2024 roster speculation

[imref]

At this point, i think the best guess for the 2024 IF is Smith, Alu, Abrams, and Kieboom with Lipscomb next in line if Alu or Kieboom struggle and Lipscomb keeps progressing. Vargas is still under contract and would be fine as a backup IF. Baker could take the Chavis spot.

Smith is arbitration eligible, so they could let him walk and sign someone like Hoskins (R) or Gallo (L).

[Natsinpwc]

Unless Baker can learn another position he is doomed.

[imref]

Unless Baker can learn another position he is doomed.

Baker has played 2B and LF this year.

[UMDNats]

An infield of Smith-Abrums-Alu-Kieboom next year is basically if Rizzo decides that he DGAF. That's horrific. We're in line to be an 80-win+ team next year if we are even semi aggressive in acquiring real players this winter. Finding an MLB infielder so we don't have to rely on Jake Alu and Carter Kieboom for 2 spots should be priority #2 behind a good SP.

Dom is fine but rolling with Meneses as a DH-only is such a dagger to roster construction. Just sign Hoskins, it's pretty simple.

[Natsinpwc]

Baker has played 2B and LF this year.

But as a backup need to play multiple infield positions to be valuable.  I think Alu is a bench guy because he can play 2B and 3B.  I think Garcia is 2B start of next year as a last chance of sorts.  You don’t give up on hitting prospects that quickly.

[Natsinpwc]

Hoskins is an interesting case but will not be cheap and will want multiple years. He would be better as the DH.  He has wild cold and hot streaks. Like 1 for 30 followed my a red hot period.  His production was down last year. He’s only a total of 11bWAR over his career because of the bad defense. Maybe 3 years $60 million to be the DH and occasional 1B? Not convinced the Lerners will spend.

[zimm_da_kid]

An infield of Smith-Abrums-Alu-Kieboom next year is basically if Rizzo decides that he DGAF. That's horrific. We're in line to be an 80-win+ team next year if we are even semi aggressive in acquiring real players this winter. Finding an MLB infielder so we don't have to rely on Jake Alu and Carter Kieboom for 2 spots should be priority #2 behind a good SP.

Dom is fine but rolling with Meneses as a DH-only is such a dagger to roster construction. Just sign Hoskins, it's pretty simple.

Smith would be the guy to upgrade as he’ll be older, is a no pop low average 1B, and will be on an expiring deal

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Smith would be the guy to upgrade as he’ll be older, is a no pop low average 1B, and will be on an expiring deal

I could also seeing not wanting to lock in a 1B and leaving that for House or Lipscomb. I do not expect the team that takes the field opening day to look anything like the team at the end of the year.  Would anyone really be surprised if they ended up with a Kieboom / Alu platoon, House (or Morales) at first, Abrams at SS, and Lipscomb full time either at 2nd or 3rd?

For now, no more coronations. Earn the playing time, and let's see what we got.

[imref]

A 2024 OD roster of:

1. Abrams, SS
2. Crews, CF
3. Thomas, RF
4. Hoskins or Gallo, 1B
5. Meneses, DH
6. Ruiz, C
7. Garrett, LF
8. Kieboom, 3B
9. Robles, CF

With Vargas, Baker, Adams, Call, and some other FA INF/OF on the bench would be fine with me.

[Natsinpwc]

Joey Gallo has had a bit of a resurgence this year offensively but still only 0.4 bWAR.  That’s less than Dom.  Can’t see why anyone would want to sign him. He’s been under .700 OPS for a couple years and .750 OPS this year.  And apparently pretty bad at defense. Hard pass on him.  I posted separately on Hoskins. As long as they don’t commit for too long. 

[imref]

Joey Gallo has had a bit of a resurgence this year offensively but still only 0.4 bWAR.  That’s less than Dom.  Can’t see why anyone would want to sign him. He’s been under .700 OPS for a couple years and .750 OPS this year.  And apparently pretty bad at defense. Hard pass on him.  I posted separately on Hoskins. As long as they don’t commit for too long. 

the less-expensive approach would be to move Ruiz to either 1B or DH (with Meneses at 1B) and bring up Milas.

[Natsinpwc]

the less-expensive approach would be to move Ruiz to either 1B or DH (with Meneses at 1B) and bring up Milas.

True.  I don't think overall Meneses or Ruiz would be much more valuable than Dom.  Defense at 1B is important. 

[Mattionals]

A 2024 OD roster of:

1. Abrams, SS
2. Crews, CF
3. Thomas, RF
4. Hoskins or Gallo, 1B
5. Meneses, DH
6. Ruiz, C
7. Garrett, LF
8. Kieboom, 3B
9. Robles, CF

With Vargas, Baker, Adams, Call, and some other FA INF/OF on the bench would be fine with me.

You've got two CF and no 2B. Interesting though, maybe you can convert Robles into a 2B.

[imref]

Got distracted when posting. Swap in Alu for Robles

[catocony]

Assuming no FA signings and everyone is healthy, I see this:

C - Ruiz, Adams
IF - Smith, Garcia, Abrams, Kieboom, Menesses, Alu, Vargas
OF - Thomas, Robles, Garrett, Rutherford

Call is stashed at AAA.  Crews, Woods and the like won't be considered until May.  On the infield, I can see not bringing back Smith and/or Vargas and going all youth, but you need a few vets.  The Nats have been really lucky on the injury front this year.  Zero starts missed by the rotation, both catchers are healthy, and minimal disruption to the infield or outfield besides Robles.  His being gone hasn't really been disruptive.  That isn't going to last to next season, or next week maybe, so let AAA get stacked with with guys who will either crush their way to a promotion or will step in when someone on the 26-man gets hurt. 

[Slateman]

If you roll out Dom Smith as your everyday firstbaseman, then you're punting the season. I dont know who you get to replace him but its a must. The team needs some power.

Kieboom can play second, so him and Alu could platoon. Maybe try and find another bounceback candidate

I would much rather see the team acquire a front end starter, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Julio Urias, or Jordan Montgomery

[imref]

Assuming no FA signings and everyone is healthy, I see this:

C - Ruiz, Adams
IF - Smith, Garcia, Abrams, Kieboom, Menesses, Alu, Vargas
OF - Thomas, Robles, Garrett, Rutherford

Call is stashed at AAA.  Crews, Woods and the like won't be considered until May.  On the infield, I can see not bringing back Smith and/or Vargas and going all youth, but you need a few vets.  The Nats have been really lucky on the injury front this year.  Zero starts missed by the rotation, both catchers are healthy, and minimal disruption to the infield or outfield besides Robles.  His being gone hasn't really been disruptive.  That isn't going to last to next season, or next week maybe, so let AAA get stacked with with guys who will either crush their way to a promotion or will step in when someone on the 26-man gets hurt. 

Millas is going to challenge Adams for the backup catcher spot. Adams, with a lot more playing time in August, has been awful: .209   .306   .302 in 49 PAs. His BABiP in that stretch is .333 which indicates he's number should actually be worse than they are. 16Ks in 43 ABs in that stretch.

I do think the new CBA rules granting teams an extra pick or international signing slot if they have a player winning or finishing in the top 3 for Rookie of the Year will push the Nats to start the year with Crews in CF.

I expect a LF FA, Crews, and Thomas to be the starting OF with Young as a 4th OF and Call in AAA. It's not likely that Garrett is ready to play in April.

[zimm_da_kid]

Crews, wood, house, and morales will all be up at some point next year.
By the end of 2024 we’ll be looking at

SS Abrams
CF Crews
LF Thomas
RF wood
DH Meneses
3B house
1B morales
C. Ruiz
2B kieboom?

Honestly think we should package Thomas with a lipscomb or something for Gilbert and plug garret in at LF

[nobleisthyname]

Honestly think we should package Thomas with a lipscomb or something for Gilbert and plug garret in at LF

I think Gilbert specifically would require a package headlined by Wood.

[Natsinpwc]

Crews, wood, house, and morales will all be up at some point next year.
By the end of 2024 we’ll be looking at

SS Abrams
CF Crews
LF Thomas
RF wood
DH Meneses
3B house
1B morales
C. Ruiz
2B kieboom?

Honestly think we should package Thomas with a lipscomb or something for Gilbert and plug garret in at LF

Looks like a lineup to tank for a high draft choice.

[imref]

Looks like a lineup to tank for a high draft choice.

Tanking for Ethan Holliday in the 2025 draft isn't the worst idea. 

Here's my guess for OD lineup for 2024:
1. Adams, SS
2. Thomas, RF
3. Bellinger, LF (Werth 2.0)
4. Meneses, DH
5. Hoskins, 1B
6. Ruiz, C
7. Kieboom, 3B
8. Alu, 2B
9. Crews, CF

Bench: Vargas, Millas, Young, Lipscomb, Chavis

[Slateman]

I think Gilbert specifically would require a package headlined by Wood.

Lol, for real.

[Slateman]

Crews, wood, house, and morales will all be up at some point next year.
By the end of 2024 we’ll be looking at

SS Abrams
CF Crews
LF Thomas
RF wood
DH Meneses
3B house
1B morales
C. Ruiz
2B kieboom?

Honestly think we should package Thomas with a lipscomb or something for Gilbert and plug garret in at LF

Would be rather surprised if Wood, House, and/or Morales were up in 2024 before September

[IanRubbish]

Because of injury, Boras might setup Hoskins for a one year re-establish value deal.  Even with a bit of an overpay that's not a bad way to brudge to 2025 when more of the prospects will be ready.

[imref]

Because of injury, Boras might setup Hoskins for a one year re-establish value deal.  Even with a bit of an overpay that's not a bad way to brudge to 2025 when more of the prospects will be ready.

Yep, by 2025 hopefully Morales is ready. And if you give Bellinger the Werth deal, you are set for LF/1B/DH for the next 7 years.