Offseason moves?

[Count Walewski]

I suppose I'd be ok with Tanaka if it means we'd flip another starter for a quality bat.

[varoadking]

because it's ovy's fault that his team around him is always crap. just because he hasn't won one yet doesn't mean he's any less of a superstar.

I didn't ever imply that it makes him any less of a superstar...all I've said is that the awards are less important without a Cup...nothing more, nothing less.

[sph274]

Does anyone think the braves make a run at him?

[Mr Clean]

Does anyone think the braves make a run at him?

Look for it.  Also the Angels have been quiet so far.

[mach1ne]

Does anyone think the braves make a run at him?

Braves ownership doesn't spend money other than Upton who proved to be a huge bust last year. I see them getting a starter through a trade.

[PC]

The Nationals have re-signed second baseman Will Rhymes to a minor-league deal with a spring training invite, according to his agency, Beverly Hills Sports Council (on Twitter). Rhymes, 30, hit .274/.360/.349 in 530 plate appearances at Triple-A Syracuse last season. He has a .266/.328/.343 line in 449 career big-league plate appearances with the Tigers and Rays.

[Mr Clean]

I hope they give him a shot. Maybe they will trade Espy now.

[Slateman]

I hope they give him a shot. Maybe they will trade Espy now.

Would rather keep Espi. Can fill the utility infielder role nicely. And who knows, maybe if we don't let him play full time, he'll heal.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

it looks like they are lining up a lot of depth at 2d right now.  With Burris and Rhymes, plus Walters, Kobernus, and Espinosa, they have options if one of Rendon, Zimmerman, or LaRoche has problems.  Right now, are Rendon and Espinosa the backup SSs?

[Slateman]

it looks like they are lining up a lot of depth at 2d right now.  With Burris and Rhymes, plus Walters, Kobernus, and Espinosa, they have options if one of Rendon, Zimmerman, or LaRoche has problems.  Right now, are Rendon and Espinosa the backup SSs?

Espinosa is. Rendon . . . no

[JCA-CrystalCity]

You can't have everything, but maybe the long term DL / suspension I think would hurt the team the most this year among the position players would be Desmond.  In contrast to 2012, when Desi's DL stint coincided with a healthy Espinosa being able to slide over, if Desi were to go down for any stretch, we'd be stuck with hoping Espinosa returns to form he has not shown since 8/2012.

[Slateman]

You can't have everything, but maybe the long term DL / suspension I think would hurt the team the most this year among the position players would be Desmond.  In contrast to 2012, when Desi's DL stint coincided with a healthy Espinosa being able to slide over, if Desi were to go down for any stretch, we'd be stuck with hoping Espinosa returns to form he has not shown since 8/2012.

If, and it's a big if, Zimmerman and Rendon are healthy along with Laroche producing, we could survive a short DL stint from Desmond. We could live with Espinosa playing very good defense and being a black hole.

Now, if we're talking about Zimmemran going down too, and Laroche sucking like last year, yea, Desi is a problem. Someone will have to step up. But I think Espinosa and Walters provide depth at shortstop.

I still am waiting to pass judgement on Danny Espinosa. I want to see what he looks like in Spring Training.

[Ray D]

  Right now, are Rendon and Espinosa the backup SSs?

Rendon cannot play shortstop.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I thought they gave him a few innings last spring, but yes, I would not leave him there longer than a few innings in an emergency.

[DPMOmaha]

He played 4 games at short last year.  He'd be fine in a pinch.

[Ray D]

He played 4 games at short last year.

And my recollection is that he looked very uncomfortable there, did not have the range or arm for shortstop, and didn't get rid of the ball quickly enough.  Shortstop is the most important defensive postion (besides pitcher of course), you don't want to mess around.  This is an argument for keeping Espinosa around.

[welch]

And my recollection is that he looked very uncomfortable there, did not have the range or arm for shortstop, and didn't get rid of the ball quickly enough.  Shortstop is the most important defensive postion (besides pitcher of course), you don't want to mess around.  This is an argument for keeping Espinosa around.

Yes, keep Espinosa...but he hits like Kevin Elster. Ugh.

[Slateman]

He played 4 games at short last year.  He'd be fine in a pinch.

New Jags fan

[madj55]

And my recollection is that he looked very uncomfortable there, did not have the range or arm for shortstop, and didn't get rid of the ball quickly enough.  Shortstop is the most important defensive postion (besides pitcher of course), you don't want to mess around.  This is an argument for keeping Espinosa around.

Rendon has the arm for sure, definitely doesn't have the range though.

[Ray D]

Rendon has the arm for sure,

Maybe, a barely adequate arm for shortstop.  But when you look at Espinosa or Desmond throw, the difference is quite profound.

Yes, keep Espinosa...but he hits like Kevin Elster. Ugh.

I believe that Espinosa will give you as much or more production against lefthanders than LaRoche.   It should be Zimmernan, Espinosa, Rendon, at first, second, third, against lefties.   Nothing else makes sense.

[DPMOmaha]

And my recollection is that he looked very uncomfortable there, did not have the range or arm for shortstop, and didn't get rid of the ball quickly enough.  Shortstop is the most important defensive postion (besides pitcher of course), you don't want to mess around.  This is an argument for keeping Espinosa around.

I'm just saying, if Desi went down for three days with the flu or something where he had to miss a couple of games, he wouldn't kill us for a game or two.  I think his arm would be fine.

[Ray D]

I'm just saying, if Desi went down for three days with the flu or something where he had to miss a couple of games, he wouldn't kill us for a game or two.  I think his arm would be fine.

As an emergency shortstop, ok. Like an emergency catcher.   If Desmond is out three games, I'm comfortable with Espinosa at short, with Rendon filling in in case you have to pinch hit for Espinosa.   I am not comfortable with Rendon playing shortstop all three games.

[madj55]

Rendon at SS can't be worse than Cristian Guzman in RF.

[Nathan]

Shh...  We don't talk about the dark times.

[cmdterps44]

such guzman