2024 roster speculation

[Dave in Fairfax]

Corner outfielder?

[raleighnat]

Eh, I think we should pass on Candelario. There will be a bit of a bidding war and I just don't feel like getting tied down.

I'm fully prepared for Vargas to be the OD third baseman and Dom Smith to be at first.

What I need to see is either significant defensive improvement for Ruiz, or a commitment to putting him at DH or first base. Or trade him (a team like the Rays would love that contract).

I don’t get not making some serious acquisitions this offseason.  They need a good starter and a power bat.  No they probably wont make the playoffs next year even with those moves - at least a year away.  But it’s just money and the payroll is low.  Don’t get not trying to be better.  If they are starting Dom Smith and Vargas with Corbin and Williams both in the rotation; well, that’s just pathetic.  A first base / dh with some power and a good pitcher wont block any young players and would make the product considerably better.  And it is important not to suck.

[Slateman]

I don’t get not making some serious acquisitions this offseason.  They need a good starter and a power bat.  No they probably wont make the playoffs next year even with those moves - at least a year away.  But it’s just money and the payroll is low.  Don’t get not trying to be better.  If they are starting Dom Smith and Vargas with Corbin and Williams both in the rotation; well, that’s just pathetic.  A first base / dh with some power and a good pitcher wont block any young players and would make the product considerably better.  And it is important not to suck.

The Lerners aren't adding payroll when they are trying to sell.

[IanRubbish]

just need a 14 win improvement next year and we're in the wild card hunt. Should be able to do that by replacing Corbin and Williams in the rotation and upgrading a CO and 1B.

This org. plays the contract, not the best player, so both will be in the rotation next year, and Corbin could be the OD starter again.   Plus Rizzo's going to want Williams in there so he can try to get something for him at the deadline.   Keibert Ruiz, another contract play, will also get way more time than he deserves.

I wouldn't be surprised if this team is worse next year.  Crews and Wood aren't ready and with $40m of cash committed to deferrals alone, can't see our fine owners adding payroll as others have pointed out.

[welch]

This org. plays the contract, not the best player, so both will be in the rotation next year, and Corbin could be the OD starter again.   Plus Rizzo's going to want Williams in there so he can try to get something for him at the deadline.   Keibert Ruiz, another contract play, will also get way more time than he deserves.

I wouldn't be surprised if this team is worse next year.  Crews and Wood aren't ready and with $40m of cash committed to deferrals alone, can't see our fine owners adding payroll as others have pointed out.

That's a little overstated. Yes, Corbin will start the season in the rotation, but he is not needed once Cavalli is back. And most of Corbin's salary will have ben paid by the end of July. Williams might be a good long relief pitcher, but he showed that he isn't much of a starter. And Rizzo could not get anything for him at this year's trade deadline.

Corbin, Gray, Gore, Irvin, and Rutledge should be the rotation. Then Cavalli returns around July. Maybe the Nats go to a six-man rotation then?

The relief pitching is pretty good.

The Nats need a 3B and a LF who can hit. Someone like Mark Canha in left, and someone like Candelario at 3B. No telling what Candelario will get as a free agent, but someone like him. And if Candelario himself? He can move to 1B whenever House or Lipscomb, or both, are ready...or Yoyo Morales.

Maybe Crews has learned to hit AA and then AAA pitching by August. He is supposed to be that good.

[Natsinpwc]

This org. plays the contract, not the best player, so both will be in the rotation next year, and Corbin could be the OD starter again.   Plus Rizzo's going to want Williams in there so he can try to get something for him at the deadline.   Keibert Ruiz, another contract play, will also get way more time than he deserves.

I wouldn't be surprised if this team is worse next year.  Crews and Wood aren't ready and with $40m of cash committed to deferrals alone, can't see our fine owners adding payroll as others have pointed out.

Correct.  They will be starters up until any trades. 

[Slateman]

That's a little overstated. Yes, Corbin will start the season in the rotation, but he is not needed once Cavalli is back. And most of Corbin's salary will have ben paid by the end of July. Williams might be a good long relief pitcher, but he showed that he isn't much of a starter. And Rizzo could not get anything for him at this year's trade deadline.

Likewise, Rutledge can continue his development in Triple A. He clearly needs it.

Corbin, Gray, Gore, Irvin, and Rutledge should be the rotation. Then Cavalli returns around July. Maybe the Nats go to a six-man rotation then?

The relief pitching is pretty good.

The Nats need a 3B and a LF who can hit. Someone like Mark Canha in left, and someone like Candelario at 3B. No telling what Candelario will get as a free agent, but someone like him. And if Candelario himself? He can move to 1B whenever House or Lipscomb, or both, are ready...or Yoyo Morales.

Maybe Crews has learned to hit AA and then AAA pitching by August. He is supposed to be that good.

We dont know how Cavalli is going to look coming off TJS. And he will likely not be pitching innings until June, which means the Nats could easily just wait until after the deadline to call him up. All the more reason to see if Williams can turn it around with a full season as a starter back under his belt.

Nats bullpen was one of the worst in baseball last season.

The Nats simply arent going to get anything noteworthy at their price point. For every Candelario there are a bunch of Dickersons and Dom Smiths.

The Lerners have no desire to spend money to field a competitive team.

[IanRubbish]

Yes, Corbin will start the season in the rotation

And will bet he's the OD starter.  Only way he doesn't stay in is if he gets moved at the deadline.  He's also got a $10m deferral in 2025, so that would also require covering most of what's owed him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Oddly enough, the bullpen was second in wins after the trade deadline. Probably a few blown save wins, but a fun number.

[Five Banners]

Oddly enough, the bullpen was second in wins after the trade deadline. Probably a few blown save wins, but a fun number.

A number of come from behind wins too

[Slateman]

Oddly enough, the bullpen was second in wins after the trade deadline. Probably a few blown save wins, but a fun number.

Given how infrequently the rotation went beyond 5 innings, that would track. But Nats relievers had an ERA over 5

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Given how infrequently the rotation went beyond 5 innings, that would track. But Nats relievers had an ERA over 5

but much better after the deadline. Granted they didn't make any pitching deals, but they shortened to 7 relievers and roles were shifted a bit. It includes good and bad streaks. The ERA was better by a lot. Their big problem was they were homer prone. Look at Fip vs xFip. XFip was respectable. They also throw hard (4th in mlb). Robert [Hunter Jerry] Garcia was a real find, and I was impressed with Ferrer too. Weems stepped up. I am good with the bullpen

[Natsinpwc]

Generally the pitching was bad with a couple encouraging spots.

Nats expected wins based on run differential was 67.  So really to make the playoffs would probably be a 20 game climb.  In 2021 the Brewers finished with 87 wins and missed out on the wild card. This year the bar was a couple games lower.

Would really need a couple of significant free agent signings short of some major impact new players. 

[Slateman]

but much better after the deadline. Granted they didn't make any pitching deals, but they shortened to 7 relievers and roles were shifted a bit. It includes good and bad streaks. The ERA was better by a lot. Their big problem was they were homer prone. Look at Fip vs xFip. XFip was respectable. They also throw hard (4th in mlb). Robert [Hunter Jerry] Garcia was a real find, and I was impressed with Ferrer too. Weems stepped up. I am good with the bullpen

After the deadline, it was a 4.54 ERA. That's not "much better."

The back of the bullpen was decent. The rest of the pen was hot garbage.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm ok with Rainey replacing one of the pieces of hot garbage, and Ferrer is fine as #6.

[Slateman]

I'm ok with Rainey replacing one of the pieces of hot garbage, and Ferrer is fine as #6.

Yea, but I'm also not expecting much out Rainey, coming off TJS. And if he's good, you gotta think he and Finnegan are on the trade block

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yea, but I'm also not expecting much out Rainey, coming off TJS. And if he's good, you gotta think he and Finnegan are on the trade block

and Harvey. They all have 2 years of arb left. Weems and Garcia, along with Ferrer, Powell, whoever, are the long term pieces unless they try to extend Harvey.

[imref]

Rotation speculation at all levels:
http://www.nationalsarmrace.com/?p=18247