Offseason moves?

[USF_Football]

The Nationals whiffed big time on Abreu. I drafted this guy two years ago in the first year of a 30-team keeper league where I'm the GM of the Nationals. We can only keep six MiL players and 10 major league players each season, so I dropped Abreu last year when it appeared he wasn't defecting anytime in the near future (everything I read said he was content playing in Cuba). Kicking myself now as I'll have to wheel and deal to have an opportunity to get the first pick of the draft this year so I can re-select him (the talent is extremely thin when you think about 30 fantasy teams keeping a total of 300 major league players and 180 of the top minor league prospects). Abreu is a game changer and always has been. The White Sox essentially added the second coming of Miguel Cabrera to their roster. Who wouldn't give Cabrera a six year - $68 million deal? If anyone watched the World Classic, it was apparent how good he was. We lack serious pop in our offense. We also lack a hitter that pitchers truly fear. Abreu could have been that guy. Harper might one day be that guy - but Abreu in his prime is a steal for the White Sox. I realize the Lerners don't want to be burning their hard earned cash, but Abreu is an investment that pays off. Puig is a great Cuban hitter, but he wasn't even considered on the same level of greatness as Abreu. Anyways... end of rant. Another train passes. Hopefully we don't sign Cano to that insane contract he's looking for. However, as we're learning in the AL and NL championship series, you can never have enough great starting pitchers. I would be extremely happy seeing Price as our ace, Stras as the #2, JZ in the three hole, and Gio #4. Taylor would make a great #5. Why would Price be the ace over Stras? Simple - he's dominated AL East bats for years and is used to getting limited run support (a perfect fit for our hapless offense). Man I'm still burned up over the Abreu sweepstakes. Winners aren't afraid to open their wallets.

[Mattionals]

The Nationals whiffed big time on Abreu. I drafted this guy two years ago in the first year of a 30-team keeper league where I'm the GM of the Nationals. We can only keep six MiL players and 10 major league players each season, so I dropped Abreu last year when it appeared he wasn't defecting anytime in the near future (everything I read said he was content playing in Cuba). Kicking myself now as I'll have to wheel and deal to have an opportunity to get the first pick of the draft this year so I can re-select him (the talent is extremely thin when you think about 30 fantasy teams keeping a total of 300 major league players and 180 of the top minor league prospects). Abreu is a game changer and always has been. The White Sox essentially added the second coming of Miguel Cabrera to their roster. Who wouldn't give Cabrera a six year - $68 million deal? If anyone watched the World Classic, it was apparent how good he was. We lack serious pop in our offense. We also lack a hitter that pitchers truly fear. Abreu could have been that guy. Harper might one day be that guy - but Abreu in his prime is a steal for the White Sox. I realize the Lerners don't want to be burning their hard earned cash, but Abreu is an investment that pays off. Puig is a great Cuban hitter, but he wasn't even considered on the same level of greatness as Abreu. Anyways... end of rant. Another train passes. Hopefully we don't sign Cano to that insane contract he's looking for. However, as we're learning in the AL and NL championship series, you can never have enough great starting pitchers. I would be extremely happy seeing Price as our ace, Stras as the #2, JZ in the three hole, and Gio #4. Taylor would make a great #5. Why would Price be the ace over Stras? Simple - he's dominated AL East bats for years and is used to getting limited run support (a perfect fit for our hapless offense). Man I'm still burned up over the Abreu sweepstakes. Winners aren't afraid to open their wallets.

You are putting an awful ton of potential greatness on a guy who has never hit an MLB pitcher outside of the WBC.  Unless you have info that all the best scouts don't have, his comp has been at best Ryan Howard in his prime to Dayan Viciedo.  Howard in his prime would be immense.  The power is very real, but he isn't being tagged to be a Triple Crown winner.  I know you think the Nats whiffed, but after this season, it has become evident that sooner rather than later Ryan Zimmerman, a player signed until 2020, will be moving to first base.  Also, the NL still doesn't have a DH, and most scouts say that Abreu is a lumbering oaf at 1B and likely to be more of a DH type.  If Zimmerman HAS to move to 1B within a season or two, where does Abreu go?

Don't get me wrong, Abreu is going to hit, but I expect him to be a decent hitter for average, maybe a .270-.280 hitter with 40-50 homer potential which is nothing to scoff at.  The thing is I don't think he is a perfect fit for the Nationals.  I would be willing to get Napoli on a three year deal and switch him off at catcher with Ramos until Zim can't man 3B anymore.

[sph274]

napoli will prob get a QO from the red sox and with his degenerative hip condition, nobody will try and sign him long term. the red sox also like him and he seems to like playing for the red sox. napoli's days as a catcher are over, especially if you sign him to a three year deal

[Mattionals]

napoli will prob get a QO from the red sox and with his degenerative hip condition, nobody will try and sign him long term. the red sox also like him and he seems to like playing for the red sox. napoli's days as a catcher are over, especially if you sign him to a three year deal

I should preface that I'd only be willing on Napoli if the Nats don't go in for Cano.

[Ray D]

Jeez, get off of this Cano fantasy everyone, ain't gonna happen.  Nats are not going to mortgage the future on a short term gain, the future is too bright to do that; it isn't as though the next two years are our window. 

[varoadking]

... it isn't as though the next two years are our window.

No...the last two were...

[HalfSmokes]

Jeez, get off of this Cano fantasy everyone, ain't gonna happen.  Nats are not going to mortgage the future on a short term gain, the future is too bright to do that; it isn't as though the next two years are our window. 

Desmond and zimmermann aren't important. Zimmerman and Werth aren't aging

[Vega]

James Loney?

[Mattionals]

James Loney?

He had a career year and still hits for next to ZERO power.  No thanks.

[Vega]

He had a career year and still hits for next to ZERO power.  No thanks.

But deefinz....

Kilgore says we were interested in Abreu. Fascinating. Hopefully that means that Rizzo is looking to upgrade over LaToast.

[zimm_da_kid]

But deefinz....

Kilgore says we were interested in Abreu. Fascinating. Hopefully that means that Rizzo is looking to upgrade over LaToast.

Afraid to spend.  He's by far the best 1B on the market.  any free agent upgrade would be marginal now.

[Slateman]

Eh, Abreu would have sat for at least half the year in the minors.

[zimm_da_kid]

Eh, Abreu would have sat for at least half the year in the minors.

no he wouldn't have. 

[Slateman]

lol, okay. We have no idea what he's going to be like in the majors.

[Vega]

I have a bad feeling about Abreu. No real reason. Just think he's gonna bust.

[Slateman]

I think his ceiling is a DH. He's a loaf, even at first

[Vega]

Scott Downs as a lefty specialist? J.P. Howell is an FA again too.

[Slateman]

Downs is. He's also 37. Honestly, I think we could just stick with Cedeno and get the same thing.

[Vega]

Downs is. He's also 37. Honestly, I think we could just stick with Cedeno and get the same thing.

I'd rather take a flyer on a declining Scott Downs than pray that the guy that Houston didn't want is functional.

[Slateman]

I'd rather take a flyer on a declining Scott Downs than pray that the guy that Houston didn't want is functional.

.226/.320/.308 against lefties for his career. He clearly has the ability to be a LOOGY. He's a soft tossing lefty. Astros just wanted him to be a setup guy and he isn't. I'd rather not spend 7 million on a guy who comes in to face one batter when we have a guy on the roster who can do it for 500k.

[Vega]

.226/.320/.308 against lefties for his career. He clearly has the ability to be a LOOGY. He's a soft tossing lefty. Astros just wanted him to be a setup guy and he isn't. I'd rather not spend 7 million on a guy who comes in to face one batter when we have a guy on the roster who can do it for 500k.

Lol $7 million. Downs is nearly done. He isn't gonna get that much. Four million perhaps.

[Slateman]

Lol $7 million. Downs is nearly done. He isn't gonna get that much. Four million perhaps.

500k is less than 4 million.

Cedeno had a better k/9, and BB/9 against lefties His FIP and OPS are extremely close to Downs. Cedeno is, basically, Downs. So, again, why are we paying for Downs when we have the same thing in Cedeno at 20% of the cost.

[Vega]

500k is less than 4 million.

Cedeno had a better k/9, and BB/9 against lefties His FIP and OPS are extremely close to Downs. Cedeno is, basically, Downs. So, again, why are we paying for Downs when we have the same thing in Cedeno at 20% of the cost.

And Downs' age indicates that he could  decline quite noticeably. Eh. I still would like some more lefties, but after looking at his game logs, Cedeno looks good.

[deeznatz]

The Nationals whiffed big time on Abreu.  Man I'm still burned up over the Abreu sweepstakes. Winners aren't afraid to open their wallets.

Yep, dude....spot on.  We needed an upgrade, had a chance to take a risk, but a caluclated one, at a guy that even if he only hits .270 and 25 would be a steal at that price. 

This has repercussions beyond this season.  I had thought the Lerners would spend when the time was right, but I think  we're seeing the real deal now.

If not spend now, then wehn?  After a 98 win year and thena disappointing mid-80 win season where you saw some promise but also some holes that need filling, we rest on our laurels hoping that Adam laroche is going to change his medicine, gain weight and get his power back?  Whoooopdeefriggin doo.  I dont give a toot about Laroche's power....I care about his .235 BA and Ks. 

I'm telling you now like Ive said all along....if we roll into 2014 with this same lineup we will have an OUTSIDE shot at a wild card, at best.  Mark my words. 

If this franchise sits tioght and does nothing about this offense we know one of 3 things:

1.)They are incompetent
or
2.)They are cheap
or
3.)They are paralyzed w/ fear of making a big move/trade

 

[TigerFan]

Take some meds for freaks sake.  What do you expect them to do, put a $100M player in every position?  They already have or will have massive contracts on Werth, RZ, JZ, Desi, Harper, Stras, etc.  Some people will never be happy.