POLL: UPDATED: Bryce's team in 2019 will be.....

[imref]

Rosenthal update via MLB TR

Rosenthal quotes an anonymous agent with an interesting take on the Bryce Harper saga in Washington. The agent theorizes that GM Mike Rizzo is largely extricating himself from the process moving forward, instead moving aggressively to fill the Nationals’ other needs and leaving ownership to make the final verdict on Harper. Of course, creating a better baseball situation in Washington surely won’t hurt in the pursuit of Harper either.

[DCFan]

Rosenthal update via MLB TR

[Greg_SRT]

Rosenthal update via MLB TR

I like this.

[imref]

Shocking: Harper declines the Nats' QO

[PowerBoater69]

Rosenthal update via MLB TR

How many reports of disagreements between Lerner and Rizzo have been reported over the past couple years? Wieters was a Lerner signing. Rizzo wanted to keep Baker. Rizzo wanted to buy and Lerner wanted to sell at the deadline. Not retaining Rizzo's assistant Miller. And now this report that Rizzo and Lerner are actively advancing different off season agendas. After years and years of team management projecting a united front it suddenly seems like every major decision is a cause of dispute between the owner and GM. I suspect that Mark Lerner taking over for his Dad has led to a somewhat diminished amount of control for Rizzo.

[Nick the Pig]

The Soto era is here.  Get with it or go hop on some other bandwagon.

Do you have any idea how much I hate agreeing with your sorry arse ?

[Mathguy]

Some of the latest Bryce rumors:

https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-rumors/c-297610378

[Greg_SRT]

He’s welcome back for me. But we pitching and a few others more imo.

[Slateman]

https://twitter.com/Bernstein_McK/status/1063468335776583680

AND ..... HERE. WE. GO.

[Greg_SRT]

https://twitter.com/Bernstein_McK/status/1063468335776583680

AND ..... HERE. WE. GO.

Let him go. Lets get pitching

[imref]

I hope this gets resolved quickly, one way or the other, as I assume Rizzo's hands are tied until he knows Bryce's future.

[nfotiu]

I'm at peace with whatever happens except if he goes to the Phillies. 

[Mattionals]

If I have my math right, the Nats CBA amount sits at just below 155M for 2019. That leaves 51M or so (my math assumes the roster is basically filled out with depth like Severino, Kieboom, Stevenson, Sanchez and 2.25M for 40-man dudes plus 14.5M in benefits) that the Nats could spend on AAV deals. The smart money says spread that around, Corbin at 22M AAV, Grandal at 18M AAV is a good start. Roark and Solis being non-tendered would also save an additional 10.7M, which could bring in Wade Miley on a 6M AAV deal, plus another reliever like Herrera at 8M AAV.

[Slateman]

I'm at peace with whatever happens except if he goes to the Phillies. 

It would be amazing if he stayed in the NL East. He won't,  but it would be amazing

[UMDNats]

I hope the Cubs give him $30 million a year and then have to let Bryant walk.

[sixthree175]

I hope this gets resolved quickly, one way or the other, as I assume Rizzo's hands are tied until he knows Bryce's future.

No way.  If this isn't wrapped up before the Winter Meetings, Harper will be written off.  Life goes on. 

Question: Assuming Harper wants to be the highest FA signing of all time, would he accept $330mm over 10 years?  I have a feeling Nats ownership is willing to go that high, but no higher.

[PowerBoater69]

It would be amazing if he stayed in the NL East. He won't,  but it would be amazing

Best part of that will be when he runs his mouth about his old team, which is inevitable.

[Mathguy]

Bryce strikes out too much to be the highest FA signing of all time

No way.  If this isn't wrapped up before the Winter Meetings, Harper will be written off.  Life goes on. 

Question: Assuming Harper wants to be the highest FA signing of all time, would he accept $330mm over 10 years?  I have a feeling Nats ownership is willing to go that high, but no higher.

[hotshot]

Going to the White Sox is like going into exile. Just ask Dunn and LaRoche.

[Slateman]

Bryce strikes out too much to be the highest FA signing of all time

Giancarlo Stanton career K%: 28%
Bryce Harper: 21%

[Smithian]

The Athletic is reporting that the Nats had a deal in place to trade Harper to Houston for three prospects, but that Nats ownership vetoed it.  The haul would have included starter J.B. Bukauskas (#76 rated prospect in baseball by BA), catcher Garrett Stubbs and one more prospect.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/bryce-harper-trade-to-astros-reportedly-vetoed-by-nationals-ownership-in-july/

A solid prospect coming off a serious car crash and a couple throw ins?

Screw that. Harper was more valuable where we stood in July. There was still some hope they could catch fire.

There was not a major deal out there or the Nats would have made it.

[Greg_SRT]

Giancarlo Stanton career K%: 28%
Bryce Harper: 21%

I'm looking at it like this.

With the roster as is, who helps us win games more... Harper or Greinke? And you can replace Greinke for others on the market, but I am choosing Zack because both Zack and Bryce will make 30+ next year.

Bryce is inconsistent compared to Zack. We may get .300 and 30+ with Bryce or .250 and 30 with Bryce. 2015 & 2017 Bryce was good. 2016 & 2018 Bryce not so much. Bryce defense isn't especially good. But ignore 2018 Bryce Defense... a CF he is not. I know Bryce plays with good passion. He is a hard worker.

I like our 4 outfielders we have on the roster right now. The team needs others not named Bryce Harper. And that's not gonna change in a year.

Greinke will win us more games next year than Harper. And quite frankly is a better "purchase" over the next 3 years. Better than Harper and the 2 big SP names on the market right now.

If I was Rizzo, I would be calling Arizona and telling them I will take all Zacks salary in exchange for a few prospects, just not my top prospects and see if I could land him. Because I can be done with Greinke contract after 3. I don't see getting the others on the market for just 3 years.

I like Harper, I want him to resign. But for 35 million I can do so much more. I didn't feel that way until the end of the season.

But Bryce accomplishments (MVP and Home Run Derby) didn't help us win crap.

If I can start Max, Stras, or Zack 3 of every 5... Im the prettiest nag at prom.

[DCFan]

If I can start Max, Stras, or Zack 3 of every 5... Im the prettiest nag at prom.

  But to get any top tier player it’s going to cost us Soto or Robles.

[Slateman]

But to get any top tier player it’s going to cost us Soto or Robles.

I dont think Grienke would if we're willing to take in salary

[Greg_SRT]

I dont think Grienke would if we're willing to take in salary

Depends on how many teams are willing to undercut the idea. But I doubt Arizona is thinking they will get top prospects while not eating any salary.

We seem willing to give someone 30 million this year. Let it be pitching.