Offseason moves?

[Vega]

I think Karns has a future as a decent reliever for the Nats.  If I recall this is Stammen's last year under contract.  I'd say let Stammen walk and replace him with Karns.  What about Erik Davis?  Not enough?

I doubt it. I just read on BBR that Davis was the guy we got from San Diego for Alberto Gonzalez. Rizzo sure is good at getting nobody prospects that turn out to be useful. Got Mattheus for Joe Biemal, Roark for Guzman, and Erik Davis for AlGo.

[blue911]

Lobaton is out of options, Tampa has to move him

[Mattionals]

I doubt it. I just read on BBR that Davis was the guy we got from San Diego for Alberto Gonzalez. Rizzo sure is good at getting nobody prospects that turn out to be useful. Got Mattheus for Joe Biemal, Roark for Guzman, and Erik Davis for AlGo.

How about Purke and Kobernus?

[nats4ever]

Rizzo has spent a lot of money dumpster diving rather than locking up needed quality players of late.

Then what the hell you call the fister deal? It's common sense that maybe their budgeting money for the future. If this team performs well and is a winner. You will look stupid.

[varoadking]

Then what the hell you call the fister deal? It's common sense that maybe their budgeting money for the future. If this team performs well and is a winner. You will look stupid.

Chill dood...did you miss this in my original post?:

"...of late."

[Vega]

How about Purke and Kobernus?

I'm out of date on my prospects knowledge. Has Purke healed well from his injuries?

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Three years in Hagerstown and out-of-control binge christianity...uh, nope

I'm out of date on my prospects knowledge. Has Purke healed well from his injuries?

[imref]

I'm out of date on my prospects knowledge. Has Purke healed well from his injuries?

He was ok in potomac last year. Nothing real special.

[mach1ne]

John Heyman on MLBTonight said that the Nationals are the mystery that could sign A.J. Burnett. Down to either Pittsburgh or us.

[Upark25]

John Heyman on MLBTonight said that the Nationals are the mystery that could sign A.J. Burnett. Down to either Pittsburgh or us.

If the Nats sign Burnett we could be looking at

1.Strasburg
2. Gonzalez
3. Zimmermann
4. Fister
5. Burnett

If that's not on paper the best pitching staff in the majors I don't know what is.

[Minty Fresh]

Three years in Hagerstown and out-of-control binge christianity...uh, nope

I hope you don't mind, but I am using this in other walks of life as well. 

[Ray D]

1.Strasburg
2. Gonzalez
3. Zimmermann
4. Fister
5. Burnett

If that's not on paper the best pitching staff in the majors I don't know what is.

1.Strasburg
2. Gonzalez
3. Zimmermann
4. Fister
5. Whoever emerges as 5th starter from among potential starters on hand

is as good, or better.

[CALSGR8]

These days I almost feel like we could merge this thread with Former Nats thread as we siggned Luis Ayala to a minor league contract.

[PebbleBall]

1.Strasburg
2. Gonzalez
3. Zimmermann
4. Fister
5. Whoever emerges as 5th starter from among potential starters on hand

is as good, or better.

Please back this up.  I don't see how it's possible given that those competing for #5 would still provide depth.

[Squab]

Please back this up.  I don't see how it's possible given that those competing for #5 would still provide depth.

I can't really see how he could back that up.

• Burnett has been great the last two years, he was actually better last year than he was in 2012.
• He was every bit as good as Zimmermann, Strasburg, and Gio last year.
• He struck out more batters, threw harder, had a higher BABIP (he did allow significantly less homers).
• By all accounts he's a leader in the clubhouse and would be good for the team there.
• When one of the starters gets hurt, you have killer depth to replace them.

[Minty Fresh]

Please back this up.  I don't see how it's possible given that those competing for #5 would still provide depth.

Could you imagine having Burnett as the back-end of the rotation guy?  We'd easily have the best starting staff in the bigs.

[tomterp]

I think this is a good move.  The guy was fabulous his first few years.  Then he dropped of the face of the earth for a few years mostly because of the WBC injury. But he seems to have come back strong the past three seasons.

Ayala was one of my favorites in 2005.

Luis "I don't need no stinkin' rehab" Ayala.  Well guess what Luis, you're a moron.

    

In positive news, I hear The Chief is tanned, rested, and ready.

[Ray D]

Luis "I don't need no stinkin' rehab" Ayala.  Well guess what Luis, you're a moron.

I don't remember that. Did he try to come back too soon and end up re-injuring it worse?

[PC]

He also doesn't cover first base.

[Ray D]

those competing for #5 would still provide depth.

And just what do you do if one of those beats him out for the fifth spot?   Burnett isn't going to provide depth. He isn't going to take assignment to Syracuse. And you can't trade him.   

In fact, I am sure he wants a no-trade clause.   And Rizzo isn't going to give him one.  So this is all a moot discussion.   He is not going to sign with any team except on his terms. If he doesn't get what he wants, he won't play; he's made that fairly clear.

[Ray D]

He also doesn't cover first base.

Who?   (Too many discussions going on to figure out who you're talking about.)

[PC]

Who?   (Too many discussions going on to figure out who you're talking about.)

Ayala.

[PC]

If we sign Burnett, he'd be the #5.  No one's going to beat him out even, in the unlikely chance, someone out performs him.  Detwiler pitches will out of the bullpen and he's function as the #6 starters.  This is precisely what the Tigers did with Smily last season.

Pitchers get hurt.  You're best served by having as many options as possible.

I just read on mlbtr that the Dodgers are going to sign Paul Maholm to a minor league deal.  The Dodgers get it.  They've already stacked their bullpen with established relievers and they're giving themselves options in the starting rotation.

[tomterp]

I don't remember that. Did he try to come back too soon and end up re-injuring it worse?

Had bone chips removed from his elbow, then insisted in pitching for Mexico in the WBC (long before rehab would be completed) over the Nats' objection.  In fact, the Nats protested to MLB who ruled in favor the player.  Not too many pitches in - Tommy John time.

[Vega]

http://deadspin.com/5937686/this-is-how-relievers-try-to-pick-up-ladies-before-ballgames