Might be fun to keep some running comments on our reporters. Who breaks stuff, who has interesting speculation and thought. Also can throw in the national media, too.
To kick off, Chelsea Janes speculates that the Nats may start the year with Ross in the minors. A 5th starter is needed once in the first couple of weeks of April, assuming no rain outs. A bad assumption today
Ross still has an option, and this allows keeping Guthrie, Perez, and Glover on the roster while not shortening the bench. A while back I thought they might go with an 8 man bullpen due to the schedule, but I was thinking that Scherzer might be hurt enough to make him the guy DL'd short term.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/03/31/how-joe-ross-could-help-the-nationals-create-roster-flexibility/?utm_term=.5663d9e3fcd5if Ross were to start the season in Class AAA Syracuse, the Nationals could carry Guthrie for a week and maintain a regular five-man bench. Ross, 23, has options remaining. If he spends fewer than 20 days in the minor leagues this year, it does not have to count as an option year. Consequently, leaving Ross in Syracuse to start the season would give the Nationals time to make decisions regarding Guthrie’s future and their long-man needs, while also maintaining a full bench.
Baker said Thursday he had to talk to Ross before sharing the team’s plans for the right-hander publicly, something he probably would not have to do if those plans involved an extra bullpen session or two. While implications are not always trustworthy, it seems the Nationals are at least considering the notion of using Ross’s roster spot for someone else early this season . . .
There is no doubt Ross is the Nationals’ fifth starter. But because they do not need him to pitch in the first week of the season, they could decide to use his roster spot for someone more immediately helpful — and to give themselves more time to make final decisions
