Building The Next Nationals Championship Team

[imref]

Patrick Corbin will still be in the rotation a year from now.

I doubt it. If his stats next year are about the same as they are this year, he's an easy move at the trade deadline. If he's back 6+ ERA Corbin, he's in the bullpen .

[UMDNats]

If Darren Baker is your dream 2B then you've got to think a lot higher.

[welch]

If Darren Baker is your dream 2B then you've got to think a lot higher.

I wouldn't mind a 2B who hits .300, even if he does not hit so many homers. Remember Pete Runnels? I grew up with him, and that's a comparison that made me hate Danny Espinosa's hitting.

- Pete Runnels: AL batting champ, 1960, 1962. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/runnepe01.shtml

- Danny Espinosa: NL strikeout champ, 2012. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/espinda01.shtml

[imref]

Baker is 6 for his last 20 (.300), with 3SBs and a home run.

Seems like the plan is Vargas and Chavis sharing 2nd now, but it would sure be nice to see him get a look at some point this season.

[Five Banners]

Baker is 6 for his last 20 (.300), with 3SBs and a home run.

Seems like the plan is Vargas and Chavis sharing 2nd now, but it would sure be nice to see him get a look at some point this season.

Yes, I wouldn’t mind Chavis getting opportunities for rest

[Slateman]

Wish ownership would spend. This team is Cody Bellinger and Dylan Cease/Brandon Woodruff away from a wild card

[Slateman]

Yes, I wouldn’t mind Chavis getting opportunities for rest

Poor guy. Dont know how keeps up with the brisk pace of 2 games a week

[Slateman]

I wouldn't mind a 2B who hits .300, even if he does not hit so many homers. Remember Pete Runnels? I grew up with him, and that's a comparison that made me hate Danny Espinosa's hitting.

- Pete Runnels: AL batting champ, 1960, 1962. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/runnepe01.shtml

- Danny Espinosa: NL strikeout champ, 2012. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/espinda01.shtml

Why do we assume Baker can hit .300? He is probably more like a .265-.275 hitter in the big leagues

[aspenbubba]

Why do we assume Baker can hit .300? He is probably more like a .265-.275 hitter in the big leagues

How many .300 hitting 2B are there today?  The last one we had was Murphy. 

[UMDNats]

Yeah if we wish-cash Darren Baker as an batting champion he looks great but there's literally nothing in his history that says he can be some MVP level player.

On the same note I'll pencil in Rodney Theopile as an ace because it'd be cool to have another ace instead of a minor leaguer.

[Slateman]

How many .300 hitting 2B are there today?  The last one we had was Murphy. 

There are two. But also, I think there's a 0% chance of Baker even slugging .400. If Baker is only hitting .275, then you're probably looking at an OBP of .340, and a slugging of equal value. Which means we're still starting a sub. 700 OPS at second base with questionable defense.

[Natsinpwc]

There are two. But also, I think there's a 0% chance of Baker even slugging .400. If Baker is only hitting .275, then you're probably looking at an OBP of .340, and a slugging of equal value. Which means we're still starting a sub. 700 OPS at second base with questionable defense.

All the more reason to give him a shot for a month or so this year and see what he can do. And have him try some different positions to increase his value.

[Natsinpwc]

Yeah if we wish-cash Darren Baker as an batting champion he looks great but there's literally nothing in his history that says he can be some MVP level player.

On the same note I'll pencil in Rodney Theopile as an ace because it'd be cool to have another ace instead of a minor leaguer.

Victor Robles going to hit .300 next year. Don’t forget that.

[Five Banners]

Victor Robles going to hit .300 next year. Don’t forget that.

With the Rays?

[imref]

Yeah if we wish-cash Darren Baker as an batting champion he looks great but there's literally nothing in his history that says he can be some MVP level player.

On the same note I'll pencil in Rodney Theopile as an ace because it'd be cool to have another ace instead of a minor leaguer.

Reminder, and we're almost ready to move the "you are here" bar down a notch....

- Baker was drafted as a favor to his dad
- Baker isn't a prospect
- Baker got lucky at Fredricksburg (.318 / .352 / .394 in 18 games)
- Baker won't be able to hit at A+ (.273 / .333 / .367 in 62 games)
- Baker won't get past AA (.290 / .356 / .361 in 43 games)
- Baker will be overmatched at AAA (.331 / .410 / .420 in 41 games)
- Baker doesn't have enough minor league games to draw any conclusions
- Baker is at best a backup IF at the major league level <-----YOU ARE HERE
- Baker is an everyday player at the major league level
- Baker is an all-star
- Baker is a future hall of famer
- Baker is traded before free agency because he won't accept 13 / $600 million
- Baker posts .202 / .258 / .217 for the Mets in the first year of his 13 / $600 million contract
- Baker attacks a fan
- Baker retires
- Baker signs with the Long Island Ducks

[Slateman]

All the more reason to give him a shot for a month or so this year and see what he can do. And have him try some different positions to increase his value.

Dont disagree. Just thought it was odd we were penciling in Baker for .300

[Slateman]

Yea, Im pretty smitten with the idea of signing Cody Bellinger (particularly if not a 5+ year deal) and trading Wood for a Logan Gilbert/Dylan Cease type

Or maybe Wood for Bryan Woo and Matt Brash. Build us a super pen.

[zimm_da_kid]

Why do we assume Baker can hit .300? He is probably more like a .265-.275 hitter in the big leagues

Good enough until lipscomb or a FA takes over and he moves into a utility role

[Natsinpwc]

Dont disagree. Just thought it was odd we were penciling in Baker for .300

Once he hooks up with Darnell he will be over .300.

[Slateman]

Good enough until lipscomb or a FA takes over and he moves into a utility role

To be honest, I'd much rather see of Garcia can figure it out. .265-.275 seems like the ceiling for a guy has never hit above .300 in the minors. And with now slugging, his hitting value will be tied pretty heavily to his average.

[imref]

No Alu in the lineup today. What is to be gained by starting Chavis and Vargas?

[Natsinpwc]

No Alu in the lineup today. What is to be gained by starting Chavis and Vargas?

Davey is loyal to his veterans. Same reason they rolled with Cruz so long last year.

[Count Walewski]

Long term, the starting lineup looks like this:

Abrams SS
Ruiz C

That's it, that's the established position players who are here long-term. Thomas is only here through the end of 2025. Nobody else has locked down a position.

A substantial infusion of slugging via the FA market is going to be required. That's even if Wood and Crews live up to their potential.

[Natsinpwc]

Long term, the starting lineup looks like this:

Abrams SS
Ruiz C

That's it, that's the established position players who are here long-term. Thomas is only here through the end of 2025. Nobody else has locked down a position.

A substantial infusion of slugging via the FA market is going to be required. That's even if Wood and Crews live up to their potential.

Don’t forget House. I think he has as much potential as the other two. Decent chance two of the three are pretty good. Hassell also looks like he could be an average MLB OF. Would be nice if Garcia could find his batting stroke. His defense improved to the adequate level this year.

[UMDNats]

Reminder, and we're almost ready to move the "you are here" bar down a notch....

Baker may be a solid MLB player but if we're doing fantasy future lineups there's no reason to pencil in a .700 OPS 2B with shaky defense. Just make up a scenario where Lipscomb learns 2B and becomes Daniel Murphy.