Harper will have played nearly seven complete seasons before becoming a free agent. That's the team goal with all top prospects. Players now get a fourth arb year but it's worth it for the extra service year.
For every day Robles plays this fall I expect that will be one more day before he comes up next May.
I agree. I don't see the value in him playing in DC this september v. a full year of control. I'd rather not see him up. I really wanted him assigned to the Rafters.
How much are you going to learn by playing him this month that you did not learn last year in more meaningful games? Let's suppose you learn one of two things. If you learn he is as good as billed, well, you just lost a year of his service time. If you learn he isn't, well, you just busted his trade value. Tell me why again what you will learn this month is so valuable? If he needs reps, there's Arizona.