Bull Pen Construction for 2020

[vicki4471]

The back end of our bullpen has Harris, Hudson and Doolittle. Some how I feel ok about this. It all but means Donaldson is a NO so nothing even close to offensive replacement for Rendon but maybe we make up the difference in other ways. Such as not having to score 8 or more runs per game just so the pen doesn't blow the lead in the 7th. I'm cautiously optimistic.

[imref]

The back end of our bullpen has Harris, Hudson and Doolittle. Some how I feel ok about this. It all but means Donaldson is a NO so nothing even close to offensive replacement for Rendon but maybe we make up the difference in other ways. Such as not having to score 8 or more runs per game just so the pen doesn't blow the lead in the 7th. I'm cautiously optimistic.

yeah, this means we don't pitch Doolittle 60 times in the first 80 games like we did last year (yeah, I'm exaggerating a bit).

[Expos]

A solid bullpen more than makes up for the loss of Rendon considering our pen blew like 25 games last year.

Sean Doolittle
Will Harris
Daniel Hudson
Tanner Rainey
Wander Suero
Hunter Strickland or David Hernandez
Roenis Elías or Fernando Abad

That's a nice looking pen. Nice work Rizzo.

[Natsinpwc]

Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
·
4m
Daniel Hudson's deal with the Washington Nationals is for two years and $11 million, sources tell ESPN. He can earn another $1 million in performance bonuses related to games finished.

Surprising good news.

[imref]

Sean Doolittle has got to be the happiest guy on the planet right now.

[bluestreak]

Sean Doolittle has got to be the happiest guy on the planet right now.

Maybe it’s the guy who just got 11 million bucks. 

[aspenbubba]

A solid bullpen more than makes up for the loss of Rendon considering our pen blew like 25 games last year.

Sean Doolittle
Will Harris
Daniel Hudson
Tanner Rainey
Wander Suero
Hunter Strickland or David Hernandez
Roenis Elías or Fernando Abad

That's a nice looking pen. Nice work Rizzo.

I think Fedde works out of the BP as the 26th man

[nfotiu]

I think Fedde works out of the BP as the 26th man

I'd think you'd keep your 6 and 7 starters pitching as starters in the minors if options allow.   Bringing them up as people get hurt, DHers, etc.   It seems the #6 and even #7 guy get 10-15 starts a year.

[nfotiu]

Sean Doolittle has got to be the happiest guy on the planet right now.

I think Doolittle will be very effective in a bullpen where you have 3 late inning guys that you can pick and choose situations based on match ups.  Put Doolittle in whichever late inning is setting up to be lefty heavy.  If it's all right handers, give him the night off. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Fedde has an option, Voth and I think Ross do not, so Ross to the Rotation, 8 man bullpen, Voth is the long man.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I think Doolittle will be very effective in a bullpen where you have 3 late inning guys that you can pick and choose situations based on match ups.  Put Doolittle in whichever late inning is setting up to be lefty heavy.  If it's all right handers, give him the night off.

I agree.  I don't think he has to be locked in as the traditional closer.  If a couple of big lefties are due up in the 8th in a save situation, then use Doo then and then Huddy or Harris in the 9th.  I'd assume Huddy since he closed last year for us.  Bottomline is, with 3 guys in theory you really trust, you don't have to ride Doo (or anyone) as hard we we did last year prior to the deadline.  You also have to hope for 1 or 2 of Rainey/Suero/Strickland/Elias to take a step forward and be trustworthy as late as the 7th or even 8th when the "Big 3" need a break. 

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Fedde has an option, Voth and I think Ross do not, so Ross to the Rotation, 8 man bullpen, Voth is the long man.

Yep, I think you nailed it. 

[NatsAllThe Way]

Trade every other pitcher on our roster and Kieboom to the Cubs for Bryant.  Where's my next ring?

[imref]

Ok Rizzo, now add Cishek

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

What major relievers are still out there?  If we don't sign Donaldson, and it doesn't appear we will, it would seem we can afford to sign another somewhat significant reliever in addition to Zim to wrap things up. 

[imref]

What major relievers are still out there?  If we don't sign Donaldson, and it doesn't appear we will, it would seem we can afford to sign another somewhat significant reliever in addition to Zim to wrap things up. 

per spotrac.com, the top ones left in terms of 2019 WAR are:
- Andrew Cashner (the top available reliever overall for 2020)
- Brandon Kintzler
- Sam Dyson
- Josh Tomlin
- Francisco Liriano

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Of course we don't have to spend up to the luxury threshhold like it's spend it or lose it.  If nobody worth adding is out there, save that for the deadline so there's room to add, say, Kris Bryant. 

[sixthree175]

Of course we don't have to spend up to the luxury threshhold like it's spend it or lose it.  If nobody worth adding is out there, save that for the deadline so there's room to add, say, Kris Bryant.

All things considered, Mike Rizzo did a great job this off season after returning from that bender in the Caribbean (or wherever).  He's done for now.   See what happens in July.

[Natsinpwc]

Of course we don't have to spend up to the luxury threshhold like it's spend it or lose it.  If nobody worth adding is out there, save that for the deadline so there's room to add, say, Kris Bryant.

So if Zimm signs for $4-5 million how close are we?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So if Zimm signs for $4-5 million how close are we?

I think we'd have $3MM left.

As for another reliever, maybe it's time to vacuum up Dyson

[Natsinpwc]

I think we'd have $3MM left.

As for another reliever, maybe it's time to vacuum up Dyson

I see what you did there.

[Expos]

Locks:

Sean Doolittle
Will Harris
Daniel Hudson
Tanner Rainey
Wander Suero

3 of the following:

Ryne Harper
Hunter Strickland
David Hernandez
Roenis Elias
Fernando Abad
Austin Voth
Erik Fedde
Javy Guerra

This group is looking far superior to last years debacle.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Locks:

Sean Doolittle
Will Harris
Daniel Hudson
Tanner Rainey
Wander Suero

3 of the following:

Ryne Harper
Hunter Strickland
David Hernandez
Roenis Elias
Fernando Abad
Austin Voth
Erik Fedde
Javy Guerra

This group is looking far superior to last years debacle.

The key with the top 5 is that, last year, you were hoping for bounce backs with your 2d and 3d guys / primary set-ups in Rosenthal and Barraclough.  This year, you go in just hoping they maintain / don't slip.  Beyond that, Suero should not be pressed into the 2/3 spot like he was last year, and Rainey now has shown he can be an asset.  It'd be nice if there were a reliable lefty out there, but with the 3 batter minimum, having righties who can handle lefties (Harris especially, but also Suero) may be more valuable for firemen.

[Slateman]

Locks:

Sean Doolittle
Will Harris
Daniel Hudson
Tanner Rainey
Wander Suero

3 of the following:

Ryne Harper
Hunter Strickland
David Hernandez
Roenis Elias
Fernando Abad
Austin Voth
Erik Fedde
Javy Guerra

This group is looking far superior to last years debacle.

Voth is pretty much a lock. I'd say Fedde is too. The Nats simply can't afford the hit to their starting pitching depth that losing both of them would bring.

So in reality, there's only one or two spots available on the 26 man roster for a reliever.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Fedde has an option so I think he'll get stashed in Harrisburg or Fresno. Voth I think is a lock as #8.  The writers seem to have Elias and Strickland as favorites for #6 and #7, but I'm not sure about that.