Roster moves: 2023

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They would owe him $3.3 million next year. I'd think someone would trade something for him.

no. it's a team option. he can be cut.

[imref]

no. it's a team option. he can be cut.

right. What I mean is that I think they pick up the option and look to trade him. A lot depends on if he comes back, and what he does later this season.  If he gets back to hitting they'll pick up the option and look to trade him next year.

[Slateman]

I wonder if that is the end of the road for Victor as a Nat?  He was out for a while and still didn't come back healthy and had a fight with a young pitcher.

It doesn't seem there would be much reason to bring him back late in the season, and I doubt they'd pick up his option for next year.  I was always hoping for a Victor comeback/redmption story, but doesn't seem like it is in the cards any more.

Maybe if Hill excels. But he's pretty cheap for a good defender in CF (when healthy). Couple that with his improved approach at the plate, and he should be back next season

[Natsinpwc]

Think it’s a bad look to have Victor back next year. Guy who does not listen to manager or coaches. His defense cannot be that good this year or he would have a better WAR. Need to move on from him.

[nfotiu]

Think it’s a bad look to have Victor back next year. Guy who does not listen to manager or coaches. His defense cannot be that good this year or he would have a better WAR. Need to move on from him.

Yeah, he's not good enough to be a clubhouse issue, even if it is somewhat minor stuff.   There's no real upside to keeping him another year still early in a rebuild, and I don't think he's tradeable if they pick up his option.   

I pulled for him for a long time, like I did Espinosa, but I think the time has come to move on.

[Greg_SRT]

Keep Victor. Will be nice to see him in the lineup once they Soto returns

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Think it’s a bad look to have Victor back next year. Guy who does not listen to manager or coaches. His defense cannot be that good this year or he would have a better WAR. Need to move on from him.

you do wonder if some of the less than Vic standard D is due to the back.  Let's see how it progresses.

[Elvir Ovcina]

He’s minus 0.1 bWAR this year so far. Teams can just wait the Nats out. Not like anyone thinks he can help for a pennant run.

Fangraphs has him at 0.5, for what that's worth.  Neither number is shocking for a CF and speed guy trying to play with a back injury.   Both sites had him in the positive - and BR had him at 1.8 WAR - for last year, even with that offense.  $3.3m would be cheap for that value. 

[imref]

Kuhl DFA’d, Espino back.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Kuhl DFA’d, Espino back.

inevitable I suppose. Espino is a better fit for how the Nats were using Kuhl now (multi inning low leverage). He did well in that role last year. As for Kuhl, he's not toast yet. Really think he needs to work on his control. He throws hard in relief and has a decent breaking ball. If he can take it physically and throw strikes, he could be a decent multi-inning guy.

[aspenbubba]

Kuhl DFA’d, Espino back.

How long have we been advocating this Rizzo? It’s about time.

[aspenbubba]

inevitable I suppose. Espino is a better fit for how the Nats were using Kuhl now (multi inning low leverage). He did well in that role last year. As for Kuhl, he's not toast yet. Really think he needs to work on his control. He throws hard in relief and has a decent breaking ball. If he can take it physically and throw strikes, he could be a decent multi-inning guy.

Don’t necessarily agree with you on Kuhl might not be toast. I think you can categorically state that virtually everyone ever to make a MLB roster as a pitcher has good stuff. Their undoing is lack of control , preparation both physically and mentally or limited repertoire.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Dude is 97+ on his fastball in relief. He'll get more chances

[aspenbubba]

Dude is 97+ on his fastball in relief. He'll get more chances

Does the name Henry Rodrigues ring a bell. He threw 100+  The Nats weren’t his first team in the show. 

[imref]

Kuhl released

[Slateman]

Amos being called up

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Amos being called up

wow, moved through the system like grass through a goose. They send Espino or Weems down?  Nats website doesn't have this yet in the transactions.

[imref]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/26/amos-willingham-nationals-pitching/

only created a FTP thread for him on May 10!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/26/amos-willingham-nationals-pitching/

only created a FTP thread for him on May 10!

  I am guessing Espino is DFA'd to make room on the active and 40 man roster. They desperately need another middle relief arm the way Thompson and Weems have been used. Alternatively, if they waive Ward, he's going to get claimed by KC or Oakland. I don't even think he clears and has to be offered back to the Red Sox.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Espino optioned to Rochester. I thought they needed a 40 man slot for Espino, which was Kuhl, but I guess they did not as there's no DFA or other 40 man roster move announced.
https://www.mlb.com/nationals/roster/40-man

[aspenbubba]

I can’t remember anyone getting called up and sent back after one brief appearance when it as not injury related. I do remember a starter who gave up like 12 runs at the early part of a season who was cut after one game. He was an ex -Oriole and his MLB career was over after that

[imref]

I can’t remember anyone getting called up and sent back after one brief appearance when it as not injury related. I do remember a starter who gave up like 12 runs at the early part of a season who was cut after one game. He was an ex -Oriole and his MLB career was over after that

Iirc Abbott got called up recently for a day.

[aspenbubba]

Iirc Abbott got called up recently for a day.

Didnt he pitch in two games?

[catocony]

I can’t remember anyone getting called up and sent back after one brief appearance when it as not injury related. I do remember a starter who gave up like 12 runs at the early part of a season who was cut after one game. He was an ex -Oriole and his MLB career was over after that

That was Jeremy Guthrie

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I can’t remember anyone getting called up and sent back after one brief appearance when it as not injury related. I do remember a starter who gave up like 12 runs at the early part of a season who was cut after one game. He was an ex -Oriole and his MLB career was over after that

it does happen. Also, Espino was up for a few days. It's just he made only one appearance.

It was absolutely the right move. They need fresh arms without Edwards. Weems and Thompson have been pushed, and Harvey and Finnegan are coming into spots when they should be resting.