The Sunshine Squad 2024

[KnorrForYourMoney]

You might be looking at something a bit outdated.  They both show a pretty good OPS+, but neither is particularly close to a career high.

[Natsinpwc]

You might be looking at something a bit outdated.  They both show a pretty good OPS+, but neither is particularly close to a career high.

They’re both right about their career averages. 

[imref]

So not career highs, but back at their all-star levels:

Andrew Flax @ajflax
Filed under "Where does Mike Rizzo go to get his apology": Jesse Winker and Joey Gallo have graded out extremely well (in VERY small samples) on advanced stats. Looking at xBA, xSLG, xwOBA, and exit velocity, both are back at their 2021 All-Star peaks.

[Natsinpwc]

Those are too advanced for my little head.  So I will just say:

It’s early.

[IanRubbish]

Irvin and Gore with good starts, and a little less ball four.

[imref]

5-4 roadtrip!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Shutout one of the best offenses in baseball

[English Natsie]

And first team to shut-out the Dodgers this season...

[OfftheBat]

Can't believe we shut out the Dodgers, that is pretty awesome!! CJ is on fire too, way to go boys.

[welch]

And Rutledge is healthy. Probably means that Adon will not start again, except in AAA.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And Rutledge is healthy. Probably means that Adon will not start again, except in AAA.

Adon did OK in his spot start. I think he'll be in the mix for spot starts this year. They have 5 potential spot starters behind Gray once Gray is healthy - Adon, Rutledge, Parker, Ward, and Herz. Cavalli I think they'll try in MLB over a number of starts, but there's enough depth that he can take some time coming back.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

everyone gets too hyped about system products and minor leaguers filling roles on major league rosters, so it's not strange we have visions where 80% of a contending roster is on-board in the system. However, I'm getting to the point where Sunshine JCA feels 80% of the lineup and rotation could be in place by the end of the season:

3 outfield starters = Wood, Crews, Thomas
2 - 3 infield starters = Garcia, Abrams, maybe House (that's a stretch)
Catcher combo = Ruiz / Adams / Millas (not stellar, but adequate)

Leaves the easiest spots to fill - DH, 1B, maybe 3rd

4 SPs - Gore, Cavalli, Irvin, Gray.

There's projection on Cavalli, for sure, but this is the Shiner thread. I'd like a #1 /#2 FA on a short deal to fill this out. OTOH, none of this counts on Parker / Rutledge / Herz /Adon / Ward having a rotation role, so that covers a bit for a disappointment.

As for the bullpen, I still assume pieces will be moved, but I could also see Rizzo saying that with most of the 2025 lineup in place, hang onto some of the vets to complement Weems and RoGar for a year. I think they still should deal Harvey and Finnegan if the price is right, and hope a year of work will make Rainey useful for 2025.

[aspenbubba]

everyone gets too hyped about system products and minor leaguers filling roles on major league rosters, so it's not strange we have visions where 80% of a contending roster is on-board in the system. However, I'm getting to the point where Sunshine JCA feels 80% of the lineup and rotation could be in place by the end of the season:

3 outfield starters = Wood, Crews, Thomas
2 - 3 infield starters = Garcia, Abrams, maybe House (that's a stretch)
Catcher combo = Ruiz / Adams / Millas (not stellar, but adequate)

Leaves the easiest spots to fill - DH, 1B, maybe 3rd

4 SPs - Gore, Cavalli, Irvin, Gray.

There's projection on Cavalli, for sure, but this is the Shiner thread. I'd like a #1 /#2 FA on a short deal to fill this out. OTOH, none of this counts on Parker / Rutledge / Herz /Adon / Ward having a rotation role, so that covers a bit for a disappointment.

As for the bullpen, I still assume pieces will be moved, but I could also see Rizzo saying that with most of the 2025 lineup in place, hang onto some of the vets to complement Weems and RoGar for a year. I think they still should deal Harvey and Finnegan if the price is right, and hope a year of work will make Rainey useful for 2025.

I’m more than likely repeating myself but I do not see Crews making the OD in 2025 and I wouldn’t count on Thomas either. If Winker continues what he is doing and returns to his 2021 form I would like to see Rizzo take a run at him. Could he be another Candelario at the deadline? I agree with your infield projections but House is really young.
Rizzo needs to go all in on SP at least a # 1. I would not count on Gray being anything other than a #5. We are betting on Cavalli so you are probably correct that a #2 would make sense. We have virtually nothing in the pipeline for SP’s.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

This is a sunshine thread

[imref]

Don't look now, but the Nats are developing starting pitching.....

[aspenbubba]

Don't look now, but the Nats are developing starting pitching.....

Who besides Irvin and Parker. I have little hope for Rutledge and Adon was ruined by trotting him out continuously early last season or was it the year before without a win ?
Apologies JCA but your post probably should have been placed in the "Holy crap I'm Drunk " thread.

[imref]

Who besides Irvin and Parker. I have little hope for Rutledge and Adon was ruined by trotting him out early last season or was it the year before?
Apologies JCA but your post probably should have been placed in the "Holy crap I'm Drunk " thread.

Don't Irvin and Parker count? And Rutledge is getting there. Adon seems to have become a serviceable starter.

And we've had some relievers blossom : Jordan Weems, Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey?

[Slateman]

Who besides Irvin and Parker. I have little hope for Rutledge and Adon was ruined by trotting him out continuously early last season or was it the year before without a win ?
Apologies JCA but your post probably should have been placed in the "Holy crap I'm Drunk " thread.

Parker has one start. Lets hold off on penciling him just yet

[imref]

Parker has one start. Lets hold off on penciling him just yet

sunshine squad thread.....

[imref]

https://www.talknats.com/2024/04/18/are-cosmic-tumblers-turning/

[welch]

So far, so good.

[IanRubbish]

https://www.talknats.com/2024/04/18/are-cosmic-tumblers-turning/

LOL at Corbin actually being replaced at the rotation.  He's been paid, so he's going to play, that's the Mini Me way.  Sunshine - less than one season to go on his contract.

[Natsinpwc]

LOL at Corbin actually being replaced at the rotation.  He's been paid, so he's going to play, that's the Mini Me way.  Sunshine - less than one season to go on his contract.

It would actually be smart to put him in the pen.  Another team might see something they like about him there and make a trade.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I’m encouraged with the developments we’re seeing.

Gore looks to be making an Ace turn, and CJ is becoming a superstar.  I just wish we already locked CJ up with an extension.

Irvin looks to be maybe the next Tanner Roark.  Just a very solid middle of the rotation guy.

Maybe Garcia is actually not a lost cause at 23?  His expected numbers look great. 

Winker may end up this year’s Candelario we can flip at the deadline.  Hopefully Finnegan and Harvey stay healthy and productive so we can also shop them.  I think you have to look at moving Lane as well.

Wood has drastically cut down the K rate and continues to absolutely crush the ball.  It will be a nice jolt of excitement to get him in the lineup hopefully next month.

Now, I would like to see Gray get back on the mound and take at least a small step forward.  I’m still hoping Ruiz can find another gear, although Adams is a nice platoon.

Cavalli having a good second half would be awesome to see, and hopefully we see Crews around July.

[imref]

I’m encouraged with the developments we’re seeing.

Gore looks to be making an Ace turn, and CJ is becoming a superstar.  I just wish we already locked CJ up with an extension.

Irvin looks to be maybe the next Tanner Roark.  Just a very solid middle of the rotation guy.

Maybe Garcia is actually not a lost cause at 23?  His expected numbers look great. 

Winker may end up this year’s Candelario we can flip at the deadline.  Hopefully Finnegan and Harvey stay healthy and productive so we can also shop them.  I think you have to look at moving Lane as well.

Wood has drastically cut down the K rate and continues to absolutely crush the ball.  It will be a nice jolt of excitement to get him in the lineup hopefully next month.

Now, I would like to see Gray get back on the mound and take at least a small step forward.  I’m still hoping Ruiz can find another gear, although Adams is a nice platoon.

Cavalli having a good second half would be awesome to see, and hopefully we see Crews around July.

solid SSS post