2023-24 Off-Season Discussion

[Senatorswin]

Garcia was really good in September after he came back from the minors. I think this is a make or break season for him. Hang on to him at least through the first half of the season.

[imref]

Garcia was really good in September after he came back from the minors. I think this is a make or break season for him. Hang on to him at least through the first half of the season.

Agreed, he'll go into camp as the everyday 2B but if he struggles again, he's done.

[Slateman]

Garcia was really good in September after he came back from the minors. I think this is a make or break season for him. Hang on to him at least through the first half of the season.

We have 1245 plate appearances of data on him. More than enough to move on.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We have 1245 plate appearances of data on him. More than enough to move on.

well, I guess he's the default unless there's a move. As the commenter suggested, is there a Cinci infielder that it makes sense to swap for Thomas to fill in at 2nd?

The other thought is that, with Senzel, what is the path to the roster for Kieboom, who is out of options? Is he in the mix for second? At this point, I suppose no MLB team would give Kieboom a 26 man roster slot if he can't hit well enough for the Nats to keep him active, so he's likely to be waived and outrighted rather than make the roster.  Alu would be the 3rd man in, but he has options. For completeness, there's also Nunez and Vargas.

[imref]

A reminder that Garcia is only 23.  When he returned for September he posted .304 / .360 /.507 in 74 PAs with 3 HRs, 6BBs, and 9Ks.

There isn't a team out there that would move on from that kind of production from a 23 year old, provided he can sustain something at or close to it going forward and isn't an error machine.

[Slateman]

well, I guess he's the default unless there's a move. As the commenter suggested, is there a Cinci infielder that it makes sense to swap for Thomas to fill in at 2nd?

The other thought is that, with Senzel, what is the path to the roster for Kieboom, who is out of options? Is he in the mix for second? At this point, I suppose no MLB team would give Kieboom a 26 man roster slot if he can't hit well enough for the Nats to keep him active, so he's likely to be waived and outrighted rather than make the roster.  Alu would be the 3rd man in, but he has options. For completeness, there's also Nunez and Vargas.

Yea, may as well. But everyone always points to some small sample size that shows he turned the corner and then he goes back to sucking.

I just think we're delaying the inevitable. Move Abrams to second base, and start working on finding a good shortstop defender who can post >85 wRC+

[Senatorswin]

mlb.com has the best fit for the top 8 free agents. It has the Nationals as Rhys Hoskins best fit. It says a lot of the contenders are set at 1st and DH and it would make sense for him to sign with the Nats on a 1 year deal with a possible flip at the trade deadline.

I'm not a Hoskins fan but a 1 year deal with a flip might work. I would like to see once and for all what Meneses can do at first full-time though.

[Slateman]

One year is ideal. I think it takes one year with a second year player option

[Natsinpwc]

mlb.com has the best fit for the top 8 free agents. It has the Nationals as Rhys Hoskins best fit. It says a lot of the contenders are set at 1st and DH and it would make sense for him to sign with the Nats on a 1 year deal with a possible flip at the trade deadline.

I'm not a Hoskins fan but a 1 year deal with a flip might work. I would like to see once and for all what Meneses can do at first full-time though.

Hoskins is a butcher at 1B. So he can be the DH.

[machpost]

A reminder that Garcia is only 23.  When he returned for September he posted .304 / .360 /.507 in 74 PAs with 3 HRs, 6BBs, and 9Ks.

There isn't a team out there that would move on from that kind of production from a 23 year old, provided he can sustain something at or close to it going forward and isn't an error machine.

Let's just hope the experiment doesn't turn out to be Victor Robles Part II.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Just poking around on Baseball Trade Values, it looks like Hunter Harvey and Lane Thomas would get you Jonathan India. I'm not sure if I'd do it, which I guess is a sign that this is fair. India is better than Garcia, even if you ignore his rookie year (which is starting to look like an exception). Neither is great in the field, but his offense is better. Gets on at a .340+ clip. Has a bit of power, too, but maybe that's Cinci. This would open a short-term hole in right, but it's short term as that is the deepest position in the system.

[Senatorswin]

Just poking around on Baseball Trade Values, it looks like Hunter Harvey and Lane Thomas would get you Jonathan India. I'm not sure if I'd do it, which I guess is a sign that this is fair. India is better than Garcia, even if you ignore his rookie year (which is starting to look like an exception). Neither is great in the field, but his offense is better. Gets on at a .340+ clip. Has a bit of power, too, but maybe that's Cinci. This would open a short-term hole in right, but it's short term as that is the deepest position in the system.

India's 27, one year younger than Thomas. I wouldn't trade just Thomas for India. Harvey is the projected closer.

[imref]

Let's just hope the experiment doesn't turn out to be Victor Robles Part II.

we aren't going to be competitive in 2024 so we have some more time to figure out if September was an aberration or if he's finally learned to hit.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

India's 27, one year younger than Thomas. I wouldn't trade just Thomas for India. Harvey is the projected closer.

I'm less optimistic about the pipeline in the middle infield than I am about the outfield. He's 3 years of control vs. 2 for Thomas. I like Harvey, and he's the more valuable piece in the deal than Thomas if you buy the trade values. Perhaps you hold until the trade deadline, and if Cinci is looking for bullpen upgrade, then maybe one of Rainey or Harvey gets you India. That also gives you time to become convinced neither Garcia nor Alu can hold the position.

I more or less looked at a potential deal along the lines of bullpen plus righty outfielder for middle infield upgrade because that's been kicking around as a Cinci need and surplus.

[imref]

Morosi says the Nats and Astros have discussed relievers. No details.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Morosi says the Nats and Astros have discussed relievers. No details.

discussed relievers? as in our guys going to them? their to us? MLB vets for prospects?

[imref]

discussed relievers? as in our guys going to them? their to us? MLB vets for prospects?

if i had to make a guess, i'd think we're shopping Finnegan.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Humor me:

1. Finnegan (closer)
2. Harvey (highest leverage setup, alt closer)
3. Robert Hunter Jerry Garcia (lefty high leverage, 7th inning setup, lyrics and guitar solos)
4. Dylan Floro (7th / 8th inning)
5. Tanner Rainey (recovering, likely to start out in middle relief)
6. Jose Ferrer (groomed for high leverage but starts out in middle relief)
7. Jordan Weems / Mason Thompson (low leverage and middle relief, multi innings)
8. Joan Adon (long relief if not in rotation) / Trevor Williams (if / when a 5th starter enters the picture)

A level down
9. Thompson (or Weems)
10. Willingham
11. Rutledge (or potentially the long guy in the MLB)

Various Brzykcys, Henry recovering from injury, plus other minor leaguers who get hot.

Looking at that list, there's probably enough to deal off of the major league pen.

[Slateman]

Will they move Adon to the pen? I think it should be done but the Nats have been loath to move starters to the pen.

[aspenbubba]

I'm less than underwhelmed by Rizzos' acquisitions this off season of Senzel, Floro and Nunez. Not only do I see Senzel and Nunez not making it past the trade deadline but these acquisitions do not equal what he managed last off season. I know he isn't finished  and I'm hoping he catches lightning in a bottle with some talented players needing to be signed early by ST.

I also participated and succumbed to the collective hype of our prospects Crews, Wood and House by most of the posters on the board. I even floated Lipscomb, Lile , Pickney and Morales as sure bets to make the show. I would be thrilled if one of the former and one of the latter became a National starter.

Yes, I know ,very pessimistic but I see so many high first rounders being DFA'ed in the past few months.

[Natsinpwc]

I think Crews is a good bet to be an above average major leaguer.  House looks good also but so did Kieboom.  Woods seems to have lots of potential but a hole in his swing. Hassell I think is a bust.  Not sure about Morales. 

[imref]

I think Crews is a good bet to be an above average major leaguer.  House looks good also but so did Kieboom.  Woods seems to have lots of potential but a hole in his swing. Hassell I think is a bust.  Not sure about Morales. 

in my dreams I see our August 1 lineup being:
1. Abrams, SS
2. Crews, LF
3. House, 3B
4. Morales, 1B
5. Meneses, DH
6. Ruiz, C
7. Wood, RF
8. Garcia, 2B
9. Hassell, CF

That would entail moving Thomas and Robles. I most optimistic about Crews, House, and Morales being in the majors this year (Crews from day one)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Will they move Adon to the pen? I think it should be done but the Nats have been loath to move starters to the pen.

someone has to be a multi-inning guy. To pitch when Corbin gets shelled. Or Williams. or . . .

[aspenbubba]

in my dreams I see our August 1 lineup being:
1. Abrams, SS
2. Crews, LF
3. House, 3B
4. Morales, 1B
5. Meneses, DH
6. Ruiz, C
7. Wood, RF
8. Garcia, 2B
9. Hassell, CF

That would entail moving Thomas and Robles. I most optimistic about Crews, House, and Morales being in the majors this year (Crews from day one)

Morales has no pop. Hassell will have a cup of coffee in 2026 in DC. I'm not upset with Thomas being gone as he is a very streaky hitter and his last 3 months his average was .243 with HR's. Ruiz needs to be the DH and give Joey as shot at 1B. Robles is an enigma and we need to find out if he can perform like 2019.

[varoadking]

I think Crews is a good bet to be an above average major leaguer.  House looks good also but so did Kieboom.  Woods seems to have lots of potential but a hole in his swing. Hassell I think is a bust.  Not sure about Morales.

I thought we should have drafted Langford.  I still think that...

I think Crews has a very long row to hoe...and I don't think his MLB ceiling is anywhere near where folks may project.  He struggled in AA and should play a significant portion of the season there this year.

I don't have an opinion on any of the others.  Anything we get from them will be different, and likely more entertaining - if not better - than continuing to trot the likes of Robles, Garcia and Kieboom out there...