2023-24 Off-Season Discussion

[Senatorswin]

Speaking of lists and prospects the Nationals site has a list - "Here are the prospects to watch for every MLB team."

The Nats prospect to watch is not exactly a shocker:

"Nationals: OF Dylan Crews
Ranked as the Nationals’ No. 1 prospect and No. 4 overall by MLB Pipeline, Crews is expected to make his Major League debut next season – one year after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2023 Draft. The reigning Golden Spikes Award winner out of LSU jumped to Double-A by the end of his first season in the pros. Crews hit .292 with five homers, 29 RBIs and an .845 OPS in 35 games across three Minor League levels. -- Jessica Camerato"

Of course the Pirates is Paul Skenes.

[Senatorswin]

Seems shaky but this the list of the Nationals minor league players ETA to MLB in 2024 according to the Nationals prospects list:

- Dylan Crews (1)
- James Wood (2)
- Cade Cavalli (4)
- Robert Hassell III (8th)
- Jake Bennet (10)
- Jackson Rutledge (13)
- DJ Herz (16)
- Jeremy De La Rosa (17)
- Cole Henry (18)
- Israel Pineda (21) 2023
- Drew Millas (22) 2023
- Nasim Nunez (23)
- Darren Baker (25) (2023)
- Mitchell Parker (26)
- Zach Brzykcy (29)
- Jacob Young (30)

Surprises to me

- House will be in AA with other guys Like Crews and Wood who are predicted to hit MLB in 2024 but House is 2025. I guess because he missed time with the back issue.

- These guys are already listed as being at the MLB level - Cavalli, Rutledge, Herz, Henry, Pineda, Millas, Nunez, Parker, Brzykcy, Young. If that's true it would lead one to think Henry, Pineda, Millas, Nunez, and Parker are going north with the team to start the year. I wouldn't think that's true. I don't even know who Nunez and Parker are.

- Robert Hassel III doesn't seem close to being ready for MLB.

- Why is Baker, Pineda and Millas Listed with ETA of 2023 when other guys who have played on the Nats already are 2024.

- I would of thought Jacob Young would of been higher than 30.

[Slateman]

I mean, at this point, anyone who us raking/dealing in Double A by July should be getting a September cup of coffee

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It looks like the "MLB level" is everyone on the 40 man roster. Nunez is the Rule 5 draft choice. Parker is a minor league starting pitcher. Pineda was added to the MLB roster in 2022, so I don't know where the 2023 came from. I don't know why Baker would be listed as 2023 ETA because he is not on the 40 man roster and I don't think he ever was. Cavalli is also weird because he's debuted in 2022.

[Slateman]

https://vxtwitter.com/mlbtraderumors/status/1740148301918564722?t=1McB4noaT8-M2zG1qKZXfQ&s=19

#Dodgers DFA reliever who posted a 2.43 ERA in Triple-A last season

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/bryan-hudson/19924/stats?position=P

Good K numbers. Go get him Rizz

[imref]

Speaking of lists and prospects the Nationals site has a list - "Here are the prospects to watch for every MLB team."

The Nats prospect to watch is not exactly a shocker:

"Nationals: OF Dylan Crews
Ranked as the Nationals’ No. 1 prospect and No. 4 overall by MLB Pipeline, Crews is expected to make his Major League debut next season – one year after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2023 Draft. The reigning Golden Spikes Award winner out of LSU jumped to Double-A by the end of his first season in the pros. Crews hit .292 with five homers, 29 RBIs and an .845 OPS in 35 games across three Minor League levels. -- Jessica Camerato"

Of course the Pirates is Paul Skenes.

i'm hoping we get a Skenes vs Crews matchup next year at Nats park.

[varoadking]

i'm hoping we get a Skenes vs Crews matchup next year at Nats park.

...and I wanted a pony for Christmas... 

The way I see it, unless they're both on the 2024 opening day roster...the teams need a makeup game late in the year due to a postponement...Skenes gets traded...or both teams find themselves in the 2024 postseason...neither is happenin'.

Which do you find more likely?  Of the options, I'd have to think that Santa may still be on his way with my pony...

[Senatorswin]

...and I wanted a pony for Christmas... 

The way I see it, unless they're both on the 2024 opening day roster...the teams need a makeup game late in the year due to a postponement...Skenes gets traded...or both teams find themselves in the 2024 postseason...neither is happenin'.

Which do you find more likely?  Of the options, I'd have to think that Santa may still be on his way with my pony...

Well it wouldn't be at Nats Park but the Nats are in Pittsburgh in September so it could happen then.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

...and I wanted a pony for Christmas... 

The way I see it, unless they're both on the 2024 opening day roster...the teams need a makeup game late in the year due to a postponement...Skenes gets traded...or both teams find themselves in the 2024 postseason...neither is happenin'.

Which do you find more likely?  Of the options, I'd have to think that Santa may still be on his way with my pony...

I could see both being listed as being in the lineup for the 4/1 home game sort of as an April Fool's joke. Otherwise, we are most likely going to have to wait for the September series at PNC and either do a road trip or watch MASN in order to watch them head to head.

[imref]

good to see you back Var.

I expect both will be in the majors sooner rather than later for two reasons: RoY reward of additional draft pick or international slots, and impact on attendance / ticket sales.

[Smithian]

Yea ... about that third base need

https://twitter.com/MarkZuckerman/status/1735005412317888746

Need filled

Senzel being the every day 3B is all I needed to confirm 2024 will be another thrown away year.

Five consecutive seasons of apathetic roster building.

[Natsinpwc]

...and I wanted a pony for Christmas... 

Do you have a barn for the pony? Do you call him Bedard?

[Natsinpwc]

Left handed power bat?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/nationals-reportedly-searching-for-left-handed-power-bat.html

[HalfSmokes]

Left handed power bat?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/nationals-reportedly-searching-for-left-handed-power-bat.html

Only if the definition of power bar is very flexible

[Five Banners]

Only if the definition of power bar is very flexible

Maybe that’s what they’re actually looking for, some power bars to keep them awake while they wait for the next offer to buy the team

[Slateman]

Only if the definition of power bar is very flexible

Cody Bellinger's power is flexible

[Natsinpwc]

Maybe that’s what they’re actually looking for, some power bars to keep them awake while they wait for the next offer to buy the team

Costco is selling gold bars. 

[imref]

Left handed power bat?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/nationals-reportedly-searching-for-left-handed-power-bat.html

this? I hope they find it in the clubhouse. 

https://baseballnotes.com/product/power-bat-trainer/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Left handed power bat?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/nationals-reportedly-searching-for-left-handed-power-bat.html

I still say Pederson makes an awful lot of sense. Pederson is younger than Rosario, I don't see them as locked in just on 1B. Until Wood and Crews are both ready, there's playing time for a lefty bat in LF. Garrett, Meneses, and the Lefty Bat can split LF, 1st, and DH until there are multiple prospect ready or they get dealt. Some of the other names are either not coming (Votto), long term high dollar commitments (Belli), or costly for short term and likely looking at contenders (Belt).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

In terms of lefty power, the name I have not focused on is Joey Gallo. Certainly has lefty power, but the average is bad with low BABIP and lots of Ks, and not quite making it up with his high BB rate. He's fallen behind Schwarber offensively the past couple years, but defensively he's pretty good, or at least average, in left and 1st. he may be even cheaper than Pederson (FG mean crowd estimate - 1 year, $8 million). I prefer Pederson, but I could see the team saying they expect both Crews and Wood (or Hassell, or Pinckney, or Lile) being up this year and DH and 1st being covered or flexible. If that is the case, then shorter and less money might be attractive.

[welch]

I'd pick Rosario over Pederson, since he has hit slightly better. Pederson is a year younger, but that should not make much difference. Pederson made $19 million last year, while Rosario made about $9 million. Maybe Pederson expects something near his 2023 salary, but who knows?

Either has had an OPS around .750 pretty consistently, which is "power" enough for this year.

[Five Banners]

In terms of lefty power, the name I have not focused on is Joey Gallo. Certainly has lefty power, but the average is bad with low BABIP and lots of Ks, and not quite making it up with his high BB rate. He's fallen behind Schwarber offensively the past couple years, but defensively he's pretty good, or at least average, in left and 1st. he may be even cheaper than Pederson (FG mean crowd estimate - 1 year, $8 million). I prefer Pederson, but I could see the team saying they expect both Crews and Wood (or Hassell, or Pinckney, or Lile) being up this year and DH and 1st being covered or flexible. If that is the case, then shorter and less money might be attractive.

One of the only things worse coming to mind of doing nothing in this off-season is this. Having as their biggest signing any amount of money given on a one year deal and roster spot tied up on a guy who just hit .177 to bring his career batting average below the Mendoza line might be a fitting capper to this off-season as far as levels of disappointing. Even giving Robles or Kieboom playing time instead at least has some semblance of sense in comparison.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think any of Gallo, Rosario, or Pederson would make sense. Perhaps the Nats have a price on each and figure one of them may be left taking their offer sometime in late January or early February.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

One of the only things worse coming to mind of doing nothing in this off-season is this. Having as their biggest signing any amount of money given on a one year deal and roster spot tied up on a guy who just hit .177 to bring his career batting average below the Mendoza line might be a fitting capper to this off-season as far as levels of disappointing. Even giving Robles or Kieboom playing time instead at least has some semblance of sense in comparison.

the dude walks 15% of the time so he's .300 obp (not great) but is a lock for 20 hrs.

[Slateman]

Pederson and Gallo wont work with this coaching staff