2022-2023 Off-season Discussion Thread

[Five Banners]

Ben Favela of the diamond report says the Nats are in active discussions with Trey Mancini on a one year deal. Haven’t seen anyone else yet report it.

That could be a solid option

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He must like blue crabs and oysters

[Elvir Ovcina]

He must like blue crabs and oysters

Still better than a blue oyster (cult) and crabs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Still better than a blue oyster (cult) and crabs.

more cowbell

[JCA-CrystalCity]

My last spaghetti at a wall name for a cheap FA lefty bat is ... Edwin Rios. 3 years of control, big power potential that has showed up in the majors in limited PAs. Plays 3rd and 1st, and dabbled in the OF. 29 years old. Had a horrible 2021, but hit ok in  small samples overall.

[imref]

Andrew Golden  @andrewcgolden
4m
Source: The Nationals and Michael Chavis have agreed to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training.

Chavis would make $1 million if he makes the majors and could earn up to $500K in incentives. Has a June 1 out if he’s not in the majors by then.

.229   .265   .389 with 14HR in 401 ABs last year with the Pirates.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chavimi01.shtml

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Chavis is seen as not just a first baseman but more of a utility guy, having played a lot of 2nd base and having spent time at 3rd. Power but with a lot of Ks and few BBs.  Not an OBP guy.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/02/nationals-michael-chavis-deal/

[Slateman]

Meh, he basically competing with Vargas

[imref]

via The Baseball Cube, top swing & miss guys in 2022:

1 Michael Chavis (70.4%)
2 Luis Garcia
3 Nido
4 Morel
5 Castellanos
6 Pena
7 Taylor
8 Gonzalez
9 Wendle
10 Victor Robles

All three Nats rank in the top 25 all-time.

Probably something we need to fix.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Meh, he basically competing with Vargas

I'm not enthusiastic.  He's just another ball in the lottery for roster spots.

The only thing I'd say if if you sign a bunch of marginal major leaguers with high variance in performance, the odds on at least one or two working out is greater.   If you are aiming to fill 2 roster slots from among 5 meh guys, your chances of hitting a couple of peak years is greater than bringing in 2 or 3 guys. Kind of why I'd like to try Edwin Rios, too.  Rios at least hits lefty.

You can almost see in their minds that, among one corner outfield slot, 3rd, 1st, and DH, they figure Meneses has a slot wrapped up, Candelario and Garrett are presumed for 2 others, then its throw a bunch of Kieboom, Chavis, Vargas etc ... at a wall to see what sticks.  Maybe an Adams / Pineda too.  I expect a couple more signings.

[Slateman]

Nats sign Dominic Smith to a one year deal. So no on Trey Mancini?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nats sign Dominic Smith to a one year deal. So no on Trey Mancini?

nice signing.  I didn't think they'd spend enough to bring him in.

[imref]

Nats sign Dominic Smith to a one year deal. So no on Trey Mancini?

one-year $2 million deal. Why?

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithdo02.shtml

Why not just bring Voit back?

[Slateman]

nice signing.  I didn't think they'd spend enough to bring him in.

https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1610361540556750850?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

2 million plus 2 million more with incentives

[Natsinpwc]

Nats sign Dominic Smith to a one year deal. So no on Trey Mancini?

I guess Smith is cheaper?

[Slateman]

I guess Smith is cheaper?

Yea, that sounds right.

Im actually happier with the Dom Smith signing. He's only 27 and has shown some pop when given consistent playing time

[JCA-CrystalCity]

one-year $2 million deal. Why?

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithdo02.shtml

Why not just bring Voit back?

Smith is cheaper and plays outfield (poorly).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I've been pounding all off-season on the need to bring in a lefty bat who could play a little outfield or 1st.  This is a better fit than Voit.  Both have had big seasons in the past.  Age is better. I'd still like Edwin Rios, my latest obsession, but this is a good fit. Rios would be another power play, but if there's an obp play, it might be even better.

[imref]

Yea, that sounds right.

Im actually happier with the Dom Smith signing. He's only 27 and has shown some pop when given consistent playing time

Didn't we hear the same about Andrew Stevenson and Yadiel Hernandez?

[imref]

I've been pounding all off-season on the need to bring in a lefty bat who could play a little outfield or 1st.  This is a better fit than Voit.  Both have had big seasons in the past.  Age is better. I'd still like Edwin Rios, my latest obsession, but this is a good fit. Rios would be another power play, but if there's an obp play, it might be even better.

better than Kole Calhoun I guess, but i was more excited when we signed Maikel Franco.

[Mattionals]

I feel like the bright spots this offseason are as follows:

No Starlin Castro (I know he was let go in 2021, but still)
No Maikel Franco
No Alcides Escobar

[Natsinpwc]

I feel like the bright spots this offseason are as follows:

No Starlin Castro (I know he was let go in 2021, but still)
No Maikel Franco
No Alcides Escobar

No Cesar Hernandez.

[Slateman]

Smith is cheaper and plays outfield (poorly).

Smith is far cheaper and is a lefty.

[welch]

Smith was once the "next big thing" for the Mets, their young power-hitting 1B of the future. He was never really bad. Respectably signing.

A sign of how bad the team is, and will be: all the repoprts that play X, Y, and Z has been brought in to "compete" with Kieboom. They did, at least, re-sign Vargas. NOT "resign", let's emphasize. Maybe the Nats should resign from owning Kieboom?

[Slateman]

Smith was once the "next big thing" for the Mets, their young power-hitting 1B of the future. He was never really bad. Respectably signing.

A sign of how bad the team is, and will be: all the repoprts that play X, Y, and Z has been brought in to "compete" with Kieboom. They did, at least, re-sign Vargas. NOT "resign", let's emphasize. Maybe the Nats should resign from owning Kieboom?

Or maybe you dont discard top 50 prospects before they get a full season of plate appearances. Particularly when you're going to be a 100 loss team and you have no qualms over starting below average hitters at over half your other positions.