2023-24 Off-Season Discussion

[imref]

Mlb.com had a post up predicting Skenes and Langford as ROY winners. Iirc Langford got off to a hot start last year and quickly came back to earth.

[Natsinpwc]

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...

Small sample size for Crews in Double A. We will see how he does this season.  No rush to bring him up as the team will suck. 

[zimm_da_kid]

Mlb.com had a post up predicting Skenes and Langford as ROY winners. Iirc Langford got off to a hot start last year and quickly came back to earth.

Pretty sure Evan carter has ROY eligibility still.  And Yamamoto is going to get it for the NL unless he’s hurt.

Also Jung hoo lee in the NL could be in the race. 

Also think caminero will put it together and take for the rays. 

Highly doubt Skenes gets the innings and Langford has Garcia, carter, and taveras ahead of him.  Taveras won’t block him long term, but it provides a reason not to rush Langford unless he’s 100% ready

[Senatorswin]

Garcia and Thomas have the same issue. If they can learn to be more selective at the plate they would go to the next level and kick butt.

[Slateman]

https://vxtwitter.com/OnePursuitTakes/status/1743019080427188490?s=20

The Astros have contacted the Nationals about Kyle Finnegan per Jon Morosi

[Slateman]

Garcia and Thomas have the same issue. If they can learn to be more selective at the plate they would go to the next level and kick butt.

Except Thomas has gotten better as he is gotten less selective.

[Senatorswin]

Except Thomas has gotten better as he is gotten less selective.

That is true for some months last year not so much for others. Probably a better way to look at Thomas is his home run totals when facing a lefty were only slightly better proportionately than when facing a righty, but he had a much better AVG., OBP. and OPS. when facing a lefty. He was an inferior hitter when facing a right hander but awesome against a left hander. Not even close.

This would suggest in the future Thomas should be platooned and face left handers and be a late game defensive replacement. Of course in order to do this the Nats would need an outfielder who was above average against right handers. They need a Lowenstein/ Roenicke situation. 

[imref]

Good read on the Nats use of tech: https://www.talknats.com/2024/01/04/nats-strategy-tech-group/

[Slateman]

That is true for some months last year not so much for others. Probably a better way to look at Thomas is his home run totals when facing a lefty were only slightly better proportionately than when facing a righty, but he had a much better AVG., OBP. and OPS. when facing a lefty. He was an inferior hitter when facing a right hander but awesome against a left hander. Not even close.

This would suggest in the future Thomas should be platooned and face left handers and be a late game defensive replacement. Of course in order to do this the Nats would need an outfielder who was above average against right handers. They need a Lowenstein/ Roenicke situation. 

No, thats pretty much true across the board. As Thomas has gotten less selective at the plate, he's become a better hitter. His slugging against RHP went up 46 points last year from 2022.

In a team with a viable RHP option, sure, Thomas is a platoon bat. But here, he's a starter. And he hit 28 homers with this new approach.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

that said, you can understand why the outside-DC view of Thomas is platoon bat on a contender. He's a comfortable starter for a <.500 team. If you think Slate is onto something and perhaps he's become better than that, then maybe that explains why the Nats are held onto him at the deadline.

One of the reasons that I keep on jumping back to Cinci is that they have a clear need for a right bat in the OF.

[Elvir Ovcina]

that said, you can understand why the outside-DC view of Thomas is platoon bat on a contender. He's a comfortable starter for a <.500 team. If you think Slate is onto something and perhaps he's become better than that, then maybe that explains why the Nats are held onto him at the deadline.

One of the reasons that I keep on jumping back to Cinci is that they have a clear need for a right bat in the OF.

They have a substantial corner infield logjam that is going to put Steer in LF a lot.  They have Candelario, Marte and Encarnacion-Strand, who are all starter-quality for 3B/1B/DH, plus De La Cruz can also play 3B to allow McLean at SS and India at 2B (who also figures into the 1B/DH jam).  Steer basically has to play LF a lot as he's the only one who's actually done it.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They have a substantial corner infield logjam that is going to put Steer in LF a lot.  They have Candelario, Marte and Encarnacion-Strand, who are all starter-quality for 3B/1B/DH, plus De La Cruz can also play 3B to allow McLean at SS and India at 2B (who also figures into the 1B/DH jam).  Steer basically has to play LF a lot as he's the only one who's actually done it.

India is the one who they may want to move. McLean to 2d, Elly to SS, Jeimer to 3rd until Marte is ready?

[imref]

Bob Carpenter:

My baseball family, I’m pleased to share that I’ll remain on Nationals TV for the next 2 seasons. I’ll be doing most of the road games and around half at home. I’m grateful to the Nats and MASN for letting me wind down my career on these terms and I want you to know that sharing these last 18 years with you has been the highlight of my long career. Love you guys; go Nats! ❤️⚾️🙏

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Bob Carpenter:

very popular with the staff and owners at CCSP. Good man. I think this works well for both Frandsen and Kolko. For Frandsen, it gives him an experienced guy to work with, and for Kolko, it gives him plenty of opportunities to improve his play by play for an eventual succession.

[machpost]

I assume Kolko will be sharing duties with him going forward. I like Dan just fine but I'm not crazy about him in that role.

[Senatorswin]

I'm glad Bob will be around for two more years. Seems backwards he'll be there for most road games and half home games.

As long as Dave and Charlie are on the radio broadcast all is right in the Nats broadcast world.

[Slateman]

https://twitter.com/jimbowdengm/status/1744053381981753634?s=46&t=f1CngLinLiYKbxkfG0otAw

Andrew Friedman #Dodgers just told us @mlbnetworkradio that he is focused right now on acquiring a right-handed hitting outfielder that can crush LHP and hold his own against RHP. It's only a matter of time.

Lane Thomas trade

[Five Banners]

https://twitter.com/jimbowdengm/status/1744053381981753634?s=46&t=f1CngLinLiYKbxkfG0otAw

Lane Thomas trade

Buehler / May the other way, they clear out roster spots and enhance their health, everyone wins

[Five Banners]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

“Nightengale also reports that free agent right-hander Marcus Stroman has approached the Yankees to express “serious interest” in signing with the club, though he adds that the club has not reciprocated that interest with a contract offer at this point“

What’s the appeal of NYC now, Broadway shows? He can get plenty of them down here and take the Acela up for other ones.

[Slateman]

I assume the Yankees pay money for their players

[Slateman]

Buehler / May the other way, they clear out roster spots and enhance their health, everyone wins

Uh ....they're giving up neither of those guys.  I was thinking Bruns, Doncon, or Liranzo

[JCA-CrystalCity]

on the topic of the Dodgers - MLTBTR chat:

Adam
9:12   Dodgers should really find a home for Michael Busch. Nationals could use a 2B upgrade. Is there a possible trade here without the Nats having to include any prospects?
Mark P
9:14   Nats fans probably would cringe at this, but since the Dodgers want a right-handed hitting outfielder...Lane Thomas?  It wouldn't be Busch alone for Thomas, but Busch as part of a package.

DC also probably isn't ready to give up on Luis Garcia yet, however, so trading for Busch (or any other second baseman) might not be high on Washington's priority list

https://live.jotcast.com/chat/mlbtr-live-chat-17368.html

[Slateman]

By the deadline, we should know about Garcia. Problem is, Busch is basically the same player. If he doesn't hit well, he doesnt have any value.

And Im still holding out hope we can move Abrams over to second and get a glove first shortstop

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm getting to be the ZDK of this offseason, but Seattle has an imbalance in their corner outfield now even after acquiring Haniger and Raley. Could use a righty bat. Thomas for Dominic Canzone works in the MLB trade value simulator. Huge lefty power potential. Hit very well in the upper minors but had a meh debut with AZ and especially Seattle (182 PAs, .220/.238/.399, 6 HR). May not want to put too much weight on his debut stats as his expected stats based on contact were much better (xBA .257, xSLG .475, xwOBA .330).

Lefty power is a current need on the roster, and, other than Wood, there's not much in the upper minors. House is a righty, as is Crews, Pinckney, and Morales. That's most of the power in the minors. Deal might require sending some money, as Seattle is going way cheap, so maybe we could get another piece back.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/possible-left-handed-power-targets-for-nationals.html

we've talked about the MLB FAs listed (Belt, Joc, Rosario, and Gallo). the trade targets identified include Josh Bell, MikeYaz, and Seth Brown. Also id's several guys who would be a minor league signing with an invite, including Ji Man Choi, Mike Ford (again), Vogelbach, Austin Meadows, and Jared Walsh. The last bunch they characterize as depth targets. Of these, Bell is maybe the most interesting name if the Marlins are looking to dump the contract and the Nats are willing to spend just a bit.