What to trade?

[nfotiu]

Well, Ramos certainly isn't throwing runners out. He's 3/25 in that category. Wieters was 9/18. Sevi is 12/36 and Kieboom is 5/9. Kieboom and Wieters have only 1 passed ball between them. Sevi has 4. Ramos has 5. There's a lot more nuance to all this, I'm not gonna dig into it that far. Ramos is the best offensive option at the spot. 

Ramos was 19/51 and 24/54 in his last 2 seasons here.  I wonder how much of that is a team stat.  It seems that our pitchers used to put little effort into holding runners, and that philosophy changed at some point in the Dusty Baker era and seems to have continued.

[DPMOmaha]

Ramos was 19/51 and 24/54 in his last 2 seasons here.  I wonder how much of that is a team stat.  It seems that our pitchers used to put little effort into holding runners, and that philosophy changed at some point in the Dusty Baker era and seems to have continued.

Not sure. Some of it could be that he's lost some of that ability repairing his knees so often. I just remember how much people complained about Ramos when he was here about his defense and I seem to remember it costing the Nats at some pretty big moments.

[Slateman]

Does the fact that Ramos provides virtually nothing defensively concern anyone? I think the offense will be fine as Murphy and Eaton continue to settle in. I think I'd rather have the better defense that Severino, Keiboom and Wieters bring. I'd think I'd go for Lucroy before I'd go for Ramos.

Well, Ramos certainly isn't throwing runners out. He's 3/25 in that category. Wieters was 9/18. Sevi is 12/36 and Kieboom is 5/9. Kieboom and Wieters have only 1 passed ball between them. Sevi has 4. Ramos has 5. There's a lot more nuance to all this, I'm not gonna dig into it that far. Ramos is the best offensive option at the spot. 

To piggy back on this, Wilson isnt a good pitch framer. Lucroy is nothing special anymore, but he is decent.

To me, trading for Lucroy depends on how much you believe that his Away split is a result of getting out of Oakland. If you're a big believer, than yes, that's worth it. You wont get a defensive upgrade, but his bat should be strong.

So a potential trade would be Lucroy and Buchter for Solis, Severion/Kieboom, Crowe, and Daniel Johnson

[bluestreak]

Ramos is so vastly superior offensively to what we have that Sevi would have to be the greatest defensive catcher of all-time to make up the overall value difference.  Wieters isn't particularly good defensively or offensively.

Before you forget about defense, realize that if not for the defense from catcher last year, the Nats would have played in the NLCS. The Nats scored 8 runs in that game. Offensive production wasn't the problem.

[Greg_SRT]

They could bring over Posey. Wouldn't help right now.

This team was expected to be really good. The Nats were supposed to be competitive 4 out of 5 games at the start of this season on average.

The leaders in the lineup before the season started was Harper, Zimm, and Murphy (remember Murphy was likely to be back by May 1st in off season). How has that worked out.

Gio and Tanner were supposed to be good 3 and 4 options. How has that worked out.

We should trade for no one right now. I am not saying sell this year at all. But before you go trading MAT or prospects, you need to know that the veterans are going to be worth the push.

Doo and Max are getting it done. Stras will when healthy.

Our best hitters are guys that haven't been here for years. Can't help but wonder if that means something...

Rendon, Turner, and MAT. The others are even newer. They have passion at home plate. Harper and others only do if accomplishing a double or RBI.

Honestly Zimm and Harper seem to prefer going 2 for 4 in a loss than 0 for 4 in a win.

Perhaps the issue is the selfishness in the locker room.

Not Dave, not Rizzo, not Max and Stras.

I know Harper and Zimm are team guys. I hate implying they may not be. But the urgency doesn't seem to be there for much of this roster. If Zimm and Harper acted like Difo in the Dug out, they might not be walking out the batters box angry as often.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Before you forget about defense, realize that if not for the defense from catcher last year, the Nats would have played in the NLCS. The Nats scored 8 runs in that game. Offensive production wasn't the problem.

I didn't "forget" anything.  The object is to score more than the opponent.  The plus for Ramos offensively over Sevi is more than the plus for Sevi defensively over Ramos.  If you're guessing who is going to come through in 1 particular play in the postseason, then good luck.  I know that the postseason isn't even a given at this point and Ramos can bring a big boost over Sevi to our struggling offense and help us get there.  And Ramos didn't suck defensively. 

[imref]

I still think we need to trade MAT.   Eaton is the one true leadoff hitter on the club and he's not getting enough playing time because of the crowded outfield.  Trade for Ramos too and you've got:

Eaton
Turner
Harper
Rendon
Soto
Murphy
Adams/Zimmerman
Ramos

If Harper turns it around, that's as good as anyone in the NL East.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I still think we need to trade MAT.   Eaton is the one true leadoff hitter on the club and he's not getting enough playing time because of the crowded outfield.  Trade for Ramos too and you've got:

Eaton
Turner
Harper
Rendon
Soto
Murphy
Adams/Zimmerman
Ramos

If Harper turns it around, that's as good as anyone in the NL East.

We don't need to trade MAT.  If Eaton can get to where you feel he can play basically everyday and will stay healthy, then MAT is perhaps somebody you can use as a trade chip to obtain help elsewhere, like catcher.  If he's not going to bring something valuable in return, then why not keep him as a 4th OF?  Goodwin is another lefty OFer, so MAT makes more sense in that role. 

Robles is said to be ahead of schedule and hitting in the cages.  If he is looking like he could return and help by August, then that makes MAT more expendable at the deadline. 

[Monarch]

I still think we need to trade MAT.   Eaton is the one true leadoff hitter on the club and he's not getting enough playing time because of the crowded outfield.  Trade for Ramos too and you've got:

Eaton
Turner
Harper
Rendon
Soto
Murphy
Adams/Zimmerman
Ramos

If Harper turns it around, that's as good as anyone in the NL East.

This is true regardless of any potential trade.

[bluestreak]

I didn't "forget" anything.  The object is to score more than the opponent.  The plus for Ramos offensively over Sevi is more than the plus for Sevi defensively over Ramos.  If you're guessing who is going to come through in 1 particular play in the postseason, then good luck.  I know that the postseason isn't even a given at this point and Ramos can bring a big boost over Sevi to our struggling offense and help us get there.  And Ramos didn't suck defensively.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say you forgot about defense. I am just saying that the problem with this team isn't that the catcher isn't hitting, it's that the places you are supposed to get production out of aren't producing squat. You tolerate worse hitting from the positions up the middle of the field. And in the playoffs when runs are at a premium and you regularly see close plays at the plate, then defense matters a lot.
As the lineup is currently producing you could re-animate Johhny Bench and the team wouldn't win.

EDIT: Johnny Bench is still with us.   

[hotshot]

No other team "tolerates" a catcher hitting as poorly as Severino. As the ole Silver Fox said last night, our catcher is an automatic out.

[Smithian]

They could bring over Posey. Wouldn't help right now.

This team was expected to be really good. The Nats were supposed to be competitive 4 out of 5 games at the start of this season on average.

The leaders in the lineup before the season started was Harper, Zimm, and Murphy (remember Murphy was likely to be back by May 1st in off season). How has that worked out.

Gio and Tanner were supposed to be good 3 and 4 options. How has that worked out.

We should trade for no one right now. I am not saying sell this year at all. But before you go trading MAT or prospects, you need to know that the veterans are going to be worth the push.

Doo and Max are getting it done. Stras will when healthy.

Our best hitters are guys that haven't been here for years. Can't help but wonder if that means something...

Rendon, Turner, and MAT. The others are even newer. They have passion at home plate. Harper and others only do if accomplishing a double or RBI.

Honestly Zimm and Harper seem to prefer going 2 for 4 in a loss than 0 for 4 in a win.

Perhaps the issue is the selfishness in the locker room.

Not Dave, not Rizzo, not Max and Stras.

I know Harper and Zimm are team guys. I hate implying they may not be. But the urgency doesn't seem to be there for much of this roster. If Zimm and Harper acted like Difo in the Dug out, they might not be walking out the batters box angry as often.

"Selfish"

I need hammondsnat here to go off on the idea of a "selfish" hitter

[spidernat]

"Selfish"

I need hammondsnat here to go off on the idea of a "selfish" hitter

I think hammondsnats went back to birdland

[Smithian]

I still think we need to trade MAT.   Eaton is the one true leadoff hitter on the club and he's not getting enough playing time because of the crowded outfield.  Trade for Ramos too and you've got:

Eaton
Turner
Harper
Rendon
Soto
Murphy
Adams/Zimmerman
Ramos

If Harper turns it around, that's as good as anyone in the NL East.

Michael Taylor is 3 win CF under team control for two more years in his prime. There is value there. The Rays would have to throw in a piece with with Ramos.

And if Taylor goes then Harper departs, the outfield next season is pretty thin after Robles, Eaton, and Soto.

[GburgNatsFan]

He did not choose wisely.

I think hammondsnats went back to birdland

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And if Taylor goes then Harper departs, the outfield next season is pretty thin after Robles, Eaton, and Soto.

and Goodwin, with a FA you sign as a PH/5th OF, and Stevenson available in the minors as your call up when someone goes on the DL.  Doesn't seem thin to me.

[Slateman]

and Goodwin, with a FA you sign as a PH/5th OF, and Stevenson available in the minors as your call up when someone goes on the DL.  Doesn't seem thin to me.

Compared to the rest of the team, no

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say you forgot about defense. I am just saying that the problem with this team isn't that the catcher isn't hitting, it's that the places you are supposed to get production out of aren't producing squat. You tolerate worse hitting from the positions up the middle of the field. And in the playoffs when runs are at a premium and you regularly see close plays at the plate, then defense matters a lot.
As the lineup is currently producing you could re-animate Johhny Bench and the team wouldn't win.

EDIT: Johnny Bench is still with us.   

The overall value of a player is what you look at.  This isn't b-ball where you need a rebounder or defender and not scoring or something like that.  Position players have 2 totally separate elements in which they can help you in hitting and in the field.  If Ramos' combined offense/defense is better than Sevi, and I believe it certainly is, then that's an upgrade.  It doesn't matter if the rest of the offense is good or not. 

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Michael Taylor is 3 win CF under team control for two more years in his prime. There is value there. The Rays would have to throw in a piece with with Ramos.

And if Taylor goes then Harper departs, the outfield next season is pretty thin after Robles, Eaton, and Soto.

Those 3 as the starters and Goodwin as a 4th OF is fine.  Stevenson is still around for depth and you can always easily go find a reserve OF via free agency or a trade.

[imref]

Those 3 as the starters and Goodwin as a 4th OF is fine.  Stevenson is still around for depth and you can always easily go find a reserve OF via free agency or a trade.

Adams too.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Adams too.

Yea, I'd rather him not have to play LF ever, but he's on a 1-year deal anyway.  We're talking next year.

[Smithian]

and Goodwin, with a FA you sign as a PH/5th OF, and Stevenson available in the minors as your call up when someone goes on the DL.  Doesn't seem thin to me.

Soto and Robles are still young. We don't know who they are for sure. Eaton has injury problems.

Goodwin's unexpected 2017 at the plate looks like a mirage. He is not a useful fourth outfielder with his lack of production and his subpar defense. Andrew Stevenson is a good situational player with his glove and speed, but his bat doesn't get it done. He is a 5th outfielder who you don't want starting.

Taylor is a good assest and is not untradable, but they better bring something useful back if he is moved.

[hotshot]

As much as I like the kid, I don't see MAT as anywhere near a principal player in any trade.   

[Ray D]

What to trade for?  Nothing.  If we can't hit with the talent we have, nothing we add is going to help. Whoever we obtain no matter how good will instantly stop hitting and we will have wasted prospects.  Seriously, adding offense to this lineup is a waste of resources.  The lineup either starts living up to its potential ... or it doesn't.

[Greg_SRT]

What to trade for?  Nothing.  If we can't hit with the talent we have, nothing we add is going to help. Whoever we obtain no matter how good will instantly stop hitting and we will have wasted prospects.  Seriously, adding offense to this lineup is a waste of resources.  The lineup either starts living up to its potential ... or it doesn't.

Yeah!