Offseason moves?

[HalfSmokes]

Well, considering they have been in on some of the bigger guys, I wouldn't say they've been reluctant on the bigger names.  Only one team gets to win the bid and since it's not an open bidding process, it's a bit of a crap shoot, if I understand the process correctly (or is that just for the asian players).  I'd imagine they'll bid competitively.

Just NPL players still under contract

[Mattionals]

Of those, trading for Kenderick. But I don't see Kenderick or Utley being moved. I'd like to see what Espinosa can do first.

Utley just got a contract extension, so I doubt he is going anywhere.  Well, he isn't going anywhere as long as the Reuben Sandwich is at the helm of the almighty Philthies.  Kendrick would be great, as Rendon is still in-between as far as where he can play at the MLB level.  I see his body as being more 2B, but he has more experience and a strong arm for 3B.

Sounds like even Ladburger believes the Nats will attempt to move Zim to 1B this offseason.  Given that I like Rendon more at 2B, I'm more willing to trade two prospect pitchers for Chase Headley and stick him at 3B.  Given his value is down, yet as SPH said he is a FA after next season, a simple solution would be to trade and sign an extension for three years.  My gut tells me he might be more of a .280/.360/.460 guy then a .260/.350/.400 guy, just somewhere around 15-20 homers rather than 30.

Espinosa is done.  He is OPSing .575 in AAA, and given his number of PA, it's just sad.  Either he is hurt and needs the surgery, or he is just a terrible hitter.  If he is hurt and he keeps prolonging having the surgery, he basically ruins his chances of making the team out of ST next season.  I get the feeling that Rizzo blowing off reporters to talk about Boras's comments on Espinosa after his "hot week" in Syracuse might mean the end of Espi as a Nat.

If the Padres want another impact arm or two, A.J. Cole and Karns might be enough.  I'd say stick with Taylor Jordan to fill the fifth slot next season.  Leave Span unless the Nats believe Goodwin is far off and then just sign Ellsbury.

[sph274]

I would rather them just sign eric chavez and michael young to one year deals, platoon them next year, then sign headley the year after if you think he is somthing special. I don t think he is worth cole and karns. Who replaces them?

[Mattionals]

I would rather them just sign eric chavez and michael young to one year deals, platoon them next year, then sign headley the year after if you think he is somthing special. I don t think he is worth cole and karns. Who replaces them?

Given that, I'd rather just leave Zim at 3B and get another 1B or trade for Howie Kendrick.

[DPMOmaha]

I would rather them just sign eric chavez and michael young to one year deals, platoon them next year, then sign headley the year after if you think he is somthing special. I don t think he is worth cole and karns. Who replaces them?

Given that, I'd rather just leave Zim at 3B and get another 1B or trade for Howie Kendrick.

These are grass is greener moves.  If the best you can do is Chavez or Young, just stick with what you've got and ride out LaRoche's contract, try and build up the rest of the lineup so he can move down to sixth perhaps, most games.

[Mattionals]

These are grass is greener moves.  If the best you can do is Chavez or Young, just stick with what you've got and ride out LaRoche's contract, try and build up the rest of the lineup so he can move down to sixth perhaps, most games.

Chavez and Young, and Headley for that matter, are having better offensive seasons.  I don't think the Nats should "ride out LaRoche's contract" in the offseason given that upgrades exist.  These "solutions" are only if Zim moves to 1B.  Kendrys Morales or Morse on a 2-3 year deal would be fine additions if Zimmerman returns to even half the defensive player he was at 3B.

[DPMOmaha]

Chavez hasn't been healthy since '06 and Young isn't better enough at the plate to make up for LaRoche's defense.  If LaR's power doesn't play there, Young's certainly doesn't.  I'd keep LaR before I'd add either of those two.  I might listen on Morales, but Morse is another injury risk.  Outside of Morales and I'm not there on that one either, I'm keeping LaR before make any of those moves.

[welch]

Sounds like even Ladburger believes the Nats will attempt to move Zim to 1B this offseason.  Given that I like Rendon more at 2B, I'm more willing to trade two prospect pitchers for Chase Headley and stick him at 3B.  Given his value is down, yet as SPH said he is a FA after next season, a simple solution would be to trade and sign an extension for three years.  My gut tells me he might be more of a .280/.360/.460 guy then a .260/.350/.400 guy, just somewhere around 15-20 homers rather than 30.

Espinosa is done.  He is OPSing .575 in AAA, and given his number of PA, it's just sad.  Either he is hurt and needs the surgery, or he is just a terrible hitter.  If he is hurt and he keeps prolonging having the surgery, he basically ruins his chances of making the team out of ST next season.  I get the feeling that Rizzo blowing off reporters to talk about Boras's comments on Espinosa after his "hot week" in Syracuse might mean the end of Espi as a Nat.

If the Padres want another impact arm or two, A.J. Cole and Karns might be enough.  I'd say stick with Taylor Jordan to fill the fifth slot next season.  Leave Span unless the Nats believe Goodwin is far off and then just sign Ellsbury.

Espinosa is a bad hitter -- league leader in strikeouts -- and he is hurt and he refuses to get surgery. A foolish move.

It's hard to guess what the Nats FO will do, but I suspect that RZim will play one more season at 3B, and Rendon at least one more at 2B. Zim might recover his throw with another off-season of rest. For curiosity, do we know how many Zimmerman throwing errors led to runs? That would be a key stat.

I don't bother to predict what Rizzo will do. I know he is an unsentimental  "just the results" GM. I sense that he puts more focus on the pitching than the hitting; "you can never have enough good pitchers". Not sure that Rizzo will pack up Solis/Cole/Ray/Purke/Hill/Karns/others to get hitting.

[aspenbubba]

A critical question is what to do with Soriano. He really is worthless ( yes I figured his contract amount into the equation) as he continues to demonstrate night after night. I think of his 41 appearances he has had ONLY 5 clean innings (1-2-3 inning).

He is my least favorite player on the team and I was an early Haren basher ( maybe the first).

Rizzo decision to replace Storen in hindsight is correct. Whether the signing of Soriano or game 5 was the demise of Storen is a matter of  conjecture as we will never know. But ,Sorianos' attitude and demeanor leads me to believe he is a clubhouse cancer as all the players are asking themselves "he is getting 13 mil for being less than average?" He needs to be traded .

[ajcartwright]

A critical question is what to do with Soriano. He really is worthless ( yes I figured his contract amount into the equation) as he continues to demonstrate night after night. I think of his 41 appearances he has had ONLY 5 clean innings (1-2-3 inning).

He is my least favorite player on the team and I was an early Haren basher ( maybe the first).

Rizzo decision to replace Storen in hindsight is correct. Whether the signing of Soriano or game 5 was the demise of Storen is a matter of  conjecture as we will never know.
But ,Sorianos' attitude and demeanor leads me to believe he is a clubhouse cancer. He needs to be traded .

[WhiteWhale]

I guess this will get its own thread in the farm, and not a move for next season obviously, but we got a 16 y/o Dominican.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130815&content_id=57085052&notebook_id=57084110&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was

[sph274]

I guess this will get its own thread in the farm, and not a move for next season obviously, but we got a 16 y/o Dominican.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130815&content_id=57085052&notebook_id=57084110&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was

We should have signed loads of those guys. They flame out all the time but that is where prospects like profar, miguel sano, and xander bogaerts ckme from.

[Mattionals]

We should have signed loads of those guys. They flame out all the time but that is where prospects like profar, miguel sano, and xander bogaerts ckme from.

The bad part here is that soon, guys under the age of 23 will go into a "international draft".  It will probably follow the same rules as Rule V, meaning that teams don't have to participate and select anyone.  The problem here would be a slotting system similar to the Rule 4 draft though which would hard lock money to players.  This works both ways because the top talents like Puig won't be getting similar deals, but the questionable young talent can't be harvested for peanuts and left up to chance if they pan out.

[DPMOmaha]

Largest signing bonus since the infamous Smiley signing.

[Mattionals]

A critical question is what to do with Soriano. He really is worthless ( yes I figured his contract amount into the equation) as he continues to demonstrate night after night. I think of his 41 appearances he has had ONLY 5 clean innings (1-2-3 inning).

He is my least favorite player on the team and I was an early Haren basher ( maybe the first).

Rizzo decision to replace Storen in hindsight is correct. Whether the signing of Soriano or game 5 was the demise of Storen is a matter of  conjecture as we will never know. But ,Sorianos' attitude and demeanor leads me to believe he is a clubhouse cancer as all the players are asking themselves "he is getting 13 mil for being less than average?" He needs to be traded .

As pointed out already, you are trading him because you don't like him.  You are making up "facts" to supplement your point, but you are in a losing battle.

Soriano is not a strikeout guy.  He hasn't been since being a Barve.  I can see why fans might not like him as a closer because he isn't a strikeout guy.  As he ages, his velocity will drop.  He has seen a decent drop off since last year to this year, but he is also walking way less guys and has jumped leagues as well.  Losing velocity, more impatient hitters and less use of the slider for more use of the cutter and two seamer will provide more ground balls instead of strikeouts.  For a guy who doesn't strike out a ton of batters, he still has 31 saves on the season.  Pure gas and high K rates don't essentially make a perfect closer.

[zimm_da_kid]

I want us to bring back hanrahan to DC.

[sph274]

I want us to bring back hanrahan to DC.

he is a FA, we can totally do that. freak, Andrew Bailey probably gets non tendered by the Red Sox, we could just steal their relief DL and shove them in middle relief. I wouldnt expect much from them though. they suck.

[Mattionals]

As pointed out already, you are trading him because you don't like him.  You are making up "facts" to supplement your point, but you are in a losing battle.

Soriano is not a strikeout guy.  He hasn't been since being a Barve.  I can see why fans might not like him as a closer because he isn't a strikeout guy.  As he ages, his velocity will drop.  He has seen a decent drop off since last year to this year, but he is also walking way less guys and has jumped leagues as well.  Losing velocity, more impatient hitters and less use of the slider for more use of the cutter and two seamer will provide more ground balls instead of strikeouts.  For a guy who doesn't strike out a ton of batters, he still has 31 saves on the season.  Pure gas and high K rates don't essentially make a perfect closer.

Quote this for epic posterity of eating some serious crow.

Looking at what is currently in the pen, I'd say Clippard is the only real safe bet for next season.  Storen can be if he can return to form.  Stammen probably will be back.  Krol most likely will be, but he has definitely looked a bit lost lately.  Soriano will be back because there really isn't a way to move his contract given his performance.

I'm hoping the Nats can get O'Flaherty and another righty.

[Mattionals]

I have a feeling this 16 year old kid the Nats just signed will help pave the way for future signings.  Just a hunch, but they might go big on Abreu this winter.

Not sure they stand pat with CF, but it's likely Denard opens with the team next spring, and I think the decision to stick with him has less to do with him, but more to do with Goodwin.  If Goodwin is still seen as the heir apparent in CF, then I expect Span to be the starting CF.  If Goodwin isn't the answer, maybe the Nats do something drastic and sign Choo or Ellsbury.

At least a lefty will likely be added to the pen.  Probably one more righty unless Mattheus is brought back.  I don't see Soriano going anywhere, but if he could be dealt, do it.

My ideal moves would be to sign Abreu and Ellsbury, and flip Span to Seattle for Carter Capps.  Use Taylor Jordan as the #5 starter with Karns in AAA unless a big trade for a pitcher can be made.

[Slateman]

Soriano has to go. Frankly so does Storen. Need to build a whole new bullpen around Krol and Clippard.

[Mattionals]

Soriano has to go. Frankly so does Storen. Need to build a whole new bullpen around Krol and Clippard.

Why does Storen have to go?  He has had an abysmal season, but it is just 1 season.  He is entering his second year of arbitration, and likely won't get a raise because of how bad he has been this year.  If he returns to form, especially with a better delivery, he will still be very, very important to this team.

Storen will close again, and it will be for this team.  There isn't a big enough return for relief pitchers in the trade market so I expect the Nats will hold onto him.  Build the pen around Storen, Clippard, Krol and Stammen.  Stammen has struggled recently, but his FIP numbers are quite good and he can go multiple innings.  A manager who better uses the bullpen should handle him much better.  Bring in O'Flaherty as a FA lefty and then swing Span for Carter Capps.  Capps throws very hard and is still quite young, and especially after a down year for him, one year of Span for a young "Krol" arm doesn't look so bad.  If Soriano can be flipped, great.  Bring in another guy, even if it is someone like Ohlendorf who can pitch multiple innings.

[Optics]

Storen has the talent, but I just don't see him turning it around here. It'll be like Brad Lidge in Houston, he had to leave and go to Philly to rediscover his game.

Soriano has to go but nobody is gonna want him. Who's gonna pay $13 Mil for a Closer who can't make guys miss?

Love Clip, but honestly I'd consider trading him if we could get a good haul. Teams always overvalue relievers, and relievers are such a volatile position. Clip has been consistent for a few years now though, he could be an exception, but if a team made an offer I couldn't refuse...

[Mattionals]

Storen has the talent, but I just don't see him turning it around here. It'll be like Brad Lidge in Houston, he had to leave and go to Philly to rediscover his game.

Soriano has to go but nobody is gonna want him. Who's gonna pay $13 Mil for a Closer who can't make guys miss?

Love Clip, but honestly I'd consider trading him if we could get a good haul. Teams always overvalue relievers, and relievers are such a volatile position. Clip has been consistent for a few years now though, he could be an exception, but if a team made an offer I couldn't refuse...

So the Nats are on the hook for 14 Million AFTER Soriano has probably finished playing.  He is only owed 7 Million next year, so he is still movable.

I don't think Storen needs a change of scenery.  What he needs is to have consistent chances to close games and have the confidence of the FO behind him to do so.  I, for one, would rather see him put it together again here, mostly because I don't think there is much for him to really change, then to send him elsewhere.

Teams only overvalue relievers DURING the season.  Usually trades for bullpen arms in the offseason are somewhat thin, and usually not for big prospects or players.  Even Hanrahan wasn't traded for much.  Melancon has been lights out, but honestly think of that as Hanrahan for a re-tread that put it together.  I say Storen and Clippard stay on the team, mostly because taking them out removes ALL of the bullpen that is quality at this point.  Krol may be the other piece, but he still shows that he is just a kid promoted from AA and doesn't have the polish of a MLB arm yet.

[Slateman]

The more I watch this team, the more I don't think we need to make a move for the rotation

Let Taylor Jordan take the number 5 spot. Detwiler can challenge for the number 4 spot. Let Roark be the long relief guy.

Best case scenario, Detwiler regains his 2012 form and we have a good rotation. Worst case is that Detwiler's 2012 is a one hit wonder. Simple solution is to move him to the pen, where is stuff is better, and call up Karns.

I know that Detwiler was drafted high, but a guy like that in the bullpen isn't the worst thing. We could build a bullpen around him, Clippard, and Krol.

[wpa2629]

The more I watch this team, the more I don't think we need to make a move for the rotation

Let Taylor Jordan take the number 5 spot. Detwiler can challenge for the number 4 spot. Let Roark be the long relief guy.

Best case scenario, Detwiler regains his 2012 form and we have a good rotation. Worst case is that Detwiler's 2012 is a one hit wonder. Simple solution is to move him to the pen, where is stuff is better, and call up Karns.

I know that Detwiler was drafted high, but a guy like that in the bullpen isn't the worst thing. We could build a bullpen around him, Clippard, and Krol.

I agree, I think Taylor has earned a shot. And I'm loving Roark in long relief right about now.