Unpopular Nationals Opinions

[HalfSmokes]

Currently or all time? Church was the most over-rated at one point.

All time

[PowerBoater69]

All time

Not sure if I agree then, sure he has been over-rated at times, but he lived up to the hype for at least a few seasons, and no one is rating him highly anymore.

[Slateman]

He's actually produced for more than half a season in the bigs, unlike Morse.

.294/.343/.514   
vs
.280   /.345/.471   

Which one is the overrated National?

[imref]

Wasn't the popular opinion in 2013 that trading morse destroyed team chemistry? 

[Slateman]

Wasn't the popular opinion in 2013 that trading morse destroyed team chemistry? 

Yes. I think there is something to it. It led to signing LaRoche long term as well.

[whytev]

Yes. I think there is something to it. It led to signing LaRoche long term as well.

LaRoche was better.

[GburgNatsFan]

PB, you'll have to 'splain why resigning Paps is an unpopular opinion, rather than nonsense.  He's got nothing left.

[Slateman]

LaRoche was better.

Not really

[whytev]

Not really

Remember what thread we're in here.

[Bloo]

I'll give a medal to anyone back in 2013 who said Espinosa was going to turn it around.

[_sturt_]

Mine: Embrace the Spos' legacy.

For me, it's a "why not, who doesn't want their franchise to be associated with names like Dawson, Carter, Martinez (both Dennis and Pedro), Wallach, Walker, Staub, Guerrero, and Raines."

For others.. not all, but more than I'd expected... it's seemed there's an attitude that says "this is our DC area team, period, so don't be muddying our territory."

[imref]

Giolito should have started over Strasburg.

[PowerBoater69]

I'll give a medal to anyone back in 2013 who said Espinosa was going to turn it around.

Plenty thought that in 2013, it was in 2014 that all hope was lost.

[PowerBoater69]

PB, you'll have to 'splain why resigning Paps is an unpopular opinion, rather than nonsense.  He's got nothing left.

Not a top closer, just middle of the pack, good enough for a couple more years. The Nats were cruising before he got hurt. Improving the offense is the bigger need, although if we upgrade I won't cry about it.

[PowerBoater69]

Updated the master list with the latest Strasburg shutdown debacle.

Here are the facts:

• Nationals Park was a huge overpay by the District, MLB needed a big market city as much as DC needed a team, there was no reason to gift the league a $700 million ballpark.
• Anthony Williams got bent over on the MASN deal, it was part of the original contract that broadcast rights were not included with the team, his caving led to the current situation.
• The 2005 team that won 50 games in the first half was fueled by steroids.
• Frank Robinson was the best manager the Nats have had until Baker.
• Bowden was told to tank for draft picks as soon as the Lerners bought the team, the 100 loss seasons were intentional and therefore not an indicator of his abilities as a GM.
• The Smiley signing was Mark Lerner's fault, he should not have agreed to sign a contract at last call in a bar the night after his Dad bought the team.
• The Plan to build via the draft was a money grab to pay off team debt via revenue sharing and low payroll, there was no baseball reason not to field a decent team concurrently with rebuilding the minor league system. The changes to revenue sharing led to the eventual change in strategy.
• Bowden should have traded Soriano before the deadline (although that worked out pretty well).
• Dmitri Young was a woman beater who drank himself off of two teams.
• Guzman earned that All-Star appearance and his re-signing was the right move.
• Rizzo should have traded Dunn before the deadline.
• Riggleman was wrong to quit mid-season but justifiably pissed at Rizzo for lack of support in the clubhouse.
• Rizzo should never have shut down Stras heading into the playoffs with zero medical science pointing to an exact number of innings leading to future injuries.
• Gio was juicing up until his doctor was busted, leading to his big contract and career year in 2012.
• Rizzo should have resigned Zimmermann rather than signing Scherzer.
• Werth is a manager killer.
• Williams pulling Zimmermann was not the reason that the Nats lost that game, it was entirely on the offense.
• Zimmerman was juicing up until his dealer got caught bragging about it on hidden camera.
• Harper needs to get benched or beat down more often for not running out every play.
• Papelbon should be signed for 2017-8.
• WTF? You let Stras finish.

[GburgNatsFan]

Got it. I'd be okay with him in that role.

He'd be a great guy coming out of the bullpen for bench clearing brawls.

Not a top closer, just middle of the pack, good enough for a couple more years. The Nats were cruising before he got hurt. Improving the offense is the bigger need, although if we upgrade I won't cry about it.

[Slateman]

Strasburg has to be number 1.

DC ballpark is number 2, but wouldn't that be  more on the city and not the club?

[whytev]

I hate the racing presidents.

[BrandonK]

I hate the racing presidents.

Me too

[whytev]

This team is the Expos!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I like the DH

[_sturt_]

I hate the racing presidents.

Not just unpopular.... blasphemy!

[whytev]

I like the DH

That's not an unpopular Nats opinion; it's an unpopular baseball opinion.

[BrandonK]

I like the DH

UGH

[imref]

I liked Rob Dibble's analysis.