2023-24 Off-Season Discussion

[Slateman]

After the all-star break Ruiz hit .300 with an OPS of 809.

Due to sn OPS of .913 in August. Had a .671 OPS in September

Also, an .809 OPS isnt exactly fantastic for a DH. Seems pretty clear they're going to keep Ruiz at catcher and hope he can improve. Not a lot of value if he cant

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Brzykczy, Henry, Herz, and Parker added.

https://www.mlb.com/nationals/news/nationals-injuries-and-roster-moves

somehow, I always throw in an extra "z" in Brzykcy. "Brick-see"

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Due to sn OPS of .913 in August. Had a .671 OPS in September

Also, an .809 OPS isnt exactly fantastic for a DH. Seems pretty clear they're going to keep Ruiz at catcher and hope he can improve. Not a lot of value if he cant

yes, long rope at catcher for him. .809 is fine for a C, and statcast's x line - xBA .272, xSLG .420, xwOBA .322 - is even more respectable. FG has him at .800 for the second half, which is 10th among 41 Cs with > 100 PAs. as a DH, it's not even middle of the pack (23rd out of 44 with 100 PA). Got to hope he does a lot of work on D to get to an acceptable level, otherwise he's positionless without a bat that can carry him.

[Natsinpwc]

somehow, I always throw in an extra "z" in Brzykcy. "Brick-see"

No one noticed.

[Senatorswin]

yes, long rope at catcher for him. .809 is fine for a C, and statcast's x line - xBA .272, xSLG .420, xwOBA .322 - is even more respectable. FG has him at .800 for the second half, which is 10th among 41 Cs with > 100 PAs. as a DH, it's not even middle of the pack (23rd out of 44 with 100 PA). Got to hope he does a lot of work on D to get to an acceptable level, otherwise he's positionless without a bat that can carry him.

If Ruiz can hit consistently like he did post all-star break he's definitely an asset. .300 hitting catchers are rare. Put that together with 18 home runs on the year and the Nats will be glad they signed him long term. At 25 his catching can improve with work.

[imref]

Jeimer 2.0?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/nationals-showing-renewed-interest-in-jeimer-candelario.html

I don’t see the Nats signing him to a 4 year deal with House on the way.

[Natsinpwc]

Jeimer 2.0?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/nationals-showing-renewed-interest-in-jeimer-candelario.html

I don’t see the Nats signing him to a 4 year deal with House on the way.

We don't have a 1B.  He can shift there.  That is what he played with the Cubs.  How about 3 years for $50 million.  MLBTR is projecting 4 years at $70 million. 

[Slateman]

Meh, dont really want to spend for Candelario. He fell off a ckiff in the second half.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung-Hoo Lee are the only big free agents worth pursuing this offseason.

[Natsinpwc]

Meh, dont really want to spend for Candelario. He fell off a ckiff in the second half.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung-Hoo Lee are the only big free agents worth pursuing this offseason.

Missed his hitting coach.

[imref]

We don't have a 1B.  He can shift there.  That is what he played with the Cubs.  How about 3 years for $50 million.  MLBTR is projecting 4 years at $70 million. 

Yo yo has a good shot at being our 1B in 2025

[HondoKillebrew]

Yo yo has a good shot at being our 1B in 2025

Here’s hoping.

[Natsinpwc]

Yo yo has a good shot at being our 1B in 2025

What are the odds that both Morales and House are ready for 2025?  Greater chance that one will be a bust. See Exhibit Carter Kieboom. DH is also available and you could rotate the three between 1B, 3B and DH if both make it.  You just can’t project prospects for all the holes in your lineup.  Never works out that way. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We don't have a 1B.  He can shift there.  That is what he played with the Cubs.  How about 3 years for $50 million.  MLBTR is projecting 4 years at $70 million. 

there's really a huge split on what it would take to sign him. For comparison, FG's median crowd consensus is 3 years / $36 million, while Ben Clemens is 3 years, $45 million. There's a shortage of bats in free agency. He's behind Ohtani, then there's a few guys with a bit of warts - Bellinger, Chapman, Candy, Hoskins and Lee. Candy probably has the lowest upside. You know his peak - 1st half, last year. Belli and Chapman have performed better than that.

If he loves Washington and he can be had at 3 years, $40 million, fine, but if the bidding gets a good deal north of $50 million or if a 4th year is guaranteed at > $15MM AAV, then I'd be out.

[Natsinpwc]

there's really a huge split on what it would take to sign him. For comparison, FG's median crowd consensus is 3 years / $36 million, while Ben Clemens is 3 years, $45 million. There's a shortage of bats in free agency. He's behind Ohtani, then there's a few guys with a bit of warts - Bellinger, Chapman, Candy, Hoskins and Lee. Candy probably has the lowest upside. You know his peak - 1st half, last year. Belli and Chapman have performed better than that.

If he loves Washington and he can be had at 3 years, $40 million, fine, but if the bidding gets a good deal north of $50 million or if a 4th year is guaranteed at > $15MM AAV, then I'd be out.

Depends what their budget is I guess. Why not overpay a bit?  They have no other big contracts other than the two pitchers. And one is done after 2024. $15 million a year won’t break their bank.

[Count Walewski]

The Nats caught lighting in a bottle once with Candelario who had a great half season. No reason to think it could happen again. I would stay far away from him and thank him for his service.

[Natsinpwc]

The Nats caught lighting in a bottle once with Candelario who had a great half season. No reason to think it could happen again. I would stay far away from him and thank him for his service.

2021 was about the same as 2023.  And 2020 was a bit better although just two months.  Decent veteran bat with a bit of power which we need. And decent defense at a couple positions. Who would you sign?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The Nats caught lighting in a bottle once with Candelario who had a great half season. No reason to think it could happen again. I would stay far away from him and thank him for his service.

I'd say don't chase him, but I don't think you get burned at $13 million per year and if you keep the contract to 3 years or less. 2022 looks like an aberration, not so much a signal. He'll age, so don't expect a repeat of 1st half 2023. He probably deserved to be an all star more than Austin Riley (who turned it on in the 2nd half). The nice thing about Candy is he can cover 3rd until prospect #1 hits, then slide to 1st until another bat comes along, then slide to DH unless Joey improves. That sort of profile makes him more useful to us than, say, Toronto, who have 1st and DH blocked.

[Natsinpwc]

I'd say don't chase him, but I don't think you get burned at $13 million per year and if you keep the contract to 3 years or less. 2022 looks like an aberration, not so much a signal. He'll age, so don't expect a repeat of 1st half 2023. He probably deserved to be an all star more than Austin Riley (who turned it on in the 2nd half). The nice thing about Candy is he can cover 3rd until prospect #1 hits, then slide to 1st until another bat comes along, then slide to DH unless Joey improves. That sort of profile makes him more useful to us than, say, Toronto, who have 1st and DH blocked.

Agree. I think it’s a better option than signing someone like Hoskins for one year.  If Rhys has a good year and helps you compete he will be gone in 2025. And the veteran production is hard to replace.  Maybe there are some other options in this price range out there?

[Natsinpwc]

Reds non tender former number two overall pick Nick Senzel.  Article mentions Nats as one of the potential landing spots.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/reds-to-non-tender-nick-senzel.html

[Slateman]

Reds non tender former number two overall pick Nick Senzel.  Article mentions Nats as one of the potential landing spots.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/reds-to-non-tender-nick-senzel.html

Utility version of Robles.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Plays 3rd therefore he's an upgrade for the Nats

[Natsinpwc]

Here are more guys available. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/national-league-non-tenders-11-17-23.html

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Quantrill dealt to Rox.

Juan Yepez has had some hot streaks for the Cards. Might be a guy to look at. Bad 2023 in 60 or so at bats after  a nice 2022.

[Natsinpwc]

Brandon Woodruff seems to be the main name. Not sure he will be healthy enough to pitch in 2024.

[Slateman]

Woodruff's shoulder must look like Dallas Braden's