What to trade?

[bluestreak]

So is the "detriment" part speculation on her part?  If it's true, why not get him the hell out of town. I'd be willing to bet, it we traded him today, we'd go on a prolonged streak, beginning tomorrow.  Trade just Harper, nobody else.

Seems like speculation, but it certainly makes sense.

Besides a lack of precedent, the Nationals seem highly unlikely to trade Harper after years of cultivating a relationship strong enough to foster a graceful exit from their franchise. Over the last few years, the team has tiptoed around Harper, rolling out red carpets, finalizing arbitration deals a year in advance so potentially hostile negotiations wouldn’t taint his final year before free agency. When Trea Turner didn’t run out a groundball, he got benched.

When Harper didn’t run out a groundball, one example in a larger pattern, he got spoken to behind closed doors and played the next day. When he called out his catchers in a comment suggesting the Nationals wouldn’t have lost had they upgraded at the position by trading for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, he suffered no consequences.

As he has struggled to boost his average above .220, his manager and general manager and everyone in between has been relentless in their defense of the 25-year-old. Internally, they see these disconnects, and players see the organization holding Harper to a different standard. The Nationals did not do this to trade him in July, Rizzo has not called out anonymous executives for disparaging Harper just to let him go for a diminished return now.

[Greg_SRT]

Indians need an OF. That could make sense.

Can we get Bieber in return. Plus a few others?

Do it!

[Slateman]

Seems like speculation, but it certainly makes sense.

And this, to me, is the reason for the underperformance. He's been coddled. He has never been held accountable.

Like I said, if we deal Harper, and no one else, this team wins the division. Probably goes to the WS.

[Ray D]

No. They would still be a inconsistent, underachieving team in a weak division.

If this team wins the division, it will not be the same underachieving team we've been seeing.

[Slateman]

Can we get Bieber in return. Plus a few others?

Do it!

If Rizzo gets offered Eli Morgan, he should take that crap and run like he stole it.

[Slateman]

If this team wins the division, it will not be the same underachieving team we've been seeing.

Exactly. This team would have exploded. This team would be the best team in baseball.

[Greg_SRT]

Exactly. This team would have exploded. This team would be the best team in baseball.

That’s one scenario...

[Air Desmond]

I love how you guys are talking about Robles like he’s chopped liver. Comparing him to Goodwin and Michael A Taylor. Saying that Nats would need to offer more for Realmuto. Get real. There’s a reason Soto was the Nats #2 prospect. Robles is the better overall player.

[Slateman]

I love how you guys are talking about Robles like he’s chopped liver. Comparing him to Goodwin and Michael A Taylor. Saying that Nats would need to offer more for Realmuto. Get real. There’s a reason Soto was the Nats #2 prospect. Robles is the better overall player.

Literally no one has compared them to Goodwin or Taylor, and the Marlins have said the Nats need to offer more.

And baseball is literally riddled with players who were highly rated, toolsy prospects and never panned out. Jurickson Profar, Dylan Bundy, Jesus Montero, and Desmond Jennings come to mind

[ChiliPalmer14]

Do you really really really want Harper beyond this season?  He's wildly inconsistent, which wouldn't bother me so much, but he's Bryce Harper, savior of the universe.  When he's going bad, the team often follows, as if he's what they should follow.  Hell, he even has HYPE in his name.  Players should be led astray by the poor performance of a teammate, so they, as professionals, should be above it.  A manager should also help prevent it.  But he's Bryce Harper.  A talented enigma...who's team has never NOT underachieved.  Let him be someone else's grey-hair inducer. 

With the Nats lineup of prospects (the best being outfielders) I'd let Harper leave.  I'd attempt to buy out Zimmerman, too.  Start with what's left and see if the window is really closed.

[Vega]

Literally no one has compared them to Goodwin or Taylor, and the Marlins have said the Nats need to offer more.

And baseball is literally riddled with players who were highly rated, toolsy prospects and never panned out. Jurickson Profar, Dylan Bundy, Jesus Montero, and Desmond Jennings come to mind

Byron Buxton is probably the current king of those guys.

[mach1ne]

Byron Buxton is probably the current king of those guys.

Lopez and Giolito looking pretty good for this list too.

[imref]

it will be interesting to see if Boston makes a move for Realmuto, he's a perfect fit there as well.

[Slateman]

Lopez and Giolito looking pretty good for this list too.

Giolito in particular.

Not saying Robles is a but, but being a top prospect and being rated higher than another is not some end all, be all of how the prospect turns out. Moncada was higher rated than Robles, but I could see a situation where he ends up a better player.

[Slateman]

it will be interesting to see if Boston makes a move for Realmuto, he's a perfect fit there as well.

Unless they're willing to part with Devers or Bentandi, they don't have the prospects.

[NJ Ave]

I don’t think I’d even argue that Robles isn’t the right price to pay for 2.5 years of Realmuto, and if this was 2015, maybe it would make sense if the Nats were struggling. Even if we hadn’t made the playoffs in 2015 he would maybe put us over the top for 2016 or 2017.

But we aren’t in the same spot, and there’s a much higher likelihood of squandering the couple years you get from Realmuto while you try to reload the rotation, the bullpen, 1B, and 2B which are all open questions, as well as CF if you trade Robles unless you still believe in MAT.

[NJ Ave]

And to head off this argument, even if you think the Nats can plug all those holes in free agency it still looks like you’ll be able to trade Robles for Realmuto in the offseason. It doesn’t look like anyone is meeting the Marlins price.

[imref]

I don’t think I’d even argue that Robles isn’t the right price to pay for 2.5 years of Realmuto, and if this was 2015, maybe it would make sense if the Nats were struggling. Even if we hadn’t made the playoffs in 2015 he would maybe put us over the top for 2016 or 2017.

But we aren’t in the same spot, and there’s a much higher likelihood of squandering the couple years you get from Realmuto while you try to reload the rotation, the bullpen, 1B, and 2B which are all open questions, as well as CF if you trade Robles unless you still believe in MAT.

It's a tough decision given the thin options at catcher next year.  AJ Ellis is arguably the best free agent out there, along with Ramos.  I'm thinking keeping Robles, letting Harper walk, signing Ellis, and using available cash on a starter (Patrick Corbin) is the best bet.  Re-sign Adams as well.

So OF is Soto/Robles/Eaton.  IF is Rendon/Turner/Difo/Adams-Zimmerman with Kieboom hopefully up at some point as well.  Bench is Kendrick, MAT, and a few FA signings.  Catcher is going to be someone old: Ellis, Suzuki, Ramos with Severino/Read as the backup.

But I really am now expecting that we re-sign Harper.

[Expos]

Seems like speculation, but it certainly makes sense.

Well there you have it.

And people wonder why we can't win when it counts.

We will never win with Bryce Harper as the face of this franchise.

[UMDNats]

I'm at the point where I've accepted that we aren't going to sell anyone or anything (maybe a piss-poor trade of a reliever or some crap) and basically do the opposite of the right thing and then have a terrible last 2 months.

The national media is openly carrying water for the team (the Braves and Phillies are young!) as if we're not a disaster of a team. It's sad.

[Greg_SRT]

Can someone please explain the logic behind benching Harper for Taylor and how it = Playoffs

To be a good hitter you got to at least hit .260 and get on base 1/3 of AB's.

MAT is a likable guy. I was against trading him during the offseason. I was wrong, should have sold high. But MAT has hit over .240 once in 4 years. He's never got On Base .333

If the idea is Harper is a cancer, then wouldn't that mean you need him out the clubhouse... not just the lineup?

Or is the idea that benching Harper will scare the team 

[mitlen]

Posted in the deadline thread as well:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2018/07/30/now-is-the-time-for-the-nationals-to-trade-bryce-harper/?utm_term=.ca07b738566c

[spidernat]

Can someone please explain the logic behind benching Harper for Taylor and how it = Playoffs

To be a good hitter you got to at least hit .260 and get on base 1/3 of AB's.

MAT is a likable guy. I was against trading him during the offseason. I was wrong, should have sold high. But MAT has hit over .240 once in 4 years. He's never got On Base .333

If the idea is Harper is a cancer, then wouldn't that mean you need him out the clubhouse... not just the lineup?

Or is the idea that benching Harper will scare the team 

what the hell are you talking about? Most people here are saying that Harper should be dealt not benched.

[Greg_SRT]

what the hell are you talking about? Most people here are saying that Harper should be dealt not benched.

Are you sure people haven’t been calling for Harper to be benched?

Regardless, how is this team better for replacing a player who gets on base for someone who historically hasn’t?

[bluestreak]

Can someone please explain the logic behind benching Harper for Taylor and how it = Playoffs

To be a good hitter you got to at least hit .260 and get on base 1/3 of AB's.

MAT is a likable guy. I was against trading him during the offseason. I was wrong, should have sold high. But MAT has hit over .240 once in 4 years. He's never got On Base .333

If the idea is Harper is a cancer, then wouldn't that mean you need him out the clubhouse... not just the lineup?

Or is the idea that benching Harper will scare the team 

The idea is that if a guy is performing badly, yet is still inserted high into the lineup, it has an effect on the team. If people see someone held to a different standard it get's frustrating. Imagine if you constantly outperformed a coworker and they still go the plum assignments and promotions. Eventually, you would stop trying as hard.
Hell, it would probably shake your faith in management if you saw this happening to someone else.
I imagine if you are playing on a losing team and the manager refuses to change how he deals with one of the main reasons for that losing, eventually you will stop caring.

Harper certainly should have been dropped in the lineup at some point. or given a day or so off. But Martinez doesn't have the gravitas to do it. Say what you will about Dusty, he could manage a clubhouse.