Offseason moves?

[RobDibblesGhost]

I doubt our eight position players are going anywhere.  The bench is tough, but the problem is that anyone who's really good is likely going to be a starter somewhere, so you have to take what you can get.  Still, there have to be better options than Chad Tracy and Scott Hairston.

[tomwvr]

I think Rendon needs to go back to AAA to get some time in

I could add Desi to my list but he could get a bit in a trade.

Tom

[BigMeech]

I think Rendon needs to go back to AAA to get some time in

I could add Desi to my list but he could get a bit in a trade.

Tom

It would be insane to trade Desmond.  He's one of the few who seems to give a crap.

[sportsfan882]

I doubt our eight position players are going anywhere.  The bench is tough, but the problem is that anyone who's really good is likely going to be a starter somewhere, so you have to take what you can get.  Still, there have to be better options than Chad Tracy and Scott Hairston.

They'll certainly improve the bench and add a #5 SP. Beyond that, I can't see any other moves unless Rizzo is willing to admit that there are major issues and makes some big moves.

Going into next season with the same starting 8 is a disastrous idea. If Rizzo just chalks this season up to bad luck and stays pat we are screwed. He has to admit that he made mistakes and make the moves to rectify them to allow us to compete again next year.

[taayox]

Get some heart. Some clutch too.

[RobDibblesGhost]

They'll certainly improve the bench and add a #5 SP. Beyond that, I can't see any other moves unless Rizzo is willing to admit that there are major issues and makes some big moves.

Going into next season with the same starting 8 is a disastrous idea. If Rizzo just chalks this season up to bad luck and stays pat we are screwed. He has to admit that he made mistakes and make the moves to rectify them to allow us to compete again next year.

The problem with the starting 8 is that they are all underperforming.  A new coaching staff might help.  Otherwise, what do you predict?  They could try to trade Span or LaRoche, but no one's taking LaRoche's contract, and then you'd have to replace them.   I doubt they get rid of Ramos, Desmond, Rendon, Zimmerman, Werth, or Harper.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

if he can become an OBP machine (which was the hope when he was drafted), a sprinkling of power (say 15 hrs per year) is more than enough

that's great at 2d.  at 3d, he'd need to be Youkilis, and even youk developed more power than that.

[sportsfan882]

The problem with the starting 8 is that they are all underperforming.  A new coaching staff might help.  Otherwise, what do you predict?  They could try to trade Span or LaRoche, but no one's taking LaRoche's contract, and then you'd have to replace them.   I doubt they get rid of Ramos, Desmond, Rendon, Zimmerman, Werth, or Harper.

The question is why are they all underperforming so much? And why is most of the underperforming with runners in scoring position? Can you reteach veteran players that are already set in their ways?

Obviously many of these guys have talent but why is it that they all collectively cannot hit with runners on base this year? What's the reason? Just coaching?

[RobDibblesGhost]

The question is why are they all underperforming so much? And why is most of the underperforming with runners in scoring position? Can you reteach veteran players that are already set in their ways?

Obviously many of these guys have talent but why is it that they all collectively cannot hit with runners on base this year? What's the reason? Just coaching?

That's the $64,000 question.  It's so damn frustrating.  No one on this team is doing horribly (with the exception of Espinosa before his demotion), but it's like they forget the basics whenever they come up with runners on.

[MorseTheHorse]

The scary thing is Ramos and Werth are clearly not underperforming.  Desmond is having a good season.  Rendon is a rookie so I mean...  Zimmerman is giving you what he has at this point I think.  The only one arguably underperforming in my opinion is Harper.

It is confusing at times to look at the offensive ineptitude overall and then look at individual numbers which really aren't that bad. 

Unrelated, I looked up Morales stats.  DO NOT WANT.  There is only one position he can play and that position is DH.  Two of his last three years are under 2 WAR.  I think we learned this year what you get for way overpaying a 1B for one good year. 

[Mattionals]

I think Rendon needs to go back to AAA to get some time in

I could add Desi to my list but he could get a bit in a trade.

Tom

Sending Rendon down to AAA makes no sense.  Rookies struggle at the MLB level usually.  Considering the Nats are closer to contending for a high draft slot then they are for the division or the wild card, why not let Rendon take his licks and work out his swing?

Why trade Desmond?  He might fetch a decent amount back in trade, but doing that severely cripples the team up the middle.  I assume the new MI would either be Rendon and Espinosa or a combo of one of those guys and someone like Lombo, Kobernus or Walters.  Espinosa and the three bench guys are no where near as talented as Desmond is right now, nor nowhere near as good as hitters.  Espinosa might be if he could return to form in hitting, but even still Desmond swings a better bat.

VAroadking, Samardzija is definitely not just an innings eater, as Slate said.  He is arguably one of the best young right handed starters out there, and to obtain him and put him on a staff with Stras, Gio and Zimmermann would make the top four guys of the rotation probably the best four in baseball, at least on paper.  Even if they don't produce, I'm more confident in those four then just the three the Nats have currently, an injured Detwiler and either the likes of Jordan or Karns or some other random back end pickup like Hughes.

Sure it will cost prospects, and the Nats likely don't have a package to deal, but the call needs to be made.  If there is a package that can land a starter like Samardzija without ruining most of what the Nats have to contend for the next three years, then I'd make that deal.  Some of the young guys have high promise, but the Nats "window" is right now and a pitcher that can help right now is worth more than guys who may or may not help in three years time.

[cmdterps44]

The scary thing is Ramos and Werth are clearly not underperforming.  Desmond is having a good season.  Rendon is a rookie so I mean...  Zimmerman is giving you what he has at this point I think.  The only one arguably underperforming in my opinion is Harper.

It is confusing at times to look at the offensive ineptitude overall and then look at individual numbers which really aren't that bad. 

Unrelated, I looked up Morales stats.  DO NOT WANT.  There is only one position he can play and that position is DH.  Two of his last three years are under 2 WAR.  I think we learned this year what you get for way overpaying a 1B for one good year. 

You know, I am probably pulling this out of my ass, but I think if our entire team had the same numbers now but were actually able to hit with RISP then the season would be a different story. Ideally, you don't want your cleanup hitter to be batting .235 while having 5 other guys batting between .260-.280 but if they were actually clutch then I think we'd have won a ton more games. Our pitching has been fierce aside from a lot of Haren starts and some crap ones every now and then by our big 3.

[tomwvr]

Harper is not under performing - his numbers are better then last year

Year   Age   Tm   Lg              G    PA    AB     R     H    2B   3B    HR   RBI   SB   CS   BB   SO   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS   OPS+   TB   GDP   HBP   SH   SF   IBB   Pos   Awards
2012   19   WSN   NL   139   597   533   98   144   26   9   22   59   18   6   56   120   .270   .340   .477   .817   118   254   8   2   3   3   0   *89/7   AS,MVP-30,RoY-1
2013   20   WSN   NL   75   312   266   46   72   11   3   17   38   6   4   39   58   .271   .365   .526   .891   143   140   3   2   2   3   2   79/8   AS

[Slateman]

Only because of the amazing start he got off to. Look at his numbers post April 30

[MorseTheHorse]

Harper is not under performing - his numbers are better then last year

Tom, he was 19 last year. 

[Slateman]

Oh Davey has to be gone. After the complete lack of heart in the Braves series, he has to be gone.

[mmzznnxx]

Pretty disappointed the Phillies are extending Utley, I thought he would have looked good in a Nats uniform.

[Mattionals]

Well Span has gone cold again and LaRoche is hitting a little.  Still, even though I wanted Span gone, it'd be hard to move and replace him without signing a big name FA.  I think a big deal would be a harder sell on the team.  The theoretical Strasburg and Harper extensions, or FA deals needed to sign them, wouldn't be that bad considering Stras hits FA one year before Werth's contract is over with and Harper would only be contending with Stras and Zim's contract, with Zim's being team friendly.  That scenario plays out with the understanding that Jordan Zimmermann walks in FA, which I think the Nats will let him do.  Desmond likely signs a team friendly deal.

[Mattionals]

Also, with the news of DeRosa being claimed off waivers, maybe it's the Nats and at years end, the Nats try and cut a deal with him to be manager next year.  I'd love it.

[spidernat]

Also, with the news of DeRosa being claimed off waivers, maybe it's the Nats and at years end, the Nats try and cut a deal with him to be manager next year.  I'd love it.

 

[sph274]

If we enter next year with span in cf, laroche at 1b and zim at 3b, we have already ceded the year. Move zim to first, trade for aramis ramirez and sign ellsbury and hughes, lincecum, or josh johnsin to fight it out with jordan det and karns. freak this crap time to make some moves. This team isnt underperforming it blows.

[Mattionals]

If we enter next year with span in cf, laroche at 1b and zim at 3b, we have already ceded the year. Move zim to first, trade for aramis ramirez and sign ellsbury and hughes, lincecum, or josh johnsin to fight it out with jordan det and karns. freak this crap time to make some moves. This team isnt underperforming it blows.

I don't know if Lincecum, Hughes or Josh Johnson are any better now than Karns or Taylor Jordan.  Aramis Ramirez isn't what he used to be, and unless someone is convinced that Zim's bat will fully play at 1B, then that isn't an upgrade.  Ellsbury would be great, but I don't think the Nats intend to spend Werth money again until Strasburg and Harper need to be re-signed.

[comish4lif]

If we enter next year with span in cf, laroche at 1b and zim at 3b, we have already ceded the year. Move zim to first, trade for aramis ramirez and sign ellsbury and hughes, lincecum, or josh johnsin to fight it out with jordan det and karns. freak this crap time to make some moves. This team isnt underperforming it blows.

Not so sure about Aramis. He's missed a lot of time this year, playing in only 54 games. And, he's owed $16M next year and also has a $4M buyout...

[natasaurus]

At the rate he's going, AJ Cole might even be ready to be the fifth starter at the beginning of next season. He's been on fire recently and will probably be sent to the AFL this offseason.  He and Robbie Ray could definitely be challenging for spots on the starting rotation, and if Detwiler can't prove he's healthy, there could be room for two of Cole/Ray/Karns/Jordan in the rotation.  The good news is that Cole doesn't have to be rushed because there are other options if he's not ready.

Karns will either have to be in the bullpen or the starting rotation next season because he'll be 26 and the clock is ticking.  If Jordan or someone else wins the 5th starter spot, he would probably slide into the bullpen.

Someone else to look out for: Sam Solis.  The guy hasn't pitched above high-A as of yet, but he's rule 5 eligible, so he could find his way onto the 40-man roster, and he's had success at the minor league level. Like Karns and Jordan, he's a little on the old side.

In conclusion, there isn't any real need for a free agent pitcher, and the Nats will have trouble creating room on the 50-man as it is.

[DPMOmaha]

If the Nats fancy themselves a contender next year, and they will (and should), and they don't have answers about Detwiler's health, they shouldn't go into next year with two guys in the rotation as green as any of the guys you mentioned.  They may all one day get their shot and perhaps even next year, but I wouldn't assume they can handle big league load once every five games. 

Another year with a free agent starter is likely and warranted.