cut. Would love to see Price or Smardjza. Not that realistic. I think the Nats end up with Phil Hughes. Still young and is much better on the road than in Yankee stadium. Combine that with going to the NL and Hughes could be a solid number 5 starter.

I like all of this.  Sign this man.

[cmdterps44]

Well, Haren was only here on a one year deal and basically said he's going back to the west coast next year.

He believes in his heart. If only he believed in his heart that he'll be decent from the get go.

I pretty much agree with everything Slate said. I want that stuff to happen but what I feel in my heart is that we'll do these:

1) Decide between our young guys to fill the last spot(s) of the rotation. (I want Garza or something).
2) Will get a bench player or two. (We should get more than that. Replace Bernadina and peeps with in house players. Hell, even get Morse or some crap.)
3) We will sign some vet bullpen arm.
4) I also believe this team will still have their heart set on a bunch of their players... meaning we'll probably see Storen.

[varoadking]

What I expect to happen:

Not much, really. Most likely will sign a free agent pitcher or trade for one. But even that is questionable. With Karns showing promise and Taylor Jordan doing well, the Nats will have some quality depth in the rotation. Mattheus will be healthy and Storen will be back. Rizzo won't admit he made a mistake by trading for Span and re-signing Laroche. Chad Tracy will be cut, Bernadina may be non-tendered, but that's about it. Moore and/or Espinosa will be called back up.


What I would like to see happen:

Laroche gets moved or cut. Stupid deal was stupid and is more so now. Put Zimmerman at first. Make him learn the position before Spring Training. He gets a little bigger, the bat improves, he keeps it at a nice .830-.850 OPS rate.

Try to move Span. Frankly, I think he's not moveable. If not, he platoons with Hariston. If he can be, sign Ellsbury or Choo (I think I would prefer Choo). Choo can play RF, moving Werth to LF and Harper to CF.

Get rid of Soriano. I hate the signing. I hate his attitude. Get rid of him. Take a hard look at Joel Hanrhan coming back from TJS. Clippard could sub in at closer while he gets back 100%. With Hanrhan closing, Clippard setting up, and Mattheus and Kroll locking down the 7th, we'd have a good bullpen. I also wouldn't be opposed to signing Eric O'Flaherty and giving him a chance to close.

Storen has to go. I like him, personally, but he will never be the same in DC. He needs a fresh start. We move him for some prospects, preferably a middle infield one, or moved as part of a deal that gets us a starting pitcher.

Starting pitcher: Haren goes by bye, unless he takes a huge pay cut. Would love to see Price or Smardjza. Not that realistic. I think the Nats end up with Phil Hughes. Still young and is much better on the road than in Yankee stadium. Combine that with going to the NL and Hughes could be a solid number 5 starter.

The primary thing this team needs is skilled Field General who can stay in the game for more than 3 innings over the course of 9...

Other that, I agree with much of what you have posted...

[GburgNatsFan]

Who replaces Zimm at 3B in your scenario?

What I expect to happen:

Not much, really. Most likely will sign a free agent pitcher or trade for one. But even that is questionable. With Karns showing promise and Taylor Jordan doing well, the Nats will have some quality depth in the rotation. Mattheus will be healthy and Storen will be back. Rizzo won't admit he made a mistake by trading for Span and re-signing Laroche. Chad Tracy will be cut, Bernadina may be non-tendered, but that's about it. Moore and/or Espinosa will be called back up.


What I would like to see happen:

Laroche gets moved or cut. Stupid deal was stupid and is more so now. Put Zimmerman at first. Make him learn the position before Spring Training. He gets a little bigger, the bat improves, he keeps it at a nice .830-.850 OPS rate.

Try to move Span. Frankly, I think he's not moveable. If not, he platoons with Hariston. If he can be, sign Ellsbury or Choo (I think I would prefer Choo). Choo can play RF, moving Werth to LF and Harper to CF.

Get rid of Soriano. I hate the signing. I hate his attitude. Get rid of him. Take a hard look at Joel Hanrhan coming back from TJS. Clippard could sub in at closer while he gets back 100%. With Hanrhan closing, Clippard setting up, and Mattheus and Kroll locking down the 7th, we'd have a good bullpen. I also wouldn't be opposed to signing Eric O'Flaherty and giving him a chance to close.

Storen has to go. I like him, personally, but he will never be the same in DC. He needs a fresh start. We move him for some prospects, preferably a middle infield one, or moved as part of a deal that gets us a starting pitcher.

Starting pitcher: Haren goes by bye, unless he takes a huge pay cut. Would love to see Price or Smardjza. Not that realistic. I think the Nats end up with Phil Hughes. Still young and is much better on the road than in Yankee stadium. Combine that with going to the NL and Hughes could be a solid number 5 starter.

[HalfSmokes]

The only major signing I want is Morales. I don't care if laroche rides the bench or gets traded for nothing, I just want a slugging firstbaseman