Hot Stove: 2019-2020 Offseason

[Natsinpwc]

Who cares about any of this now?  Time to savor. 

[Slateman]

Who cares about any of this now?  Time to savor. 

No days off

[Smithian]

Who cares about any of this now?  Time to savor. 

The Nationals won the World Series on 10/30. On 10/31, it was time to move on. Irritating to see Mike Rizzo on stage celebrating after midnight instead of toiling away in an office.

[Slateman]

Who cares about any of this now?  Time to savor. 

The Nationals won the World Series on 10/30. On 10/31, it was time to move on. Irritating to see Mike Rizzo on stage celebrating after midnight instead of toiling away in an office.

No days off

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Bigger question is what do we do at catcher. Zuk is here for 4 million, but Gomes has a 9 million dollar team option. He's 32 and really didn't show much this season.

I'm not against Gomes being back with Zuk, but 9 million is pricey for what he gave us in 2019.  Zuk is way too old to count on as a regular, so the question is can we find a guy to catch 75-100 games with solid production cheaper than Gomes? 

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Who cares about any of this now?  Time to savor.

I have a magical ability to both savor and think about next year. 

[zimm_da_kid]

Keep Zimm, Howie, and Asdrubal rotating between 1b and 2b and batting 5th and 6th.

[nfotiu]

The Nationals won the World Series on 10/30. On 10/31, it was time to move on. Irritating to see Mike Rizzo on stage celebrating after midnight instead of toiling away in an office.

Like Nick Saban complaining that being in the National Championship cost him a week of recruiting.

[adam3313]

Davey told everyone we had today off at least

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Here is what I'm hoping for and staying reasonably realistic:

Rotation: Stras/Max/Corbin/Sanchez/Ross

Bullpen: Fedde or Voth as a swing guy with the other in AAA/LH Elias/RH's Strickland/Suero/Rainey/Closer Doo...probably can't retain Hudson for what he can get.  I think we'll try a few bargain bid moves hoping to find value, then address at the deadline again.  Hopefully Suero and Rainey make big leaps foward as they have the ability. 

C: Zuk and ?...don't think Gomes is quite worth 9 million on his option
1B: Zim and Howie...Why does Zim's !B pairing need to be a lefty?  Let the old guys split 1B duties.
2B: Kieboom...Cabrera might be a little too expensive, although he'd be great insurance
3B: Rendon...yes, we get it done
SS Turner
LF Soto
CF Robles...hopefully he takes a big step forward at the plate
RF Eaton

Bench: I'd love to see Parra back.  A catcher and Zim/Howie would be on the bench.  MAT might be too expensive to tender, but I love the guy.  I'm sure we'll be in the marker for some bargain vets to fill these roles. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Bigger question is what do we do at catcher. Zuk is here for 4 million, but Gomes has a 9 million dollar team option. He's 32 and really didn't show much this season.

decline the option, offer to take him back for less.  He's really only had one good year with the bat out of the last 4 or 5.  If he comes back at $4MM, then you have the freed up money for some veteran middle relief guys to add to Rainey / Suero.

[sixthree175]

decline the option, offer to take him back for less.  He's really only had one good year with the bat out of the last 4 or 5.  If he comes back at $4MM, then you have the freed up money for some veteran middle relief guys to add to Rainey / Suero.

One of the lessons learned this season is that it's important to have two quality catchers.  Pairing a Wilson Ramos with a Jose Lobaton was not wise.

Gomes is probably worth more like $6MM. 

[Kevrock]

Who cares about any of this now?  Time to savor. 

Only 103 days until pitchers and catchers report.

[Truconfidence]

Keep Zimm, Howie, and Asdrubal rotating between 1b and 2b and batting 5th and 6th.

nah Asscabby only comes back if no Rendon.

[Truconfidence]

Stevenson or Parra I think is gonna be the choice.

[hotshot]

Rendon seems ready to move on to somewhere closer to home (TX/CA/AZ).
But that's what I thought about Harper. Bryce/Boras saw a sucker and it was too good not to take.
Arenado got 7 yr/$260M. He is 28 with a lifetime WAR of 38.7 and OPS .897.
Nats offered Rendon 7 yr/$210M. He is 29 with a lifetime WAR of 27.3 and OPS .859. But he is a much later bloomer, his last few seasons have been equal to Arenado, so it's going to take more.

Is WAR/OPS adjusted for playing 81 games at Coors?

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Stevenson or Parra I think is gonna be the choice.

Who gives the best hugs?  We all know the answer.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Is WAR/OPS adjusted for playing 81 games at Coors?

OPS isn't.  OPS+ is the comparative version of OPS that does include park adjustments.   WAR does have a park factor baked into it. 

[aspenbubba]

Keiboom is as ready as is he's going to be. He just hit .303/.409/.493 in almost 500 PAs in Triple A. He's mashed at every level except MLB.

He looked awful here this Spring both offensively and most importantly defensively. There is a reason why the Nats didn't call him up in September and I'm not sure what it is other than speculating. 

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

He looked awful here this Spring both offensively and most importantly defensively. There is a reason why the Nats didn't call him up in September and I'm not sure what it is other than speculating.

What was he going to do in September?  We had Howie/Cabrera/Dozier at 2B.  All the games mattered.  A lot of great players look bad in their first cup of coffee in the bigs.  I'll trust Rizzo and company to evaluate if he's ready heading into 2020. 

[Kevrock]

Does Parra pay for himself with all this shark merch? They keep selling out of all the kids shark stuff. Sign him and keep cranking that merch out.

[imref]

Strasburg only has a few days to opt out IIRC.

Update. 72 hours after the WS

[Smithian]

Does Parra pay for himself with all this shark merch? They keep selling out of all the kids shark stuff. Sign him and keep cranking that merch out.

I don't think they can let Parra walk this off season. He is a useful 5th OF who is an okay pinch hitter and competent defensively. Even if he comes back and flatlines, will not be hard to replace.

[GburgNatsFan]

Strasburg only has a few days to opt out IIRC.

Update. 72 hours after the WS

I have to believe that decision has been made. Maybe he's given the Nats an idea of what he wants.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Keep Zimm, Howie, and Asdrubal rotating between 1b and 2b and batting 5th and 6th.

Curious what you think of this one:

Martis, Nady, Flores, Gorzelanny

for

Francisco Lindor