2018-2019 Offseason Moves

[rileyn]

Given what we have heard on John Wall's achilles injury recovery time, isn't it more than likely that Howie Kendrick will NOT be available for the first few months of the season?

My personal rule of thumb has always been 12 months with that injury, so, yes.

[Baseball is Life]

Does it ever even cross your mind to preface your opinion with "I think ..."?

That really could apply to about 95% of the posters on here. Self-confidence abounds on this forum.

[aspenbubba]

My personal rule of thumb has always been 12 months with that injury, so, yes.

Having ruptured my achilles in March years ago (age 40) and having surgery I was in PT for about 6 months . I was able to ride a bike at speed from Annapolis to St. Michels later that summer. I was in good shape but not world class like a pro athlete. My mobility might not have been 100 % but I was skiing by December. My point is there is no blanket time table for any individual and I would not count Kendricks out for the beginning of the season unless there has been a set back or some undiscovered residual issue like Eatons'. 

[Natsinpwc]

Having ruptured my achilles in March years ago (age 40) and having surgery I was in PT for about 6 months . I was able to ride a bike at speed from Annapolis to St. Michels later that summer. I was in good shape but not world class like a pro athlete. My mobility might not have been 100 % but I was skiing by December. My point is there is no blanket time table for any individual and I would not count Kendricks out for the beginning of the season unless there has been a set back or some undiscovered residual issue like Eatons'.

So why did they say 11-15 months for Wall? 

[bluestreak]

So why did they say 11-15 months for Wall?

I think it’s because 1) it probably messes up his recovery from his foot surgery and 2) because basketball is a lot different than baseball in the moves that are required on a repeated basis.

I can’t imagine an athlete that this injury would have been worse for. Because even among basketball players, Wall is probably most reliant on explosiveness, which puts a lot of stress on that ligament. He honestly might never be the same.

[Natsinpwc]

I think it’s because 1) it probably messes up his recovery from his foot surgery and 2) because basketball is a lot different than baseball in the moves that are required on a repeated basis.

I can’t imagine an athlete that this injury would have been worse for. Because even among basketball players, Wall is probably most reliant on explosiveness, which puts a lot of stress on that ligament. He honestly might never be the same.

I think Cousins was out for about a year although don’t recall exactly when he was hurt. He’s playing limited minutes though. Agree this will be devastations for Wall as his game was based on speed.

Wall is younger than Howie. I expect Howie to start the year on the DL. I would think he could hit but it’s hard to have a guy on the bench who might not be able to play the field.

(That’s my opinion).

[Natsinpwc]

That really could apply to about 95% of the posters on here. Self-confidence abounds on this forum.

Imagine. Opinions on a blog.

[bluestreak]

That really could apply to about 95% of the posters on here. Self-confidence abounds on this forum.

Some people are more strident than others.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Does it ever even cross your mind to preface your opinion with "I think ..."?

I kind of think that is implicit in everyone's opinion post.

[Slateman]

Does it ever even cross your mind to preface your opinion with "I think ..."?

Not when it's obvious that I'm right.

Dude is lights out the first time through the order. Opposing batters hit .192/.245/.291 in their first plate appearance last season. For his career, they're .235/.283/.385. Its because his change and fastball look exactly the same coming out of his hand. Batters need to see it a lot to adjust.

And, honestly, he'd probably make more money being a reliever at this point.

[bluestreak]

I kind of think that is implicit in everyone's opinion post.

See post above.

[blue911]

Does it ever even cross your mind to preface your opinion with "I think ..."?

I don't think that's true.

[LightningMcQueen]

Nationals and Jeremy Hellickson working on a new contract.

Here's to depth!

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/nationals-jeremy-hellickson-progressing-toward-contract.html

[Slateman]

Nationals and Jeremy Hellickson working on a new contract.

Here's to depth!

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/nationals-jeremy-hellickson-progressing-toward-contract.html

I think depth is a good thing

[LightningMcQueen]

I think depth is a good thing

Last year proved that depth is necessary

[bluestreak]

Zuckerman reports it’s official $1.3 million major league contract with up to $4 million in incentives.

https://twitter.com/markzuckerman/status/1093185558795431936?s=21

[dracnal]

I don't think that's true.

 

[Smithian]

Good offseason gets better. They're stockpiling some back of the rotation depth after it bit them a few times past few years.

Not sure why people are confused about the Nats going to arbitration over $250k. If the Nats told him, "Our best offer is ____" and then he set his number above that then they have to go to arbitration. Nationals won. I like Taylor, but I'm sick of waiting for his permanent breakout.

[bluestreak]

Good offseason gets better. They're stockpiling some back of the rotation depth after it bit them a few times past few years.

Not sure why people are confused about the Nats going to arbitration over $250k. If the Nats told him, "Our best offer is ____" and then he set his number above that then they have to go to arbitration. Nationals won. I like Taylor, but I'm sick of waiting for his permanent breakout.

Because it’s being petty over pennies. If they have a future with the guy, then it’s poisoned. And even if they don’t, if other guys in the clubhouse like him, it gives then a bad taste as well. There’s a reason teams don’t like going to arbitration.
250K is a lot of money to me, but it’s nothing to the Nats, and it seems a small amount to burn goodwill over.

[varoadking]

Zuckerman reports it’s official $1.3 million major league contract with up to $4 million in incentives.

https://twitter.com/markzuckerman/status/1093185558795431936?s=21

This is great news...

[imref]

Hmm, I wonder if this means Ross to the bullpen?   That might allow us to move someone for a LHP.

[UMDNats]

Hmm, I wonder if this means Ross to the bullpen?   That might allow us to move someone for a LHP.

this is great insurance for ross - i don't think we could realistically count on him for the 5th spot. scherzer-stras-corbin-sanchez-hellickson is solid, plus ross, mcgowin, voth, etc. is weirdly our best depth in a while.

[NJ Ave]

Hmm, I wonder if this means Ross to the bullpen?   That might allow us to move someone for a LHP.

If you tagteamed those two every game, you'd have a really good shot at 7 strong innings.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Because it’s being petty over pennies. If they have a future with the guy, then it’s poisoned. And even if they don’t, if other guys in the clubhouse like him, it gives then a bad taste as well. There’s a reason teams don’t like going to arbitration.
250K is a lot of money to me, but it’s nothing to the Nats, and it seems a small amount to burn goodwill over.

Where do you draw the line if that is always the policy to just give the player what they want?  If you'll do it for 250K, then why wouldn't you for another 250K for 500K total?  And so on and so forth. 

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Hmm, I wonder if this means Ross to the bullpen?   That might allow us to move someone for a LHP.

Ross isn't going to be able to throw 170 innings this year anyway, so I wouldn't mind using him as a long-man early in the year.  A true "swingman."  If/when somebody goes down, then you plug him into the rotation when you need a 5th starter.  Or, if Ross is looking good and Hellickson isn't, then you eventually replace Hellickson with Ross. 

Fedde, barring any injuries, I'd have start the year in AAA and keep him as a starter stretched out.