Author Topic: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread  (Read 347428 times)

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Offline HattoriHanzo

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #25: August 16, 2015, 06:40:56 PM »
I'm not worried about MAT. He should only get better.  He's a rookie that wasn't expected to play in the majors this year.  He's been more than fine for a player that got thrust into a starting job on a team with a lot of pressure on it.

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #26: August 16, 2015, 06:47:53 PM »
He's pretty projectable. Unless you think he's going magically reduce his strikeouts by 75-100Ks per season.

He is what he is. He's fine, but he's going to hurt you in the playoffs. He's exactly the kind of bat that we've been complaining about for three seasons. That all or nothing type hitter that baseball is quickly moving away from.
No, I don't think he'll magically turn into that, but I do think he can improve over time.

That said, I'd like to see the strikeouts diminish, too. Can that be done with an orgazational change in philosophy or is the only way to do it by changing the players. I love the way the Giants attack offensively. Absolutely love it. I'd love to see the Nats do more of that, but it seems like a philosophy thing, and maybe that starts with who Rizzo drafts and builds an orgaziation, IDK.

Online Slateman

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #27: August 16, 2015, 06:54:00 PM »
No, I don't think he'll magically turn into that, but I do think he can improve over time.

That said, I'd like to see the strikeouts diminish, too. Can that be done with an orgazational change in philosophy or is the only way to do it by changing the players. I love the way the Giants attack offensively. Absolutely love it. I'd love to see the Nats do more of that, but it seems like a philosophy thing, and maybe that starts with who Rizzo drafts and builds an orgaziation, IDK.

Improve to what? Again, that improvement is Danny Espinosa in the outfield.

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #28: August 16, 2015, 07:01:52 PM »
I think he could find himself in the 130 range. He's shown some plate discipline in spurts, so if he can get more consistent there, I think he definitely could improve.

Offline BH34Natural

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #29: August 16, 2015, 08:59:45 PM »
That's pretty much his ceiling. Heyward rocking a .765 and has a career of .779. Oh and he's not even in his prime.

Oh and 2015 DRS:

Taylor - 9
Heyward - 13


But sure, Taylor is the better OFer.

Jason Heyward is not in his prime? I would say he's pretty seasoned, and he's pretty meh offensively. Defensive is another story if you want to argue that. He's a pedestrian offensive player with "a good approach". I've watched him a lot. He disappears for weeks at a time. The cement has hardened and he is what he is.

Offline welch

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #30: August 16, 2015, 09:33:18 PM »
Nats need hitting, relief pitching, and probably a starting pitcher. Mostly hitting.

- Sign Cespedes. He's a free agent at the end of the season and he can play CF. Taylor is a good fielder, but has not learned to hit. Werth is 36 and should be fading, but my hunch is that he has another good season left. Mix Taylor and Werth in LF unless Taylor proves outright that he can't hit any better than this season.

- Try to re-sign Span, but I doubt that Span wants to play in Washington. Something about his last press conference, the tone, made it sound like he wanted a real doctor to give him a real diagnosis and a real treatment plan. No more "rest a week and then play two weeks because the team needs it".

- Infield is fine, assuming that Trea Turner is The Guy. In fact, I would promote Turner now and move Danny to LF until Span returns. Maybe Span will be back by Saturday, given that he's starting tonight with Potomac...maybe Span returns later. Either way, the Nats need a lead-off hitter.

- Starting pitchers: having seen Rizzo's work, I expect him to collect draft choices for as many free agents as possible. Make the offers to Fister and Zimmermann. Maybe both rebound to last-year's quality. Here is a big hole. If they are gone, the starters are Scherzer, Strasburg, Ross, and Roark, plus ??? Giolito just got promoted to Harrisburg, I think, so he's a year away. Nobody at Syracuse looks better than AAA...not Taylors Hill and Jordan, and not AJ Cole. Maybe convert Treinen back to a starter?

- Relief pitchers: even bigger hole. Papelbon pitches the 9th when it's a save. Storen is a mystery. Nobody collapses that quickly. Thornton and Janssen are good-enough oldewr relief pitchers, but not every-day guys and not for high-pressure situations. Rivero seems promising. Otherwise, it's ugly after a starter finishes six innings.

- Catcher: Please trade Ramos. Let Lobaton catch 2/3 of the games. Minors have no catchers who look ready, so maybe the Nats have to work with Ramos...lose weight, a lot of weight, and run faster.

- Bench / backup: A strength. At least the Nats did well enough with the bench guys. Crumbled when Werth, Rendon, and Zimm returned. Clint Robinson is gold. De Dekker doesn't hit any better than Taylor, but plays good outfield. With Escobar, Rendon, Espinosa, and (we hope) Turner, the infield should have enough to ride through injuries.

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #31: August 16, 2015, 09:36:26 PM »
Janssen and Thornton are both FA's. I think the pen gets a pretty good overhaul this winter.  Hopefully Stammen gets back to where he was before.

Offline welch

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #32: August 16, 2015, 09:49:20 PM »
Janssen and Thornton are both FA's. I think the pen gets a pretty good overhaul this winter.  Hopefully Stammen gets back to where he was before.

Wow. Forgot about Stammen. That leaves Papelbon, Storen, Rivero, and Stammen; plus Treinen if the team wants him at relief rather than starter. And Big Gio...I had forgotten him.

Offline MorseTheHorse

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #33: August 16, 2015, 10:01:36 PM »
Just so I can be boo'd and run off this thread does anyone else see a re-signed Ian at SS, Turner at 2B and Rendon at 3B as a possibility in the infield? 

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #34: August 16, 2015, 10:01:40 PM »
I don't agree with Slate on what the value of Taylor is, but I'd consider selling on him if there were a quality CF we could bring in.  If it weren't for Span's back being a mystery, I'd be tempted to try to bring him back on a 3 year deal.  Taylor, on the other hand, is MLB minimum for 2 more years, 5 more years of team control, has shown he had the glove.  There's some sizzle there, even with his high K rate.  Sell the sizzle.

I would consider moving Escobar, but I kind of like starting next year with Rendon, Espinosa, and Escobar as my 2d, SS, and 3d baseman, though I'm not sure who lines up where.

I'd maybe hold Stras so I could line up a rotation like this year's, with Ross and Roark starting the year as the replacements for JZ and Fister.  On the other hand, if the Nats were to bring in a free agent who is a legit #2, I'd move Strasburg rather than push Ross or Roark out of the rotation.

Stammen should be brought back.  Due to his injury, I don't expect him to get  a bump in pay.

Storen definitely can be moved if he just settles down over the rest of the year. 

I would target catching help, but I'm not sure where to look. 

So, MLB trade chips would be Taylor, Storen, and possibly Strasburg, seeking roster help at one OF slot and Catcher.  Minor league positional depth would be nice, too.   While I believe Werth will bounce back, the may need higher minors guy for 2018 if Robles isn't ready.

Offline MorseTheHorse

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #35: August 16, 2015, 10:06:12 PM »
I want to say now bringing in another starting pitcher is an absolute absurdity. 

1. THIS TEAM NEEDS BATS
2. YOU NEED 2 GREAT STARTING PITCHERS IN THE PLAYOFFS.  The third pitcher kind of matters.  Starters 4 and 5 barely matter at all.  We have a diseased notion of what a starting rotation should look like in this town.   Any money spent on a starting pitcher so we keep a great pitcher like Roark off the rotation is AN ABSURDITY!!!!

Online Slateman

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #36: August 16, 2015, 10:23:21 PM »
I want to say now bringing in another starting pitcher is an absolute absurdity. 

1. THIS TEAM NEEDS BATS
2. YOU NEED 2 GREAT STARTING PITCHERS IN THE PLAYOFFS.  The third pitcher kind of matters.  Starters 4 and 5 barely matter at all.  We have a diseased notion of what a starting rotation should look like in this town.   Any money spent on a starting pitcher so we keep a great pitcher like Roark off the rotation is AN ABSURDITY!!!!

You have to get to the playoffs. And that means more than two pitchers.

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #37: August 16, 2015, 11:06:52 PM »
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Rizzo goes after Zobrist this offseason. His free agency is going to be an interesting one to watch.

Offline whytev

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #38: August 16, 2015, 11:29:42 PM »
Just so I can be boo'd and run off this thread does anyone else see a re-signed Ian at SS, Turner at 2B and Rendon at 3B as a possibility in the infield?

No.

Offline whytev

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #39: August 16, 2015, 11:31:03 PM »
I don't agree with Slate on what the value of Taylor is, but I'd consider selling on him if there were a quality CF we could bring in.  If it weren't for Span's back being a mystery, I'd be tempted to try to bring him back on a 3 year deal.  Taylor, on the other hand, is MLB minimum for 2 more years, 5 more years of team control, has shown he had the glove.  There's some sizzle there, even with his high K rate.  Sell the sizzle.

I would consider moving Escobar, but I kind of like starting next year with Rendon, Espinosa, and Escobar as my 2d, SS, and 3d baseman, though I'm not sure who lines up where.

I'd maybe hold Stras so I could line up a rotation like this year's, with Ross and Roark starting the year as the replacements for JZ and Fister.  On the other hand, if the Nats were to bring in a free agent who is a legit #2, I'd move Strasburg rather than push Ross or Roark out of the rotation.

Stammen should be brought back.  Due to his injury, I don't expect him to get  a bump in pay.

Storen definitely can be moved if he just settles down over the rest of the year. 

I would target catching help, but I'm not sure where to look. 

So, MLB trade chips would be Taylor, Storen, and possibly Strasburg, seeking roster help at one OF slot and Catcher.  Minor league positional depth would be nice, too.   While I believe Werth will bounce back, the may need higher minors guy for 2018 if Robles isn't ready.

Roark will get shelled for the rest of his career. We got his good year. He won't have another.

Offline whytev

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #40: August 16, 2015, 11:33:59 PM »
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Rizzo goes after Zobrist this offseason. His free agency is going to be an interesting one to watch.

Love the guy but he is too old. I'm pro-Heyward because he's so young.

Think Taylor and Robinson as bench OFs, an IF of Rendon, Espinosa, Escobar, and Zimmerman with Difo and a role player on the bench. Turner up first injury.

I'd like Wieters and Heyward. That's my wish list.

And a starting pitcher. Mid-range price. 

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #41: August 16, 2015, 11:52:16 PM »
I think he'll be the 2 year contract we give out every 2 years.

I'm not anti-Heyward, I just don't think that's the direction things go this offseason.

Offline whytev

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #42: August 16, 2015, 11:53:23 PM »
I think he'll be the 2 year contract we give out every 2 years.

I think he's more coveted than LaRoche, and that some fool will overpay for him.

Offline expofan

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #43: August 17, 2015, 06:47:50 AM »
Love the guy but he is too old. I'm pro-Heyward because he's so young.

Think Taylor and Robinson as bench OFs, an IF of Rendon, Espinosa, Escobar, and Zimmerman with Difo and a role player on the bench. Turner up first injury.

I'd like Wieters and Heyward. That's my wish list.

And a starting pitcher. Mid-range price.

Jason hey ward will be looking at 15 to 20 mil a year. I don't think he is worth that much. He may at best give you 12 to 15 home runs and about 60 rbi's with a .270 average. There is a reason braves gave up on this guy , and also why the cards are not looking forward to resign him. You could get similar production via a trade for cheaper options.

Offline ZimW1N

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #44: August 17, 2015, 08:07:27 AM »
Jason hey ward will be looking at 15 to 20 mil a year. I don't think he is worth that much. He may at best give you 12 to 15 home runs and about 60 rbi's with a .270 average. There is a reason braves gave up on this guy , and also why the cards are not looking forward to resign him. You could get similar production via a trade for cheaper options.


He will also give you an OBP around .340, 20 steals, and near elite defense in CF. Heyward is basically a younger version of Denard Span and we need to replace Span's bat in our offense. Also the Braves didn't give up on Heyward; they gave up on the 2015 season and Miller gives them a front end starter for 2016-17 when they will compete again.


Online Slateman

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #45: August 17, 2015, 08:37:20 AM »
Jason hey ward will be looking at 15 to 20 mil a year. I don't think he is worth that much. He may at best give you 12 to 15 home runs and about 60 rbi's with a .270 average. There is a reason braves gave up on this guy , and also why the cards are not looking forward to resign him. You could get similar production via a trade for cheaper options.

Yep, we should definitely keep going with those high strikeout, high home runs guys. Working great for us so far :roll:

And 15 million a year for a 4.5 - 6 WAR outfielder who is 26 and still developing is a steal. Worth a 7 year deal if he wants it.

He will also give you an OBP around .340, 20 steals, and near elite defense in CF. Heyward is basically a younger version of Denard Span and we need to replace Span's bat in our offense. Also the Braves didn't give up on Heyward; they gave up on the 2015 season and Miller gives them a front end starter for 2016-17 when they will compete again.


Dead freaking on. Heyward's improvement in St Louis shows that the issue was Atlanta.

Oh, one other thing ... Heyward can hit leadoff :)

Offline HalfSmokes

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #46: August 17, 2015, 09:13:01 AM »
Yep, we should definitely keep going with those high strikeout, high home runs guys. Working great for us so far :roll:


Pretty much, I'm sick of hearing that a strike is just an out- watching this team against the Giants and then this year makes me think that a guy who can consistently put the ball in play is preferable to a guy who will rack up the Ks, but will walk

Online Slateman

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #47: August 17, 2015, 09:23:29 AM »
Pretty much, I'm sick of hearing that a strike is just an out- watching this team against the Giants and then this year makes me think that a guy who can consistently put the ball in play is preferable to a guy who will rack up the Ks, but will walk
Also need to acknowledge how much pitching in baseball has changed in the last five years. Strikeouts are way up. The emergence of specialized relievers is at the forefront of baseball. The need to play small ball, or at least putting the bat on the ball, is becoming apparent

Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #48: August 17, 2015, 09:25:45 AM »
Pretty much, I'm sick of hearing that a strike is just an out- watching this team against the Giants and then this year makes me think that a guy who can consistently put the ball in play is preferable to a guy who will rack up the Ks, but will walk

The Giants (fifth lowest in NL) and Royals (lowest in AL) were both low strike out teams with minimal power.  This isn't the AL where you can gamble on your 3-5 hitters being longball threats, you have to put the ball into play to manufacture runs.  The problem with 2016 and beyond is that we're going to be stuck with some of these poor performers (Werth, Zimmm) for a couple of more years and their replacements, such as they are, haven't shown they're an improvement or even ready for MLB pitching.  I'd much prefer to see Heyward out there in RF with multiple plus tools than picking up some scrap heap low BA high SLG minor league contract project that's going to give away outs.

Offline HalfSmokes

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Re: 2015-2016 Offseason Discussion Thread
« Reply #49: August 17, 2015, 09:31:08 AM »
I think our love of high k swing for the fences is also why this team gets decimated by elite pitchers